Hike-in Required
No
ADA accessible
No
Guided tours
No
Please respect the outdoors by practicing Leave No Trace. Learn more about how to apply the principles of Leave No Trace on your next outdoor adventure here.

The Alabama Hills Recreation Area is made up of large rock formations sitting in the high desert below the Eastern Sierra Nevada. The Bureau of Land Management manages the 30,000-acres of high desert land. There are two types of rock that make up the hills. An orange metamorphosed volcanic rock that is 150-200 million years old, and biotite monzogranite that is 82 to 85 million years old and forms the large round boulders shaped by spheroidal weathering. These spherical boulders provide plentiful bouldering opportunities, and some of the bigger rock provides sport and trad routes.

The Alabama Hills are known for their long history as settings for film and movies, hence the main access road’s name, “Movie Road.” Alabama Hills is a great place to spend the night for free in any of the dispersed campsites while on your way to hike the shadowing Mount Whitney or other destinations in the Eastern Sierra Nevada. Besides climbing, you can also enjoy day hiking in the high desert. Watch for unique features such as granite arches. To avoid the heat during warmer months, be sure to climb earlier or later in the day. These are also great times to catch the beautiful sunsets and sunrises of the Eastern Sierra.

Logistics + Planning

Preferable season(s)

Winter
Spring
Summer
Fall

Congestion

Low

Parking Pass

Not Required

Pros

Endless climbing route possibilities. Free access. Whitney Portal access. Views of Mount Whitney.

Cons

No amenitites.

Pets allowed

Allowed

Features

Big vistas
Geologically significant

Location

Nearby Adventures

Eastern Sierra + White Mountains Area, California
Eastern Sierra + White Mountains Area, California

Nearby Lodging + Camping

Eastern Sierra + White Mountains Area, California
Eastern Sierra + White Mountains Area, California

Comments

01/28/2017
Alabama hills in the winter
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