Alabama Hills Side Trail Dispersed Campsite

Free dispersed camping draws visitors to this Alabama Hills location accessed via Movie Road from Whitney Portal Road in Lone Pine. Campers can drive or walk into sites scattered across the rocky terrain, with campfires, pets, and alcohol all permitted when regulations allow.

The landscape creates what one reviewer describes as "a mars looking panorama" that "feels like outer space." Rock formations provide immediate access to bouldering and climbing opportunities. Frederick S. notes that campers can "wake up in the morning drink coffee, walk less than 100 yards and go climbing." The area has served as a filming location for movies including Iron Man and Star Wars, according to visitor accounts.

Road access requires some navigation, particularly after dark. Katie T. provides specific directions: "Take Hwy 395 to Lone Pine. Turn west at the stoplight onto Whitney Portal Road, drive 2.5 miles to Movie Road, turn right." She also warns that 2022 brought more "day use only signs" at the front areas, advising campers to "keep heading towards the back" where overnight camping opens up. Cell service proves limited, with T-Mobile signal only available at the road's beginning according to recent visitors.

For developed amenities and hookups, Inyo County Diaz Lake Campground sits southeast of the dispersed sites.

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Location

Dispersed Camping

Alabama Hills Side Trail Dispersed Campsite is located in California

Detail location of campground

Coordinates

36.57845652 N
118.07566182 W

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Connectivity

  • signal strength bars
    T-Mobile5G
    Excellent Coverage
    Verified by 2 users
    Last on 4/3/26
  • signal strength bars
    VerizonLTE
    Some Coverage
    Verified by 5 users
    Last on 4/3/26
  • signal strength bars
    AT&T5G
    Excellent Coverage
    Verified by 7 users
    Last on 4/3/26

Connectivity

  • signal strength bars
    T-Mobile5G
    Excellent Coverage
    Verified by 2 users
    Last on 4/3/26
  • signal strength bars
    VerizonLTE
    Some Coverage
    Verified by 5 users
    Last on 4/3/26
  • signal strength bars
    AT&T5G
    Excellent Coverage
    Verified by 7 users
    Last on 4/3/26

Access

  • Drive-In
    Park next to your site
  • Walk-In
    Park in a lot, walk to your site.

Site Types

  • Dispersed

Features

For Campers

  • Alcohol
  • Pets
  • Fires

DISPERSED CAMPING

Enjoy dispersed camping on government land and leave no trace. Pack in and pack out. No (or limited) services at this camping area. Permit may be required.


PERMIT might be REQUIRED

We curate permit requirements across the US for our PRO members. Try PRO to see if Alabama Hills Side Trail Dispersed Campsite needs a permit.

Drive Time


Reviews

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6 Reviews

Guests frequently mentioned the spectacular scenery and rock climbing opportunities at this dispersed site. However, some visitors reported access issues with gated roads, particularly during evening arrivals.

Reviewed Mar. 19, 2026

Looks like a mind-blowing spot

I'm a remote worker and I was hoping to camp here for a few days but I could not get a T-Mobile signal. Only at the beginning of going up the road. Did I get signal.

Sitena
Month of VisitMarch
Reviewed Jun. 22, 2022

Epic. Use these coordinates

The BLM page for Alabama Hills gives perfect directions the coordinates below took us out of town east.

Take Hwy 395 to Lone Pine. Turn west at the stoplight onto Whitney Portal Road, drive 2.5 miles to Movie Road, turn right. (Coordinates to that intersection are 36.59560° N, 118.10869° W)

There’s changes in 2022 more “day use only signs” at the front. Keep heading towards the back and it opens up.

Check the Alabama Hills page on the status of campfires they were not allowed when we went due to seasonal weather restrictions. And get your permit online if it is allowed. :)

Month of VisitJune
  • Review photo of Alabama Hills Side Trail Dispersed Campsite by Katie T., June 22, 2022
  • Review photo of Alabama Hills Side Trail Dispersed Campsite by Katie T., June 22, 2022
Reviewed Jul. 27, 2021

Dispersed

Very cool spot for bouldering, very secluded and scenic if you love a mars looking panorama lol feels like outer space

Month of VisitJuly
  • Play button icon
  • Review photo of Alabama Hills Side Trail Dispersed Campsite by Gabby G., July 27, 2021
  • Review photo of Alabama Hills Side Trail Dispersed Campsite by Gabby G., July 27, 2021
  • (7) View All
Reviewed Jul. 12, 2021

Great for hikers

Very nice view. Some clips of the film Ironman and Star Wars took place. Very cold around March.

SiteAlabama Desert
Month of VisitMarch
  • Review photo of Alabama Hills Side Trail Dispersed Campsite by Kaye P., July 12, 2021
Reviewed Oct. 30, 2020

(36.5825719, -118.1129572)

Do you like rock climbing? Do you like beautiful views? This is the place where you can camp, wake up in the morning drink coffee. walk less than 100 yards and go climbing.

  • Review photo of Alabama Hills Side Trail Dispersed Campsite by Frederick S., October 30, 2020
  • Review photo of Alabama Hills Side Trail Dispersed Campsite by Frederick S., October 30, 2020
  • Review photo of Alabama Hills Side Trail Dispersed Campsite by Frederick S., October 30, 2020
  • (5) View All
Reviewed Oct. 19, 2020

No luck

We drove to this location and arrived around 9pm on a Sunday. The road we needed to take was closed and gated off. There was another potential road to the left, but it was also gated off. When Googling the name of this place, it comes up as a location on the opposite side of Sequoia National Park. Not sure if this listing is an error but perhaps you’d have better luck during the daytime.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the elevation of Alabama Hills Side Trail Dispersed Campsite?

Alabama Hills Side Trail Dispersed Campsite is located at 4193 feet.

Are fires allowed at Alabama Hills Side Trail Dispersed Campsite?

Yes, according to campers on TheDyrt.com, fires are allowed at Alabama Hills Side Trail Dispersed Campsite, although make sure to check current fire restrictions in the area.

Is there cell phone reception at Alabama Hills Side Trail Dispersed Campsite?

According to campers on TheDyrt.com, there is excellent coverage for AT&T, excellent coverage for T-Mobile, and some coverage for Verizon.