"Alabama Hills" by Bureau of Land Management California , public domain
Alabama Hills
National Scenic Area - California
The Alabama Hills National Scenic Area is located west of Lone Pine, California. The Alabama Hills are a formation of rounded rocks and eroded hills set between the jagged peaks of the Sierra Nevada and the geologically complex Inyo Mountains. Both geologic features were shaped by the same uplifting occurring 100 million years ago.
Visitors enjoy touring film sites, photography, rock climbing, exploring natural arches, and viewing the swaths of wildflowers that bloom every spring.
Map of Designated Dispersed Campsites at Alabama Hills National Scenic Area & Special Recreation Management Area (NSA & SRMA) in the BLM Bishop Field Office area in California. Published by the Bureau of Land Management (BLM).
Brochure for Freshwater Fishing in California. Published by the Bureau of Land Management (BLM).
Alabama Hills NSA
https://www.blm.gov/visit/alabama-hills-national-scenic-area
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Alabama_Hills
The Alabama Hills National Scenic Area is located west of Lone Pine, California. The Alabama Hills are a formation of rounded rocks and eroded hills set between the jagged peaks of the Sierra Nevada and the geologically complex Inyo Mountains. Both geologic features were shaped by the same uplifting occurring 100 million years ago.
Visitors enjoy touring film sites, photography, rock climbing, exploring natural arches, and viewing the swaths of wildflowers that bloom every spring.
U.S. Department of the Interior
Bureau of Land Management
Alabama
Hills
Recreation and National Scenic Area
Map & Guide
The Alabama Hills are a formation of rounded rocks
and eroded hills set between the jagged peaks of the
Sierra Nevada and the Owens Valley. The hills consist
of nearly 30,000 acres of public land located west of
Lone Pine that are managed by the Bureau of Land
Management. In March 2019, Congress designated
18,610 acres of the Alabama Hills as a National Scenic
Area.
Care for and Enjoy the Alabama Hills
The indigenous people of this valley still reside in this
place where their ancestors have lived for thousands of
years. They ask that you respect and care for this land.
• Pack out all trash. There are no trash services. In the
high desert environment, even natural items like orange
peels take years to decompose.
• Travel on existing roads and trails. Vegetation in this
climate can take decades to recover when crushed by
off road driving or parking.
• Camp in campgrounds. Using campgrounds reduces
the number of vehicles, so that the great views are not
blocked.
• Use the restroom in town or at nearby campgrounds.
If that isn’t an option, bury human waste in catholes 6
inches deep and 200 feet away from water, trails and
camp. There are no restrooms in the hills.
• Have a great time. The Alabama Hills are a great place
to explore natural wonders and experience your public
lands.
Photographer capturing Mobius Arch by Jim Pickering,
Cover photo of photographers by Bob Wick
Tent site at Tuttle Creek Campground near sunset by Josh Hammari
Day Use
The Alabama Hills is a small Recreation and National
Scenic Area best suited for day use. Here are just a few
things you can do:
Explore the locations of over 400
• Take pictures. The Alabama Hills scenery has been an
inspiration for photographers for decades.
rock climb, explore
• Have an adventure.
natural arches, mountain bike, ride horses, view the
Overnight Use
Tuttle Creek Campground, located within the National
Scenic Area, offers more than 80 sites for affordable
camping with spaces for tents, RVs, and trailers. The
campground boasts views of Mt. Whitney, and has large
campsites with plenty of space for longer vehicles.
Drinking water and restrooms are available. Tuttle Creek
birding opportunities.
Camping is also available at the Portagee Joe
Campground just to the east of the Alabama Hills and
the Lone Pine Campground on the Whitney Portal Road.
Camping in campgrounds helps maintain the area’s
great scenery and recreational opportunities. City of
Los Angeles Department of Water and Power lands in
the area are open for day use only.
Photo from The Lawless Range courtesy of Beverly and Jim Rogers
Museum of Western Film History
Film & Television
an interest in the Alabama Hills for its natural scenery.
Movie stars such as Tom Mix, Hopalong Cassidy, Gene
Autry, and the Lone Ranger, shot it out with outlaws.
