The best camping in Alabama Hills, CA

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Take in the scenery from the rocky foothills of the Eastern Sierra.  

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Top-rated campgrounds

Sierra Ranch - Cabins & Tents

98%
(602)
46mi from Alabama Hills · 14 sites · Tents, RVs, Lodging · Springville, CA
Swimming in North Fork Tule River, miles of hiking trails on ranch. River Ridge Ranch goes from 1,000' elev. to 3,000' elevation. Hike right on the ranch. We are between Sequoia National Park (about an hour) and the Giant Sequoia National Monument (16 miles to groves up Hwy 190 and no entrance fee). Choose from individual tent sites, group tent sites, tiny cabins. the 5-acre Compound or the Entire Ranch. We occasionally host small, thoughtful, low impact weddings. Please inquire. There are 33 giant sequoia groves in our Southern Region of the Giant Sequoia National Monument, some easily driven to, and some remote. Our ranch is a nature preserve and an education demonstration site, teaching sustainable and regenerative land use practices. River Ridge Institute, our non-profit, hosts a variety of events for the public. Please note: you are expected to leave the ranch and kitchen area as you found it, i.e., dishes washed thoroughly and dried and put away, recycling separated from trash, food scraps in compost buckets, sticky marshmallow removed from forks and surfaces (ick!). Thank you. Enjoy: The Kitchen has a 3-burner cooktop, large fridge, microwave, full dishes and utensils and pots and pans with a big washing area in the back. Propane barbecue grill.. There's a River Barn to use as a remote space and Turtle Cove for swimming. Saturday morning Farmer's Market in downtown at 9 AM - Noon. Ancestral land of the Foothill Yokuts tribe. Homesteaded in 1859, owned by the Negus family from 1909-2000. Barbara and I bought it to save it from subdivision and it's now protected by a Conservation Easement and acts as a community center for the arts, music, poetry, gatherings and outdoor education. We're both biologists, so, just ask us. Please see the Rules and Safety section to review our Waiver of Liability.
Pets
Potable water
Toilets
from 
$40
 / night

Five Fours Camp in Three Rivers

100%
(418)
42mi from Alabama Hills · 2 sites · Tents · Three Rivers, CA
This is a essentially a private campsite with a million dollar view during the day, and wonderful stargazing at night! We welcome dogs and don't charge additional fees for you to bring your dog(s) to camp. The park allows dogs into the park BUT NOT ON ANY TRAILS! (Only the national “forests” allow dogs on trails, not national parks.) PLEASE, let us know you are bringing dog(s), when you request to book. We currently have 2 dogs - our boy Chance is a 6yo Husky Doberman mix; and we rescued and are fostering a (approx 3yo) Great Dane, Winston! Unfortunately, we can NOT dog sit your dog(s) while you are in the park having 2 large male dogs in our house. Also you can not leave the dog alone in the campsite. We are in Three Rivers - the southern Ash Mountain gateway to the Sequoia and Kings Canyon National Parks. Our town has some wonderfully unique restaurants, creative shops and even a delicious brewery with seating next to the River! Our hillside property has great Mountain View’s and the driveway turns directly off of Sierra drive, four miles past the town center (3R post office) and just 2 miles from the Sequoia and Kings Canyon National Parks entrance. There’s even a convenience store a quarter mile away! It's conveniently located and easy to find! You can (seasonally) hear the tranqual sounds, or all out roar of the flowing Kaweah river from across the street. Sorry, there is NO river access from this campsite. You can go to Slick Rock Recreation area, Lake Kaweah or into the parks to swim, boat, fish and more. Lake Kaweah is about 8 miles away. You drive around it after you top the hill entering Three Rivers. My wife Elizabeth and I bought our log home in 2015 and we have been dreaming and adding here ever since! Our dog Chance chases all the fun wildlife off of our property. In addition to deer, we have seen fox, bob cats, an Ocelot, too many coyotes, wild turkeys and bear crossing an animal highway along our upper hillside property line. Hawks, hummingbirds, quail, blue birds, woodpeckers and yellow bellied finches are regularly seen here as well. We have had turkey families coming through frequently recently! Owls have been heard; but not seen. We love our country home and mountain views, and look forward to sharing them with you!
Pets
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from 
$71
 / night

