Alabama Hills Reviews

Not only were more than 500 movies made here over the last century, the Alabama Hills is also an excellent place for moderate, single pitch rock climbing. From an Eye for an Eye to Sharks Fin to The Candy Store, it's straightforward to climb the bolted routes here. And it's a good location for dispersed camping too.

The beauty of this area is mind boggling. Eastern Sierra Nevada mountains in the background and gorgeous rock formations in the foreground. We visited in February so we saw lots of beautiful snow on the mountains. We drove as far as we good up Whitney Portal and played in the snow. Mt. Whitney is just gorgeous. We drove the Movie road and hiked to Mobius Arch. The rock formations throughout the Movie Road are so unusual and beautiful. We camped off Movie Road and woke up to gorgeous scenery every morning. Stars were beautiful at night.

Was so surprised to discover these Alabama hills. Never took time to drive through but I was in for a huge surprise

Take time to check it out.

The Alabama Hills (named for a Confederate warship) are viewed from Movie Rd., which can be reached by going west on Whitney Portal Rd. at the one traffic light in Lone Pine. At 2.7 miles, turn right on Movie Rd. The road is paved for a short distance and then becomes a fairly smooth but very dusty dirt road. Here you will see other worldly rock formations used as backdrops in many movies from Gunga Din to Star Wars and you can almost hear the hoof beats from all the Westerns that were filmed here. We had a map of Alabama Hills Recreation Area printed by the Bureau of Land Management that helped keep us on the main road. We picked it up at one of the many Visitor Centers. The iconic arches are not that easy to find. Check the Q&A section of the Alabama Hills reviews on tripadvisor for a guide to finding the Mobius Arch written by another reviewer. We combined this trip with a visit to the Museum of Western Film History for a great morning.

At first glance we were not overly impressed....but get out and do some exploring and you'll quickly find that this is an amazing spot! Views of the high sierra are a bonus. The mobius arch is cool, but there are equally interesting rock formations throughout the entire area.

My first visit here and it didn’t disappoint. The views are amazing (see attached). It’s easy to get to from Lone Pine. Plenty of places to camp in this huge area. Bouldering and rock climbing aplenty. Mountain biking and hiking are well setup and easy to do. Roads (mostly mud) are drivable by passenger cars. A few pit toilets make this more manageable for those of you who don’t want to disperse camp. And amazing photography nightly with the Milky Way all spring through fall.

I’m in love with this place :)

The hills are great because of the freedom they offer. Camp almost wherever you like for free. Climb whichever rocks your heart desires. If you're in the area, definitely check the hills out. Plus, a lot of old westerns were filmed here.

Ladies and gentlemen, this place is located on Planet Earth, yes you read that right. The best sunrise I have ever seen in my life, woke up at around 4.30 AM to get ready and reached here by 5.50 AM. Took a few mins to locate this spot, but nothing too crazy. Absolutely, stunning lighting and people were very accommodating for taking pictures. Not a lot of people when we arrived, but when we left at around 7 AM, there were around 20 people there. It was a little chilly, but not February chilly. Absolutely recommend going here with family or friends.

Nice short trail to the arch. Wear sturdy footwear, as it could be slippery. Only about a ten minute hike, if you don’t stop to take photos. Please be polite and only take a short turn at the arch, so others may be able to take a photo also.

The Alabama’s Hills is an amazing place to visit because it’s so different . They have amazing rock formations. You have to take different roads to explore areas. We went there with a guide from the Lone Pine Festival that happens every year. There were about 12 other people to see where Gunga Din was filmed. There were hundreds of movies that were filmed in this area. We saw a number of people camping, popular for bouldering.

When staying overnight in Lone Pine, be sure to take a short drive into the Alabama Hills in the morning before leaving. The early morning light with Mt. Whitney (and the Eastern Sierra mountain range) are beautiful.

On a turnoff from Mount Whitney Portal Road, called Movie road. We missed it first time round as our GPS led us astray. Can be reached via a dust track but one can stop with their vehicle at various points and choose a path to follow from the many that can be seen. The formations are so surreal some of them look like Hollywood props and it is easy to imagine some cowboy riding past. Did not spend long as we visited close to 3pm and the heat was unbearable.

If your into old movies, enjoy beautiful views or photography, these hills are a "must see". Located only a few miles outside of Lone Pine on Whitney Portal Rd, it's worth a quick detour off Hwy 395 even if your passing through town on your way to Mammoth or Reno. Turn left off of Portal Rd onto Movie Rd. to be taken into the center of all the famous rocks you've seen in hundreds of westerns. Take a short hike and let the kids burn off some energy climbing through the boulders, then hop back on Portal Rd. and take a 30 minute drive up to the waterfall at the end of the road. This is a great place to visit and makes a awesome day trip. Have fun.

Visited there today. Amazing rock formations. Easy short hikes. Great views of Mt Whitney. A must to see when in the area. No admission fee.

This summer my family did a National Parks road tour starting from Badlands and ending in Death Valley. After touring Death Valley we continued on to Lone Pine to stay the night and visited Manzanar and Alabama Hills before returning home. The Alabama Hills were amazing with arches and rock formations that inspired Western movie makers to make this one of their prime locations. And don't forget Manzanar the WWII Japanese relocation camp that now serves to preserve and tell the story of the experiences of loyal citizens that were unfairly treated.

What a stunning part of the world. We were advised by a local that we should take a 10 mile loop side trip before we head down the road and thank goodness we took the time. It is like something out of a movie..... and more than likely is. A lot of old cowboy movies were made in this area.

Backdrop for many cowboy movies, beautiful landscapes, interesting, very close to town. a must see for history buffs

A cool and eerie place to explore and take great photos, access is via dirt road bit nothing rough. Go early or late for great light.

It was pretty cool to see where the Lone Ranger had been filmed. Then we learned some parts of Star Wars was also filmed there; and Tremors; and ... Then you get to add the beauty of the place. The hiking trails (at least the ones we walked) are clearly marked and fairly easy. My wife and I really enjoyed the visit and would return if ever in the area again.

The Alabama Hills were used in many Hollywood westerns and other movies. Movie Flats Road leads you into the heart of the hills. Took the trail to Mobius Arch where you can photograph Mt. Whitney through the arch. We spent a couple hours looking the area over and getting some great photos.

Once you've seen the western movie history museum, the next step is the Alabama Hills. This is where all those movies were shot. Want to be a kid again? Go on a treasure hunt, of sorts, and find all those places. Use the movie map from the museum.
Then if you dare,dress up in old west attire and pose for your own photo shoot.

Almost like a mini Joshua Tree. I work in the film biz and have filmed here several times. Came up Friday/Sat and spent 1 full day taking pictures, hiking/driving to film sites. I enjoyed it. Yes there are people/campers here and there. Crowded? Absolutely not! Visit the Film Museum in town for a map and some historical background. I thouroughly enjoyed it. To the point I will come back and Camp!

this is surely a place that is surreal and looks out of the world. I saw many campers/vans spread across the vast rock and sands and I will definitely be doing the same sometime in future.

this is a different planet...we don't want anyone to come here. once there, you feel like either on a movie set or in a dream. one of the most incredible places with no people...

Unless you are a serious photographer, the place gets old pretty quickly. There are tons of arches to visit. If you are interested, buy a brochure from the film museum. Best time to visit is on the shoulders of the day when it is cooler and the shadows are longer. It looks like kids attention span to this place is about 30 minutes.

Endless trails with great views of Mt. Whitney. Miles of graded dirt roads providing opportunity for secluded camping and hiking. Movie Road, which was carved out many decades ago was used for many Western movies and commercials, hence the name. Well worth the trip. Just try to avoid July and August, unless you enjoy the heat.

Drive the Alabama Hills and be knocked out by the scenery. Don't forget to include Movie Road as it takes you through locations used in many movies.

Found this when we were staying in Lone Pine for several days. Very pleasant surprise. Excellent for hiking, photography, camping and just playing around. Lots of off-road areas to play with 4x4 as well. Easy to spend the whole day or more, kept finding new things around every corner.

This was our second time visiting this great movie-making site. All in all, it was a good visit. After being here years ago, we always watch old westerns with an eye for rocky scenes in this area. Hoppy Cassidy made many here. It was fun to walk and explore. Very scenic.

The motion picture history here is monumental! You can visit Lone Ranger Canyon, but if you have ever seen a Western television show, you have seen Alabama Hills. The Lone Pine Western History Museum is a beginning spot, and when they once again start their "Concert in the Rocks", in the Alabama Hills, you really need to go and take the kids, it's an amazing adventure!!!! I've been going there for decades.

This was a 'must see' for us. Witnessed many times in films and on TV I had to see the real thing. It was VERY hot and there is no shade to be had. Navigation was a bit iffy using the map we had with us. Found the Arches after a time.

Spent 1 night boon-docking at a spot in the Alabama Hills. Plenty of spots to camp if you have a 4x4 but still some spots for campers and RV's. Many fire rings if the things are not too dry. We hiked to the Mobius arch in the morning which beautifully frames the mountains. I would HIGHLY recommend checking this place out.

Hundreds of westerns and many Sci-fi classics (including scenes from Star Wars) have been shot in this iconic location. With a few simple tips, you can bring back some tremendous shots to amazing your fam/friends.
1. Drive into the park early. Arrive no later than 30 minutes before sunrise. You’ll be following the GPS directions to the Mobius Arch Trail.
2. You’ll have some ops to shoot silhouettes looking East as the sun starts to come up.
3. Pre-sunrise, you’ll have some awesome bluish light to work with. This is your op to photograph the nearby foothills with Mount Whitney and surrounding peaks in the background. Remember to use a tripod and small aperture so everything…near/far is in focus.
4. About 20-35 minutes after the sunrise, the Mobius Arch will be lit and you’ll have the op to photograph Mount Whitney through the hole!!! Woooo!!! You can also arrive a little early and photography Mount Whitney lit up, with the arch in silhouette. Remember it takes about 5-10 minutes to hike out to the arch. They is only room for about 5 shooters at the arch….hopefully you can get a spot.
5. If you’re a celestial photo buff…come back to the arch at night! Try some light painting.

We drove into the Alabama Hills and did a little hiking in the mud and snow. The scenery was so exquisite with Mount Whitney looming above us. Great to imagine all the movies bustling and thundering through these rocks and hills

What fun to drive and hike around the Alabama Hills where over 400 films have been made and continue to be made there. For film buffs and those who enjoy western films, sci-fi, thrillers and more, it is just fun to be there where many were made. Being in the outdoors is a wonderful feeling as well. If you l like camping, you can do this too. Enjoy

Beautiful area where you can wander in the desert style area while staring at the amazing Sierra Nevada mountains in the background. Recommend Tuttle CG for those who don't want to free camp.

