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Even better, do you love camping in unique landscapes with epic views of majestic mountains for FREE? You bet! 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. new adventures through a one-stop shop for inspiration and ideation, trip planning, information sharing, 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. And best of all? 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. The Alabama Hills is a beautiful place, but has an incredibly fragile ecosystem. Recreation.gov! Because the land is owned and managed by the BLM, camping is free throughout the Alabama Hills area! You probably wont be going to the Alabama Hills only to camp, so what else is there to do here? Be considerate of others: Dont play loud music or keep your generator running past 10 pm. The cave system, while impressive in its own right, is not the only feature worth visiting while on a trip to Cathedral Caverns State Park. "Cheaha" translates to high place in the native Creek language, which makes sense given that the mountain plateaus at just over 2,400 feet. How to Camp for Free in the Alabama Hills. We accept reservations year-round,and accommodations are booking fast! You have successfully joined our subscriber list. Take Hwy 395 to Lone Pine. 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). Campstove system: To heat up your water and to cook your food, youll need some kind of campstove. Make sure to take a screenshot and keep it on your phone for future reference! 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. If youre investing in camping gear, you might as well be able to use it in a variety of contexts, and, with backcountry camping, youre probably not going to want to carry a foam sleeping pad up a mountain with you, due to weight and bulkiness concerns. If you go this route, it may be a good idea to rent a high clearance vehicle- while the roads in the Alabama Hills are relatively well-maintained, theyre mostly dirt or gravel, which can get washboarded at certain times of the year. Officially designated a National Scenic Area in 2019, the Alabama Hills have been growing in popularity over the past several years due their natural beauty and incredible camping opportunities. 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. However, there are no fire pits in the Alabama Hills. If youre at all interested in backpacking (see my post about what you need as a beginner backpacker here), it probably makes more sense to get an inflatable sleeping pad like this Sea to Summit Ultralight Insulated Mat Sleeping Pad, rather than a foam or air mattress (recommended above for car camping). 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. 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. We spend any free time we can get hiking, camping, backpacking, and exploring new places! 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! DeSoto State Park has both primitive campsites and 94 modern campsites. Have you been camping in the Alabama Hills? Keep an eye out for the 17 state-specific variety of flora, from red maple to loblolly pine, and wildlife such as deer and wild turkeys. Can I have a fire while camping in the Alabama Hills? 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! Pick up after your dog. Visit the website for more information (reservations required). 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. Cost | freeTotal time | 1 night/2 daysEpic-ness rating | 6.5Road conditions | moderate (washboard dirt road, but typically passable with 2WD)Difficulty | easyCrowd Level | medium. As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases at no extra cost to you. Be sure to bring plenty of water (perhaps more than youd think youd need), as the arid environment just seems to zap all moisture out of your body and youll need it for all your water-y needs (i.e., cooking and brushing your teeth). There are also a few backcountry sites tucked away in the woods if you seek a bit of solitude. Water: As mentioned above, bring water. For snacks, I recommend things like Clif bars, trail mix, and fruit and for meals, dishes that are based on canned or dry goods, like oatmeal, chili, golden lentil curry, or ramen noodles. 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). Free camping with great views and good campsites! Only interested in car- or tent-camping? 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. 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. Turn west at the stoplight onto Whitney Portal Road, drive 2.5 miles to Movie Road, turn right. 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. 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. Go to Education Programs for more information on field trips and public educational events. You also dont have an assigned campsite and you dont need to register or book in advance. 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. If white sand is what you are seeking while traveling to the southern coast, look no further than Gulf Shores, Alabama. 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. 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! We have the North Face Stormbreak 2, which we use when we go on backpacking trips, and absolutely love it! 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. If Tuttle Creek is too crowded or youre like me and prefer totally free campsites- great news! There are more than 40 campsites at the park, all with electric and water hookups. The Alabama Hills are managed by the Bureau of Land Management (BLM), which allows camping on some of its land, for short periods of time, either for free or a nominal fee. 