Turn west at the stoplight onto Whitney Portal Road, drive 2.5 miles to Movie Road, turn right. Water: As mentioned above, bring water. So if tent-camping is your jam, bring along: Shocker, but youll need a tent for this one. Make your plans! Note: the trail gets a little precarious at times so this is best suited to sure-footed hikers and backpackers. In the spring, the mountains will still have snow, making them even prettier. For all things California: California Travel Guide. As the saying goes, pack it in, pack it out! The Alabama Hills location in Southern California is likely another reason this area has been so popular with filmmakers, located just over 3 hours from Los Angeles, 4 hours from Las Vegas, and 7 hours from San Francisco. Shopping and dining in downtown Birmingham, mountain biking at the Coldwater Mountain Forever Wild tract near Anniston, the Cahaba River National Wildlife Refuge, the Birmingham Civil Rights Institute, the Birmingham Barons minor league baseball team, Sloss Furnace National Historic Landmark, Ruffner Mountain Nature Center, Forever Wild Turkey Creek Nature Preserve and many more. However, there are no fire pits in the Alabama Hills. Lots of it! Please either use these restrooms or pack out your solid human waste using a portable waste system (RV toilet, wag bag, etc.).

Treetop Interpretive Nature Trail and Boardwalk. The Bartram Canoe Trail, a 200-mile canoe-specific trail located in the Mobile-Tensaw River Delta, is one of the longest and most scenic aquatic trails in the country. You should also know how to pee and poop responsibly (yep, I went there) in the wilderness. Note that the small town of Lone Pine is a short drive away, so you should be able to pick up most essentials you need during your stay. If youre RVing, I assume you should be covered on the cooking front, but what do you need to cook if youre tent or car-camping? We accept reservations year-round,and accommodations are booking fast! Before we get into the details, let us break down the top highlights and lowlights of our experiences camping in the Alabama Hills. Do you love camping in unique landscapes with epic views of majestic mountains? If youre an RVer, heads up that youre going to have a doozy of a time leveling your RV in the Alabama Hills. The campsites offered are of both primitive and developed varietiesthey even have backcountry sites that are only accessible by backpacking. While I know next to nothing about western films, the museums stunning array of Western memorabilia and movie artifacts was a glimpse into a side of Americana I rarely think about and well worth the $5 admission fee. Check out the gristmill, country store, blacksmith, or any other of a long, long list of possible sights, sounds, tastes, and smells. Let us know in the comments section below! This includes the BLM Tuttle Creek Campground (https://www.blm.gov/visit/tuttle-creek-campground-0), the Inyo National Forest Lone Pine Campground (https://www.fs.usda.gov/recarea/inyo/recarea/?recid=20686) and the Inyo County Portuguese Joe campground (https://www.inyocounty.us/services/parks-recreation/portuguese-joe). There you have it- everything you need to know about camping the Alabama Hills. A map shows a possible route that will lead to the true peak of the mountain in blue. Photography: For a shutterbug like me, the Alabama Hills are a photographers playground- theres so many textures, layers, and colors to play around with, from the rounded enormous boulders of the desert to the jagged peaks and weathered slopes of the Sierra Nevadas. Justin and I snagged one of the first couple of spots and had decent enough signal (with AT&T and T-Mobile) to work remotely for several days, using our mobile router and MIMO antennae. Can I have a fire while camping in the Alabama Hills? There are some other spots that have recently been designated for day use only, but Movie Flat is the most significant. We think you may be interested in these resources to help you plan! With everything from quiet babbling brooks to thunderous cascading falls, the "land of a thousand waterfalls" is sure to please. Along the same lines, folks have been camping in the Alabama Hills for quite some time- try to find a campsite thats already been used by previous campers to prevent unnecessary erosion or disturbing any burgeoning plantlife. Not quite. Yknow- hopefully, common sense, dont be a jerk kind of behavior. Theres no charge for staying on the land, but your stay must be limited to 14 days- we saw rangers come around and write down campers license plates, so it definitely seems like this restriction is actively monitored and enforced, which is no surprise considering that free camping in California can be hard to come by. Not a lucky permit winner? With more than 25 miles of hiking trails and 11 miles of mountain biking trails, there are plenty of activities available to visitors after checking out the many waterfalls at this location. Both geologic features were shaped by the same uplifting occurring 100 million years ago. Assuming you have a two burner stove, you can just bring utensils and pots and pans from home or, if you plan on camping a lot and it makes sense to have a separate set for this purpose, you can consider getting a frypan, saucepan, and utensils. Recreation.gov is your gateway to explore America's outdoor Let me know how your camping experience is and any other tips or tricks I missed, in the comments below! So keep on reading this post for everything you need to know about Alabama Hills camping to make the most of your visit- from how long you can stay to tips on what to see during your visit. The state park is housed on a 493-acre plot of land that has everything from campsites to hiking trails and more. So if you need the internet or cell service during your stay, try to aim for some of the campsites closest to the town of Lone Pine- we made it work and you can too! However, when we were there throughout the spring of 2021, it definitely felt busy and I dont think some additional rules to keep the area clean and beautiful are unwarranted! A sleeping bag, like this Keltic Tuck Synthetic Sleeping Bag. When should I go camping in the Alabama Hills? For those who arent familiar, dispersed camping is when you camp in an otherwise