Near basecamp
Mobius Arch & Heart Arch
A short Arch Loop walk through the best-known natural arches and classic Sierra framing views.
Alabama Hills 2-Day Camping Route & Permit Guide | CIWILD
PLANNING DATA REVIEWED JULY 10, 2026 · MILEAGE USES OFFICIAL BLM MILE MARKERS AND AGENCY-PUBLISHED ROAD DISTANCES · CONDITIONS AND SITE AVAILABILITY CAN CHANGE
// Flagship Route · California · Beginner-Friendly
Alabama Hills: Two Days Basecamped Below the Sierra Crest
One night at BLM designated campsite 16, a 22-mile Whitney Portal scenic out-and-back, and a final stop at Manzanar National Historic Site. This version uses a specific legal campsite and mile-by-mile planning distances instead of a generic Alabama Hills stop.
2 Days / 1 night
Site 16 BLM 2WD-accessible anchor
34.0 mi Day 2 before Manzanar auto tour
Free Permit required, no site fee
The Route in Plain English
This is a compact basecamp route rather than a remote expedition. The planning anchor is BLM designated campsite 16, shown as 2WD accessible near the 0.5-mile marker on the official camping map.
Availability rule: Site 16 is not reservable and may be occupied. Never wait beside or crowd an occupied site. Use the current BLM map to select another legally signed, green 2WD-accessible designated campsite and recalculate the small difference from its nearest map mile marker.
Field-verification note: The route mileage, permits, facility details and climate figures below have been checked against agency or local official sources. CIWILD has not yet field-driven this exact itinerary, so confirm road conditions, closures, fire restrictions and campsite signs on arrival.
Verified Mileage, Stop by Stop
Distances are planning figures built from the BLM camping-map mile markers and official BLM, U.S. Forest Service and National Park Service published distances.
| Segment | Distance | How the figure was established | Surface / use |
|---|---|---|---|
| Lone Pine stoplight → Movie Road turnoff | 2.5 mi | BLM directions state that Movie Road is 2.5 miles west of US-395 on Whitney Portal Road. | Paved Whitney Portal Road. |
| Movie Road turnoff → designated campsite 16 | 0.5 mi | Site 16 is positioned at approximately the 0.5-mile marker on the official BLM designated-campsite map. | Graded dirt; mapped as 2WD accessible. |
| Lone Pine → designated campsite 16 | 3.0 mi | 2.5 miles to Movie Road plus 0.5 mile to the campsite. | Paved, then short graded dirt. |
| Campsite 16 → Whitney Portal | 11.0 mi one way | 0.5 mile back to Whitney Portal Road, then 10.5 miles west to the Portal because the Forest Service places Whitney Portal 13 miles from Lone Pine. | Paved after returning to Whitney Portal Road; steep mountain climb. |
| Campsite 16 → Whitney Portal → campsite 16 | 22.0 mi round trip | 11.0 miles each way. | Optional scenic out-and-back before breaking camp. |
| Campsite 16 → Lone Pine | 3.0 mi | Reverse of the first-day access route. | Short dirt exit, then paved road. |
| Lone Pine → Manzanar NHS | 9.0 mi | The National Park Service states that Manzanar is 9 miles north of Lone Pine on US-395. | Paved US-395. |
| Campsite 16 → Manzanar NHS | 12.0 mi | 3.0 miles from camp to Lone Pine plus 9.0 miles north to Manzanar. | Paved after leaving Movie Road. |
| Day 2 total: Portal out-and-back + camp to Manzanar | 34.0 mi | 22.0-mile Whitney Portal round trip plus 12.0 miles from camp to Manzanar. | Does not include driving inside Manzanar. |
| Day 2 total including Manzanar auto tour | 37.2 mi | 34.0 miles plus the National Park Service's 3.2-mile self-guided auto tour road. | Full recommended driving day before continuing elsewhere. |
Official references: BLM Alabama Hills directions, BLM designated campsite map, Inyo National Forest Whitney Portal Area, and NPS Manzanar directions.
Day-by-Day Route
The route deliberately returns to camp after Whitney Portal so you can leave tents and sleep gear in place during the scenic drive, then pack once before heading north.
Day 1 — Lone Pine → BLM Designated Campsite 16
Start at the US-395 and Whitney Portal Road stoplight in Lone Pine. The BLM places the Movie Road turnoff 2.5 miles west. Turn onto Movie Road and continue approximately 0.5 mile to the legally signed campsite 16 area.
Confirm the tent-symbol sign before unloading. The numbered map point is a navigation anchor, not a reservation. If occupied, continue only to another signed designated campsite that matches your vehicle's access level.
After setting camp, use the remaining daylight for the nearby Arch Loop Trail or a slow Movie Road photo drive. Do not create a new pullout or enlarge an existing site.
Day 2 — Whitney Portal Out-and-Back → Manzanar
Leave the sleeping setup in place and drive 11.0 miles from campsite 16 to Whitney Portal. Return to the same campsite for a 22.0-mile round trip, then break camp.
Drive 3.0 miles back to Lone Pine and continue 9.0 miles north on US-395 to Manzanar National Historic Site. The route total is 34.0 miles before driving the site's 3.2-mile self-guided auto tour.
The Forest Service notes that the final six miles of Whitney Portal Road are not maintained in winter and may close. Check current conditions before treating the detour as guaranteed.
Do not blindly follow the mileage in snow, flooding or roadwork: Whitney Portal Road and dirt roads in the Hills can close or deteriorate. Turn around before conditions exceed your tires, clearance or experience.
