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
“NEW management rules in effect for the Alabama Hills BLM + More to Come”
Reviewed 10/14/2021
| Nightly rate: | FREE! |
|---|---|
| Days stayed: | 1 |
| RV Length: | 20' (Travel Trailer) |
Overall Rating
We just arrived today for our first camping experience in the Alabama Hills BLM area. We had just 10-15 min of daylight to find a site and were surprised to find that the entire left side of Movie Road marked "Day Use Only." We hadn't read anything about that in our planning. With a quick on-line search, we found this info on the... more
We just arrived today for our first camping experience in the Alabama Hills BLM area.
We had just 10-15 min of daylight to find a site and were surprised to find that the entire left side of Movie Road marked "Day Use Only." We hadn't read anything about that in our planning.
With a quick on-line search, we found this info on the blm website and thought folks here would be interested in knowing: (copied and pasted from blm.gov site)......
As of October 1, 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 areas (see map). Additional changes to dispersed camping will occur throughout the fall. These changes will include a required free permit and further delineation of areas where camping may occur. Eventually, camping will be limited to sites identified with a campsite marker in the areas shown on this map.
To control human waste, six porta potties have been placed in the Alabama Hills. Please either use these restrooms or pack out your solid human waste using a portable waste system (RV toilet, wag bag, portable toilet, etc.).
Please check back before your next visit to get the most up to date information.
kydustbunny would stay here again
This review is the opinion of a Campendium member and not of Campendium.com
“A Top Boondocking Spot!!! ”
Reviewed 6/29/2021
| Nightly rate: | FREE! |
|---|---|
| Days stayed: | 2 |
Overall Rating
A very popular area, but the towering and jagged rocks throughout the area provide shade, privacy and amazing scenery. You will feel like you are all alone in this amazing landscape! It is a geologically interesting area and a dream come true for dispersed-loving campers. Photography is amazing, stars are plentiful, and you will fe... more
A very popular area, but the towering and jagged rocks throughout the area provide shade, privacy and amazing scenery. You will feel like you are all alone in this amazing landscape! It is a geologically interesting area and a dream come true for dispersed-loving campers. Photography is amazing, stars are plentiful, and you will feel transformed to another place. Make sure to visit the Arch Loop Trail and look for the heart!
This review is the opinion of a Campendium member and not of Campendium.com
“Amazing Place!”
Reviewed 6/10/2021
| Nightly rate: | FREE! |
|---|---|
| Days stayed: | 5 |
| Site Number: | Corridors Parking Site |
Overall Rating
We found this when looking for places to stay on the way down to LA after boondocking in Mammoth for a week. Arrived on a Wednesday around 2pm (6/9/2021) and drove through to the end where the parking is for the arch loop trail. We entered a dirt road on left hand side and drove up and down several different paths checking internet ava... more
We found this when looking for places to stay on the way down to LA after boondocking in Mammoth for a week. Arrived on a Wednesday around 2pm (6/9/2021) and drove through to the end where the parking is for the arch loop trail. We entered a dirt road on left hand side and drove up and down several different paths checking internet availability at each site we found. Discovered my Verizon jetpack had no service, but my AT&T phone had service. So laptop connected to phone hotspot worked ended up working great. This was the case for ALL the spots we checked - AT&T service worked but Verizon did not.
There were many open spots as we drove around, but it was so windy this day that we wanted to get back far near the rocks as a wind breaker. Also there are turn arounds everywhere so you can safely drive up any road and still turn around pretty easily. We towed a 20' travel trailer and managed just fine. Roads are dirt but easily manageable. Ended up settling at Corridors, which is actually a parking spot for a trailhead but it had such a nice view to the east and a huge area to stay in, so we unhitched there.
No trash at any of the spots we looked at so that's nice. We were on a bit of an angle and had to use leveling blocks, and most of the sites I saw were like that, so keep that in mind. Wind died down the following day and all was well. Tons of hiking and climbing here too.
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AT&T 4G
Verizon
Carey would stay here again
This review is the opinion of a Campendium member and not of Campendium.com
“Fabulous!”
Reviewed 5/22/2021
| Nightly rate: | FREE! |
|---|---|
| Days stayed: | 2 |
| Site Number: | Off Movie Rd |
Overall Rating
Free camping and fabulous views...what more could you ask for! Site was slanted more than most I have been to so bring plenty of leveling blocks.