undeveloped area with no designated campsites or facilities. Once you get past the first couple of campsites in the dispersed camping area, cell service is non-existent. If you have spent time in the outdoors, you have likely heard of the seven Leave No Trace principles. For car camping, Id recommend bringing along: A sleeping pad, like the Stoic Single Cloud Camp Bed or, if there will be two of you, the Sea to Summit Comfort Deluxe Double (before you buy anything for your car, be sure to measure to make sure everything will fit!). The best way to describe it is somewhere between car camping at a campground and backpacking. Caney Creek Falls is year-round and spring-fed, which means the water is always flowing. Free camping in the Alabama Hills is dispersed camping. Quick backcountry bathroom crash course- pee at least 200 feet away from trails, other campsites, and water sources. While I firmly believe that free and public places should be equally accessible to everyone, its important that we all treat this uniquely gorgeous plot of land with the care and respect it deserves. The BLM recently placed six porta potties throughout the Alabama Hills, which you should use if possible. Be considerate of others: Dont play loud music or keep your generator running past 10 pm. Pack a base layer (like this one for men and this one for women), an insulating layer, like a cozy fleece (like this one for men and this one for women), and a really warm outerwear option (like this one for men and this one for women). You should also bring along a sleeping bag and pillow, as recommended in the car camping section above. Go to Education Programs for more information on field trips and public educational events. Alabama Hills Camping: Everything You Need to Know, Wild Willy's Hot Spring in Mammoth Lakes, California: A Complete Guide, 7 Amazing Hot Springs in Stanley, Idaho: A Complete Guide, Sea to Summit Ultralight Insulated Mat Sleeping Pad, 18 ounce stainless steel cup with folding handles, photo guide to the famous Alabama Hills Movie Road, Enchanted Valley: Olympic National Park's Most Epic Backpacking Trip, The 3 Best Captain Cook Snorkel Tours for Eco-Conscious Travelers, 8 Amazing Things to Do in Manuel Antonio, Costa Rica, The Best Trailer Lock: 5 Reasons Why You Need to Buy This Proven Industries Lock, 10 Best Hot Springs in Iceland: A Complete Guide, Snorkeling at Captain Cook: Everything You Need to Know About The Best Snorkeling on the Big Island, Olympic Peninsula Loop: 15 Stops along the Most Iconic Washington Road Trip, The Ultimate Hawaii Packing List: Everything You Need to Have the Most Incredible Adventure in Paradise, 11 Incredible Things to Do in Cannon Beach, 5 Incredible Hot Springs in Mammoth Lakes, California: Everything You Need to Know, Review of the Safari Condo Alto Trailer: Six Things I Love and Six Things that I Dont, Eight Reasons Why You Should Buy A Travel Trailer Instead of Vanlife, How to Hike Delta Lake in Grand Teton National Park. This park is particularly well-suited to history buffs seeking the often sordid and spooky artifacts from Southern States. Official Web site of Alabama Department of Conservation and Natural Resources, 2022 Alabama Department of Conservation and Natural Resources. Since it gets so cold in the Alabama Hills, Id recommend picking up a sleeping bag thats rated for 20 degrees (or even lower)- nothing is worse than being chilly while youre trying to sleep! As always, check the BLM website before you go for the most up-to-date regulations. Food: Again, what to eat while camping is a whole different article, but youre going to want to pack shelf-stable food (or at least things that shouldnt spoil in a cooler). In the following section, well help you plan the logistics of your Alabama Hills camping trip, from when to go and what to pack to what to do while youre there. The views here are perfect for photography, contemplation, and relaxing getaways. Kid-friendly petting zoos, an 18-hole golf course, canoe rentals, and even equestrian-specific campsites are available at this popular destination. If youre using this kind of set-up, you likely will be a bit more limited in the kind of meals you can make (i.e., boiling water to make ramen noodles will be more your speed as opposed to cooking a big pot of chili). Museum of Western Film History: For something a bit different, check out the Museum of Western Film History, which chronicles Western films throughout American history, as well as movies of all types that have used the Alabama Hills as a shooting location. It also contains Gulf State Park, which offers campers everything from hiking trails and zip-lines to bike paths and alligator-populated inlets. When it comes to quality outdoor experiences, these 10 unique sites scattered throughout the state aim to please. If you prefer to camp at an established campground, the non-reservable Tuttle Creek Campground is an excellent option, costing $8 per night, with plenty of tent- and pull-through sites for my RVing fam. Have you been camping in the Alabama Hills? Okay, so besides all the lets be nice to the Earth stuff, any other tips to keep in mind? Even better, do you love camping in unique landscapes with epic views of majestic mountains for FREE? This is not the case in the Alabama Hills! With the largest land-area, one of the widest varieties of outdoor activities of any state park, and its proximity to Birmingham, Oak Mountain is a perfect stop while traveling to and from the states largest city. Unless you live within driving distance from the Alabama Hills, Id recommend flying into one of these airports (if youre looking for the best prices on airfare, I swear by Skyscanner, which has awesome tools allowing you to compare different carriers, set price alerts, and score travel packages!) You also dont have an assigned campsite and you dont need to register or book in advance. In order to have a fire, you will need to have a get a California fire permit, available here. This area is absolutely made for road trips, so I hope the Alabama Hills are but a stop along the way! The campsites here are absolutely gorgeous, but almost universally are located on slopes, hills, and bumpy gravely spots. _________________________________________________________________________.

