The best camping near Alabama Hills

At the base of the Sierra Nevada, the Alabama Hills offer visitors the chance to hike and mountain bike past ancient rock formations while taking in fantastic views of Mount Whitney, the tallest mountain in the lower 48. Dispersed, first-come, first-served camping is the name of the game in the primary Bureau of Land Management (BLM)-run Movie Flat area, though some sites are only accessible by 4WD vehicles. Meanwhile, reservable campsites can be found in the nearby Inyo National Forest and at Inyo County’s Portuguese Joe Campground. The BLM also runs an official first-come, first-served campground, Tuttle Creek Campground, which can accommodate RVs up to 30 feet long with a dump station but no hookups.

1. Camping on BLM land is normally free, although Tuttle Creek campers must pay a small fee.
2. Alabama Hills camping is available year-round on a first-come, first-served basis, though this is one of the most popular dispersed camping spots in California. If you want to guarantee a spot, you may prefer to book a reservable site nearby through Hipcamp or Recreation.gov.
3. You are only allowed to camp in parts of this 18,610-acre National Scenic Area marked with a sign bearing a tent symbol.
4. You can stay at a campsite for up to seven days in a 28-day period and up to 14 days in a calendar year.
5. Free-of-charge dispersed camping permits may be required. If so, they will be available at information kiosks or online. Permits are not considered campsite reservations.

Alabama Hills campgrounds are open year-round. The best time to visit the Alabama Hills is during the spring, when colorful wildflowers erupt all around. The temperatures this time of year are also generally pleasant, particularly in April and May, though temperatures begin to climb into the 90s in June and stay hot well into September. Fall is also a good time for a visit, particularly after Labor Day weekend, when area campgrounds tend to be less crowded.

• You can pick up groceries, fuel, and supplies in the nearby town of Lone Pine.
• There are six porta-potties in the Alabama Hills, located at the Mobius Arch trailhead and opposite the Shark Fin parking area.
• Movie Road is the area’s most iconic spot—seen in many movies and Instagram posts. Most Alabama Hills camping is set off this road.
• Campfire permits are required, but are free of charge. These can be obtained online or at BLM, Forest Service, and Cal Fire offices.
• Fires must be contained in existing fire rings. Burn bans are common, especially during the summer forest fire season, so check ahead before burning.
• The Alabama Hills are pet-friendly, but dogs must be leashed at all times.