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. The Alabama Hills are located conveniently close to Highway 395, a popular thoroughfare in the eastern part of California. This small town is situated along a tendril-like stretch of land just east of Mobile Bay and offers unobstructed views of the Gulf of Mexico. 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. With everything from quiet babbling brooks to thunderous cascading falls, the "land of a thousand waterfalls" is sure to please. However, night time temperatures can frequently dip below freezing and the Alabama Hills themselves may even get a dusting of snow- so, again, perhaps not the best camping weather. At our campsite in the Alabama Hills, I found a horrifying bucket of someone elses poop hiding behind one of the boulders at our campsite and that aint it. A sleeping bag, like this Keltic Tuck Synthetic Sleeping Bag. The campsites here are absolutely gorgeous, but almost universally are located on slopes, hills, and bumpy gravely spots. It also contains Gulf State Park, which offers campers everything from hiking trails and zip-lines to bike paths and alligator-populated inlets. 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. For those who arent familiar, dispersed camping is when you camp in an otherwise undeveloped area with no designated campsites or facilities. 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. Because the Alabama Hills are a recreation area managed by the BLM, day use of the area and overnight camping are always free. Whats your favorite dispersed camping spot? While you could write entire books about what you need for each of these things, Im just covering the very basics below: Car camping: Sleeping in your car can be a handy option as it can provide better shelter from wind and cold than a tent and, depending on what kind of car you have, you can actually have a pretty comfy sleeping set up. 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). 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. And with Alabama Hills rocky terrain, youre going to need it! 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 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. Okay, so besides all the lets be nice to the Earth stuff, any other tips to keep in mind? A great alternative is the Mount Whitney Portal to Lone Pine Lake trail, where you can climb a portion of the way up Whitney to a beautiful alpine lake. If I had one thing to recommend with respect to packing clothes is to be sure to bring layers- as mentioned above, the Alabama Hills can get pretty toasty during the day but literally drop below freezing at night. Seekers of great craft beer, delicious vegan eats, and the best hiking trails. Recreation.gov is your gateway to explore America's outdoor This small mountain town has a vintage feel and seems a bit like a time machine to the 70s. Mountain biking: The Alabama Hills Loop is a popular, 14.7-mile single track descent (after a grueling initial climb, of course) through the areas massive boulder fields and in the shadow of the Sierra Nevadas. 2022 RootsRated, Inc. All rights reserved. The best time for Alabama Hills camping is spring or fall, when the temperature is pleasant and the skies are clear (we camped in May and it was absolutely lovely!). With so much to do, the Alabama Hills is the perfect spot to spend a weekend exploring! It is important to note that the rules for dispersed camping in the Alabama Hills are changing. If you want to really get some epic shots, be sure to check out our photo guide to the famous Alabama Hills Movie Road. 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. The state park is housed on a 493-acre plot of land that has everything from campsites to hiking trails and more. 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! Theres a few different ways to camp- by car camping (i.e., sleeping in your car), tent camping, or RVing. and renting a car to get to and around the area. Nestled at the base of the Sierra Nevada, right where the desert meets the mountains, you can look up and see the snow-capped peak of Mount Whitney (the tallest peak in the lower 48) while surrounded by unique rock formations only found in desert landscapes. For more information, see our privacy policy. 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. During the summer, it can be unbearably hot and winter nights can get well below freezing. That being said, dont get stuck in the trap of being too picky! If you make a purchase through them, we may receive a small commission, for which we are extremely grateful, at no extra cost to you. ), but please be sure to check whether there are any burn bans in effect during your visit. TL;DR: its totally doable to camp here year round- you may just need some extra gear, depending on the season. 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). 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. It is truly one-of-a-kind! 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. When you see a good spot, snag it! Youll have your car with you so you dont need to hike in or anything, but there is no running water or bathrooms. 