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
“The Sierras are beautiful!”
Reviewed 11/4/2020
| Nightly rate: | FREE! |
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| Days stayed: | 8 |
| Site Number: | NA |
| RV Length: | 25' (Class C) |
Overall Rating
Western films have been shot here by the dozens since 1930. I stayed just north of Movie Road in a spot that was used in the film "Yellow Sky" which I haven't seen, but fully intend to now! I was just around the corner from Lone Ranger Canyon! The beauty is indescribable and the vastness is overwhelming. Had to go down the hill toward ... more
Western films have been shot here by the dozens since 1930. I stayed just north of Movie Road in a spot that was used in the film "Yellow Sky" which I haven't seen, but fully intend to now! I was just around the corner from Lone Ranger Canyon! The beauty is indescribable and the vastness is overwhelming. Had to go down the hill toward Lone Pine for cell service, but only a minor inconvenience. Good things to do in the area including the Monzanar WW2 internment camp a few miles north of Lone Pine on Hwy. 395. The Film museum in town is pretty cool and asks for a $5 donation. The drive up Whitney Portal is beautiful, as well as Ash Meadows Road that takes you up through some impressive switchbacks to give an incredible view of the valley. A group of weekend partiers were cranking loud trance music day and night, but it was Halloween and a full Moon, so I'll cut the kids some slack, even though it disturbed the peace and was very inconsiderate. They were putting on a laser light show on the rock walls surrounding their campsite. In spite of these jokers, this place is a 10 and I will return!!
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Verizon
Larry would stay here again
This review is the opinion of a Campendium member and not of Campendium.com
“Great boondocking! ”
Reviewed 10/28/2020
| Nightly rate: | FREE! |
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| Days stayed: | 5 |
Overall Rating
Stayed here for 5 days in mid October. Great area. Close to town of Lone Pine. Water and trash at Portuguese Joe Campground just outside of town. Very little cell service, but I drove into town once a day to check messages. It was fun to watch the movie Tremors and look out our window at the exact place it was filmed!
HikingHolly would stay here again
This review is the opinion of a Campendium member and not of Campendium.com
“Great Boondocking”
Reviewed 10/1/2020
| Nightly rate: | FREE! |
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| Days stayed: | 2 |
Overall Rating
I spent two wonderful midweek nights out here under the stars in a Toyota Sienna with basic RV capability (cot, camp toilet, Jetboil, cooler, and USB-chargeable fan.) It's incredibly moving to watch the sun set behind Mt. Whitney and then rise the next morning from behind the White Mountains. I woke up well before dawn the first mor... more
I spent two wonderful midweek nights out here under the stars in a Toyota Sienna with basic RV capability (cot, camp toilet, Jetboil, cooler, and USB-chargeable fan.) It's incredibly moving to watch the sun set behind Mt. Whitney and then rise the next morning from behind the White Mountains. I woke up well before dawn the first morning, made coffee, and sat and watched the stars until sunrise.
The area is easy to access from Whitney Portal Road right in Lone Pine, and then a right turn on Movie Road. There are plenty of sites with enough room for a small vehicle like mine to maneuver level. I slept in two different sites, one near the entrance nestled among boulders, and the other a little way down Movie Road after it becomes dirt. Movie Road is initially paved and then well-graded, and was just fine for Sienna tires. But I've been up here before in a Jeep Rubicon to explore the network of side trails, and beware: some of them are Rubicon-worthy and require 4WD, good clearance, and some off-roading skills.
It's true boondocking, with no facilities at all, though Lone Pine is just a few miles back down the road. I had very occasional one-bar service on Verizon that wouldn't even transmit a text message before disappearing to No Service. There's occasional noise from dirt bikers, who quiet down well before dark, and from military aircraft passing overhead. The few other campers were well-dispersed and very quiet. I didn't have any issues with critters or trash.
I drove on up to Bishop and checked out several other campgrounds for future reference, but I didn't find anything that tempted me away. I'll be back!
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Verizon
MargieP would stay here again
This review is the opinion of a Campendium member and not of Campendium.com
“Another great stay”
Reviewed 9/24/2020
| Nightly rate: | FREE! |
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| Days stayed: | 2 |
Overall Rating
Found a neat spot immediately surrounded with boulders creating a bit of privacy. There’s also a little cave-like cutout in the rock. It was a great little shelter to hang out in to escape the sun. Coordinates for this location: (36.6075047, -118.1295463) Had trouble with mice this time around. They seem to come out once the sun set... more
Found a neat spot immediately surrounded with boulders creating a bit of privacy. There’s also a little cave-like cutout in the rock. It was a great little shelter to hang out in to escape the sun. Coordinates for this location: (36.6075047, -118.1295463)
Had trouble with mice this time around. They seem to come out once the sun sets. A small gray mouse kept us up the second night. I also spotted a big sucker outside while peeing in the middle of the night.
Somewhat trashy.
Smoky due to the Creek Fire not far off. Low visibility. Can’t see the magnificent mountains :o(.
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AT&T 4G
Hypsy-Gypsy would stay here again
This review is the opinion of a Campendium member and not of Campendium.com
“What a great place. ”
Reviewed 7/18/2020
| Nightly rate: | FREE! |
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| Days stayed: | 2 |
| RV Length: | 30' (Fifth Wheel) |
Overall Rating
We were here at the end of June, and the weather only got to 84 degrees. Very unusual for this time of year. It’s all dirt, no water, power or anything but rocks. The Sierras in the background were amazing. Great hiking among the rocks. Lots of of off road vehicles around, but the place is so big, they didn’t bother us. The night sky ... more
We were here at the end of June, and the weather only got to 84 degrees. Very unusual for this time of year. It’s all dirt, no water, power or anything but rocks. The Sierras in the background were amazing. Great hiking among the rocks. Lots of of off road vehicles around, but the place is so big, they didn’t bother us. The night sky is amazing!
