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The Alabama Hills are a formation of rounded rocks and eroded hills set between the jagged peaks of the Sierra Nevada and the geologically complex Inyo Mountains. Both geologic features were shaped by the same uplifting occurring 100 million years ago. Alabama Hills camping offers touring film sites, photography, rock climbing, exploring natural arches, and viewing the swaths of wildflowers that bloom every spring. Horseback riding and mountain biking are popular activities.
Located near Mammoth Lakes, Crab Cooker Hot Springs is one of several hot water springs in the area that are suitable for soaking in. The pool consists of a manmade cement tub with water piped in from a mineral spring about 30 feet away. Though the water at the source is too hot to bathe in, or even to touch, the tub has been outfitted with a valve that allows for the control of hot water.
Crab cooker is located on land that is owned by the LA Department of Water and Power, which forbids camping. However, camping is permitted on nearby public land.
This is a clothing-optional hot spring area approximately 35 miles from the nearest paved road. A high-clearance vehicle and all-terrain tires are necessary to access this campground and road/weather conditions may necessitate 4-wheel drive. This campground is located at 1,375ft, but requires navigating either North Pass at 7,300ft or South Pass at 5,997ft and may be inaccessible due to winter conditions.
Guide
Was one of the most beautiful campgrounds I’ve stayed at. Just unfortunate that most the spots are labeled “Day Use Only.” Luckily we ran into someone nice enough to offer sharing their campground. Definitely a place you’d want to show up 4-5 hours early to find a spot. Otherwise, the roads were not too bad. The below freezing temps were well worth the stunning views.
Guide
We arrived just before dark, it’s quite a small site. Room for 4 vans max, ideal for 3. We used to chocks to level up as it’s pretty uneven in parts. But a great nights sleep, we had the place to ourselves
Traveler
I visited both parks and needed a place to sleep in my car, I had seen this spot on this site before so I looked and found it, it’s a dirt road but my matrix did fine driving through. Very close to the Chicago stump! Lots of wood laying around also.
Guide
Mountain side relatively flat dirt area to park. Has a sizable fire ring for the cold nights! Absolutely magical to sit next to the creek listening to the roaring waters! Much needed after the desert!
Traveler
2nd time at this spot and loved it! Rolled in after midnight and no one else was around.
Guide
This is a really nice area for camping on the side of the road here, but we only could've squeezed our 39ft Class A into maybe 2 of these spots. Usually when a dispersed site is marked Big Rig Friendly, we'll find that there is a large paved or gravel area for us to pull into and setup before you get to dirt road or off-road sites. There is a large paved area at this location, but we received a warning citation the next day, stating that we weren't allowed to camp there. It's confusing because this is the exact same setup as any other "snow play" or "sno-park" areas that have allowed camping in the gravel or paved areas area.
The paved area does have a couple of small stakes that say "no camping", but in our past dispersed camping experiences, those were used to mark areas where tents and vehicles couldn't pull off-road to camp. Apparently those stakes refer to the paved area in this case? There wasn't any reasoning provided on our citation, other than "find another area to camp."
Legend
This is our 3rd time staying here and we love it every time. There were only a few other campers here when we stayed the week before Christmas and there were plenty of spots open. Even when it’s busy, it seems like you can always find something. We love it here. So peaceful and absolutely quiet. Lots of rock climbers come in for the day and leave in the afternoon.
Something we hadn’t noticed before were all the goatheads, everywhere. Watch your dog’s paws.
Decent cell reception for ATT and Verizon, not great, but usable. Easy drive to Bishop for supplies, and the free dump & water fill at the Speedway at the other end of town is really nice.
The road in is fairly washboarded, but manageable. The road along the back side of the stone “wall” has gotten worse since we were here last. Parts of it are really rutted and washed out. Hopefully they are fixed at some point, not sure I’d feel comfortable driving our class c on it as it is now. Luckily there are plenty of spots out off the main road so we didn’t need to drive down that road this time.
Saw the rangers go by a couple of times during our 2 night stay here. One stopped and took notes and took a picture of our rig- glad to see that they’re tracking people and enforcing the 14 day limit!
Guide
I pulled in here looking for a campsite on my way up to mammoth. I was able to find a pretty dope spot surrounded by rocks, and nowhere near any other campers. I was legit, alone.
Great place to pull off and sit on a rock to watch the sun set over the mountains. Shade was minimal, but if you hide between the rocks like they do in that scene on the fire planet in Riddick you’ll be alright til it cools off.
TravelerQuiet place on dirt, not really levelled but fine for a night and easily accessible with any car.
GuideAbsolutely love this spot! Very cool rock formations all around you. Nice short trail nearby that takes you by a stream.
Nearby to lone pine where I had one of the best patty melts ever. And internet is great if you need to work.
