Movie Flat Designated Dispersed Camping
Alabama Hills Recreation Area
Write a Review Whitney Portal Rd. Lone Pine, CA 93545 760-872-5000 Official WebsiteGPS: 36.6054, -118.1189
Overview of Movie Flat Designated Dispersed Camping
Changes are being made to the Alabama Hills to improve the recreation experience for all users. As of late 2021 the west side of Movie Road in the Movie Flat area and any area marked with a no camping sign will be day-use only. Additional changes to dispersed camping will occur throughout the end of 2021. These changes will include a required free permit and converting all camping to designated dispersed sites. Click here for a reference map. Six porta-potties have been added as well. Please pack out all human waste - leave no trace!
Please check the official website link above to get the most up-to-date information.
Accessibility is not guaranteed, always scout ahead before driving down dirt roads. Learn more: Boondocking 101.
Last Price Paid: $0
Reported by WorkinfortheWild on 4/28/2024
Longest RV Reported: 42 feet (Fifth Wheel)
Reported by The Wanderpreneurs on 6/17/2019
Number of Sites 50
Pad Type dirt
Elevation 4,593 ft / 1,399 m
Max Stay 14
Tent Camping Yes
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Q&A - Ask the Community about Movie Flat Designated Dispersed Camping
To ask questions of the owner or manager please contact the campground directly. 760-872-5000
closecalls asked on 1/20/2021
I have the sense that boondocking outside of the Turtle Creek campground at Alabama Hills Recreation Area is strongly...
RAMJETR asked on 7/5/2021
Whats the nearest dump station to Alabama Hills Recreation Area?
Kerry asked on 10/1/2021
Do I need a permit to camp at Alabama Hills Recreational Park?
KC Dale asked on 4/20/2021
Does anyone have an idea how busy Alabama Hills will be for camping mid-week in August?
Bri asked on 3/19/2021
Will I be able to enter into the Alabama Hills camping area in a Sedan? Just worried about needing 4WD ;/
Ridgeback12 asked on 1/22/2021
Will April be a good time to RV camp at the Alabama Hills Recreation Area? Not too hot or too many people? Any bloomi...
Reviews of Movie Flat Designated Dispersed Camping 103 people have reviewed this location.
Cell Phone Coverage
Confirmed by 14 Users
Last reported 5/22/2021
Confirmed by 29 Users
Last reported 4/29/2023
Confirmed by 5 Users
Last reported 11/27/2021
“BEAUTIFUL but tough to find a spot”
Reviewed 4/28/2024
| Nightly rate: | FREE! |
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| Days stayed: | 1 |
Overall Rating
We’ve been dying to camp here for a few years and finally had the chance this past week. We arrived around 3:30pm on a Thursday and spent over an hour searching for a site. Everything was taken, and I was shocked by how few “camping permitted” sites there even are. We drove all the way down the road and even asked some other people if ... more
We’ve been dying to camp here for a few years and finally had the chance this past week. We arrived around 3:30pm on a Thursday and spent over an hour searching for a site. Everything was taken, and I was shocked by how few “camping permitted” sites there even are. We drove all the way down the road and even asked some other people if they’d spotted anything open with no luck. We were about to leave when we found a large site right at the entrance that had opened up! Truly a miracle.
I see other reviews say it’s not that difficult to find a site so maybe we were just there on and off day but it was rough. And we were competing with 3-4 other vehicles roaming around trying to find a spot. Not super convenient, but so worth it if you get a site!
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Verizon
WorkinfortheWild would stay here again
This review is the opinion of a Campendium member and not of Campendium.com
“Road washout difficult to get in. ”
Reviewed 11/7/2023
| Nightly rate: | FREE! |
|---|---|
| Days stayed: | 3 |
| Site Number: | 0 |
Overall Rating
We arrived on Monday the 6th of November 2023, only to find that the Whitney Portal Road is closed due to significant storm damage and there is no scheduled reopening date. (expected opening is sometime in 2024) However, there are 2 different detours available. 1. The Whitney Portal detour from Lone Pine is approximately 5.2 mile... more
We arrived on Monday the 6th of November 2023, only to find that the Whitney Portal Road is closed due to significant storm damage and there is no scheduled reopening date. (expected opening is sometime in 2024) However, there are 2 different detours available.
1. The Whitney Portal detour from Lone Pine is approximately 5.2 miles to Tuttle Creek Campground; the road is very narrow, sharp blind curves, and some one lane areas. Trailers are not recommended per signage, but you can make it with due caution and slow speeds. Follow detour signs.