Also keep an eye out for the massive Canadian Hemlock trees, towering up from the canyon floor, and thought to be some of the largest in the entire state. While seeing the Alabama Hills is an experience in and of itself, heres some other options to explore while youre in the area: Hiking: The Alabama Hills are at the foot of the gorgeous Sierra Nevadas, so it should come as no surprise that theres some killer hiking options around. It is important to note that the rules for dispersed camping in the Alabama Hills are changing. Oak Mountain is by far the largest state park in the state of Alabama. ), but please be sure to check whether there are any burn bans in effect during your visit. We have the North Face Stormbreak 2, which we use when we go on backpacking trips, and absolutely love it! Weve compiled a complete list of our go-to road trip camping gear to help you pack for your camping trip, including a downloadable excel checklist here: Planning a road trip through southern California? For poop, you should dig a cathole 6-8 inches deep, 4 inches wide, 200 feet from any trail, campsite, or water source (we have this Deuce of Spades potty trowel that we keep in our hiking backpacks all of the time, which, lets be real, is worth purchasing for the name alone). Because the land is owned and managed by the BLM, camping is free throughout the Alabama Hills area! The cook set fits nicely into this 18 ounce stainless steel cup with folding handles, which is helpful for holding a bit more volume (like when we make soup) than the smaller cups that come with the Stanley set. Whether you consider yourself a seasoned veteran or a total newbie when it comes to camping in the state of Alabama, there are many variables to consider when looking for that best spot. With more than 50 miles of trails visitors have plenty of options to choose from be it a short loop or an overnight trip. Don't miss an adventure! The Alabama Wildlife Center provides rehabilitation services to injured native birds each year in order to return them to the wild. new adventures through a one-stop shop for inspiration and ideation, trip planning, information sharing, There are several primitive campsites spread out around the areathey are available on weekends starting in March, and seven days a week from Memorial Day to Labor Day. for being a Partner to the Alabama State Park System!