Classics such as Gunga Din, Yellow Sky, and How the
West Was Won
1990 Sci-Fi classic Tremors
on location in the Alabama Hills. During 1993, portions
of Maverick
Star Trek
Generations, Gladiator, Iron Man, and Django Unchained
Find a copy of the Movie Road Touring Brochure online
or at the Museum of Western Film History in Lone Pine.
Each October, the community of Lone Pine hosts the
Lone Pine Film Festival. This festival features speakers,
The hills were named after the C.S.S. Alabama, a
Confederate warship responsible for wreaking havoc
during the Civil War. Prospectors sympathetic to the
Confederate cause named their mining claims after the
Alabama and eventually the name stuck.
Geology
The rounded, oddly shaped contours of the Alabama
Hills form a sharp contrast to the glacially carved ridges
of the Sierra Nevada. While both land forms consist
of the same granitic rock, the fantastic shapes of the
hills were formed by a combination of natural chemical
weathering and wind erosion.
Mobius Arch
Eye of the Alabama
The Corridors
Red-tailed hawk
Townsend’s
big-eared bat
Desert needlegrass
Barrel cactus
Wildlife
Chuckwalla lizard
Plants
Scarlet milk-vetch
Alabama Hills with Mt. Whitney in the
distance by David Kirk
y
wa
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Hi
BLM Public Lands
Private Lands
Maintained Road
(suitable for passenger cars)
M
Te
ch
n
Unmaintained Road
Multi-Use Trail
0.5
fa
of
d
hR
nc
a
tR
395
Chic
Chick
ken Ranch
(Moffat Ranch Road Area)
Technical
4
Movie Site
O w e ns
Geologic Feature/Arch
WD
Riv
er
Information
Lo
Man of Steel
uct
s Aqued
ngele
sA
Campground
Point of Interest
bac
Hog
Iron Man
Inset map
on re
reverse
1872
Ear
Earthqua
thquak
ke
Fault Scarp
vie
Mo
Portagee Joe
Campground
Whitne
Whitn
ey Portal Road
Horseshoe M
Gunga Din
Temple Site
ow
Tuttle Creek Road
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oa
sR
Tuttle Creek
Campground
Film
History
Histor
Museum
Lone Pine
Reser
Reservation
136
Visitor
Center
ead
Inyo
National
Forest
Lone
Pine
Information
Kiosk
ad
Ro
Lone Pine
Campground
2 Miles
WD
ical 4
Trail
d
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1
5
39
L
Don’t Crush the Brush
Desert plants keep the soil healthy
U.S. Department of the Interior
Bureau of Land Management
and provide homes and food for
wildlife. Desert plants are specially
adapted for their environment, and
can be destroyed easily if walked on or
run over by a vehicle. Stick to trails and roads to keep
your public lands healthy.
The Bureau of Land Management and the Alabama
Hills Stewardship Group care for this area with the
Alabama
Hills
Recreation and National Scenic Area
as possible for the enjoyment of present and future
generations.
Sierra Nevada and the Owens Valley. The hills consist
Lone Pine that are managed by the Bureau of Land
Management. In March 2019, Congress designated
18,610 acres of the Alabama Hills as a National Scenic
Area.
Care for and Enjoy the Alabama Hills
The indigenous people of this valley still reside in this
place where their ancestors have lived for thousands of
years. They ask that you respect and care for this land.
Do not disturb or destroy anything that you may find.
• Pack out all trash. There are no trash services. In the
high desert environment, even natural items like orange
peels take years to decompose.
In an Emergency
• Travel on existing roads and trails. Vegetation in this
climate can take decades to recover when crushed by
off road driving or parking.
• Call 9-1-1
• Inyo County Sheriff (760) 878-0383
• Nearest hospital:
Southern Inyo Hospital (760) 876-5501
501 East Locust Street, Lone Pine, CA
• Camp in campgrounds. Using campgrounds reduces
the number of vehicles, so that the great views are not
blocked.
• Use the restrooms in the hills (see map) or at nearby
campgrounds. If that isn’t an option, pack out solid
waste and toilet paper.
For More Information:
• Have a great time and take only pictures. The Alabama
Hills are a great place to explore natural wonders and
experience your public lands.