Keep an eye out for the 4x4 roads as the other spots get filled up. Don’t go in summer with pets unless you have an AC
ScoutExploring Alabama Hills on Movie Flat Road is like stepping onto a film set straight out of a Western movie. This iconic location in California has been the backdrop for countless films, thanks to its stunning rock formations and dramatic landscapes. If you're planning a visit, make sure to check out Castle app for an interactive and personalized travel guide that enhances your experience with custom itineraries and insights tailored to your interests. Whether you're a film buff or an outdoor enthusiast, the combination of real-world exploration and digital tools can make your adventure in the Alabama Hills truly unforgettable.
Guide
This place was pretty easy to find, right off Hogback road. There are a couple of sites here, we picked the first one. After an hour or so two vans showed up and parked on the other side of the creek. This site is so close to the road, we could see them make the turn off Hogback road. No trees, just bushes. It's okay. Pretty basic. Great views of the backside of Mount Whitney.
ScoutEasy to find if you turn on that road leading to Chicago stump. Keep driving down and you’ll see dispersed camping spots. Beautiful views, quiet, peaceful & there are some fire rings already built.
GuideNice spot off the road . Most have fire pits . I found a spot with good sun for my solar panels.
GuideDespite mid week in May most “select” sites were taken. Many areas where you used to be able to camp have been signed “no camping.” VERY restrictive. That said, this place is special. Views are world class. Please be respectful and leave no trace so we can keep this gem open. We’ve been here several times and it never disappoints.
TravelerThis road leads to a sewer treatment plant and road is gated. Unpassable gravel road.
ScoutVery good spot to camp, there were plenty of spots and most had rings. There was also a bathroom so that was nice. Right off of the main road that goes throughout the whole park
TravelerSimple campground, but suitable for one night
Still some snow around in may
Scout
There were only about two spots before you hit a boulder in the middle of the path and the two paths were taken up by some trailers that look like they’ve been there a long while
ScoutRoads were open as of 5/23. A handful of spots with rock fire pits. Not too much noise and lots of stars
Scout
There are rocks blocking the turn off. If you still proceed the trail is completely washed out. No way to proceed with a trailer and you will ahem have to back down the road which is approximately zero fun.
ScoutSecluded with very little traffic. Especially good if you're traveling with dogs to let them roam around. There's a stream and waterfall downhill that makes for great hikes.
GuideDepending on the time of year, it may be hard to find a spot. You can't park anywhere, but there are designated spots to camp in. I went at the end of April and it was packed.
You might be able to park overnight and leave early in the morning in some areas, not sure how much they patrol the area.
No cell coverage for T-Mobile, but I used my WeeBoost and got two bars, enough to make calls and texts.
Use caution when traversing though the area to find a site if you have a normal sedan or normal vehicle height. The road is bumpy and there can areas that are steep.
My Van got stuck through a slot canyon as I was trying to find a site. I didn't have my recovery tracks, since it was a last minute stop on the way back from Mammoth.
With the help of a nice nearby camper who had a wench, we were able to free my van in three hours. It was around midnight, so I ended up just driving out and parking in Lone Pine to sleep for a few hours.
Traveler
Nice big camp spot in the Sequoia National Forest, the road was really calm mid-April, we had no car during the night. The spot has firepits, a camping table and loads of bushes. The view is nice on the forest or a mountain top. We were alone but the spot is big enough for 3 or 4 véhicules, the access is just before the U turn.
Scout
Easy to find at night, even had a fire ring. Road is sandy but with clearance is fine.
TravelerTHIS PLACE IS ABSOLUTELY AMAZING. HEAVEN ON EARTH!!! Only thing I would advise against is getting there in the dark. We got there around 9pm and it started snowing. We couldn’t see a foot ahead of us and had no idea where we were. Finding an overnight spot was almost impossible. However the view we woke up to the next morning was out of this world. We were the in April. Nights are cold (we god snow) temperature during the day is very comfortable! Cell phone service is touch and go. Garbage disposal available at entrance as wells as porta potties. The overnight spots can be hard to find and are popular. Get there before noon if you want to secure a spot. Absolutely worth the detour. Don’t hesitate. Just go!
GuideThis site is on Horseshoe Meadow Road about 1/2 mile north of the Tuttle Creek site. There are 3 legal spots with camping signs. First two are level. Third will need leveling blocks. First site is large and was to turn around a larger trailer or rv. The SuperDrive get to spots is getting a large rut go slow and even my Subaru Forester had no issue. The second and third have better views. But the first can offer wind protection from the north. BLM. Carry in and out.
Discover the beauty of dispersed camping near Big Pine, California, where you can immerse yourself in nature without the constraints of traditional campgrounds. This area offers a variety of stunning locations, perfect for those seeking adventure and tranquility.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which is the most popular dispersed campsite near Big Pine, CA?
According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular dispersed campground near Big Pine, CA is Alabama Hills Recreation Area with a 4.8-star rating from 84 reviews.
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TheDyrt.com has all 59 dispersed camping locations near Big Pine, CA, with real photos and reviews from campers.