Been here many times, in the summer, as well as covered in winter snow. This place never ceases to amaze me with visual delights. Anywhere you go within the boulder fields the rocks and shadows are unique and change as the light shifts. Don't forget to bring your camera, but photos will not do the sights justice.

Without knowledge of all the cowboy movies made here, this would just be another rocky place in the desert. Having grown up with Roy Rogers, Gene Autry, Hopalong Cassidy and others Alabama hills was a very cool place. Driving thur Alabama Hills, my Husband said he could visualize, Strand Theater in Athens TN., in 1955 on a Saturday, drinking a Nehi Grape, eating Milk Duds and very very salty Pop Corn, Roy Rogers chasing the bad guy, bad guy running out of bullets, throwing his gun away, Roy knocking him off his horse into gully and beating his butt, with Roy never losing his white hat. A great time to grow up. I suggest going to Museum of Western Film History Before going to Alabama Hills.

So cool to see the area where so many films and tv shows were made. Spend the money and buy BLM map of the area so you can find the filming sites.

They need better signs. The loop is fascinating and so is Movie road. We went back the next day because we could not find the loop. Got a map of the 395 that showed it.

You have probably seen the Alabama Hills at the movies. This has been a very popular location for the movie studios. The scenery here is spectacular. It is well worth getting off the highway and exploring on your own. There are several graded, dirt roads which make it easy. I think you might even find a map of movie locations at the Lone Pine Museum of Western Films ( which is well worth a visit). Have fun!

Alabama Hills is a premiere Hollywood Movie and Commercial Location. Many movies have been filmed here as early as the early 20's, with such as Gunga Din (1939), and Django Unchained (2012), where director Q. Tarantino and crew, used many of the local businesses of Lone Pine. The Hills also provide many recreational areas for hiking, mountain biking, bouldering, Jeeping, photography, and camping. There are no camping fees there, but check with local authorities about camp fires, and the use of camping stoves, a permit is needed. There are no restrooms there, so plan accordingly, and don't forget to pack out your trash. The Hills also provide panoramic views of the Sierra Nevada mountain range, including the tallest summit of the contiguous United States, Mount Whitney (14,505 ft). Alabama Hills / Lone Pine is about a 3.5hr drive from the Los Angeles area, and a great base camp for exploration of the Owens and Death Valleys. This is my favorite weekend getaway location.

We would have missed this place if not for recommendations from other customers as we ate lunch at the Lone Star Bistro. After our late lunch, we followed their directions and drove to Movie Road, just minutes from 395 in Lone Pine. We navigated about a mile of the dirt road and would have explored more if not for lack of time. Awesome, almost alien, landscape. We plan to watch some of the movies that "feature" this location, including Tremors and Gladiator. Be sure to see the Film Museum in town before or after visiting the Alabama Hills to provide context. The rock formations are out-of-this-world.

Hills that have decomposed into wild boulders, loaves, spires and mesmerizing shapes, most viewable from the car. Hikes are short and have a high return on investment. Getting the free Alabama Hills map at the visitor center on the S side of Lone Pine on Rt 395 is worth it because the multitude of side roads are not labeled. The roads are not paved, but they are in good shape. If you go on a walkabout, wear sunscreen, sensible shoes and a wet bandana if it is between 10 AM and 4 PM because it is HOT. From the road to Whitney Portal, turn right onto Movie Road.

What incredible landscapes. We kept thinking we were not seeing what we were seeing. So much natural beauty. The sunrise was spectacular and well worth getting up early for.

Amazing rock formations along dirt road which is passable with a regular car. Trails wind between the rock formations. Lots of people were camping, but no water or facilities. Nice to visit in March, not too hotshot. No shade.

Had a docent-led tour with Chris. He was a wealth of knowledge about the local area, as well as the film industry, having lived locally for 46 years. Beautiful rock formations used for numerous Western movies. After his tour, we went back in our own car and spent several hours driving both the Alabama Hills loop, as well as Movie Road. Mt.
Whitney is your back drop. Stay on the loop and you're on paved road. Venture off and you'll drive on dirt roads. Hike as little or as much as you'd like.

We traveled to Mobius Arch and Lathe Arch with a Photo Group from San Luis Obispo "How Photographers Think" and had some really beautiful views at sunset. Make sure you get a map before going, there are very few signs once you get there. Extremely well kept and rustic. No fees charged so affordable for everyone.

Beautiful views! I recommend the Mobius Arch Loop if you are looking for a little hike. There are some unique photo ops along the way, but you do need sturdy shoes. If not, the drive itself is worth it with plenty of places to take photos from your car. Very enjoyable experience.

These hills were used extensively for making western movies up until the 70s or 80s. Not much to see just a good drive.

These hills and rock formations must be seen in person to grasp the enormity of them. The various shapes can indeed look like all manner of animals... just stand and look!
Great driving tracks and camping spots everywhere.

If you are a fan of some of the great western movies from yesteryear, the ALABAMA HILLS is a must. Remember that ONE rock that the bad guy always jumped from onto the stagecoach when it had to slow down? Yep, you find that there and many others. Great spot to spend a few hours driving around the "movie loop" or getting out and doing some leisurely hiking. Cheers

Great place to explore - interesting rock formations with Mount Whitney in the background and lots of history. Suggest going to the Museum of Western Movies first. Mobius Arch is an easy walk and really cool! Tip - we drove a mile or two past the Mobius Arch parking area on Movie Road in VW Jetta. The road is quite rough. We turned back instead of driving another 5 or 6 miles to the other end. It would be great with a 4W drive.

So exotic, at least for an easterner, and wonderful! It's a short drive and there are lots of little paths and rocks to scramble over. We went to the Alabama Hills diner and on the wall there is a map of good drive to take into the Alabama Hills. It doesn't take more than 20 minutes and it is highly interesting.

Alabama Hills is incredible! I thought Joshua Tree was awesome, this place is like J-Tree except underneath the tallest point in the lower 48 states. Climbing these massive boulders while looking up at Mount Whitney was a check off the bucket list.

We camped in our car and rose to a rainbow over the peak of Whitney. Highly recommend making the trip.

This little (not so little) destination can often escape you if your not paying attention. Lone Pine is a pass thru town on U.S. Route 395. Most people simply drive by this location on their way to/from Los Angeles to Mammoth Mountain or Reno. Alabama Hills is a unique range of hills and rock formation just on the Eastern Slope leading up to Mt Whitney. I strongly recommend that you stop in Lone Pine, grab lunch, pack plenty of water and enjoy a day exploring these incredible hills. If you like skateboarding down hill . . . before you leave, do a take from the Film "The Secret Life of Walter Mitty" and drive up Whitney Portal Rd and skateboard down the road . . . it's a blast! Of coarse, you should have someone drive the car behind you to avoid the long hike back.

Absolutely gorgeous scenery. Lots of rock formations and trails to drive around, or walk/hike. Fishing nearby. Great stop!

I got there late in the day and the light was fading, so I did not drive far, but I can imagine how awesome the rest of it is! I only saw the beginning of the drive. The rock formations are out of this world. I can see why many movies filmed there! It's almost other-worldly! Like Joshua Tree Nat. Park on super steroids.

We have to return to explore this awesome place! Loved every minute. Easy to get to places within the Hills. We happened to visit the site of the Iron Man "Jerico" part of the movie. Very cool.

We passed many mountain ranges on our trip. Taking Whitney Portal we drove miles looking at varied rocks and vegetation We drove on up as far as we could until mud and granite rocks got larger and larger and we no longer trusted car v Rock.

the trail to Mobius Arch is an easy walk that offers a splendid view on the Alabama hills with the towering sierra and Mount Whitney on the back. Don't hesitate to get lost in the boulders and explore further the deserted area of the the Alabama Hills. There are a lot of tracks and you can't get totally lost. Bring water, lot of. Get there early on hot days. You might see hares, too.

The rock formations were interesting. We had gone to the Museum of Western Film History first and purchased the Movie Road Self-Guided Tour. Even with it we were confused and worried about getting lost. We took a few pictures and headed back to town. They need signs marking the different roads and movie locations.

Go off the highway and have a good look around. So diverse, hills mountains, rock formations. Nice parking lots and nicely laid out track to walk. Take water and a camera. Get the brochures describing the different routes.

If you've seen any modern truck commercials, or old westerns, you've no doubt seen snippets from Alabama Hills. It is rugged, interesting and usually sunny.

I'm an Alabama Hills junkie. I do night photography (international award winning, in case you're wondering), and here are 5 reasons why Alabama Hills is awesome:

1. The terrain is surreal, eye appealing, and "familiar" - in part because it has been the setting for many movies, westerns and car commercials.

2. It is Bureau of Land Management Land with 24/7 access. You can pull up park and spend the afternoon or night, or nights... And while there are camping areas nearby with facilities you can find spots that feel spacious and private.

3. It is DARK here. You WILL see the Milky Way (in season) and starry skies.

4. The nearby town of Lone Pine is quite charming with a variety of restaurants and accommodations.

5. While I have been dozens (and dozens) of times, the area is so large that there is always more to explore by car and on foot. Including catching glimpses of wildlife, cacti, and more.

6. (Bonus reason) The rocks are rough enough that you can scramble over them with tennis shoes - though I do recommend shoes with good lugs on them. Some are HUGE.

wonderful hike, a with wonderful views, rocks, flowers... I visited in May 2018 and it was wonderful.

I love coming here and decided to bring the grandkids and their parents this time. I downloaded the map that shows various rock formations and names them, giving the mileage between them. I thought it would be great fun for the 15, 13 and 10 year olds. We also had a 67. 66, 43, and a 42 year old in the same car all looking for the formations. I think we really only found the pumpkin but it became so funny for us that we started making up our own names for the formations. Although the Map wasn't very helpful, we had a wonderful time laughing as a family and expressing our creativity. Next time I would be sure to follow Whitney Portal road to the end because I have since heard there is a beautiful water fall next to the parking lot. We spent a couple of hours here.

We stopped over night in lone pine on the way to Yosemite from Death Valley. So we planned a short visit to movie road after diner. We were so regretted that we didn't have more time to see all those amazing formation of the rocks. We are actually not familiar with most of the movie filmed there, but the movie road was simply unbelievable. We could easily spent four hours there.

I have done considerable traveling throughout the US and the world. In my opinion, the Alabama Hills offer some of the most striking landscapes I have seen anywhere. Go early in the morning (just after sunrise) when the shadows are strong and the heat not so bad. Don't miss the Alabama Hills !

Outdoor exploring at it’s finest either by vehicle, foot or bike. Glad we finally took the time to explore the area more.