No internet for me, but my friend who has Mifi had internet.
Folks, please pick up your dog poop and cigarette butts. No excuse!
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Verizon 4G
Georgia would stay here again
This review is the opinion of a Campendium member and not of Campendium.com
“Amazing!”
Reviewed 5/16/2021
| Nightly rate: | FREE! |
|---|---|
| Days stayed: | 2 |
Overall Rating
Possibly the best BLM in California! Had been wanting to visit Alabama Hills for some time and finally made the trip.
We scored a spot deep in the back for some privacy. Weather was great and the night sky was spectacular.
4x4 was never needed. Any 2WD vehicle with clearance will be fine.
Two bars of T-Mobile LTE was a plus!!!
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T-Mobile 4G
ChRodriguez would stay here again
This review is the opinion of a Campendium member and not of Campendium.com
“In My Top 3 Fav Campsites!!!”
Reviewed 5/10/2021
| Nightly rate: | FREE! |
|---|---|
| Days stayed: | 1 |
Overall Rating
This place is super unique, unlike any other place I’ve seen. Amazing views. It’s famous for several movies being filmed here. Tons of sites for campers and has privacy because of all the rocks around. 10/10 would stay here again!
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T-Mobile
Kylee would stay here again
This review is the opinion of a Campendium member and not of Campendium.com
“Way Back in 1992”
Reviewed 5/9/2021
| Nightly rate: | FREE! |
|---|---|
| Days stayed: | 10 |
| Site Number: | 0 |
Overall Rating
I found this amazing landscape way back in the early 1990's and fell in love with the rocks. I knew it was BLM land, but we ended up staying at Tuttle Creek Campground (nearby) and spent a fair amount of time roaming around Movie Road. Back then, there were very few people out exploring mid-week, so it seemed deserted during Autumn. It... more
I found this amazing landscape way back in the early 1990's and fell in love with the rocks. I knew it was BLM land, but we ended up staying at Tuttle Creek Campground (nearby) and spent a fair amount of time roaming around Movie Road. Back then, there were very few people out exploring mid-week, so it seemed deserted during Autumn. It's a great spot to picnic, but from the sounds of it I wouldn't wanna camp here - due to the amount of people and the poo placement.
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Verizon 4G
This review is the opinion of a Campendium member and not of Campendium.com
“Wide variety of sites, plenty of space, amazing views, Verizon extremely limited”
Reviewed 4/29/2021
| Nightly rate: | FREE! |
|---|---|
| Days stayed: | 8 |
| RV Length: | 29' (Class A) |
Overall Rating
It's popular and busy for a reason: the views of the Sierra and Inyo mountains behind the red rounded rocks, easy access to Lone Pine and US 395, and a wide variety of sites to choose from. There's plenty of space even during weekends so it never felt crowded. In our experience with both a Mifi Jetpack and a phone, Verizon's covera... more
It's popular and busy for a reason: the views of the Sierra and Inyo mountains behind the red rounded rocks, easy access to Lone Pine and US 395, and a wide variety of sites to choose from. There's plenty of space even during weekends so it never felt crowded.
In our experience with both a Mifi Jetpack and a phone, Verizon's coverage map is wildly inaccurate: there's some voice and data service at Movie Flats near the pavement. Several hours of scouting further in the hills revealed no usable service further back.
AmazingGazing would stay here again
This review is the opinion of a Campendium member and not of Campendium.com
“Best camping views ever”
Reviewed 4/17/2021
| Nightly rate: | FREE! |
|---|---|
| Days stayed: | 1 |
Overall Rating
Incredible camping location right at the base of Mt Whitney! Well-known so it’s worth it to get there early to find a good spot
Sam would stay here again
This review is the opinion of a Campendium member and not of Campendium.com
“Awesome”
Reviewed 4/10/2021
| Nightly rate: | FREE! |
|---|---|
| Days stayed: | 2 |
| Site Number: | 0 |
| RV Length: | 14' (Travel Trailer) |
Overall Rating
If you’re set up for boondocking this is the place!! Can’t wait to go back! Be prepared for some dust though. It’s all dirt roads, awesome dispersed camping and all FREE!!
Sabesimpson would stay here again
This review is the opinion of a Campendium member and not of Campendium.com
Page 3 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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