The great thing about the Alabama Hills is that there are tons of awesome dispersed camping sites! This small mountain town has a vintage feel and seems a bit like a time machine to the 70s. Regardless if youre driving in a rental car or your own, youll reach the Alabama Hills via U.S. Route 395. To control human waste, six porta potties have been placed in the Alabama Hills. So if youre looking for an epic place to stay on a Southern California road trip, theres few better options than exploring the eastern Sierras and making the Alabama Hills your home for a few nights. Burn bans are frequently in effect in the dry summer season (usually from June through October), but to double check, you can call the Inyo National Forest Visitor Center at (760) 876-6200 and inquire about any fire restrictions. There is a ton! Visit the website for more information (reservations required). Of course, free camping is great, but the Alabama Hills are also one of the most spectacular natural landscapes we have seen. You simply drive until you see a spot that looks like it has been used before, pull your car over, set up your tent, and youre good to go! In this article we will give you all the information you need to have one of the best camping experiences of your life in the Alabama Hills! You just had to camp in a spot where others had camped before. If youre up for something a bit more strenuous, the most epic hike in the area, of course, is climbing Mount Whitney, which requires snagging a highly coveted permit year round. Once youre done doing your business, pack up your used toilet paper (my husband, Justin, and I keep a couple of baggies packed away with our potty trowel for this purpose), fill in the hole, and cover it with dirt or other ground matter. However, Alabama Hills is becoming more and more popular and BLM has recently implemented some new rules about dispersed camping. We have written about a few of our favorite activities in the area in the articles below: The best time to go camping in the Alabama Hills is in the spring and fall. Easy to get to and decent road conditions (as far as dispersed camping goes), Great hiking trails nearby (Inyo National Forest), Can get crowded (especially on weekends), making it tough to find a spot/find privacy, No services (restrooms, running water, etc), Hiking trails in the Alabama Hills are limited. Previously, there were very few rules on where to camp.

Whether were hiking or camping, Justin and I bring along our big reusable water bottles, which keep us nice and hydrated, but are more friendly to the planet (and our wallets) than disposable plastic bottles.

Pick up after your dog. Somewhat of a hidden gem within the larger Bankhead National Forest, the camping here is free, but its a 1.5-mile hike to the site. Horseback riding and mountain biking are popular activities. If you cant make it to a porta potty for number two, make sure you use either a wag bag, portable toilet, or some other means to pack out your business! We have been to other places where well drive for miles looking for a good spot, only to settle on some tiny little piece of flat ground. Cookware and utensils: Again, Ill bifurcate my recommendations into whether youre interested in reusing your gear to go backpacking. The main street is super cute with a handful of restaurants, gas stations, and other spots to pick up any essential items. And with Alabama Hills rocky terrain, youre going to need it! So is it basically, like, a giant free-for-all and anyone can camp anywhere and do anything in the Alabama Hills dispersed camping area, so long as they stay within their 14 day limit? And best of all? While the camping here is fairly primitive, the campground offers some amenities like vault toilets, potable water, and a dump station ($5 per use). With so much to do, the Alabama Hills is the perfect spot to spend a weekend exploring! Taking into consideration things like nearby attractions, accessibility, and cost can help you figure it out, but choosing the perfect campsite is not always easy.