Bureau of Land Management
Bishop Field Office
351 Pacu Lane, Suite 100
Bishop, CA 93514
(760) 872-5000
www.blm.gov/california
BLM/CA/GI-2015/007+8300+1115 REV 2021
and eroded hills set between the jagged peaks of the
of nearly 30,000 acres of public land located west of
goal of keeping the hills in as close to a natural state
Subscribe to News.bytes,
our weekly e-newsletter
www.blm.gov/media/magazines-andnewsletters/california-newsbytes
The Alabama Hills are a formation of rounded rocks
Map & Guide
Photographer capturing Mobius Arch by Jim Pickering,
Cover photo of photographers by Bob Wick
Tent site at Tuttle Creek Campground near sunset by Josh Hammari
Day Use
The Alabama Hills is a small Recreation and National
Scenic Area best suited for day use. Here are just a few
things you can do:
• Tour film sites. Explore the locations of over 400
movies that have been filmed here.
• Take pictures. The Alabama Hills scenery has been an
inspiration for photographers for decades.
• Have an adventure. Hike, fish, rock climb, explore
natural arches, mountain bike, ride horses, view the
wildflowers or find your own adventure.
Overnight Use
Tuttle Creek Campground, located within the National
Scenic Area, offers more than 80 sites for affordable
camping with spaces for tents, RVs, and trailers. The
campground boasts views of Mt. Whitney, and has large
campsites with plenty of space for longer vehicles.
Drinking water and restrooms are available. Tuttle Creek
runs through the campground, providing fishing and
birding opportunities.
Camping is also available at the Inyo County
Portuguese Joe Campground just to the east of
the Alabama Hills and the Forest Service Lone Pine
Campground Lone Pine Campground on the Whitney
Portal Road. Camping in campgrounds helps maintain
the area’s great scenery and recreational opportunities.
City of Los Angeles Department of Water and Power
lands in the area are open for day use only.
g
Hi
Geology
The rounded, oddly shaped contours of the Alabama
of the Sierra Nevada. While both land forms consist of
the same granitic rock, the fantastic shapes of the hills
Private Lands
are a result of natural chemical weathering.
Maintained Road
(suitable for passenger cars)
an interest in the Alabama Hills for its natural scenery.
Movie Site
Eye of the Alabama
The Corridors
er
Man of Steel
Red-tailed hawk
Rd
Iron Man
Inset map
on reverse
1872
Earthquake
Fault Scarp
Townsend’s
big-eared bat
vie
Mo
ad
Lone Pine Film Festival. This festival features speakers,
Scarlet milk-vetch
Desert needlegrass
ow
Inyo
National
Forest
sR
Prospectors in California working mining claims named
the hills after a Confederate warship.
Alabama Hills with Mt. Whitney in the
distance by David Kirk
d
oa
Tuttle Creek
Campground
The naming of the area dates back to the 1860s.
Film
History
Museum
Lone Pine
Reservation
136
Visitor
Center
e ad
crews, benefiting the local economy.
Gunga Din
Temple Site
Barrel cactus
Horseshoe M
Lone Pine
Campground
Each October, the community of Lone Pine hosts the
Portuguese Joe
Campground
Bag limits, seasons of use, and
size restriction of fish can be
found on the same web site.
Fisherman and Fire
Wildfire can be both beneficial and devastating. It can
wipe out homes and businesses as well as rejuvenate
forested lands and riparian areas. It is always best to
leave fire to the professionals and always make sure your
campfires and burning items are completely out before
you leave. Please remember to be very careful with fire.
fishing accidents. Always be sure of your footing when
walking or wading (and it is generally better for you and
the aquatic species to stay out of the streams and rivers
while fishing).
Large and small wildlife (snakes and mosquitos) can
Nutria
be an annoyance when fishing. Be aware of your
surroundings and watch where you step. Wear mosquito
and bug repellant with deet to keep them from eating you
alive.
As always, be careful when
driving to and from your
secret fishing hole. When
boating, always have a
Quagga Mussels
life vest handy (and kids
under 15 must always wear
a vest while in a boat per
California State Law).