Managed by the BLM, this area is open to camping just about anywhere. We didn't camp, but found the folks who were camping to be quite friendly. We enjoyed climbing around on the rocky outcroppings and doing some of the trails (specifically the Mobius Arch - see separate listing). We even found a few petroglyphs with the help of a friendly camper!

We visited the Alabama Hills while vacationing in California. We stopped at the Museum of Western Film History and learned of the Alabama Hills. We obtained a map of the various sites used for movie and television scenes. The only problem is that the area is not marked and navigation is by the odometer. We found the first site but after that we were lost. We may have seen other sites but we could not be sure. If they improved the signage, it would help. Would have loved to see it all.

Campers ticked away in every conceivable nook and cranny. But just a very unique area. Have never seen anything like it!

Alabama Hills is a great place for camping and night photography. There are a lot of side trails off Movie Flat Rd. Some lead to obscure arches like Boot Arch and Cyclops Arch. The dirt roads are well maintained. And the overall loop drive is not that long. The night sky is very dark which makes for great night photography. Mt Whitney provides a nice backdrop for photos, and in the winter, it looks amazing. There are some campgrounds along Whitney Portal Road for the RV docking. But there are no facilities for the free areas.

Drove through the Hills on the Movie Trail. Fantastic landscapes and scenery. You can get out and explore almost everywhere. Mobius Arch is a short walk from the car park and provides good photo opportunities.

We absolutely loved our afternoon in the Alabama Hills. Just before arriving in Lone Pine (coming from LA), we stopped at the Eastern Sierra Interagency Visitor Centre, at the junction of Highway 395 and 136, where we picked up maps of the area and trails. We drove to the Mobius Arch trailhead where you can choose to hike a very short loop or an extended version. We did the longer one which took about 2 hours or so and was amazing. Fantastic scenery, wonderful views, and we were the only ones out there. I would recommend doing it with the map from the Visitor Centre though, to aid in navigation.There are trail markers but the trail itself was not obvious in parts so having the map was definitely useful.

I think this area is unique and very beautiful. Beauty is in the eye of the beholder. I love all things in nature so I find this place to be stunning. Great place to explore.

There are very markings here. Maps provided at the Interagency Visitor Center indicate where special films were made. But figuring out exactly which road to turn down was difficult. Not all roads were on the map so it was difficult to tell where we were. The visitor center told us the roads were pretty good with small washboards. (Movie Rd is a dirt road) Not true on several sections. We were driving a truck & camper and pretty much had to crawl thru at 10 mph. But the scenery is fantastic. Loved the Lone Ranger area. Also did the Mobius Arch trail (different review)

Alabama Hills is a section of the Eastern Sierra Nevadas outside of Lone Pine that one should not miss! They have the famous Mobius Arch and the Arch portal rock through which you can view Mount Whitney and take the iconic photo. The variation and rock formations and the dramatic backdrop of a 14000 ft Granite Peak is absolutely stunning! There's all kinds of rock formations that have names and look like items so it's kind of fun to drive around and explore the rocks.

The Alabama Hills was the setting for many "cowboy westerns." You can see why when you take the short drive into the hills from Lone Pine, California. The unusual and mysterious huge boulders are like few other places on earth and yet they are not scary. Delicate wild flowers peek out from the boulders and friendly lizards scamper around. Some people camp here and some, like we were, come here to paint the extraordinary landscape. If you are passing through Lone Pine, you should take a short trip into the Alabama Hills. You will never forget their incredible beauty.

What a beautiful area. No wonder it's been the scene for so many movies, from the early western films to Tremors, Star Wars, Bad Day at Black Rock, etc. etc. etc. A must see. Drive out Movie Road, just out of town. Awesome!

Wanted to see the filming locations but there are only markers sonyou just have to use your imagination. Great rock formations.

The list is long for the films made here for decades. If you watch TV you have probably seem the Alabama Hills and not even realized it. Many of the new truck commercials are made there. It's fascinating to be at the same locations the films were made years ago. The rock formations are unique, and highly recognizable in magazines, movies and TV, once you've seen them. The photography landscape possibilities are everywhere. If you are a western movie buff, you can spend days roaming the hills for locations, and photo opportunities. As a bonus you have the Sierra Nevada's and Mt. Whitney overlooking the hills below.

The views are incredible! Great history. Plenty to see right form the car, but fun to explore by foot. Heads up, dirt road and no amenities but close to Lone Pine. Bring your own food and water and remember not to leave and trash behind. Think sunrise and sundown are best. Also a great place to see stars.

Stooped by on a trip to Whitney Portal an were really surprised on how great this place is. Absolutely amazing landscape. No crowds (in mid march). the hiking paths are easily accessible and there is plenty of place to park. We took our motorcycles to the Mobius Loop parking space and hikd to the loop. Great opportunity for pictures of Mount Whitney. Riding the bikes on the unpaved, but well graded roads was fun.

When visiting the Lone Pine area of Owens Valley, a must stop and drive or hike are the World Famous Alabama Hills. Granite outcroppings on the east side of the mighty Sierras provide spectacular views and picturesque vistas. There are rattlesnakes in the area. Easy driving and various levels of hiking trails scattered. Movie road where dozens of movies were made.

Take the short drive. Do a little hiking. Appreciate the beauty. Don't wait until a doctor says you have six months to live. Just go now.

This place is amazing! Easy hikes for kids, lots of boulders to climb.... it was my family’s favorite of the whole trip.

I highly suggest a visit to Alabama Hills. It is rugged and unique, and the history behind the hills is amazing. It is rock formations and a few dirt roads and a few primitive placed to dry camp. I knew a little bit of history behind the hills but not enough. There were over 400 movies shot on location at this place. But I thought they were all western. Wrong, some Star Wars, some Sci Fi like Tremmors, but mostly westerns. To get a better sense of what Alabama Hills is all about I think a trip to The Cowboy Museum is very beneficial. But still amazing with all that history at the site.

These rock formations are just incredible. No idea how they are formed but to experience them is well worth the effort. The site is relatively easy to get to: turn toward Mt. Whitney at the only stop light in Lone Pine and very quickly you will be there. When we were there we saw a fair number of vehicles and people that were camping among the rocks for the night. We brought our picnic dinner with us and had a great time enjoying our meal amongst such magnificent natural scenery. Do watch out for mosquitoes and other insects.

Driving along Movie Road, you will see many movie locations, some with identifying plaques. The rock formations make this area perfect for films and being in nature. Next visit, I will spend more time and do some hiking, especially to the arch formations.

This area is where in the past the iron westerns were filmed. Absolute stunning area. Nowadays it is occasionally used for advertisements.

Go in a cooler time of year. We were there in 13 heat so we had to go really early. It is an open air museum or park where you can see the exact spots that many classic western and other films were shot. Look it up on the Internet and download the movie photos and info before you go. Lots of fun,

I lived in Bishop for ten years and somehow managed to miss this gem. Movie Road, while dirt, is passable in a sedan (I drive a Honda). We started at the Whitney Portal Road end and looped back onto 395 North of Lone Pine. This area has amazing rock formations with the Sierra as a backdrop. Hiking trails abound. Hike and climb to your heart's content. Morning or evening will give you the best photo ops. This is high desert and the wind can come up unexpectedly. Have fun!

We heard good reviews for this area and were not disappointed. We stayed in Tuttle Creek campground with our 31' 5th wheel and found a nice site. Easy access to the arches and scenes from old movies. Weather permitting, we will come back again in winter!

You can drive the loop thru the Alabama Hills and get to know this structures. Then when you watch Iron Man or The Shadow or many other movies, you'll know where films

Coming from Death Valley going to Bishop, these impressive Hills are the first you see from Lone Pine.

wish we had more time to spend hiking there. went in the late afternoon. Rock formations are fantastic. hiking through them is a good experience. the entire place is picturesque. old western movies were filmed here. Hiking time can be an hour to all day. Regret that we did not have enough time to explore the place more fully.

This is one of the coolest places to just wander around and sightsee. So many cool rock formations, and lots of movie sights.

After visiting the Museum of Western Film History (highly recommended) we got a map and took a drive into the Alabama Hills, west of town. We had been excited at the idea of viewing movie locations, but the fact of the matter is that although several are marked on the maps, there is nothing there but low hills and rock formations. If you are a western movie aficionado you may find this fascinating; we were quite disappointed. Maybe there's a book showing pictures of movie sets and how to locate where they were filmed...? On the other hand, the views of the Sierras (including Mt. Whitney and others) are spectacular, and as you drive up Whitney Portal Road the views and photo opportunities just get better and better.

Looking at IMDB (movie data base), over 300 movies have been filmed here at Alabama Hills. A lot of the roads are unpaved, but easy to drive. Many areas a great to hike around and on top of the rocks. You can bike many of the trails as well. Good to stop by the Western Museum in town for more of the history.
Everyone has their own opinion, but I would suggest coming in fall (Sept/Oct) or late spring for the best climate conditions. Summer is very hot.

Beautiful little town with lots of charm and tons to offer! We loved visiting Alabama Hills and hiking about!

Worth any amount of time you can spend here, whether an hour or all day. Stunning vistas of incredible rock formations, and views for days. Helpful markers indicate filming locations (western fans will be in hog heaven), and roads are smooth and easy to drive. Ansel Adams did some of his photography here, and you can see why. The eastern Sierras don't get enough credit for their sheer beauty!

Picturesque rocky hills where you can play Cowboys and Indians... Or take photos and hike... Good half-day activity.

If you want to see and walk among the places where movies and tv shows were filmed then this is the attraction for you

Anyone brought up on the Lone Ranger, Gene Autry, Roy Rogers and Dale Evans will want to experience the short, circuit drive through the Alabama Hills, where you fairly expect to see a stage coach and cowboys and Indians around the next boulder!

We have been to Alabama Hills many times for the past 40 years. It is a must see location. Unique and full of history, geologic and Hollywood. Bring your camera and good hiking boots. You can spent days here and still not cover everything.

The views are really good and there is some great movie history there. Lots of old western mostly but a few later scifi ones. The bad thing is the road it self, very bumpy and soft sand in some places. Hope they work on fixing it so the drive is more enjoyable.

We went there after a visit to the films museum in Lone Pine. It is great to imagine all the western movies scenes that took place there.

A must visit with beautiful scenery and movie history. Alabama Hills out of Lone Pine, CA is rock formations, valleys and views of Mount Whitney. Starting in the 1930's until today, westerns, commercials, videos and feature films are being filmed in the hills. Cowboy heros...Clint Eastwood, Kirk Douglas, John Wayne, Wiilam Boyd- Hopalong Cassidy to Cary Grant.
Too many stars to name.
Recommend getting, the book ' On Location in Lone Pine, by Dave Holland', to assist with location and movie triva.
There was a bad side, campers and four wheelers to normal cars are destroying some of the country. As the ranger stated, roads are getting larger/ wider, destroying vegation.
The campers are right in front of rocks/hiking trails taking pictures of some sights/formations. They ruin photo opportunities.
It's more like open camping than nature and movie history diminishing the experience.
I hope it does not turn into just a 'no fee / unrestricted campground'
There is so much movie history being lost.

