Alabama Hills
Lone Pine, CA
Rounded boulders and arches below the Sierra crest, used as a set for hundreds of westerns. A short loop leads to Mobius Arch, which frames Mount Whitney; Movie Road is graded dirt, fine for cars.
The Alabama Hills at the foot of the Sierra Nevada consist of two kinds of rock: orange, metamorphosed volcanic rock (150 to 200 million years old) and an 85-million-year-old granite that weathers into large rounded boulders. The name comes from the Confederate warship CSS Alabama. Hundreds of films have been shot here since 1919, including "Gunga Din," "How the West Was Won" and "Django Unchained." Since March 2019 the hills have been a National Scenic Area managed by the BLM. Mount Whitney rises about 2,700 m (9,000 feet) above them.
The Mobius Arch Loop Trail reaches several rock arches. From Lone Pine, drive 4 km (2.5 miles) west on Whitney Portal Road, turn right onto Movie Road, and after 2.4 km (1.5 miles) keep right at the fork; the dirt parking lot is immediately on the left. Allow one to two hours. Summers in Lone Pine are very hot and dry, so bring water.
- Nearest town
- Lone Pine, CA
- Category
- Nature & parks
- GPS
- 36.6100, -118.1250
- Editor's pick
- ★
Hours, fees and access change. Confirm with the operator or park before you go.
Good to know
Best time to go
The most pleasant months are usually April–May and October. Still fine, with some compromises, in March, September and November. Hot in June–August. (Estimate from long-term temperature averages, terrain and pass seasons)
Sources
Featured in these trip guides
Nearby
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Campsites nearby
- Portuguese Joe CampgroundCampsite3 mi from Alabama Hills · 22 pitchesTentsCaravansDrinking waterToilets
- Tuttle Creek CampgroundCampsite3 mi from Alabama Hills · 83 pitchesTentsCaravans
- Lone Pine CampgroundCampsite3 mi from Alabama HillsTentsCaravansDrinking water
- Boulder Creek RV ResortMotorhome stopover6 mi from Alabama HillsTentsMotorhomesElectricityToiletsWi-Fi
- Ravine CampgroundCampsite6 mi from Alabama HillsTentsDrinking water
- Independence Creek CampgroundCampsite14 mi from Alabama Hills · 29 pitchesTentsCaravansDrinking waterToilets
All campsites in California · Campsite data: © OpenStreetMap contributors, ODbL 1.0 · Updated October 3, 2026
FAQs
Where is Alabama Hills?
Alabama Hills is in Lone Pine, CA, at GPS 36.6100, -118.1250. It is about 8 mi from Manzanar.
Can you camp near Alabama Hills?
Yes. The nearest campsite listed in OpenStreetMap is Portuguese Joe Campground, about 3 mi away; within 25 mi there are 19 campsites and motorhome stopovers.
Which road trips pass Alabama Hills?
Alabama Hills is a stop on these CampingSpirit trip guides: US-395: Alabama Hills, Manzanar and the bristlecones and Granite, salt lake and ghost town: by camper along the US-395 through the Eastern Sierra.
What is there to see near Alabama Hills?
Places worth a stop nearby: Whitney Portal (7 mi), Manzanar National Historic Site (8 mi), Zumwalt Meadow (29 mi) and General Sherman Tree (35 mi).
When is the best time to visit Alabama Hills?
The most pleasant months are usually April–May and October. Still fine, with some compromises, in March, September and November. (Estimate from long-term temperature averages, terrain and pass seasons)