6 Min Read
If you’re looking for a California gem to visit and escape the crowds, I’ve got the perfect place for you! It’s nestled away in the Eastern Sierras Nevada Mountains. Even though it’s been cemented in Hollywood through popular films such as Iron Man, The Long Ranger, and Godzilla you may have never noticed.
This gem is called the Alabama Hills.
The Alabama Hills is popular for its breathtaking scenic campsites but, it’s recent rise to popularity has been to visit the Instagram Famous Movie Road. The Eastern Sierras serve as a backdrop with their lightly covered snowcap mountain tops that provide endless views and photography opportunities. The Alabama Hills Movie Road intersects with the Whitney Portal. Mount Whitney is the tallest mountain in the contiguous United States, towering at 14,505’ (4,421m). You can even obtain permits to climb it!
How to Find Alabama Hills Move Road
Where is Alabama Hills?
The Alabama Hills is located just east of Yosemite National Park or west of Lone Pine, CA. It possesses iconic western scenery and enchanting rock formations occurring from over 100 million years ago! The formation of rounded rocks and eroded hills set between towering jagged peaks of the Eastern Sierras and Inyo Mountains. The hills are managed and protected by the Bureau of Land Management (BLM). It’s a protected habitat for specifically for public enjoyment.
Vistor Center
Be sure to take a detour and stop at the Eastern Sierras Visitor center. Here you can take in a view of Mt. Whitney in all it’s glory, the highest peak in the lower 48 United States. The visitor center is staffed by U.S. Forest Service, National Park Service, Bureau of Land Management (BLM), and there’s always someone willing to help! They can offer advice for wilderness, campgrounds, highway and weather conditions.
Address
US-395 and CA-136, Lone Pine, CA 93545
Click here for Google Map directions to the Visitor Center
Hours
May 1st – Nov 1st: Open Daily, 8AM – 5PM
Closed: Thanksgiving Day, Christmas Day, and New Year’s Day.
Last permit issued and pass sold 15 minutes prior to close.
Why is it called Movie road?
Alabama Hills has been engraved in popular western and Hollywood films! Go on an adventure of a self-guided tour through movie road by using this fun brochure made by lonepinechamber.org. Here’s also a list by IMDb of 373 titles that were filmed in various part of the Alabama Hills, click here to see them all! How many movies have you seen?
After visiting Alabama Hills be sure to visit the Museum of Western Film History in Lone Pine to learn more about Hollywood’s history!
How to get to Movie road?
Alabama Hills has many exciting viewpoints and attractions to visit but, if you’re here just for movie road; here are the exact coordinates for this iconic shot: 36°37’16.1″N 118°06’59.4″W.
Tips for Visting Alabama Hills Movie Road
Leave no Trace
In March 2019, Congress designated the Alabama Hills as a National Scenic Area as a part of the John D. Dingell, Jr Conservation, Management, and Recreation Act. Protecting the Alabama Hills is monumental to ensure its beauty is preserved for the future. It’s the responsibility of each of us to treat the land with respect. Here’s a few things to keep in mind when camping or visiting.
Always stay on trail, respect signs
Travel and Camp on durable surfaces (do not off-road)
Dispose of waste and trash properly
Respect wildlife, enjoy and take photos from afar but do not feed or engage with them.
Leave what you find, don’t take anything back with you
Leave it in a better place
When to visit
Alabama Hills is the perfect adventure year round! Since it is close to the desert, temperatures can be quite hot when visiting in the summer months. If possible, I would also recommend visiting Alabama Hills for sunrise! Not only for cooler temperatures but you get to witness the light show and watch as the sun fades over the mountain tops showing off an alpine glow.
My favorite months to visit are in late fall or winter. It will bring cooler temperatures and if you get lucky, you’ll get a dusting of snow that really adds to the views! In the winter it does get fairly cold, be sure to dress warm and check the local weather before you head out.
Camping & Lodging
Camping
Alabama Hills is part of Burau of Land Management (BLM), this means you can camp for free! When selecting your campsite, remain off the main road but avoid off-roading. As you drive through Alabama Hills, you’ll notice established campsites and rocks setup for fire pits. Feel free to pick anyone you like! This area also allows dogs, mountain biking, and horseback riding.
Lodging
Lone Pine is the closet town to book accommodations while visiting Alabama Hills. The town has incredible places to grab a bite to eat a few of my favorites were The Grill and Alabama Hills Cafe & Bakery!
Olancha RV Park and Motel
Another nearby town is Olancha, CA (35 minutes away from Movie Flat Road), where I’ve stayed at Olancha RV Park and Motel. They have these extremely fun tents to stay in or standard rooms.
Four wheel Drive
The Alabama Hills is best accessed using a all-wheel drive or four-wheel drive vehicle. These roads are maintained but are completely dirt and you’ll find yourself driving on rough conditions. Most cars can make the journey and travel the main road, Movie Flat Road without issues but you may wish to explore other areas that may not be as accessible with smaller cars.
How to Capture the bucket list shot
The Alabama Hills are iconic, let’s walk through a few recommendations to capture that bucket list shot! It’s best to visit the Alabama Hills at sunrise, to allow the sun to set behind you. As the sun rises, it fades over the mountains creating a beautiful glow. There’s also a big chance you’ll get it all to yourself! Giving you plenty of time to enjoy running down the open road and snapping a few fun photos! Of course the Alabama Hills can still be enjoyed at sunset or any time of day.
As photographer, I recommend bringing a mirrorless or DSLR with both a wide angle and Zoom lens. The wide angle lens will let you capture the entire scenery in its full beauty! The Zoom will allow you to get closer to the details of the mountains.
Settings: f3.2, ISO800, 1/500sec
Settings: f3.2, ISO800, 1/1600sec
keep the adventure going
After you finish exploring Movie Flat Road, be sure to check out a few other beautiful sights in the area.
Credit: Stephen Leonardi
Miss Alabama: As you turn onto Whitney Portal, Miss Alabama will be there to greet you to Alabama Hills! A large decorated with a welcoming face.
Mobius Arch: 0.6-miles trail. Easily one of the most famous arches in Alabama Hills. It’s also one of the easiest to reach and enjoy! You’re able to capture a perfect shot through the arch with the mountains in the background.
Heart Arch: At the trailhead of Mobius Arch, from the dirt parking lot you can see the Heart Arch.
If you decide to visit Alabama Hills and need any tips feel free to direct message me on Instagram @nickfjord!