We found a brochure in the internet of a self guided tour of the movie road. We went along the road, took a lot of pictures and enjoyed it very much.

We have visited the hills many times over the years on our way to the Mt. Whitney Portal. Drive down Movie Road to get close to the unique rock formations. Be sure to stop by the movie museum in Lone Pine to learn about all the movies filmed in the area.

Great place to see the snow-capped Sierras and scramble about on the amazing granite formations. Even of you don’t want to head up into the mountains, the views from the valley are stunning.

Short side trip off 395 is an eye opener with dramatic views of Mount Whitney. The Lone Ranger series featured these unusual boulder formations. Access from the south by taking a left off Hwy 395 about 10 miles south of Lone Pine at the Dinosaur RV park on Boulder Creek Road, right on Liberty Canyon, right on Tuttle Creek Rd, right on Portal Rd that will take you back to downtown Lone Pine. If you prefer, take a left on Portal Rd at the traffic light in downtown Lone Pine and a left on Tuttle Creek with a right on Horseshoe Meadow Rd that will take you back to Portal Rd.

I love to explore new places and Alabama Hills is known for westerns and other films being filmed here. The rock formations can be seen elsewhere in Southern California, but they all have a different charm of their own. I had wanted to hike to Mobius Arch, but when I saw the trail, I knew it would be impossible. I wear knee braces and I'm not real balanced or confident in them yet. Some of the movies filmed here are "Gunga Din" (I have it on VHS, now I have to get the DVD), "Tremors", "The Lone Ranger" series, "How the West Was Won". I didn't get to see everything I wanted, but I need to have something to do on my next trip. There are plenty of spots to park off road. Two campgrounds are very close by. I will review one of them in another post. It's definitely worth a repeat visit.

Drive through Alabama Hills and down Movie road to see the locations of all the old westerns. If you grew up watching anything from John Wayne through to Star Wars or Iron Man you will appreciate seeing the film locations. Walk the paths and get the feel of the place. Well worth a visit

As a photographer I found the beauty of Mt. Whitney contrasted to the dark rock formations incomparable.

Under the tallest mountain of Mt Whitney, this place has lots of rocks of strange shape. The most famous one is Mobius ring. you can see Mt Whitney through the hole of rings. The trail is short and easy and you can climb to a lot of rocks easily.

For all the times I drove by Lone Pine, I never would have guessed hiding beyond the hills were a fascinating landscape used for movie back drops. Combine Vasquez Rocks and Joshua Tree and you get some amazing landscapes with Mt Whitney in the background. Do your research first as there is no cell service to download the maps. We got lost a couple of times. Fun to hike around and rock scramble!

We were on our way to Death Valley from Joshua Tree and decided to take a detour and stay overnight in Lone Pine, even though with no clear idea as to what we were going to do there. It turned out to be totally worthy of the extra 78 miles drive. We spent just a couple of hours in the morning driving up the Whitney portal road (about 8 miles in road was closed due to icy conditions but possible to hike up a bit for a better view from the lower parking area), and checking out the many strange shaped rocks, including the graffiti face rock. Most sights are within 2 miles from the downtown turn off although you could drive further on the whole loop if you have time. Our hotel gave us a map with descriptions of what the rocks were supposed to resemble but they were not that obvious to identify. On the way back we turned off on the movie road with more clusters of unique rock formations. Couldn't recognize the scenery from any particular movies with no signage for such info. Nevertheless it's great fun to wander around among the stunning landscape and intriguing rocks. The short loop trail to Mobius Arch is well marked and not to be missed.

Supposedly there were all sorts of movies shot here. he only location I recognized was the rocky ridge at the beginning of the Lone Ranger TV show. Still, light to moderate hiking over varies and interesting terrain.

Went there close to sunset. Beautiful short walk to the Arches (the path is nicely outlined with stones to find your way). Must do this when passing through Lone Pine.

We love coming here and driving around the hills. Seeing where they made all the different old movies.

While I do admit to not having watched many of the 400-plus movies that were filmed in this location, it was a treat to see the landscape. It was like, where am I? This is so cool. Some people camp overnight here.
I love how the movie museum is nearby. I went to the Alabama Hills first, then the museum. And, oh, there are so many wonderful opportunities for photography. This place is FREE and well-maintained.

I had planned to devote two full days to shoot the Alabama Hills. I only lasted two hours. The Mobius Arch was only interesting subject to shoot. I looked around and saw the same rock formations. On top of that, you have campers with their big trailers parked all over the place. It is almost impossible to get a clean shot without a car/camper in the picture.
I found this place to be very disappointing. I guess if I tried really hard to get some nice compositions by cropping out the vehicles but it was not worth it for me. It is spring break which could explain the huge crowds.

This area is really a surprise- big rock formations seem to show up out of no where with great hiking trails. In May there were wildflowers.

I have traveled extensively in the United States, so finding something truly unusual is rare. This short drive was unusual. I wouldn’t travel out of my way for this, but it was an interesting experience and one I took many pictures of. The boulders were huge and had interesting holes in them making them look like people, animals, and other familiar objects. This is also the site of many movies including Ghengis Khan. It is not well marked and I got turned around a couple of times, but it is all very close to town, so you can’t get lost. If you find yourselves near Lone Tree, take the time to do this drive!

If you look closely you can see different faces in the rocks.very dry air humidty at 13% with a stiff wind.

A secret sightseeing spot without many tourists. The entire landscape was so impressive. The beautiful arches are absolutely the highlights.

We happened upon the Alabama Hills while traveling to Whitney. It seemed so familiar from seeing them in so many movies. I wish I would have visited the Movie Museum. But, I did love the hills. Watch our travel video on YouTube. YT Number mXeS85Vila8

Easy drive outside lone pine CA . clearly marked but pick up information from the inter agency information set outside town

Nice! looks beautiful. I'll bet that small town has some big offerings, like some quaint shopping and a cold sudsy one. Great little history blurbs and fabulous step by step directions, i need a compass to get to the second floor in an elevator.

A group of us passing through Owens Valley on a photo exploration. Conditions were good and we explored and photographed. I am not sure I like the paintings on the boulders though as the geology and history of this place speak for themselves

We took a drive through the Alabama Hills and were amazed at the various geological formations. At a few points you could imagine being on Mars or another planet because of the formations (of course there have been Star Wars movies filmed here which might lead you to think this). The Alabama Hills have been used for many movie locations including Django, and you can see why once you drive through them. It asked about a rainy day attraction, unless it is flooding, it could be done as we only got out of the car to take pictures of the various types of rocks and formations.

We drove on Movie Road to see the Alabama Hills again in June 2018.

The dirt rod was a bit wash board like, but the views were stellar on a sunny clear day.

Many Hollywood movies were made here.

There were some other cars around, but in general, it was very quiet with few visitors on a Monday.

We took the self guided car drive with the help of the tour book we got at the museum. We followed the odometer directions and looked for the landmarks. It was a little confusing. We finally figured it out, relaxed and jist enjoyed the scenery which was so interesting and different than anything we'd seen before. The downside was there were many rvs and trailers scattered throughout and kind of in the way.

Alabama Hills is the a gateway to Mt. Whitney. With old cowboy movie locations ( you can get maps at the Movie Film Museum) there is camping and fishing along this rout. Many Many coowboy movies and TV series were filmed there

While we could’ve spent way more time in the Alabama Hills, it offered some shorter hikes that made a shorter stop possible. Mobius Arch hike was an easy half hour hike with the turning point being the namesake arch which was a great photo spot. Few miles further out was the spot where a scene from Iron Man was filmed that would be worth the detour for most Marvel fans.

Go to the film museum in Lone Pine first ($5 per person), watch the 15min movie, and check out all the memorabilia. Then take the drive. Go off the main road and just wander the side roads. This was one of the highlights of route 395 for us.

We went early since it can get hot. It was great hiking around the Movie Road area. The views are amazing & nothing like you would see anywhere else. A must see if you are ever in the area. Stop by the Museum of Western Film History before you go so you can appreciate what you are seeing better & to find the spots to see.

Whoever expected the Alabama Hills to be in the Sierra Nevada Mountains in Lone Pine, California?!? Seriously, there is such a place that was used for the backgrounds to film a lot of old cowboy and some famous movies including the recent Star Wars, Episode V. It was a great place to visit with beautiful scenery and it is known as "movie road".

Begin at the Lone Pine Museum of film history on Main Street to watch a short movie on the history of the area plus free maps, and helpful tips for viewing the sitesI I only recognized a few of the actors, but it was still fun to see such a variety of historical items like a stagecoach and other memorabilia in the museum.

Begin the self-guided tour of "Movie Road" a few miles away and it's probably ideal if you use a GPS, because otherwise you have to keep resetting your odometer. None of the sites are marked since it's BLM land. The paved road ends shortly after turning off Hwy 395 and there is a well maintained but somewhat washboard gravel road that is fine for 2 wheel drive vehicles. You can get out to walk thru the "movie set" rocks at each "site" and we also took a short hike to the famous (not sure for what) Mobius arch for a photo op.

A nice diversion from a boring drive, but must be hot in Summer, so bring water and sun protection.

Great Picturesque Drive, Something Incredible Around Ever Turn...If You Drove It % Times You Would See Something New. Love Rocks! This Is One Of The Best Short Drives, Right Out Of Town...

You can do a movie drive if you download the details from the movie museum site. Unfortunately I did not have a triop meter with tenths of a mile so I kept missing turnouts! Nevertheless the drive is worth it just to get a feel for this remarkable place and put yourself in the shoes of all those film makers. The Mobius Arch, reached via a short circular path, is not to be missed.

Wonderful place to visit. Great views and drives. Don't miss Tuttle Creek and the drive up to Horseshoe Meadow.

We observed these interesting hills as we made our way out of Death Valley and on way to Lone Pine..

Dirt roads are used to access the Alabama hills, most 2wd passenger cars can make the Movie Road no problem, but recommend a high clearance 4wd or AWD vehicle to explore some of the spur roads. Lots to see, some great short hikes to interesting rock formations like the Mobius Arch, as well as old movie settings used over the decades for all kinds of Hollywood films. Recommend driving up Movie Road to the Mobius Arch parking lot and hiking 10 minutes to the arch for anyone that can at least walk around the block at home.

