Home > California > Alabama Hills |
Wednesday, December 11, 2024
Other Names | Movie Road, Mt. Whitney, Lone Pine Creek |
Last Known Status | Open |
With unique landscape filled with colorful boulders and excellent views of Mount Whitney, it’s no wonder why Alabama Hills is one of the top film locations for major movie studios. The main attraction is “Movie Road” where visitors can take a self guided tour and check out the actual film sites of classic westerns and modern movies (Tremors, How The West Was Won, Iron Man and Man of Steel are just one of many examples).
Dispersed camping is permitted but there may be some changes coming in the near future. Designated campgrounds can be found just a few miles away at Lone Pine (west), Portuguese Joe (east), and Tuttle Creek (south). There is no direct OHV access from these campgrounds so vehicles will need to be street legal or be hauled to and from the trailhead.
Most of the area consists of wide and hard packed 4x4 roads, making this area best explored in a jeep or dual sport motorcycle. There is a designated multiple use trail located west of the Arch Loop Trailhead that is open to dirt bikes, mountain bikes and hikers.
Permit Required | Yes | CA OHMVR stickers required |
Dates Open | Year-Round | CA OHMVR red sticker vehicles permitted year round |
Other ATV Stickers Accepted | Yes | Residents of any state not listed must purchase a Nonresident OHV Use Permit. (AR, AZ, CA, CO, CT, DE, IA, ID, IN, LA, MA, MD, ME, MI, MN, MO, MT, ND, NH, NJ, NM, NV, NY, OH, OK, OR, PA, RI, TX, UT, VT, WA, WI, WY) |
Spark Arrestor | Yes | A spark arresting exhaust silencer or end cap is required for all vehicles. |
Noise Limit | Yes (96 dB) | CA OHMVR noise limits apply (1985/older limit 101 dB, 1986/newer limit 96 dB) |
Whip Flags | Not Required | |
Maximum Vehicle Width | No Restriction | |
Motorcycles & Dirt Bikes | Some Areas | CA OHMVR stickers required permitted on designated trails |
ATVs | Some Areas | CA OHMVR stickers required permitted on designated roads |
UTV & SXS | Some Areas | CA OHMVR stickers required permitted on designated roads |
SUVs & Jeeps (registered) | Some Areas | permitted on designated roads |
Dune Buggy & Sand Rail 4x4 (unregistered) | Some Areas | CA OHMVR stickers required permitted on designated roads |
2 Stroke Engines | No Restriction | CA OHMVR restrictions apply |
MX Helmet Required | Yes | helmets required by state law |
Camping | Some Areas | (camp in developed sites only) |
Campfires | Some Areas | (permitted in developed campsites only) |
Night Riding | Unknown | |
Trail Blazing | Prohibited | stay on trails |
Rule Enforcement |
Approx Size | 30,000 acres (47 sq mi) | |
Miles Of Trail | 20 | |
Climate Type | Desert | |
Elevation | 4500 to 4800 ft. | |
Trail Maintenance | Marked, Not Rated, Lightly Maintained | |
Loose Dirt | Little | |
Hard Pack | Mostly | |
Sand | Some | |
Mud | None | |
Dust | Some | |
Rocks | Some | |
Trees | None | |
Steep Hills | Few | |
Water Crossings | Few | |
Small Jumps | None | |
Large Jumps | None | |
Berms | None | |
Sand/Gravel Pits | None | |
Single Track | Few | |
Roads | Mostly | |
Shade | Few | |
Hazards | Few | (hazards assumed marked but use caution) |
Novice | Mostly | |
Amateur | Some | |
Expert | Little |
Area | Motorized Trails |
Land | BLM |
Gasoline | 1-5 Miles (E) | Shell (760) 876-1035 |
Diesel | 1-5 Miles (E) | Shell (760) 876-1035 |
Water | 1-5 Miles (E) | Portuguese Joe Campground (760) 873-5577 |
RV Hookup | 30+ Miles (N) | Browns Millpond Campground (760) 873-8522 |
RV Disposal | 1-5 Miles (S) | Tuttle Creek Campground (760) 872-5000 |
Campground | 1-5 Miles (E) | Portuguese Joe Campground (760) 873-5577 |
Conv Store | 1-5 Miles (E) | Shell (760) 876-1035 |
Parking | (None) |
Entry | (None) |
Riding | (None) |
Camping | (None) |
Our Rating | Good |
Recommended Stay | Full Day |
Comments | (Scroll Down For Rider Reviews & Comments) |
Nearest City | Lone Pine, CA | ||
Address | Movie Flat Road, Lone Pine, CA 93545 | ||
| From: Bishop, CA
1) Take US-395 South about 55 miles 2) Turn right (west) onto Whitney Portal Road, continue 2.7 miles 3) Turn right (north) onto Movie Road, continue 1.6 miles toward staging area. |
Contact Info | BLM - Bishop Field Office 351 Pacu Lane, Suite 100 Bishop, CA 93514 (760) 872-5000 blm_ca_web_bi@blm.gov www.blm.gov |
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