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! The glowworms, known as "Dismalites," put off an eerie blue-green glowa fun phenomenon if you are camping with kids. You should also know how to pee and poop responsibly (yep, I went there) in the wilderness. Gulf State Park has almost 500 campsites, with everything from primitive options to fancier cabins. If youre interested in ever going backcountry camping, Id again recommend getting gear that you can use in that context as well- you can get a really small and packable burner (we have this affordable lightweight one that packs down super tiny), a fuel canister (we use MSR IsoPro Fuel Canisters), and a lighter (we usually pack two Bic lighters you can just pick up at a gas station). RVing: RVing certainly will ensure you have the comfiest experience while visiting the Alabama Hills and your basic shelter needs will be met. The Alabama Hills are a Bureau of Land Management (BLM) designated recreation area known for many unique geological formations, incredible camping spots, fun hiking trails, and for being the popular site for many classic movies, including Gladiator, Iron Man, Django Unchained, and How the West Was Won, just to name a few. The Red Trail has even been included on the International Mountain Biking Associations (IMBA) list of EPIC rides. Lots of it! Kid-friendly petting zoos, an 18-hole golf course, canoe rentals, and even equestrian-specific campsites are available at this popular destination. Due to its dramatic scenery, the Alabama Hills were the go-to shooting destination for old Westerns in the 1930s through 1950s and are still used as a shooting location for movies and television today, from Gladiator to Iron Man. Before setting off on your Alabama Hills camping trip, make sure that you are prepared with the essentials for car camping. You should also bring along a sleeping bag and pillow, as recommended in the car camping section above. Previously, there were very few rules on where to camp. As of October 1, 2021, the west side of Movie Road, otherwise known as Movie Flat, will be day use only. As for utensils, consider something lightweight and packable, like this titanium foldable spork. for being a Partner to the Alabama State Park System! 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. You can check the status of fire regulations for the Alabama Hills on the BLM website for the Bishop Field Office here. 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. 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. Once you get past the first couple of campsites in the dispersed camping area, cell service is non-existent. While the camping here is fairly primitive, the campground offers some amenities like vault toilets, potable water, and a dump station ($5 per use). The BLM recently placed six porta potties throughout the Alabama Hills, which you should use if possible. Did I mention the Alabama Hills are located in a dry desert? Topping it all off istheparks stunning physical landscape, which alone makes for an unforgettable experience. and cultural destinations in your zip code and across the country. If youre an RVer, heads up that youre going to have a doozy of a time leveling your RV in the Alabama Hills. The scenery along 395 is amazing, taking you from the barren landscape of Death Valley (home to the lowest point in North America), to the Alabama Hills (with Mount Whitney, the tallest mountain in the contiguous United States, rising above it) and on to the incredible skiing and hot springs in Mammoth Lakes. Naturalist programs, educational opportunities, and avian rehabilitation are major components of the park as well. Quick backcountry bathroom crash course- pee at least 200 feet away from trails, other campsites, and water sources. Dont leave a bucket full of poop behind for the next camper to find. The park also features a pump track and BMX course, Flipside Watersports cable skiing, boat rentals, basketball courts, nature programs, Peavine Falls, Oak Mountain Interpretive Center, an 18-hole golf course and driving range, beach and swimming area, fishing lakes, boat rentals, picnic areas, demonstration farm and horseback riding facilities. What are the Alabama Hills and how do I get there? A thunderous 104-foot waterfall is the main attraction at this state park, named after Spanish explorer Hernando de Soto. Not quite. What should I know about camping in the Alabama Hills before visiting? Category: Road Trip, Southern California Tags: adventure, alabama hills, california, camping, road trip, southern california. But remember that youll be boondocking- so before you roll up to the Alabama Hills, fill your fresh water and propane tanks, dump your gray and black tanks, and make sure you have a method to power your RV, like a generator or solar panel setup. As the saying goes, pack it in, pack it out! To control human waste, six porta potties have been placed in the Alabama Hills. 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. 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. Visitors enjoy 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. There are plenty of spots, most with epic views and, because of the large rocks throughout the area, some privacy. 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. Both geologic features were shaped by the same uplifting occurring 100 million years ago. If you dont feel like dispersed camping and would rather stay at an established campground, you have a few options near the Alabama Hills: The closest town to the Alabama Hills is Lone Pine. 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! 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? MAKE YOUR RESERVATION ONLINE, call us at 205-620-2527 for camping, 205-620-2524 for cabins and pavilions, or simplywalk in and speak to one of our amazing staff members! 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. Coleman even makes this great foldable camping oven that sits on top of their two-burner stoves. 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. Oak Mountain is by far the largest state park in the state of Alabama. _________________________________________________________________________. Tent camping: Not all cars are well-suited for car camping and theres something to be said about how special it feels to unzip your little cozy tent and see the dazzling landscape around you. Enter your email to receive updates and new posts straight to your inbox. 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! Dispose of waste properly: Pack it in, pack it out.

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