OrangeRay~Three Rivers

99%
(202)
45mi from Alabama Hills · 2 sites · Lodging · Three Rivers, CA
OrangeRay, home of Pixie's Place Animal Sanctuary and Hospice was founded in 2007, when I left L.A. for the forest by the river to create, and to expand my shamanic pursuits. Being that Three Rivers was home to the socialist Kaweah Colony in the 1800's; which helped in the founding of Sequoia National Park; the area is rich in history. Poet John Muir was enchanted and inspired by this area; Walt Disney fell under her spell as well when he envisioned a "Swiss Chalet" style resort which never came to fruition. The water wars of California began right here; gold rush...right here! "Kaweah" is the name given by the Indians for the sound the Crow makes. Three Rivers literally sits on slabs of quartz crystal, making rock hunting superb! As an energy practitioner, the quartz heightens the healing process; as well as creating an energy vortex. My property sits on an area that was once an Indian village, and then the school house for the children of the pioneers. There was a huge Hare Krishna Colony up here in the 60-70's. As a photographer and filmmaker, the lighting up here is amazing! The night skies literally pulsate with their celestial canopy. A great spot to sky watch as well! The property is not kid-friendly, and is not really here for children as much as it is offered for the inner child in adults. WE ARE 420 friendly which is in opposition to most "family" landscapes....so please note this is not personal but I prefer no children xo Also, I prefer no pets, as it disrupts the balance here with the animal residents :) I share fresh eggs when available :) (The shower is not available to guest :)
Potable water
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from 
$85
 / night

Cartago Springs

78%
(9)
15mi from Alabama Hills · 2 sites · RVs · Cartago, CA
Cartago Springs is right off of the 395 HWY, with beautiful panoramic views of the Sierra mountains with bright twinkling open skies at night. Just minutes from cotton wood creek and a short drive to the Alabama Hills and Mt. Whitney. Open land to park your trailer or RV. Star gaze and eat under the stars. Cartago wildlife area is a five minute walk down the road from the property. The Cartago Wildlife area is a protected wet land that homes many different birds and wild life, there are walking trails and a small pond to enjoy. The property sits near what was once the old Cartago dump. You can find beautiful colored glass, porcelains, neat items like silverware, car parts, old lighters, a pickers paradise. feel free to take any treasures you find home with you! If you like to ride, Olancha dunes is just down the road. Cactus Flats Road in Olancha will take you into the Coso Mountains where the trails are endless, the views are beautiful and the peace is surreal. Cartago Springs is a few miles north of the Mobile gas station, where they serve hot food a perfect convince for the traveler. Hope to see you soon!
Pets
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from 
$24
 / night

The best camping in Alabama Hills, CA guide

Overview

About

At the base of the Sierra Nevada, the Alabama Hills offer visitors the chance to hike and mountain bike past ancient rock formations while taking in fantastic views of Mount Whitney, the tallest mountain in the lower 48. Dispersed, first-come, first-served camping is the name of the game in the primary Bureau of Land Management (BLM)-run Movie Flat area, though some sites are only accessible by 4WD vehicles. Meanwhile, reservable campsites can be found in the nearby Inyo National Forest and at Inyo County’s Portuguese Joe Campground. The BLM also runs an official first-come, first-served campground, Tuttle Creek Campground, which can accommodate RVs up to 30 feet long with a dump station but no hookups.

Tips for snagging a campsite

  1. Camping on BLM land is normally free, although Tuttle Creek campers must pay a small fee.
  2. Alabama Hills camping is available year-round on a first-come, first-served basis, though this is one of the most popular dispersed camping spots in California. If you want to guarantee a spot, you may prefer to book a reservable site nearby through Hipcamp or Recreation.gov.
  3. You are only allowed to camp in parts of this 18,610-acre National Scenic Area marked with a sign bearing a tent symbol.
  4. You can stay at a campsite for up to seven days in a 28-day period and up to 14 days in a calendar year.
  5. Free-of-charge dispersed camping permits may be required. If so, they will be available at information kiosks or online. Permits are not considered campsite reservations.

When to go

Alabama Hills campgrounds are open year-round. The best time to visit the Alabama Hills is during the spring, when colorful wildflowers erupt all around. The temperatures this time of year are also generally pleasant, particularly in April and May, though temperatures begin to climb into the 90s in June and stay hot well into September. Fall is also a good time for a visit, particularly after Labor Day weekend, when area campgrounds tend to be less crowded.

Know before you go

  • You can pick up groceries, fuel, and supplies in the nearby town of Lone Pine.
  • There are six porta-potties in the Alabama Hills, located at the Mobius Arch trailhead and opposite the Shark Fin parking area.
  • Movie Road is the area’s most iconic spot—seen in many movies and Instagram posts. Most Alabama Hills camping is set off this road.
  • Campfire permits are required, but are free of charge. These can be obtained online or at BLM, Forest Service, and Cal Fire offices.
  • Fires must be contained in existing fire rings. Burn bans are common, especially during the summer forest fire season, so check ahead before burning.
  • The Alabama Hills are pet-friendly, but dogs must be leashed at all times.
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