Highway 395 Road Trip Stop #2 – Alabama Hills National Scenic Area
- Greg "Star"
- Jan 1, 2024
- 3 min read
Updated: Jan 22, 2024
Published: January 17, 2024
If natural beauty, dirt roads with a touch of Hollywood history spark your imagination, then our next stop, the Alabama Hills National Scenic Area, was made for you.
Located at the foothills of the Sierra Nevada, just west of Lone Pine, California, the Alabama Hills National Scenic Area offers a gorgeous landscape that feels like you’ve stepped onto a movie set. Massive, weathered granite boulders are spread across the desert with the snow-capped Sierra Nevada Mountains in the background. Excellent hiking trails abound throughout the area.
The Alabama Hills have been a favorite location for filmmakers ever since the advent of film. The unique rock formations and wide-open spaces have provided the scene for numerous movies, TV shows, and commercials. One of the earliest films shot in this area is "Gunga Din" (1939), although I’d never heard of it, apparently it was quite good. The Alabama Hills' cinematic legacy also extends to more recent hits like "Gladiator" (2000), "Iron Man" (2008), and Quentin Tarantino's "Django Unchained" (2012).
Link to the Iron Man scene https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KNAgFhh1ji4
Another highlight of the area is to spend some time after the stars come out at night. This is one of the top places for star gazing and one of the very best spots to view a meteor shower.
Photography Opportunities
I recommend driving along the Movie Flat Road, a dirt road that twists through the center of the area. There you'll find several notable rock formations like Mobius Arch, Lathe Arch, and Heart Arch as shown in these photos. The natural geology here provides superb opportunities for your social media photographs. Sunrise and sunset are especially worth getting some shots when the golden hues of the sun gently paint the rocks.
Wildlife and Flora
There is an abundance of wildlife and plants you may come across during your visit. Examples are the chuckwalla lizard, red-tailed hawk, Townsend’s
big-eared bat, barrel cactus, desert needlegrass and Scarlet milk-vetch to name a few.
Map & Guide - https://www.blm.gov/sites/blm.gov/files/documents/files/public-room-california-alabama-hills-map-and-guide_2019.pdf
Cautions
• Travel on existing roads and trails. Don’t park on vegetation. Creating new roads and trails harms the landscape and is illegal.
• Keep pets leashed for their safety, especially if they are not trained to avoid wildlife.
• Most roads in this area are unpaved and some of the remote roads may require 4-wheel drive.
• Be sure to bring plenty of water.
Nearby Attractions
Visitor Center: Eastern Sierra Visitor Center (closest town is Lone Pine)
Drive west on the road to Mt. Whitney or continue north on highway 395 to Manzanar Relocation Camp. If you are driving south, Fossil Falls is a short drive down the 395. You can find more information on these two locations on this website as well.
Weather and Seasonal Considerations
Spring and fall are generally the most comfortable time of the year to visit. However winter will give you absolutely beautiful photos of snow covered mountains in the background. It is wise to look at the weather report prior to driving anywhere. Snow in the winter is a possibility. https://www.weather-us.com/en/california-usa/lone-pine-climate
Accommodations
There are numerous campsites in the Alabama Hills offering a chance to sleep under the stars in this unique desert setting. Free camping is allowed throughout the area.
Here is the official website for the Bureau of Land Management (BLM) Alabama Hills.
As for lodging, there are several establishments in Lone Pine off highway 395.
So, How Do I Get There?
Address: Whitney Portal Rd, Lone Pine, CA 93545
Coordinates: 36.60310245537534, -118.07647365252011
A general overview:
From Los Angeles follow I-5 North, CA-14 North and US-395 North to Lubken Canyon Road to Horseshoe Meadows Rd to Whitney Portal Road. It will take between 3 and 4 hours depending on traffic.
From San Diego take 163 North to 15 North to 215 North and US-395 North to Lubken Canyon Road to Horseshoe Meadows Road to Whitney Portal Road. It will take about 5 hours depending on traffic.
Download maps on your phone for areas with no phone data or print a paper copy to bring a long.
Whether you're a film buff, a nature lover, or simply someone seeking a memorable road trip, the Alabama Hills National Scenic Area promises an unforgettable adventure. It's a place where the beauty of the landscape converges with the glamour of Hollywood, creating a destination that captures the spirit of the American West.
So round up the family and grab the dog. Gather the snacks it’s time to go!
Take photographs and nothing else so that future generations may enjoy it as much as we did.
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