Drove all thru the Alabama Hills and found it to be a unique and awesome area. Watched the sunrise on Mount Whitney on a very cold morning. The colors were beautiful.

The Alabama Hills are just s few miles West of Lone Pine and worth a quick detour if not hours of exploring. You will be on a well graded dirt road suitable for every type of car (including RV's).

We enjoyed driving through the Alabama Hills on our way to the Mt. Whitney Portal. We also took the Arch Loop Trail off Movie Road, which was interesting. I'd never do this again in August however, as the heat is just overwhelming.

if visiting Death Valley and if you are around Lone Pine, this is a must do. You will not regret this one. The unsurpassed beauty of this gorgeous landscape will leave you with wanting for more...

The sunsets are just as spectacular as the sunrises. It is very peaceful, and there are more formations to see than 2 days can accommodate, we'll be back. Make sure to dress in layers, temperatures can fluctuate quite a bit.. Bring plenty of water, otherwise town is very close and quite quaint, It is a must see bucket list adventure.

**I am from Lone Pine. You will want to visit these very unique mt.s of rocks where many movies were made !

This was a last minute stop after we went to the Museum of Western Film History. I'm so glad we decided to go see this because the drive was amazing. We took a longer drive through the area because a section of Whitney Portal Road was closed. It was really worth it to see the awesome scenery and the place where the Jericho scene from Iron Man was filmed. Check Google Maps for photo locations. The road is unpaved but drivable. Might be hard in a big RV.

Well worth a visit - the colours and shapes of the rocks are amazing and you can imagine a western movie being set here.

This place is quiet and peaceful. We went in winters so it was very pleasant. The place is not far from main city, hence it is easy to camp here and return back to the hotel the next day.

I love it here, the landscape is amazing, crazy rocks all over the place. Many famous movies had scenes recorded here, as star wars, iron man...very close to Lone Pine and Death Valley, its worth a visit!

Loved it. Nice little experience with my kiddos.
We loved stopping and checking out different spots and doing a little hike and then also driving up to the mountains with snow.

Whether you’re a film buff or a nature lover, a visit to Alabama Hills is a must see! You will recognize many familiar sights throughout the park where countless Westerns were filmed. If you love nature, incredible scenery and hiking, this place will be sure to appeal to you. A well marked auto route takes you throughout the park. There are numerous parking areas to leave your vehicle and follow hiking trails that meander throughout a moon-like landscape. Depending on the time of year, the snow capped Sierras provide an awe-inspiring backdrop. It is free to enter for the day and its location just minutes from Hwy 395/Lone Pine makes this grand park extremely accessible.

Loved our hike in the Alabama Hills. Unlike anywhere and a highpoint of our trip to the west - we had only a few hours and could easily have spent longer.

The rock formations are a nice drive by view, and with a little signage it could be a lot better. I n particular, signage of where you are and how to get out or in would be very useful. We turned around on "movie road"(??)and went back since our GPS (phone) was not picking up on where we were and there were no signs.

The view is to die for. The contrast of the mountains and the boulders will leave you in aaawww. I would not miss it!

A fun place to visit. Visit the museum of film history first. Don't be afraid to drive on the dirt road, it's fairly well maintained. The hiking trails to the arches are not as easy as people claim, so be prepared for some up and down hiking. If you don't hike, that's ok, you can still drive around and enjoy it. Real nice views of Mt. Whitney, too.

If you find yourself driving along 395 and you love stunning landscapes, and you need to break up your drive, then be sure to take a short detour to the Alabama Hills and if you have an hour or so, a walk to the Möbius Arch. It's a fairly easy loop trail taking you down a smal canyon and scrabbling over some boulders to the Arch, a great wind-carved formation. If you're lucky enough to go on a windy day, you'll try get a ensue of how that arch was formed.

The surrounding formations are awesome to observe, with Martian/like red rocks in one direction and snow-capped Mt. Whitney and the Sierra Nevada range in the other. Kids and adults alike will have fun scrambling over the boulders and thru the arches.

On a cool, rainy February day, we drove on the beautiful and historic 'Movie Loop Road' of Alabama Hills, where over 400 western films were made. This is a serene, quiet place, with beautiful views of Mount Whitney when weather is clear. We enjoyed the easy .5 mile loop walk to see Mobius Arch and its smaller brother Lathe Arch. Stop at the Inter-Agency Visitor Center just outside of Lone Pine for a driving and hiking map of the area. As BLM land, dispersed camping is available and we saw a few campers tucked away in cozy, off-road settings. This is a lovely place for easy to moderate hiking with superb mountain views.

If you're passing through Lone Pine take some time to explore the Alabama hills. In particular drive up Tuttle Creek Road and Movie Flat Road. The rock formations are amazing. You will have seen this scenery before as it is a frequently used movie location.

We've eaten lunch at this restaurant on a couple of occasions while traveling to Mammoth Lakes. The food is great, the portions are huge (I recommend splitting a sandwich), and the staff are courteous and helpful. Although there was no seating available inside the restaurant due to the COVID-19 epidemic, we were able to enter the restaurant while maintaining social distancing to place our order and use the clean restroom. Everyone was wearing face masks. There were a few outdoor tables, including some next to a building across the street where the restaurant stores its food supplies. Many people took the food to go but we found a free table and ate there. There is parking along the street and we were able to park our car in a shaded area under a large tree which was ideal since the temperatures was around 100 degrees that day.

Alabama Hills is fun to cruise around! We enjoyed hiking on the arches loop trail and driving through movie road. We even drove up to the Mt Whitney trailhead and enjoyed the waterfall right by the parking lot!

This is a great place for someone who was brought up on TV westerns. a drive thru is a must where you will experience the rock formation that you have seen many times and will be able to no them when you see in future movies. 1939 Gungadin was filmed here.

I have been all over the US and this has definitely been one of my favorite places I've ever seen. Such a unique and stunning place. Beautiful slate-grey mountains with brown, rocky foothills. The colors of the rocks and the sunsets were amazing. Definitely plan on going back soon!

Visited here one day in mid Nov. Easy to navigate loop starting and finishing in Lone Pine. Wonderful views. Would consider visiting again if returning to the area.

Very nice hiking and kids love it. A good addition to my Death Valley national park trip Definitely recommend it

We went to the museum first & so glad we did. You could almost see the stars riding through the hills
We drive a 3500 Chevy Dually truck & pull a 5th wheel. We visited the hills without the RV & had planned to return the following day, to boondock in the hills, behind the large boulders. There are plenty of places to camp
The huge boulders are truly awe inspiring, the canyons & gullies are spectacular
This is a great place for anyone of any age, to visit & explore. Many trails & paths to hike & walk, for all levels of ability

I was hoping to see more of the are but the road was closed due to winter road damage. Still enjoyed seeing the unique rock formation and excellent views of Mt. Whitney. Will definitely go back to see the movie sets and other areas when in the area again.

This was a lovely drive just outside Lone Pine. It had amazing views and many camping spaces just out in the open. On the holiday weekend, there were quite a few people camping, but it was spectacular and did not fell crowed.

What beautiful scenery. You almost see the westerns being filmed here. The cowboys on horseback being chased by the “bad guys.”The rock formation were breathtaking and beautiful. The snow capped Mt. Whitney was majestic.
The map was difficult at times and we were never sure if we were at the site where filming took place.

I've a lifetime of adventures and experiences driving up the 395 and into the Eastern Sierras from Southern California. I've driven through Lone Pine probably half a hundred times; stopped for a meal, for gas, for supplies. But I had never been to the Alabama Hills before last month.

Whether you only have an hour to kill or you're looking for a place to camp for a week I cannot recommend the short detour out of Lone Pine on the Whitney Portal Road to the Alabama Hills highly enough. It is what dreams are made of and it's simply fantastic.

Besides which, it is BLM land. There are no fees for the day or for camping sites; first come first served. It looks to me like visitors are doing a fine job policing themselves, fires, trash, etc. Please respect this wild place, take pics, leave footprints, etc.

My brother and I went to Alabama hills both for a real steep drive and a pretty cool but short hike. Loved them both

I totally enjoyed my drive through these hills, fun to look for the different rock formations and movie location. Yes, there’s peace and quiet and solitude and privacy and the right price (free) and amazing scenery including rounded red rocks and arches that make us think of Utah, not California. You even get peek-a-boo views of the cloud-shrouded jagged peak of Mt. Whitney, the highest peak in the lower 48, towering above

It was obviously a great find for the producers of early western films. Rocks jut upward providing perfect covers for Cowboys to shoot at each other. We wandered about, and our dog followed, loving it as much as we did.
I believe they shot hundreds of films here. We are fans of Turner Classic Movies. Since we visited this movie site years ago, we have loved looking for evidence that a particular film we watched was shot here. Some of them were so obvious.
In watching some old Hopalong Cassidy films, I had no doubt they were filmed here. It's a fun place to visit.

Unfortunately the lady in the film museum gave us completely wrong driving instruction to the movie road!
After half an hour we managed to get on the correct way and enjoyed the short walking loops very much.

This is one of those places that I'd like to go back to explore more. It's not a place you want to spend a lot of time in when it is over 100 degrees outside. We drove in, and got out of the car to walk around just a bit, but there is really no shade. If you were a rock climber, this would be heaven. The landscape and views are out of the old west, so it is worth a visit, even if just in your car. In a cooler season, it would be really fun to spend more time exploring here.

Impressive landscape with small arches (we found at least two) rocks and desert. Worth going there around sunset.

We stayed in lone pine and was heading to manzanar and took the movie road through this recreation area. It has s a dirt road and added about 10 mins to the drive but soooo worth it. We wouldn't have seen the beautiful views from the road

I drove an SUV and was able to travel the gravel roads easily. Beautiful scenery and knowing films were shot here made it fun.

Truly a one of a kind wonder,the rock formations are amazing!
You have a real sense you are some where special while in the park.

The interesting rock formations (including the arches) and plants are interesting in their own right, so the fact that so many movies have been filmed here is a bonus. To fully appreciate this site, you should visit the Museum in town ($5 donation) first, to get a better understanding of the movie history of the place. Many of the sites require a short hike, so it's best to avoid the heat of the day.

Excellent place for a hike around looking at the rock formations and the scenery is amazing with mt Whitney in the back ground. Take your time look around we visited in spring so lots of colour and the cactus are really interesting.

This is a different geological area of large rounded rocks that are in a transition area between the Owens valley and Mt Whitney. There are many different rock formations that we learned have been used as sets for many movies. There were lots of folks hiking and pulled way off into the area with their campers.

Nice dirt road between the rock formations to try out 4WD capabilities. Interesting geology, recognizable in just about any old B&W western. We were there as sunset approached, and it was quite an experience to see the setting sun on the rocks.