Take Hwy 395 to Lone Pine. The permits are free and it takes about ten minutes to complete the process. If youre in the backpacking camp, Justin and I get a ton of use out of this Stanley cook set, which comes with two thick plastic cups that we use for coffee or wine and a lidded pot that cooks up to 24 ounces of water (usually the perfect amount to make meals for two people). We provide tools and tips to discover

The town of Lone Pine is about a five minute drive away and offers a range of food options, where you wont have to clean up after yourself! Campgrounds/lodging near the Alabama Hills, What to pack for camping in the Alabama Hills, Lone Pine Lake in Southern California: A Complete Guide, How to Hike Tuttle Creek Ashram Trail: A Journey for Enlightenment, Our Road Trip Camping Essentials (plus Downloadable Checklist), 9 Best Things to do in Death Valley & How to Escape the Crowds, How to hike to Telescope Peak: the Tallest Point in Death Valley, Golden Canyon, Gower Gulch, Badlands & Zabriskie Point Loop Hike, Coyote Buttes South: An Epic Alternative to the Wave, Devils Garden Trail: Best Hike in Arches National Park Park, How to Kayak Horseshoe Bend on the Colorado River, 20 Best Things to Do in Escalante, Utah: A Complete Guide, The Best 3 Day Zion to Bryce Canyon Itinerary. Theres a few different ways to camp- by car camping (i.e., sleeping in your car), tent camping, or RVing. As for utensils, consider something lightweight and packable, like this titanium foldable spork. The Alabama Hills are located in Inyo County in south-central California between Sequoia National Park to the west and Death Valley National Park to the east. Plan on bringing along your leveling blocks, your level, and your best leveling game- youre going to need em!

The lake is also home to bass, crappie, bream, and catfish, so if you enjoy fishing, bring your rod. Its no secret that California has been ravaged by wildfires in the past couple of years and, just like Smokey the Bear said, its important you do your part to prevent forest fires. Friendly reminder that youre going to have to clean your dishes between every use, which can be surprisingly challenging without running water and a sink. Additionally, if you need decent cell coverage for working remotely or your nightly Netflix habit, this campground is likely your best bet (the service isnt great here, but workable!). Even if you dont need cell service during your visit, Its also a good idea to download offline maps on your Google Maps app before you reach the Alabama Hills, given how spotty the signal is.

RVing: RVing certainly will ensure you have the comfiest experience while visiting the Alabama Hills and your basic shelter needs will be met. If you want to explore the Alabama Hills themselves a bit more deeply, the Mobius Arch is an easy and popular trail, leading to a photogenic natural arch framing the snow-capped mountains. Please visit the Alabama Hills National Scenic Area page for more information. The BLM-managed Alabama Hills is open for dispersed camping, meaning theres no designated campsites or amenities and you can choose whatever campsite you please to make your home for the next couple of days. Adjacent to the Alabama Wildlife Center is the Oak Mountain Interpretive Center, a 2,500 square foot interactive exhibit space and meeting space (available for renting) and classroom.

