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
Reviewed 5/9/2015
| Nightly rate: | FREE! |
|---|
Overall Rating
The wind is trying to tempt me into a whistling match. I sit idly by, ignoring its gentle cooling as the sun burns hot on my shoulders even through my shirt. Unimpressed by my seeming lack of desire to play its game, it ushers into a howl, blowing over the empty camps hair next to me. I continue playing hard to get. I can whistle as we... more
The wind is trying to tempt me into a whistling match. I sit idly by, ignoring its gentle cooling as the sun burns hot on my shoulders even through my shirt. Unimpressed by my seeming lack of desire to play its game, it ushers into a howl, blowing over the empty camps hair next to me. I continue playing hard to get. I can whistle as well as you, Wind, I imagine, but still make no attempt.
Now she's screaming, nearly blowing over full 6 gallon jugs of water and bicycles with precariously applied kick stands. At that she's tempted me too much, and I stand to meet her challenge.
Rounding my lips, I stare her in the face and begin to wail my best hoot of a whistle.
But she has tricked me. My lips dry, I am unable to make a sound. She spits a bit of dust in my eyes and moves on down the hills.
The sun again has the chance to beat on my shoulders, offering condolence like a dad who's just seen his son lose a fight. I admit defeat, happily.
If it wasn't for the wind, and the very occasional car in the distance, there would be no sound here. The Eastern Sierras, currently striped in snow and dotted with the dark green of pinyon pines, rise up to the west. The clouds are fighting to overcome their barrier, and have drown out Mt. Whitney entirely, but they quickly give way to pure blue skies.
The massive boulders, perfect for climbing on or finding shade, scatter the desertscape all around us. They hide us from the road, and partially hide our two neighbors from view. During the week we would have been the only people here.
Still east, a few nights ago's snow is all but completely melted from the Inyo Mountains, a contrasty red and tan in the distance.
The price is right, the view is enormous, and sound is muffled violent silence. Sage fills the air. There are no stinking sewer pipes. No hum of propane heaters. No additional fee for more than two adults.
I ponder updating the Wikipedia article to include this place for both the "paradise" and "perfection" articles, as well as perhaps create a new one, "Nathan's favorite place since he was in his last favorite place, Mt. Whitney the other night." Someone please alert the moderators.
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AT&T 4G
Nathan @ Wand'rly would stay here again
This review is the opinion of a Campendium member and not of Campendium.com
“One of our absolute favorite boondocking spots, but very erratic/unreliable Internet signal”
Reviewed 4/5/2015
| Nightly rate: | FREE! |
|---|---|
| Days stayed: | 10 |
| RV Length: | 40' |
Overall Rating
In terms of sheer natural beauty this is one of our absolute favorite boondocking spots. It's such a unique location, surrounded by the crazy, bulbous red-orange rocks of the Alabama Hills with the backdrop of the 10,000 ft plus Sierra Nevada Mountains in the background. You can spend weeks just scrambling around on the rocks, explorin... more
In terms of sheer natural beauty this is one of our absolute favorite boondocking spots. It's such a unique location, surrounded by the crazy, bulbous red-orange rocks of the Alabama Hills with the backdrop of the 10,000 ft plus Sierra Nevada Mountains in the background. You can spend weeks just scrambling around on the rocks, exploring dirt roads and enjoying the scenery. BLM allows you to camp in any pre-used site for up to 14 days as long as you don't crush or impact the surrounding vegetation. There are several larger sites (for big rigs), but many more smaller sites (for smaller rigs) hidden amongst the rocks.
The only negative is very erratic/unreliable cell signal. Both ATT and Verizon are extremely iffy, although ATT seems marginally better. You'll see your signal go from 4G, to extended to nothing over a period of minutes...and this happens all day long. Many sites have no signal at all. Sometimes you can get a usable (slow) signal with boosting, but if Internet is important to you I suggest next-door Tuttle Creek Campground. It's also very scenic, costs only $5/night, can take any-sized rig and has excellent signal.
WheelingIt would stay here again
This review is the opinion of a Campendium member and not of Campendium.com
“Beautiful Location - No Cell Phone Data”
Reviewed 4/30/2013
| Nightly rate: | FREE! |
|---|---|
| Date stayed: | 4/28/13 |
| Days stayed: | 1 |
Overall Rating
Wow the Alabama Hills in Lone Pine are beautiful. It's hard to believe we can camp for free where over 400 movies were shot (most recently Django Unchained, Ironman and Star Trek Generations). Access is relatively easy, we saw a few big rigs tucked away behind the rocks. We unhitched so we could scout out a spot with decent cell s... more
Wow the Alabama Hills in Lone Pine are beautiful. It's hard to believe we can camp for free where over 400 movies were shot (most recently Django Unchained, Ironman and Star Trek Generations).
Access is relatively easy, we saw a few big rigs tucked away behind the rocks. We unhitched so we could scout out a spot with decent cell service. Unfortunately it wasn't good enough for consistent data so we could only stay one night.
Even though we got 3 bars of AT&T 4G, it wouldn't load web pages. The Verizon went back and forth between 3G and extended.
I really wish we could have stayed, this place is gorgeous. We would camp here again if we didn't have to work. I would give 5 stars if we got better cell service.
The next day we moved over to Tuttle Creek Campground where cell wasn't a problem.
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AT&T 4G
Aluminarium would stay here again
This review is the opinion of a Campendium member and not of Campendium.com
Page 11 of 11
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Amenities
Hookups
- dry camping
- Dispersed Camping
Site Amenities
- big rig
- pull thru
- view sites
Pets
- pets
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