Ruby Reflection would stay here again
This review is the opinion of a Campendium member and not of Campendium.com
“What else can I say?”
Reviewed 7/15/2020
| Nightly rate: | FREE! |
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| Days stayed: | 1 |
Overall Rating
It's pretty well-established that this place is amazing. I took my Jeep Cherokee and drove down a few turns to find a wonderful 4wd site. Had the place to myself and the closest person was 1/4 mile away. Wasn't too hot at night in July. The sky was beautiful. Fabulous proximity to amenities in Lone Pine. I can't wait to go back!
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Verizon 4G
triptoeverywhere would stay here again
This review is the opinion of a Campendium member and not of Campendium.com
Reviewed 7/9/2020
| Nightly rate: | FREE! |
|---|---|
| Days stayed: | 1 |
| RV Length: | 25' (Class A) |
Overall Rating
We stayed one night here while exploring the area in a 25' motorhome. It is a very unique and interesting area with potential camping locations spread through out large rock formations. It is possible to park in fairly isolated locations but we noticed a fair number of vehicles driving through nearby. Overall, a very interesting lo... more
We stayed one night here while exploring the area in a 25' motorhome. It is a very unique and interesting area with potential camping locations spread through out large rock formations. It is possible to park in fairly isolated locations but we noticed a fair number of vehicles driving through nearby. Overall, a very interesting location with scenic vistas.
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AT&T 4G
Bill & Victoria would stay here again
This review is the opinion of a Campendium member and not of Campendium.com
“Beautiful and hot.”
Reviewed 7/7/2020
| Nightly rate: | FREE! |
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| Days stayed: | 1 |
| Site Number: | O |
| RV Length: | 29' (Toy Hauler Travel Trailer) |
Overall Rating
July 6th and it was hot during the day.
Beautiful evening and morning.
Want to do this again in fall or spring.
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AT&T 4G
Verizon 4G
T-Mobile
John would stay here again
This review is the opinion of a Campendium member and not of Campendium.com
“Quiet & spacious”
Reviewed 7/2/2020
| Nightly rate: | FREE! |
|---|---|
| Days stayed: | 2 |
| Site Number: | N/a |
| RV Length: | 30' (Fifth Wheel) |
Overall Rating
This very strange land was so peaceful. Lots of campsites spread all over. We camped off Movie Rd near the large outcropping of rock that looks like a big elephant laying down. Most of the roads are smooth, but some do have deep ruts & rocks. We took it real slow & had no trouble with our 5th wheel. It wasn’t hot while we were there ni... more
This very strange land was so peaceful. Lots of campsites spread all over. We camped off Movie Rd near the large outcropping of rock that looks like a big elephant laying down. Most of the roads are smooth, but some do have deep ruts & rocks. We took it real slow & had no trouble with our 5th wheel. It wasn’t hot while we were there nice breeze the 1st day, but really got windy the next. Had to pull in the awnings by mid day, and that made the rig pretty warm. Beautiful dark sky nights. There is no water or anything but rocks. I think they filmed a few sci-fi movies out here. Oh yeah, can’t forget the incredible Sierras. Breathtaking!
Ruby Reflection would stay here again
This review is the opinion of a Campendium member and not of Campendium.com
“Where should you stay?”
Reviewed 6/15/2020
| Nightly rate: | FREE! |
|---|---|
| Days stayed: | 2 |
Overall Rating
We stayed here midweek. Movie Road, off of Whitney Portal Road, was in pretty good shape. About 75% of sites did fill up while we were there, but about half the sites emptied out each day. We scouted out all the areas with our Razor. If you have a small RV, van, SUV or car you will have a lot of options on the unmarked roads off th... more
We stayed here midweek. Movie Road, off of Whitney Portal Road, was in pretty good shape. About 75% of sites did fill up while we were there, but about half the sites emptied out each day. We scouted out all the areas with our Razor.
If you have a small RV, van, SUV or car you will have a lot of options on the unmarked roads off the main road in both directions, some nestled back into the large rocks. There are some really great places back there, especially on the mountainside.
For larger rigs there are pullouts towards the entrance. There are also 5 large pullouts starting at the trailhead for the Arch trail. All 5 are not very level and all 5 are on the main road.
We found an ideal spot here:
36° 37’ 16” N
118° 6’ 44” W
(Off an unnamed road after pullout 5 on the right, 3 miles maybe from the entrance, maybe. The road is a bit rough but you don’t have to go very far. Park and check it out).
Movie Road takes a curve left after our unnamed road. There are only 2 additional sites between here and the Welcome to the Alabama Hills BLM sign on the northern limits. Movie Road continues.
Lots of trash scattered around, but we got it all cleaned up. There was a a lot of air traffic, mostly military since commercial flights were down due to Covid. Cell service fluctuated from no service to 3 bars Verizon LTE depending one where you are.
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Verizon 4G
FourFeetFourPaws would stay here again
This review is the opinion of a Campendium member and not of Campendium.com
Page 5 of 11
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Amenities
Hookups
- dry camping
- Dispersed Camping
Site Amenities
- big rig
- pull thru
- view sites
Pets
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