2022 Uprooted Traveler. 4 Must-Visit Rocky Mountain Lakes Near Denver, Behind the Lens with Adventure Photographer Branden Aroyan, How to Get Started with Trail Running in Alabama. When you see a good spot, snag it! Given its unique geological formations, the Alabama Hills have become a bit Instagram-famous, but you may have also seen them someplace else other than your feed- the movies! You probably wont be going to the Alabama Hills only to camp, so what else is there to do here? Camping in the Alabama Hills is an absolutely incredible experience- the landscape is breathtakingly gorgeous, with large rounded rock formations jutting out of the earth with the stunning Sierra Nevada mountains towering in the distance. We love finding offbeat adventures and hidden gems, and would love to take you along with us! Whats your favorite dispersed camping spot? This isnt any different than most places and the idea is to reuse sites so as not to disturb the surrounding landscape. The Red Trail has even been included on the International Mountain Biking Associations (IMBA) list of EPIC rides. With everything from bioluminescent insects and hidden waterfalls to white sand beaches and behemoth cave systems, there is something for even the most persnickety campers. Being from the crowded and congested East Coast, we had no idea what dispersed camping was until we made our way our way out west. https://www.blm.gov/visit/tuttle-creek-campground-0, https://www.fs.usda.gov/recarea/inyo/recarea/?recid=20686, https://www.inyocounty.us/services/parks-recreation/portuguese-joe, Alabama Hills Recreation Area Map and Guide. The closest town is Lone Pine, just a few minutes away. Make sure your tent is really well-staked down before you leave your campsite to go out exploring- the gusts of wind here could easily blow away a shoddily-staked down tent! TL;DR: its totally doable to camp here year round- you may just need some extra gear, depending on the season. Make sure youre using biodegradable soap and know the appropriate way to dispose of greywater created in the course of cleaning your cookware (this video by Leave No Trace covers everything you need to know). Hi there! Dont feel like dealing with cooking in the wilderness? Another wonderful feature at Cheaha State Park is the sheer number of options available for campingthere are primitive sites, semi-primitive, improved, a group site, and pet-friendly optionswhich makes planning an overnight a snap. This list of seven easy steps is incredibly important when camping in a place like Alabama Hills, where the surrounding landscape is extremely fragile and many visitors come through the area. For a pillow, if youre driving from home, Id just recommend bringing along your own pillow or, if youre flying here or need something a bit smaller, you could bring along a camping pillow, like the Sea to Summit Aeros Ultralight pillow. Travel and camp on durable surfaces: You should only camp on durable surfaces like rock, gravel, sand, or dirt and dont rip up or crush any vegetation to make your camp. Dispose of waste properly: Pack it in, pack it out. Now that youre prepared to set up camp at the perfect Alabama Hills campsite, what should you actually bring along for your trip? Where should I explore when camping in the Alabama Hills?

Because of high wildfire risk in the area, fires are typically not permitted during the summer.

Free camping with great views and good campsites! 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. Tagged: California, Alabama Hills, Hiking and Camping Guides, United States. The Alabama Hills National Scenic Area is covered with enormous rounded monzogranite boulders, sitting in the shadow of the eastern Sierra Nevadas and right outside of Lone Pine, California. If you want to really get some epic shots, be sure to check out our photo guide to the famous Alabama Hills Movie Road. The winter can also be a lovely time to visit- the Sierra Nevadas will be covered with snow and daytime temperatures are pleasant (usually ranging in the 50s and 60s). If youre really only going to be interested in camping in or near your car or you want to cook more complex meals during your camping trip, consider investing in a two-burner stove, which is going to be much easier to actually cook full blown meals on. We also keep a refillable jug of water in our car so that we can refill our individual bottles whenever we need to. Cooler: One of the benefits of camping in or near your car is being able to pack a cooler, which will allow you to store things that should be kept cold (like beer, duh). If white sand is what you are seeking while traveling to the southern coast, look no further than Gulf Shores, Alabama. As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases at no extra cost to you. Make sure to take a screenshot and keep it on your phone for future reference! There are also floating campsites available to visitors in groups of eight or lessa full listing of rules and regulations is available on the website. Did I mention the Alabama Hills are located in a dry desert? Below weve included the distance from the Alabama Hills to some popular locations below for reference (all times approximate): Although the focus of this article will be how to camp for free in the Alabama Hills Recreation Area, there are some nearby campgrounds that have more utilities but come at a cost.