Mother Lode Field Office
(916) 941-3101
5152 Hillsdale Circle
El Dorado Hills, CA 95762-5713
(El Dorado Co.)
freshwater/license-information.
fishermen and women are injured or lose their lives in
Applegate Field Office
(530) 233-4666
708 W. 12th Street
Alturas, CA 96101-3130
(Modoc Co.)
at http://www.eregulations.com/california/fishing/
opportunity, it can be dangerous as well. Every year,
Surprise Field Station
(530) 279-6101
602 Cressler St. phy./
P.O. Box 460 mlg.
Cedarville, CA 96104-0460
(Modoc Co.)
California. A listing of those requirements may be found
Eurasian Milfoil
Palm Springs Field Office
(760) 833-7100
1201 Bird Center Drive
Palm Springs, CA 92262-8001
(Riverside Co.)
Freshwater Fishing license issued by the State of
Hyacinth
Needles Field Office
(760) 326-7000
1303 So. Hwy. 95
Needles, CA 92363-4217
(San Bernardino Co.)
Even though fishing is a tremendous recreational
license, you are required to possess a California
Arcata Field Office
(707) 825-2300
1695 Heindon Road
Arcata, CA 95521-4573
(Humboldt Co.)
While you are not required to have a “BLM” fishing
Aquatic Invasive Species include
Bakersfield Field Office
(661) 391-6000
3801 Pegasus Drive
Bakersfield, CA 933086837 (Kern Co.)
Safety
Barstow Field Office
(760) 252-6000
2601 Barstow Road
Barstow, CA 92311-6653
(San Bernardino Co.)
License Requirement
water to another.
Redding Field Office
(530) 224-2100
6640 Lockheed Drive
Redding, CA 96002
(Shasta Co.)
Never release plants, animals, or fish into water bodies. Never move fish or plants or bait from one
Bishop Field Office
(760) 872-5000
351 Pacu Lane, Suite 100
Bishop, CA 93514-3101
(Inyo Co.)
Dry – Completely dry equipment and gear between visits to fresh water systems.
Ridgecrest Field Office
(760) 384-5400
300 So. Richmond Road
Ridgecrest, CA 93555-4436
(Kern Co.)
Drain – Empty coolers, bilge pumps, and buckets of all water before leaving a water body.
Central Coast Office
(831) 582-2200
940 2nd Avenue
Marina, CA 93933-6009
(San Benito Co.)
Clean – Rinse and remove all mud and plant materials from boats, fishing equipment, and clothing.
Ukiah Field Office
(707) 468-4000
2550 N. State Street
Ukiah, CA 95482-5194
(Mendocino Co.)
serious and irreversible harm to aquatic habitats in California if allowed to spread unchecked.
Eagle Lake Field Office
(530) 257-0456
2550 Riverside Drive
Susanville, CA 96130-4710
(Lassen Co.)
Take measures to prevent the spread of aquatic invasive plants and animals. They can cause
El Centro Field Office
(760) 337-4400
1661 So. 4th Street
El Centro, CA 92243-4561
(Imperial Co.)
Prevent the Spread of Aquatic Invasive Species
f you have any questions, feel free to contact
ny of the following BLM offices in California:
uestions?
Catch and Release
A large percent of California freshwater anglers are catch
and release fishermen — meaning they are very careful
with the fish after they catch them and they release them
back to the water as quickly as possible. It is always a
good thing to keep your fish in a “fish friendly” net in the
water until you are ready to release it. Barbless hooks
Leave No Trace
How to photograph your catch
Take only pictures and leave
artifacts where you find them.
The Archaeological Resources
Protection Act of 1979 makes
removal of cultural resources
punishable by fines and jail
time.
When it’s a catch and release fish species or regulation,
that creates a challenge for getting a photo of your prize
catch.
Remember if you’re in a catch and release scenario keep
the fish in the water at all times and take the photo of you
also harm fish less that barbed ones. The use of live bait
holding the fish in the water.
is also a detriment to catch and release fishing. Please
If it’s a not catch and release and it’s a keeper then you
remember, the fish you catch and release today may be
can have it out of the water.
the fish yo