Heading up to or down from Mammoth, it is always fun to take a detour to the Alabama Hills. There are three main entrances that you can take from south, middle or north borders of Long Pine...thus can adjust the lengths of your excursion. Take some time to get out of your car and wander a bit..

As many may note, this is the historical center of my Western movies and current commercials.

Must see natural area in the Eastern Sierras. Such fascinating natural features. Cowboys stepping out at any minute.

On the edge of the eastern Sierra range a breathtaking panorama with an exhilarating feeling when approaching the snow clapped range from the road. On one side are the majestic mountains and on the other a desert plain edged by another mountain range.
Great views from the “Hills”. One can walk on unmarked, meandering trails to see arches and conspicuous mini caves in the rocks. A park visitor station is not far away.
Looks like a camper/rv’er dream.
I’d give it a 5 except they closed the road for access into the mountains.

We had a fun walk by Alabama Hills where many a western was filmed. Very hot but a nice creek runs along the road. We didn't make it to the film museum but loved seeing the real spots. Worth going up to Whitney Portal as well just 13 miles up what seems like a just repaved road. Couldn't have been smoother.

I love the west and all it's unique geology. These "hills" do not disappoint and have such odd shapes and paths to wander. You are pretty exposed out here to sun, so wear your sunscreen and a hat and bring water to wander the trails and climb the boulders in hotter months.
You can drive your car along Movie Road and right up to some of the spots.
These hills were a backdrop for many western movies and shows and many well known movies like Tremors; which was filmed entirely on location here, a scene from Gladiator, and many more. With the striking Sierra Nevadas in the background, all you need is to look up at those mountains and you'll understand why its such a great location for film or just your own enjoyment of nature.

From about the center of Lone Pine off 395, turn at the light for Whitney Portal Rd and go west abt 2.5 miles for Movie Road. There are no facilities here so plan your potty break. I'd say you could spend an hour here just exploring.

And why are they named the Alabama Hills when we are nowhere near the Crimson Tide? because miners sympathetic to the Confederacy named this area after one of their stealthy warships..the CSS Alabama.

After visiting the Lone Pine Museum of Western Film History we took a drive along the Movie Road. We only went as far as the paved road went. It was 100+ out so didn't do any hiking. But the rock formations are beautiful. It's a short distance from the film museum worth checking it out.

Drive along the Portal Road and turn right on Movie road, then take whatever dirt road you fancy - awesome views, silence, loads of places to camp for free, stunning!

With the snowcapped Sierras in the background, there are hundreds of neat rock formations to visit. Go early in the morning if here in the summer -- it gets hot starting around 9 am.

We took the movie road driving tour with a guide map we found online and it was terrific. We found places where famous scenes were shot from the 192 0s to now. Gunga Din through Star Wars, Tremors and more. Lots of Audie Murphy and Randolph Scott sites.

Alabama Hills was an unexpected delight. Great day hikes, incredible views of the Sierras, wildflowers, great place. You can spend hours walking around these unusual rock formations and not get tired of the views. We were not camping but looks like it would a wonderful place to camp, lots of people were setting up theirs trailers. Looking forward to going back.

Alabama Hills are the beautiful backdrop for Lone Pine. Drive through to get to Mt. Whitney trailhead.

Found the Alabama Hills after casually reviewing the travel brochures in our motel and WOW....what a find! As others have said, this area has been the location for several movies and in fact, they were filming a car commercial on the day we were there! (The filming did not adversely impact our access or enjoyment of the Alabama Hills since we were there "before" the film crew had arrived - around 9:30AM)

Our hotel recommended two short hikes/walks in the area that we made time to do...and so glad that we did! The first one, Arch Loop was about one mile circular route (to the Mobius Arch). Glad we had the map/brochure (from the hotel) since we got a little turned around since there are lots of side trails that wander through the boulders. (There was signage that advised to keep on the trail...but there were sidetrails to the rocks "everywhere"...or so it seemed!)

The second short walk was to view the "Eye of the Alabama Arch" and quite frankly, I'm not sure we found it! Based upon the map, the formation that should have been the "eye" was not that impressive but we still enjoyed the walk...and the mountain views to the south, were phenomenal!

Recommendations: Grab a brochure/map at your hotel/information kiosk located on the White Portal Rd there in Lone Pine. If you only have a little time, make sure you walk the Arch Loop Trail.

This is an extremely interesting area. Many movies have been filmed here since the 1920's. If you are in the area, this should be on your to do list. The rock formations are very unique. Make sure you check out the Mobius Arch

Drive down Movie Road, and look to the right and the left, and pick your spot, whether it be out in the open, or tucked into the shelter of these mysterious rock formations. You are in a wonderful space here, and if you are here on a clear night, you’ll be rewarded by starry skies, and cool temperatures. The Sierra Nevada Mountains backdrop completes the scene here...no matter which way you look, the view is compelling. I suggested, to a couple I know, that they include several nights camping here when they came through this section of California. They were on a 10 month road trip of the United States, including Canada and Alaska, and traveled 21,000 miles in all, camping most of the time. The woman told me, after the trip, that the camping in the Alabama Hills had been their favorite place. You must experience it; it is a magical landscape.

We stopped and stayed the night in Lone Pine on the way from Yosemite to Death Valley and I'm so glad we did. I explored the hills twice. First in the evening with my kids (they loved climbing all over the interesting rock formations) and then when the sunset we lay in awe of the stars. Then I went again in the morning for sunrise by myself to view Mount Whitney through the Mobius Arch! Fantastic stop over. Highly recommended!!!!!

Absolutely love this place. The rock formations are hilarious and there are some wicked routes to climb (got my Bishop Climbing guide book in Lone Pine at Elevation Sierra Adventure). Movie Road, the main road through Alabama Hills Northern Part, seems good enough for all cars but if you want to use some of the side tracks I’d recommend 4x4. The short hiking trail to Moebius arch is pretty easy and the arch with Mt Whitney framed in it makes for a fun photo. I also did the Alabama Hill trail (a bit over 4 miles) and was completely on my own. It was quite hot around midday till ca 3:30 pm and I also had a quite windy night there which is apparently not unusual for the High Sierra.

I have visited the Alabama Hills many times over the last 20+ years. Each time is just as beautiful and photogenic as the next. Each time it has become more crowded. I stopped one time just before Memorial Day and had to leave due to the amount of people that ruined views and the peacefulness. This time I stopped on a Monday mid-day. It wasn't too crowded yet and made for an enjoyable visit. I came back the next morning about 9:00 and it was hard to find a spot to enjoy wandering without a camper nearby - RV or tent. Boondocking is fine but this place is getting loved to death. A very small but popular spot was filled with the remnants of fire rings and ashes. Really ruined the experience and will kill an awesome place. Any future stops will be well timed or very quick to avoid the those who can't respect nature or other visitors.

Beautiful and interesting. Can wander around in the rocks for hours or days, or just visit a few spots and see it pretty well.

Stopped by chance after finding a leaflet in our motel room. Spectacular views and interesting history about movies made there. Worth a detour!

The Alabama Hills are the site for lots of "B" Westerns from long ago up to the current day. The Lone Ranger, HopAlong Cassidy, Tremors, etc. etc. were all filmed inb the Alabama Hills.

We explored the Alabama Hills for a bit on our return trip to Lone Pine. It was nice to see.It used to be an area to film many western and other movies.

This was a neat little side trip from Whitney Portal. Great bouldering problems await you if you are a climber. Otherwise, the area does offer a few easy, short hikes. Be sure to check out the Mobius Arch.

Surprised by the easy access to 395. Enjoyed the off the road rock formations. Unique drive and very easy to park and see the attractions.

Over our Labor Day (2017) vacation, my boys and I did some day hiking through this area. This is a pretty amazing place. The attraction is well reviewed so here some logistical items instead:

1. If you visit during Summer, take lots of water. This is an arid area and with all the hiking, you will dehydrate quickly.

2. Speaking of heat, you may wish to take sunscreen and a hat.

3. Good hiking shoes. The trails are easy and well marked but it is still trail hiking. open toed shoes or sandals are a bad idea.

4. Camera...obviously. It's an awesome location for photos.

Plan on spending at least a couple of hours out there. There's a lot of fascinating geological formations for photos. If you go at night, you'll also be able to grab a lot more stars here than in town. Note that access is via improved and maintained dirt roads. There are no restrooms here (that we found) and no services (go back to Lone Pine).

Definitely make this a stop if you're in the Lone Pine area.

We were in Lone Pine on way to Death Valley National Park; Alabama Hills was visited at late afternoon just before sunset; it was absolutely fabulous, peaceful and more than worth visiting feel the difference. We really love to sit in silence and view the snow capped Sierra Nevada range. There were very few visitors / campers.

Since it was a full moon day we went there again in the night by 8-9 pm and viewed the beauty of night sky with full of stars.

I love to travel there again.

Spent the last week in April in the Alabama Hills Camping. We had a great spot which gave us a beautiful view, out our 5th Wheel bedroom window,
of Mt Whitney.
As far as weather, it was the perfect time to visit. Sunny skies in the mid 70’s almost all week.
We saw many different flowers in bloom during our stay. We saw Scarlet Milk-Vetch, and a carpet of why appeared to a Desert Daisy?
We also took the Mobius Arch trail hike which was interesting.
This Area is now on our To Do List every Spring and Fall

I spent three days in this are and went back to the parking lot for the Moebius Arch each and every time, doing various goals of star photography, time lapse, and photography. The area ids similar to Joshua Tree but in my opinion is better. The roads are good, the people are friendly and goth scenery is amazing. You can see the grader of Mtg Whitney from just about everywhere in the park.

If you're in Lone Pine, I highly recommend taking the short (3 miles or so) trip to the Alabama Hills Recreation Area. Some really great rock formations. It's free, the dirt roads are fairly well mantained and you'll see things you've never seen before. Take water, it's hot!

Many movies set here and an interesting area to hike . The hiking is not difficult and very picturesque. We were fortunate to have wild flowers and heaps of butterflies.

My family took an trip from Florida out west this summer from San Francisco to Tahoe to Yosemite and on our way to Vegas and the grand canyon we stopped in Lone Pine to break up a long day in the car. It ended up being one of our favorite spots! We did some star gazing at the Alabama Hills and really had a great time. It was the unexpected highlight of our trip and the perfect mid way point for our entire out west experience. Be sure to take the time to check out the history and sights of this area.

It was very cool to drive through the areas where many, many old western movies, serials and TV shows were filmed. Django Unchained had a few scenes filmed in the area, too.

Only had and hour to check this place out. What a great place. We are already planning a trip this fall to spend a whole day here. Lovely formations. I want to research the movies filmed here so we can visit the spots. Too hot in June. We had a great hour trip. Can't wait to return. Need to do my research.