2. The 2nd option is south of town about 4-5 miles. It is the Lubken Canyon Road detour off 395. It too is 5.2 miles to Tuttle Creek Campground. Trailers not recommended by signage. There is a long section of single lane road with no shoulders. It is a safer alternative for trailer towing, with less blind curves.
Alabama Hills Dispersed Camping has been downsized after the 2020 over usage. There are currently 23 campsites with many of them off Movie Road. Many of the previous areas that you may have camped in are not available and day use only. Be aware that you will need to get an updated brochure (January 2023 print date) which shows the location of the sites dispersed camping sites. There are very few which will accommodate larger rigs. Our rig is a 30 foot 5th wheel and we only found 2 maybe 4 spots that would host our size trailer. Roads to camp sites were very rough and narrow, sites are mostly uneven. Also note that 4Wheel Drive may helpful.
Access to Alabama Hills can be made from Tuttle Creek Campground.
Mark would stay here again
This review is the opinion of a Campendium member and not of Campendium.com
“Only a few sites for a larger rig, Lots for Camper Van/Tent”
Reviewed 7/19/2023
| Nightly rate: | FREE! |
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| Days stayed: | 0 |
| Site Number: | 0 |
| RV Length: | 30' (Travel Trailer) |
Overall Rating
Very nice area would have loved to stay here, only problem is there are only a few sites available for larger rigs (over 24') area west of Movie rd has been closed to all camping, the rest camping is only allowed in designated sites by order of the city of Los Angeles. I would not waste time looking for a site and instead would just ... more
Very nice area would have loved to stay here, only problem is there are only a few sites available for larger rigs
(over 24') area west of Movie rd has been closed to all camping, the rest camping is only allowed in designated sites by order of the city of Los Angeles. I would not waste time looking for a site and instead would just go to turtle creek campground.
This review is the opinion of a Campendium member and not of Campendium.com
“Once was great, not anymore. ”
Reviewed 5/3/2023
| Nightly rate: | FREE! |
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| Days stayed: | 0 |
Overall Rating
This place was amazing, beautiful campsites all around. It is no longer that way. There are a few, a very few beauriful sites but the majority are no longer available. Forget the weekends, forget any datrs near a holiday. Try midweek when the snowbirds go home. Otherwise move on North. To Mammoth.
This review is the opinion of a Campendium member and not of Campendium.com
“Definitely harder to find spots now after the changes”
Reviewed 4/29/2023
| Nightly rate: | FREE! |
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| Days stayed: | 4 |
Overall Rating
My first visit to AH and I'd definitely come back. I'd read the reviews and so wasn't surprised at the many day use only signs but it did make it hard to find a place. The map was moderately helpful. I managed to find a spot in a large clearing with a couple other campers. Only one side had a camping sign so I don't know if that me... more
My first visit to AH and I'd definitely come back. I'd read the reviews and so wasn't surprised at the many day use only signs but it did make it hard to find a place. The map was moderately helpful. I managed to find a spot in a large clearing with a couple other campers. Only one side had a camping sign so I don't know if that means camping is only limited to that section. Cell reception was best when pointing my hotspot/antenna to the East, no surprise. It varied though from LTE to 5G but even with a weak signal I could make calls and stream. I was very happy to see no trash anywhere, so maybe the new rules are good.
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AT&T 5G
PhotoGo would stay here again
This review is the opinion of a Campendium member and not of Campendium.com
“Must See!!”
Reviewed 4/2/2023
| Nightly rate: | FREE! |
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| Days stayed: | 1 |
Overall Rating
Add the Alabama Hills to your camping bucket list. Getting here is a breeze as it’s just a short distance of the highway. Navigating down Movie Rd is easy as BLM takes good care of it - no 4x4 required. Lots of nice sights which accommodate smaller vehicles. I pulled into the *perfect* campsite within 10 minutes. Nothing is level ... more
Add the Alabama Hills to your camping bucket list.
Getting here is a breeze as it’s just a short distance of the highway. Navigating down Movie Rd is easy as BLM takes good care of it - no 4x4 required. Lots of nice sights which accommodate smaller vehicles. I pulled into the *perfect* campsite within 10 minutes.
Nothing is level so prepare for that. No water available but there are porta potties around.
Gorgeous views. Fun hiking. Super quiet.
