Alabama Hills camping is not a park-anywhere arrangement. In these rocky hills west of Lone Pine, California, camping outside developed campgrounds is allowed only at designated sites. A free camping permit is required for those sites, but it does not reserve a space: they remain first-come, first-served. BLM camping guidance
For a first visit, choose Tuttle Creek Campground if you want simpler logistics. Choose a designated site among the rocks only if you can arrive before dark and manage your own water and waste. If a confirmed overnight stop matters more than flexibility, check reservable Lone Pine Campground sites instead.
Choose your overnight base
| Option | Best fit | Main trade-off |
|---|---|---|
| Tuttle Creek Campground | Tents, vans and smaller RVs wanting campground facilities | Standard sites cannot be reserved; water is seasonal |
| Designated Alabama Hills sites | Self-sufficient campers wanting to sleep among the rock formations | Finding a legal, suitable space takes time; RV and trailer options are extremely limited |
| Lone Pine Campground | Travelers wanting to reserve ahead when booking is available | Seasonal amenities and mandatory bear-locker storage |
Tuttle Creek: As of October 14, 2026, BLM lists standard sites at $12 per night, credit card only, with 83 RV/tent sites, ten pull-through spaces and no hookups. The maximum recommended RV length is 30 feet. Sites have picnic tables and fire pits; the campground is open year-round, but potable water and the dump station close in fall. Bring water rather than assuming a working tap. Tuttle Creek operator details
Designated sites: Sierra Forever, which hosts the permit form linked by BLM, warns that weekends and holidays are busy and that suitable trailer and RV sites are scarce. Treat this option as a daylight search, not a guaranteed overnight stop. Designated-site guidance
Lone Pine Campground: Six miles west of town on Whitney Portal Road, it typically offers full amenities from late April through mid-October and limited amenities in winter. As of October 14, 2026, the Forest Service lists a single site at $34 per night during the fee season. Check your dates on Recreation.gov. Food and scented items must go in the supplied bear lockers—not your vehicle. Forest Service campground details
Get the permit and save the map
Complete the Alabama Hills camping permit before departure and retain the email confirmation offline. Alternatively, collect a physical permit at the Movie Road camping information kiosks or Eastern Sierra Visitor Center, sign it and display it on your dashboard. The current form says it is valid through the end of the calendar year and sets a stay limit of 14 days in a calendar year for designated camping.
Download the BLM designated campsite map. It distinguishes two-wheel-drive-accessible roads from dirt roads where four-wheel drive may be needed, and separately marks campsites accessible by 4WD. A campsite symbol is not a promise that your vehicle can reach it under current conditions.
Camp only at sites marked with the tent symbol. Keep vehicles, tents and kitchens on completely bare ground, not vegetation. An old pullout or a camping-app pin is not enough to establish that a spot is legal. Permit rules
Pack for water, waste and a fire-free evening
- Water: BLM recommends at least one gallon per person per day. Carry additional water for cooking and cleanup. Local safety guidance
- Toilet plan: Use the porta potties at the Mobius Arch trailhead or across from Shark Fin parking, or pack out solid human waste and toilet paper with a portable waste system. Carry that system even if you intend to use the toilets. BLM restroom guidance and permit rules
- Trash: Pack out rubbish, recycling and dog waste. There is no trash service at designated sites. Camping rules and BLM campsite map
Do not build your trip around a campfire. As of October 14, 2026, seasonal Bishop Field Office restrictions remain listed as active. The signed fire order prohibits campfires and allows portable stoves with shut-off valves using gas, jellied petroleum or pressurized liquid fuel only with a valid California Campfire Permit. That is separate from your camping permit.
BLM’s restriction summary describes a developed-campground exception that the signed order does not include. Follow the stricter signed order unless the Bishop Field Office confirms otherwise at 760-872-5000. Recheck restrictions before cooking and carry a no-cook meal.
Keep the arrival and weather plan flexible
The normal approach is US 395 to Lone Pine, west on Whitney Portal Road for 2.5 miles, then right onto Movie Road. Check Inyo County road status before driving; do not assume older detour advice still applies. BLM directions
Buy supplies in Lone Pine and arrive with enough daylight to identify a marked site and inspect the access road. Set a cutoff: if no suitable site is available, switch to a campground with space or lodging in town—not an unmarked pullout.
Check the National Weather Service point forecast for overnight lows, gusts and alerts; adjust the map location to your chosen campsite. Pack warm layers, a waterproof shell, sun protection and sleep gear suited to the forecast low. If wind, heat or storms make camping a poor choice, use Lone Pine lodging and visit the hills during a safer weather window.