The Bureau of Land Management (BLM) has begun making camping and other changes in the Alabama Hills on the east side of the Sierra near Lone Pine, just a few miles west of U.S. 395. Key changes include new signs indicating areas that are now day-use only, added portable restrooms in two locations, and designated campsites in some areas. In the future, camping in the Alabama Hills area will require a free permit and be limited to sites identified with a campsite marker.
“The Alabama Hills is the only National Scenic Area managed by the BLM. We want to highlight this unique designation by taking care of the resources and values that make it special,” said the BLM Acting Bishop Field Manager Sherri Lisius.
The Alabama Hills is one of the best kept secrets in RV travel. It should be on every RVer’s bucket list. Chances are you have seen it hundreds of times in movies, TV commercials and Western movies filmed there. Roy Rogers, Hopalong Cassidy, the Lone Ranger and all the early TV cowboys filmed countless movies there.
On March 3, at 5 p.m., the BLM and Alabama Hills Stewardship group invites the public to attend the first in a series of “Hills Happenings” virtual information sessions. During these virtual sessions, the public will have an opportunity to ask the BLM staff and partners questions and hear updates about implementation of the Alabama Hills Management Plan. To attend the first “Hills Happening” event, please register here. The event is just the latest in public participation activities in the Alabama Hills.
From September 2021 to January 2022, the BLM partnered with Tread Lightly!, Milestar Tires, Friends of the Inyo, Inyo County, Alabama Hills Stewardship Group, Los Angeles Department of Water and Power, Eastern Sierra Interpretive Association and volunteers to remove more than 150 fire rings, several tons of ash and trash, and install signs to indicate day-use areas.
As a result of this work, the west side of Movie Road in the Movie Flat area and any area marked with a “no camping” sign are now day-use-only areas. This has helped preserve the view of historic areas where more than 400 motion pictures and countless commercials have been filmed. These efforts will aid in resolving conflicts between users, reduce impacts to natural resources and maintain the great views for which the Alabama Hills are known.
Visitors will see additional changes to the Alabama Hills as the BLM continues implementing the management plan this year. Those planning to visit the area can learn more by visiting the Alabama Hills “Visit Us” page at www.blm.gov/alabamahills.. For specific questions, contact the BLM Bishop Field Office at 760-872-5000 or BLM_CA_Web_BI@blm.gov.
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It can only go down hill from here.
I camped there for many years. With the onset of the pandemic it was overrun with people who had no regard for ANYTHING ! You had to watch where you stepped ,there was human waste and garbage everywhere.Such a beautiful place. I will miss going there.
Was just there. People ignoring the signs. Rvs everywhere behind them. Where is the enforcement?
I’ll bet they aren’t making movies out there NOW!
this article was in the rvtravel newsletter I received March 6. As mentioned in the article the BLM meeting for public comment was March 3. All I can say is “No Comment”!
That’s true, Clint. But Chuck wrote and published it on our website on March 3, when he first found the information. So anyone who had looked at our website that day would maybe have noticed it in time to comment. Sorry to those who didn’t see it in time. Take care. 🙂 –Diane
“The Alabama Hills is one of the best kept secrets in RV travel.” Nope. I was there in November and the place was packed. I was lucky to find a spot on a weekday and had to clean up a plastic bag of human waste that was left by a previous “camper.” Every third rock had a wad of toilet paper (and more) stuffed underneath it. I hope these changes help improve the area because there’s nothing better than waking up and looking out your window to see Mt Whitney glowing in the dawn.
The super interesting/entertaining Western Film Museum is right by there, & it’s very inexpensive, has a very nice gift shop, & a short movie being shown continuously re: the many movies & commercials filmed in those hills. Ironman was filmed there, along w/ lots of Sci-Fi…even Twilight Zone episodes. The exhibit about stunt men & women was amazing (they used to get paid more than the leading characters!) & there’s a well deserved tribute to Native Americans.
I was there on New Year’s Eve day, 10 years ago! No one there. A wonderful day with my wife and black lab. I think I’ll keep that memory intact.