Exploring Alabama Hills and Lone Pine

Alabama Hills is quickly becoming a favorite destination of ours, being a mere 3.5 hour drive from Los Angeles, and such an effortless trip with gorgeous views no matter what. We can easily drive up for the weekend and get our fill of rocky desert landscapes and pine-tree laden mountain landscapes all in one place.

Alabama Hills is at the foot of Mt. Whitney, and covered in odd rock formations that pile up and create perfect hidden campsites and viewpoints. People visit to go bouldering and climbing, to go biking down the dirt roads, and can easily make the quick drive to Whitney Portal for great hiking.

Camping in Alabama Hills

Alabama Hills is all BLM land, which offers dispersed camping. This means you can camp for free at any of the sites you find, first come first served. Drive around until you find an established camping spot that suits you. There are no bathroom facilities or trash bins, so practice Leave No Trace principles. Dispose of waste properly and away from water, and use existing fire rings. Also, make sure to get a free campfire permit here before you go!

We’ve been lucky enough to find spots fully hidden away in the rock formations with spectacular views of the snow-capped mountains. You can wake up in the morning to the pink alpenglow spreading across the mountains. And fall asleep in total darkness, barely disturbed by scattered campfires in the distance underneath incredibly bright stars.

What to do in Alabama Hills + Lone Pine

Alabama Hills is really best explored on your own. You drive up a dirt road and find a rock shaped like a hippo, or you come across one of its many natural arches while hiking. Still, there are a couple popular spots that are hard to miss.

Mobius Arch is the most famous arch in the area, and there’s a dedicated parking lot and hiking loop that will take you there. Get it at the right angle, and you’ll see Mt. Whitney’s jagged peaks peeking through the arch. There are several other arches around the area, so this is a great kickoff point if you’re hunting for those.

The Face of Alabama Hills is the large graffiti rock you’ll drive past on your way in from Lone Pine. It’s impossible to miss and it’s a fun signal that welcomes you into the hills.

Lone Pine Smokehouse is my favorite stop in the town. Their brisket, ribs, and mac & cheese are my favorite, and they always have an interesting selection of BBQ sauces. Their outdoor patio is great for pups too!

Jake’s Saloon is your classic small town bar, with swinging saloon style doors at the entrance, dollar bills, posters, and antlers lining the walls, and all your favorite bar games: ping pong, shuffleboard, pool, and darts.