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AT&T 4G
Dan would stay here again
This review is the opinion of a Campendium member and not of Campendium.com
“Great”
Reviewed 2/12/2023
| Nightly rate: | FREE! |
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| Days stayed: | 1 |
| RV Length: | 25' (Travel Trailer) |
Overall Rating
Not too difficult to find a spot designated. Keep looking. Drive a little further down the road.
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AT&T 5G
Momcatdeb would stay here again
This review is the opinion of a Campendium member and not of Campendium.com
“Amazing Place So Quite And Beautiful ”
Reviewed 1/8/2023
| Days stayed: | 2 |
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Overall Rating
Lovely lots of space and beautiful view of the mountains.
paulnjo would stay here again
This review is the opinion of a Campendium member and not of Campendium.com
“Not for 5th wheels or Motorhomes of decent size”
Reviewed 11/28/2022
| Nightly rate: | FREE! |
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| Days stayed: | 4 |
| Site Number: | none |
Overall Rating
Beautiful and dynamic. Just by driving around, you can tell the BLM is trying to keep the larger rigs out due the hundreds of closed sites around. The site size and accessibilty extremely limits larger trailers and RV's. I have a 1-ton pickup and a 30-foot 5th wheel and only found a handful of spots that were suitable, but were taken... more
Beautiful and dynamic. Just by driving around, you can tell the BLM is trying to keep the larger rigs out due the hundreds of closed sites around. The site size and accessibilty extremely limits larger trailers and RV's. I have a 1-ton pickup and a 30-foot 5th wheel and only found a handful of spots that were suitable, but were taken. They have closed everything on the west side to camping. They want the larger rigs up in Tuttle Creek. If you drive a Jeep, Subaru or one of these new van campers, there is a pretty decent selection, but you will need to carefully plan with a larger rig. I finally found a decent spot, but had to be really careful to not crush my bed sides due to washes and rocks.
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Verizon
This review is the opinion of a Campendium member and not of Campendium.com
“Beautiful Dispersed Camping”
Reviewed 5/19/2022
| Nightly rate: | FREE! |
|---|---|
| Days stayed: | 5 |
Overall Rating
Read the Notes in the description. They describe the changes made for dispersed camping in the area. I had not been here before certain areas became designated “Day Use Only”. However, given the accessibility of the remaining areas, I believe most of the places formerly used by big rigs has been eliminated. I was able to find camping ... more
Read the Notes in the description. They describe the changes made for dispersed camping in the area. I had not been here before certain areas became designated “Day Use Only”. However, given the accessibility of the remaining areas, I believe most of the places formerly used by big rigs has been eliminated. I was able to find camping for my 24 ft motorhome, but had limited options because I have very low clearance. I did quite a bit of scouting out on foot, but ended up with Whitney framed in my rear window!
I think bringing a trailer here would be iffy. Movie Road just beyond the Arch Trail has a very serious dip in it. Too deep for me to attempt.
I arrived on Wednesday and there was lots of room. By the weekend, spots were getting hard to find.
I did not get a permit. I didn’t see a single ranger all weekend, so I don’t know if that is actually being enforced.
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Verizon
PC would stay here again
This review is the opinion of a Campendium member and not of Campendium.com
Page 1 of 11
36 reviews
noted 9/11/2021
Apparently, the BLM is implementing a new management plan for the area. It takes effect in the Fall of 2021, which is about now. They are limiting the number of spots you can camp at and also the areas. If you go to the official BLM site for AH, you can read all about it. Here is the map that shows the areas you will be able to disper... more
Apparently, the BLM is implementing a new management plan for the area. It takes effect in the Fall of 2021, which is about now. They are limiting the number of spots you can camp at and also the areas. If you go to the official BLM site for AH, you can read all about it. Here is the map that shows the areas you will be able to dispersed camp (from the BLM site):
https://www.blm.gov/sites/blm.gov/files/docs/2021-09/DesignatedDispersedCamping.pdf
They are also adding some portapotties around the area making this now "semi-dispersed" camping because people were leaving their poop all over the place. Don't you just love these people ????
There are going to be official campsite numbers at each legal site.
The good old days of camping anywhere you want are over.
noted 1/27/2021
Major changes on the way regarding camping at Alabama Hills.
https://eplanning.blm.gov/eplanning-ui/project/1502669/510
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Amenities
Hookups
- dry camping
- Dispersed Camping
Site Amenities
- big rig
- pull thru
- view sites
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