All the old cowboy films & series were made here Ye Ha take a trip back in time visit the museum & take a drive to the Alabama hills only a short drive away 5min
Howdy Partner

Definitely take time out of your drive on 395 to visit the Alabama Hills. It will bring back scenes of all those westerns of your youth! And, if you didn't see those westerns, the hills and formations will still delight you. Can't wait to go back and spend a few days exploring the area.

Make sure to stop here and see where so many Westerns were filmed. Beautiful area to see.
Brings back a lot of memories of the Westerns we have all seen.

cool rock formations, close to town and easy to get to, road was great, easy to drive to see this unusual spot.

Spent an afternoon exploring Movie Road in the Alabama Hills. The road is not tarmacked so needs to be driven carefully. Plenty of places to stop, our son loved climbing up the rocky hills and we found the Möbius Arch. All of this with the dramatic backdrop of the Eastern Sierras and Mount Witney.

Lovely short walk through the prehistoric boulder like landscape to the arch. The backdrop of Mt Whitney makes for a wonderful setting.

It was not very busy on a Sunday afternoon. It is interesting to drive the movie road and stop to walk and read the signs about the movies were made there over the years. There were some 4 wheel drive vehicles there which seemed like a good place to do that if you are interested;also good for biking I think. There is no charge to get in and it is a short drive from Lone Pine.

Rin Tin Tin and John Wayne eluded us that day. So did Gunga Din and Hop Along Cassidy. This is a giant film set that continues to be used for major films. On top of that it is a spectacular collection of rock formations, trails and pathways. Good for hiking and exploring.

Very few places in California remain (Borrego Springs, Joshua Tree National Park) where one can go and witness the Milky Way in its entirety. Alabama Hills offers breath-taking views of the stars above with little or no light pollution. The many rock formations throughout the park offer the photographer an infinite variety of choices. Of course, no visit to Alabama Hills would be complete with hiking a small distance to Mobius Arch. On weekends you will most likely encounter numerous others with the same idea in mind, so it is wiser, if you can, to go during the week. Unfortunately, a single night would not be enough, in my opinion, to hit the entire park and its unique rock formations. Bring your DSLR and tripod, relax until the sun goes down and enjoy the show in the heavens...

Alabama Hills is the most epic road bike ride....great climb either way you go and perfect scenery!!

Home to many a western film it host some world class trails as well. You will see rock formations here you won't see anywhere else.

So very cool seeing where movies and TV shows have been filmed. Even more modern ones. Amazing rock firmations.

The trails aren't really well marked but there are tons of people here to help you get to where you want to go.

I had lunch and breakfast here. The waitresses are awesome, the food is great and they are hiker friendly.
If you like pie, make sure you try their pies. Totally to die for

Strongly recommend a visit. This is where the old Westerns and other films were made; i.e., Gung Din (Cary Grant, Douglas Fairbanks Jr.). Fantastic rock formations and vistas. Stay at the Dow Hotel in Lone Pine for a real 1920s experience.

Drove through here on our way out of town. We hiked to the arch--that was the highlight of the area--took about 30-40 minutes. You could get a cool picture of the arch with Mt Whitney in the background. There are lots of cool rock formations--worth the drive.

We had no idea what we were driving into. The formations and views are well worth the trip - especially with Mt McKinley in the background. The trail to Mobius Arch needs to be clearer, but we were able to find it.

I just visited Alabama Hills for the first time, and I loved it. I am a hiker, not a rock climber or 4x4 off road vehicle enthusiast. But I could see how this place is perfect for all 3 types of outdoor activities and more, for just looking at the views and snapping pix for instance.

I did the Mobius Arch loop hike, and the Shark Fin hike, and one other up in the footings of the hills on the west edge of the recreation area that didn't seem to have a name.

Be sure to stop and read the tribute marker when you turn in on Movie Road, I did not realize how many old TV shows and more recent movies had been made here!

We visited Lone Pine in October, 2016, and course had to drive out to the Alabama Hills, as that is Lone Pine's main attraction.
The geology there is very interesting, as it is in much of the Eastern Sierra. We bumped into one group that planned to hike the hills in the area, but the few other people we saw were there doing what we were doing, which is spend a bit of time where there are signs describing the specific scenes from old western movies that were filmed in that location. It was amazing to see the old movie stills from the 1920's where the rocks looked exactly as they do today.
Another great thing about the area is that its backdrop is beautiful, Mt. Whitney and the surrounding towering mountain range.
If you are a fan of old westerns, this place would be especially enjoyable.

The name may not be familiar, but you're guaranteed to have seen the Alabama Hills somewhere: a Randolph Scott Western, or "Gunga Din," or maybe "Tremors" or "Django Unchained." Beyond its storied history as a movie location, the hills present an elemental grandeur that's breathtaking to behold. These million-year-old rock outcroppings are ideal for exploration and a photographer's paradise. It's literally impossible not to take a good shot.

Beautiful scenic turnout scattered throughout these hills. Also includes Movie Rd. where many westerns and other movies were filmed like The Lone Ranger, Tremors, How the West was Won. Enjoyed this tremendously. Dispersed free camping and some primitive campgrounds available. Peaceful and quiet.

This place is really cool, almost reason alone to visit Lone Pine. It helps, of course. if you grew up on classic western and adventure movies like How The West Was Won and Gunga Din. As you drive slowly throughout the awesome rock formations it is not too hard to imagine them being filmed here. Hiking is allowed and easy to do. Afterwards, be sure to visit the Movie Museum in town.

Words can't describe Alabama Hills. Childhood memories of the Lone Ranger, Roy Rogers and many other cowboys cone to mind as you meander through this amazing landscape.

Have eaten there many times and enjoy the food and the bakery. Food is very good quality and well prepared. Service is courteous and prompt, even when crowded. Do recommend!

We spent almost a week camping here. The camping sites are scattered and kept tidy, for the most part. Hiking through the rocks was delightful. Everywhere you look there's another stunning vista. We drove up to the Whitney Portal area and up to Horse Meadows; two very worthwhile side trips. Cool forest hikes. The town is delightful with two interesting museums. The film museum is mostly for film buffs who can appreciate the old westerns, some of which were very cheesy, but entertaining nonetheless less. My only criticism is the plethora of toilet paper one finds in the popular climbing spots. These folks who have tons of specialized, and probably expensive, equipment just don't get the idea of putting your used paper in a baggie. Please ladies, take the hint.

Stopped and saw a little bit of movie history, great scenery, priceless views of the area, August is a good time to visit ...

We spent several times exploring the Hills. Unlike anywhere we had been before and easily seen as why perfect for over 300 movies. The boulders are small and huge, framed by the Sierras which were covered by snow. The Arch is worth the hike, along with the Alabama Eye. Classic landscapes, abstracts, all are photographic possibilities. Before visiting try to visit the Western Film museum in Lone Pine.

On our way to Death Valley, used Lone Pine as stop over and visit the Alabama Hills. Very nice area to visit with beautiful scenery. At night also perfect place to watch the stars.

Not sure if it is allowed but several people stayed with tents or motor home in Alabama Hills for the night.

Located less than a mile west of Lone Pine, these weathered granite outcroppings are spectacular for all ages. They offer great photography opportunities. Many movies and commercials have been made here. Beware there are snakes but usually not this time of year.

You can take a drive through these hills and just imagine all of the movies that have been filmed here. There is a map you can pick up in Lone Pine or see online that tells you the name of certain formations, but it is just as fun to use your imagination and see what shapes you think they look like.
My grandkids loved this place.

Take the Portal road. Then take a street called Movie Road. The huge boulders there were used in western movies. Kids will love climbing all over these. We did! Good for camping.

Went while we were waiting for our room to be ready. Drove to Mt Whitney portal. Very nice waterfall and great views headed back down. Rock formations were very cool

We had never heard of this place and were only staying in Lone Pine as a stop on the way to Death Valley National Park. We picked up a brochure at our hotel and found the "movie drive" and the TV shows and movies shot there all very interesting!

Very peaceful area really unique Rick formations. Some famous Westerns were filmed here including The Lone Ranger and Bonanza.

The landscape of the Alabama Hills is amazing. Take time to drive through and climb on the rocks. The view of the mountain range is also incredible.

Great area to visit driving back from Yosemite - definitely recommend for a stop off for a hike. Half a day enough but very dramatic and interesting scenery and Lone Pine has some good spots to eat at

Driving around here coming from the flats of FL and NL you can't stop being in awe with the scenery from Hwy 395 in Owens Valley. Different colors, shapes but all geological remnants that make a gorgeous scenery. Alabama Hills and Movie Road are no different. Driving to Horseshoe Meadow and Whitney Portal Road and look over this part of the valley with the Hills looking like a small rock club amidst full size mountains is simply not boring. We used the scenic routes from the Eastern Sierra visitor center and each ride shows marvel.

After seeing a you tube video about this area and the film history, we decided to check it out on a trip out west. There are several movie history museums, wish we had time to visit, but the Alabama Hills were amazing, next time I'll allow more time to explore further.

Quaint and very small, really crowded. Food was pretty good, I was looking for a salad and decided on the chicken Cobb, decent size salad but almost no veggies(including lettuce). Hubby had beef dip and said it was really good as well as the macaroni salad. So all in all, we would stop again when passing through

Lots of boulders/wild west like scenery with quite a few things to do there too, hiking/wandering/arch hunting/visiting movie locations/atv/camping/photographing/rock climbing....etc. At a minimum is the drive through the area on Movie Street and maybe visit the movie locations. I went on a bit of short hikes, and on the Arch Loop hike, and drove the length of Movie Street without stopping in an unhurried pace, and visited Miss Alabama, and that took me 3 hours. I found the area to be interesting enough to be worth a visit if you close by, but not spectacular enough to make a dedicated visit. Visiting in November was perfect weather, as there is no shade unless you are hiding behind a boulder, and this place is really hot in summer. The town of Lone Pine is just a few miles away and you can get all of your supplies there.

I second everyone else’s opinion, this is well worth a detour for half an hour or so. You will be transformed into a place unlike anywhere else on earth. Get the map or don’t; it doesn’t really matter because you will be glad you took time out to see these amazing rock formations. The teens loved scrambling over the rocks and any photographer will be awed by the amount of photo ops. Sunset was a great time of day to do it with the light in the perfect place.

These rocky hills look familiar. Well they should! I've seen them in episodes of The Lone Ranger and many other westerns.
For those to young to remember them, there's a great family game to drive around these fascinating hills and be the first to spot various sights. Quite incredible. Yet when you drive west into the Sierra Nevada and look back, they've disappeared.

