Alabama Hills Camping: Free Permits, Designated Sites and Rules
Camping in the Alabama Hills near Lone Pine is still free, but only at designated sites with a BLM permit. Here is how it works for vans.
Yes, you can still camp for free in the Alabama Hills near Lone Pine, California, but not wherever you like. Since October 1, 2024, camping inside the Alabama Hills National Scenic Area is limited to designated sites marked with a tent symbol, and every camper needs a free permit from the Bureau of Land Management (BLM). There are no hookups, no water and no trash service, so arrive self-contained.
Why van lifers come here
The Alabama Hills sit at the foot of the eastern Sierra Nevada, just west of US-395. Rounded granite boulders, natural arches and the Mount Whitney skyline make it one of the most photographed free camping areas in the West. Most sites are reachable on graded dirt roads, so a standard two-wheel-drive van can reach plenty of them in dry conditions.
The rules in short
| Rule | What it means for you |
|---|---|
| Cost | Free. The permit is free and does not guarantee a site. |
| Where | Only at designated sites marked with a tent symbol. A tent with a red line means no camping. |
| Reservations | None. All sites are first come, first served. |
| Stay limit | 7 days in any 28-day period, and no more than 14 days per calendar year within the BLM Bishop Field Office area. |
| Human waste | Use an RV toilet, portable toilet or waste bag and pack it out. |
| Trash | Pack out everything. There are no bins. |
| Fires | California campfire permit required; existing fire rings only; check current restrictions. |
Do not create new sites, drive off existing routes, or move rocks to enlarge a pad. Rangers patrol the area and the designated-site system exists because of resource damage from overuse.
How to get the permit
The camping permit is valid for one year and confirms that you know how and where to camp in the hills. You can get it:
- Online through the Alabama Hills camping agreement linked from the BLM's Alabama Hills page
- In person at the Eastern Sierra Visitor Center at US-395 and CA-136, about two miles south of Lone Pine
- At the information kiosks on Movie Road, or from a BLM ranger in the field
Keep a copy in your van. If you plan to have a campfire or use a stove with an open flame, also get a free California campfire permit.
Finding a site
From Lone Pine, turn west at the traffic light onto Whitney Portal Road, drive about 2.5 miles, and turn right onto Movie Road. Movie Flat, along Movie Road, is the most popular area and fills first on spring and fall weekends. Sites spread out along the side roads branching off Movie Road.
Practical tips for vans:
- Arrive mid-week or before early afternoon on weekends in spring and fall.
- Download the BLM campsite map before you go. Cell coverage varies by site.
- Check road access. Storm damage has closed parts of Whitney Portal Road in recent years, and the BLM has recommended alternate routes such as Lubken Canyon Road during closures. Check current road status with Inyo County or the BLM Bishop Field Office before you drive in.
- Scout before you commit. Some spur roads have sandy patches and rocky sections that are fine for a stock van in daylight but awkward at night.
Toilets, water and dumping
The BLM has placed a handful of portable toilets in the hills, including at the Mobius Arch trailhead and across from the Shark Fin parking area. Away from those, you must contain and pack out solid waste. A cassette toilet, composting toilet or a supply of waste bags all work.
There is no drinking water in the dispersed area. The BLM recommends at least one gallon per person per day. Fill up in Lone Pine before heading in.
The nearest developed option is Tuttle Creek Campground, a BLM campground a few miles southwest. It has potable water seasonally and a dump station (fee $10), though both close in winter. Confirm current Lone Pine options for water and dumping locally, as services change.
Nearby paid campgrounds
If the designated sites are full or you need facilities, these are the closest alternatives:
- Tuttle Creek Campground (BLM): $10 per night, 83 first-come sites, ten pull-throughs, recommended RV length up to 30 feet, no hookups.
- Lone Pine Campground (Inyo National Forest): on Whitney Portal Road with toilets and water in season; check current fees with the Forest Service.
- Portuguese Joe Campground (Inyo County): on the edge of town, convenient for supply runs; check current fees with the county.
When to go
Spring and fall are the most comfortable seasons, with wildflowers in spring and clear, cool nights in autumn. Summer days in the Owens Valley are hot and the granite holds heat, so carry extra water and plan to run fans or park for afternoon shade. Winter brings cold nights and occasional wind storms but often clear, snowcapped views of the Sierra. Whatever the season, weather can change quickly, so pack warm layers and a waterproof shell.
What to watch out for
- Wind. Strong gusts come off the Sierra. Park nose-into the wind and secure awnings.
- Fire rules. Use existing rings only, never build fires against rock outcrops, and drown fires with water, not dirt. Seasonal restrictions can ban fires entirely.
- Drones. Flying requires a BLM drone use permit.
- Fragile soils. Stay on existing roads and pull-outs, even for a quick photo.
Bottom line
Get the free permit, arrive with full water and empty tanks, and camp only at tent-symbol sites. Do that and the Alabama Hills remain one of the best free stops on US-395. Check the latest rules on the BLM Alabama Hills page and site details on Recreation.gov before you go.