Open Year-round
Yes
Reservations possible?
No
RV Hookups
No
Potable water
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.

Alabama Hills Recreation Area is a great place to spend the night for free if you are in the area to enjoy rock climbing and bouldering, day hiking in the the high desert among the unique and endless rock features, or if you are passing through on your way to the hike Mount Whitney or other destinations in the Eastern Sierra Nevada. The Bureau of Land Management manages this 30,000-acre portion of high desert land below the Whitney Portal Recreation Area. The Alabama Hills are an open-desert primitive and dispersed camping area with no amenities, no water, no trash, no pavement, and no facilities whatsoever. This also means there are no fees. There is plenty of space for large groups to camp or to park a large RV, though make sure to stick to established roads and trails to protect sensitive re-vegetation areas. As with all dispersed camping areas, you will have to pack out your own garbage and waste and bring your own water. A California Campfire Permit is required for campfires, stoves, and lanterns.

Logistics + Planning

Preferable season(s)

Winter
Spring
Fall

Parking Pass

Not Required

Pros

Whitney Portal access and views. Free dispersed camping. Infinite camping sites.

Cons

No amenities.

Pets allowed

Allowed

Managed by

Bureau of Land Management

Features

Historically significant

Location

Nearby Adventures

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

Nearby Lodging + Camping

Comments

03/30/2014
We camped in the Alabama Hills for a week last spring. It was one of the most spectacular camping sites we've ever seen (and we've seen a lot!)
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