Beautiful rock formations and funny ones too!! Many photographers here and we could see why. The clouds were gorgeous. Easy to drive around. Can park and take short or long hikes with easy to harder terrain. Views of snow capped mountains in the distance. Very short drive from Lone Pine to see all this beautiful scenery!!!!

Not far west of Lone Pine are the Alabama Hills, beautiful rock formations and boulders that have been in tons of movies. There are many places to explore, but be prepared for dirt roads. An easy place to go while in this large area is the historic marker where the movie "Gunga Din" was filmed. (Just off of Horseshoe Meadows Road.)
The hills offer many photo opportunities and trails for exploring. Weather and temperature will always influence your visit, so check the forecast and plan accordingly. It is most pleasant in the mid to late spring months, yet temperatures can still get very cold. In summer months, desert heat and cool evenings.
Plan on spending a minimum of 30 minutes to do this stop and return to Highway 395, with a few minutes of exploring at some of the formations.

Contrary to its name, Alabama Hills is an area in California managed by the Bureau of Land Management. (It was named after the Confederate ship, CSS Alabama, by prospectors who were sympathetic to the Confederate cause.) Hiking trails of various lengths wend their way past rock formations, some of which have arches. There are 360 degree views, with the Western view backdropped by Sierra range, including Mt. Whitney.

I’ve driven through Lone Pine many times, but never knew about Alabama Hills until recently. It’s not apparent from highway 395 that the area just behind the town is one of the most gorgeous areas in the state. People who enjoy camping can do “dispersed camping” on the BLM land. When I went, I saw only about a dozen people camping, and they were very widely dispersed.

I hiked on several of the trails and drove as far as possible on the road. It is stunning either by car or by foot. If you are not a sure-footed hiker, there is a lot to see from the car.

You already know literally hundreds of western movies and TV shows were shot here, but you need to get out and walk amoung these magnificant rocks to really appreciate the beauty of this area.

I nice place to spend two hours exploring the landscape but other than that for me it's boring. Great for photography for dawn and dusk hours.

We visit Lone Pine 3 or 4 times a year. The "must" do each time is breakfast at Alabama Hills. If you didn't know it was there you'd miss since it is a half-block off of mainstreet (US 395). Look for it, plan on it. You'll be glad you did!

Spring, summer, fall or winter the Alabama hills are an enchanting piece of high desert beauty. Even if you don't climb Mt. Whitney, it's well worth half a day or several days to just hang out in the splendor of the foothills with the backdrop of the tallest mountains in the lower 48. The movie museum in Lone Pine puts it all into another prospective.

This restaurant is a must to start your day. Food is excellent with very large servings so come hungry and be prepared to take some with you. Excellent selection of pastries and I recommend the cinnamon rolls!

This area is an amazing creation of Mother Nature's! It is a huge area of granite shapes at the foot of the Sierras. It has been used in many movies throughout the years. There are many trails that can be driven into with most vehicles. Do make sure to look ahead to make sure you are driving someplace that your vehicle can actually maneuver in.

I strongly suggest you go to the Film Museum first, so that you get a feel of it's past before you go into the area. I also suggest bringing water, especially on a hot day.

The shapes are amazing and they never seem exactly like the ones you've just explored. Bring some comfy shoes, and a camera would be a plus as you wander through the area. It sits at the base of the road to Mt. Whitney Portal, and the mountains behind this area are amazing as well, as they rise from the valley floor to tower over we mere mortals. Nature at it's best.

Great town , views are majestic and beautiful !!
Good restaurants and hotels.
Scenery is awesome and local bakery and restaurants are friendly and good food !!

Really neat rock formations in a small area very close to Lone Pine. Worth seeing. I felt like I was in a Western Movie.

As a photographer and a movie buff, I love driving through the Alabama Hills to see the interesting rock formations. My husband is a birder, so he enjoys it too. Early morning or late afternoon offers the best light for photos, but anytime is a good time. You can wend in and out of the many side roads off Movie Road, imagining Roy Rogers, Hopalong Cassidy, or Gene Autry riding through in the heyday of TV Westerns. Movie Road merges into Moffat Ranch Road, which will take you back to the 395 north of Lone Pine.

I return here to The Alabama Hills every few years to photograph the Eastern Sierra and Mt Whitney environs. What struck me the most this year was the amount of traffic kicking up dust on the dirt roads of Movie Rd. Huge numbers of vehicles and the largest encampment of RV's I have ever seen scattered throughout the hills. Every nice vista point had a RV or truck and trailer parked at it or even several. Gone are the days of finding s nice camp site with peace and quiet without the copious amount of dust continually kicked up by the traffic. The one good thing I noticed is that there was a distinct lack of rock graffiti and defacing. Now recommended as a drive through only but keep your windows up and your vents closed to the outside. This place has become overrun. Having some Star Wars scenes filmed nearby has not helped any. Views are best early morning here for the Sierra crest where long shadows help reinforce this unusual landscape of alpine peaks from a desert setting. Look for the occasional Cholla cactus or the rarer Beavertail cactus in bloom in April. Remember if peace and quiet is what you came for avoid the week before and after Easter when Spring Break is in full force.

This is a must-see area- a real hidden gem. The area is like another world with all the strange looking boulders and desert vistas. I didn't realize so many old westerns and sci-fi movies were filmed in this area. If you are in the area, this is well worth a visit.

The most stunning place to stay. We have spent a week in Independence and have loved every minute. Put these on your itinerary to visit

I spent two days there wandering around the rocks. I could easily have spent two more days there, but had to move on.
Many old western movies and tv shows were filmed here due to the unique setting. Huge rocks and boulders piled high, but with spaces around them to walk, hike, drive, camp.
There were many RV’s there sprinkled amongst the rocks.
Very unique.

Great experience, very good trout dinner at the best restaurant in Lone Pine, CA just off the Mt Whitney trail

I am never disappointed when I visit the awe inspiring Alabama Hills! Everywhere you look you see the glory of earth in the making. I would highly recommend a visit to this fantastic place.

Before entering the Death Valley, take a short detour on Mount Whitney road, off Lone Pines and you'll find this interesting "Wild West" scenery where some movies were shot. Worth a detour.

Not sure that this would be pleasant in summer (we were there in Jan) but the scenery is spectacular. Morning or late afternoon would be better for photos.

Nice scenic drive through the Alabama Hills & Movie Rd.
We also did the Mobius Arch Hike, which was a short, easy hike over some small rolling hills. Not sure what the mileage on the hike is, but round-trip the hike was less than an hour.

I'd recommend getting familiar with the layout of the roads BEFORE you leave the main highway 395. You could lose GPS --- and it would make it more difficult to find your way around.

A surreal landscape for those who pine away for a different travel experience. The landscape brings images of the Middle East, Himalayas, and, or course, the Wild Wild West. Many movies were taken here over the past 100 years. The main road is well maintained. There are many incredible rock formations to see. We stopped at two of the biggies: Mobius Arch and the Alabama Eye. Great photo opportunities with Mt. Whitney looming in the background.

Cool place - keep your eyes wide open or you'll miss so many areas where SO MANY films, commercials and TV series have been filmed.
It's great to watch the sun go down over the mountains (Mt Whitney is the highest point in the 48 contiguous states). And sta and watch the stars come out...

Love this place. One of my favorite places for hiking and camping. History and beauty. My whitney is tallest peak in California. Good hiking g there too. Small town of Lone Pine is easy and comfortable. Love it being remote.

The first movie to be filmed in the Alabama Hills is said to have happened in 1919. The Hills are easy to access as the main road is maintained gravel. However, if you get off on the side roads it is best if you have a FWD vehicle. These side roads are not maintained at all. So many rock formations are just phenomenal to views and photograph. Well worth the short drive up Mt. Whitney Portal, and then turn right on Movie Flat road. Take a trip to just enjoy the views of the Alabama Hills and Mt. Whitney in the background.

Located just west of Lone Pine on your way to Whitney Portal. Spectacular scenic granite outcroppings and rock formations. BEWARE of rattlesnakes. Great locations for pictures.

One of the highlights of our trip! Being there in March on a weekday, we were almost the only ones there. Very cool rock formations.

A ten minute drive from Lone Pine. Very interesting looking rocks. A person can spend hours hiking and taking pictures. Recommend getting the BLM map before visiting.

The big attraction are the large rock formations. There is a main road that is paved with extended roads that are unpaved, but can be driven very carefully for a short distance with a Honda minivan; be careful of the deep ditches that are closer to the large rock formatons. My husband and I parked the car, and walked around for a short distance. The rock formations are very near the main road.

We had to guess at where we were. The map was great but there were no coordinating signs on the road. It was worth going.

I've been to the Lone Pine area many times over the years but I had never spent any time in the Alabama Hills until a recent visit. Now I see what I've been missing all this time! The rock formations are beautiful, and there are many small arches throughout the area - though be warned that these arches are tiny in comparison to those found at Arches National Park, for example. The openings in some are only a couple of feet across, though they're still interesting to see. Most well-known is Mobius Arch, which frames a view of Mt. Whitney very nicely. The area has been used as a setting for lots of movie and TV filming, and although that aspect is of no real interest to me, it will be fun for many others. I realized there's still more I'd like to see in the Alabama Hills than I saw in my brief visit (a little over 2 hours) so I'm sure I'll be back.

We went at sunset. It was so cool. We took great photos. If you love western movies you will love the scenery. It was a little like being on Mars. Pretty cool. Nice trails.

Didn't even realize this site was there until I picked up a one-pager at my hotel. Pretty country to easily drive through but also to hike. Highly recommend the Arches Trail, which is only about 1 mile. I also drove up the Whitney Portal to get closer to Mt Whitney. The best views of the mountains are before the hairpin turns, but those same turns provide the best views of the valley.

Loved driving through these interesting rocky mountains where old western movies were filmed. Awesome scenery. Definitely want to come back and explore some more.

Loved driving through this area and stopping to let my imagination run wild. All the rock formations with the Sierras in the background are beautiful in their own way.
Great side trip when in the area.

We stopped here on a long road trip to stretch our legs and take photos. Well worth the effort. The roads around the hills are dirt and the roads up close to the rocks are soft dirt, so take care when driving not to get stuck.

It's interesting, but eh. It's rocks. We did have fun wandering around though.

This place is amazingly beautiful! There is nothing to really show tou what you're seeing. But its awesome

We were very impressed and surprised that we had never heard of this area before. It is a very diverse area with impressive rock formations. The signage and information could be a bit more comprehensive. Many films have been shot here and the scenery is even more beautiful with Mount Whitney as a backdrop. We would love to come back here and explore the area in more detail.

The Alabama hills are really pretty and the shapes of the rock have created some really interesting looks.