Summer Temperatures & Heat Planning
These are long-term monthly high/low averages published for Lone Pine and used as the nearest practical planning baseline for the lower Alabama Hills. A specific campsite can be hotter, colder or windier.
| Month | Average high | Average low | Planning implication |
|---|---|---|---|
| June | 91°F / 33°C | 58°F / 14°C | Start hikes early; shade and more water than a mild-weather trip are essential. |
| July | 97°F / 36°C | 63°F / 17°C | Hottest average month. Avoid exposed midday activity and never leave people or pets in a parked vehicle. |
| August | 95°F / 35°C | 62°F / 17°C | Heat remains serious; afternoon wind and isolated thunderstorms can also change conditions quickly. |
Averages are not maximums: A BLM manager report records 109°F in the Alabama Hills area on July 15-16, 2023 and an area record of 111°F in 2021. Summer is not the forgiving version of this route. Carry at least one gallon of water per person per day, plus a vehicle reserve.
Temperature table: Lone Pine Chamber monthly climate table. Extreme-heat context: BLM Alabama Hills FY2023 Manager Report. Check the live forecast at weather.gov.
Before You Go
The main failure points here are arriving without the right permit, assuming any pullout is legal, underestimating heat, or treating a mapped campsite as reserved.
- Download the map before arrival. The BLM map distinguishes green 2WD sites from orange 4WD sites.
- Carry the Alabama Hills camping permit. It is free and does not guarantee a site.
- Get a separate California Campfire Permit for a stove, grill or fire on BLM land, then check current restrictions.
- Use only the signed tent-symbol site. A flat patch of ground is not automatically legal.
- Bring a portable waste system. Toilets are limited to specific high-use locations.
- Download offline maps. Cell service is variable among rock formations and farther west.
Best fallback: If no designated dispersed site is open, do not improvise. Tuttle Creek Campground is a BLM developed campground with 83 sites and a published $10 nightly fee. Portuguese Joe is an Inyo County campground at $14 per vehicle per night. Lone Pine Campground is a higher-elevation Forest Service option with a published $34 single-site fee during its full-service season.
Fees can change; verify them on the operator's page before departure.
Permits, Fees & Rules
| Topic | Current planning rule | Action |
|---|---|---|
| Alabama Hills camping permit | Free, required for designated camping, valid through the end of the calendar year, and not a reservation. | Complete the permit online. |
| Legal campsite | Camp only in a site marked with the official tent symbol. This route plans around designated campsite 16. | Download the BLM map. |
| Stay limit | The current Alabama Hills designated camping permit states a maximum stay of 14 days in a calendar year. | Track all nights, including split visits. |
| California Campfire Permit | A separate free permit is required for campfires and portable flame devices on BLM-managed land; restrictions can still prohibit use. | Get the fire permit and check restrictions. |
| Dispersed camping fee | No nightly camping fee at designated dispersed sites. | First come, first served; no site holding. |
| Human waste | Use provided toilets or pack out solid human waste with an appropriate portable system. | Bring wag bags or a portable toilet. |
Fuel, Water, Toilets & Signal
| Need | What to expect | Route rule |
|---|---|---|
| Fuel and groceries | Available in Lone Pine, 3.0 miles from designated campsite 16. | Fuel before entering Movie Road so the next morning can begin without a town stop. |
| Potable water | No water at the dispersed site. Tuttle Creek water is seasonal; Portuguese Joe lists potable water. | Arrive self-contained and do not depend on a seasonal campground tap. |
| Toilets | BLM identifies portable toilets at the Mobius Arch trailhead and across from the Shark Fin parking area. | Carry your own waste system because toilets are not at every campsite. |
| Cell signal | Service may work near Lone Pine but can weaken among rock formations and toward higher terrain. | Download permits, maps and emergency details before arrival. |
Things to See Along the Route
These are optional stops rather than extra required mileage.
Day 2 · 22.0 mi round trip
Whitney Portal
A paved climb from the Owens Valley to the 8,365-foot Portal area. The temperature can be dramatically cooler than camp.
Day 2 · 9 mi north of town
Manzanar NHS
A National Park Service historic site with museum exhibits, grounds and an optional 3.2-mile self-guided auto tour road.
Emergency & Nearest Hospital
| Facility / contact | Address / phone | Planning note |
|---|---|---|
| Southern Inyo Hospital | 501 East Locust Street, Lone Pine, CA 93545 (760) 876-5501 |
Approximately 4 road miles from campsite 16. The hospital advertises 24/7 emergency care; California HCAI lists the emergency service level as Standby, so major trauma may require transfer. |
| 911 | Emergency dispatch | Do not assume signal. Note the campsite number, nearest BLM map mile marker and the road used to enter. |
| Inyo County Sheriff | (760) 878-0383 | BLM lists this number in its Alabama Hills safety information. Use 911 for an active emergency. |
| BLM Bishop Field Office | (760) 872-5000 | Use for land-management questions, current camping rules and agency guidance, not emergency dispatch. |
Location script for campsite 16: “Alabama Hills National Scenic Area, designated campsite 16, approximately 0.5 mile from the Movie Road start at Whitney Portal Road.” Confirm the physical sign and your phone's coordinates when you arrive.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do you need a permit to camp in the Alabama Hills?
Yes. The Alabama Hills designated camping permit is free, valid through the end of the calendar year and required for designated dispersed camping. It does not reserve a campsite.
Why does this route use campsite 16?
The official BLM map marks site 16 as 2WD accessible and places it near the 0.5-mile marker, making it a simple beginner route anchor. Use another signed legal site if it is occupied.
How far is Whitney Portal from the campsite?
Approximately 11.0 miles each way from designated campsite 16, or 22.0 miles for the full out-and-back to the same campsite.
Is the full Whitney Portal Road trip 26 miles round trip?
Yes, when measured from downtown Lone Pine: the Forest Service places Whitney Portal 13 miles west of town. From campsite 16, the round trip is shorter at approximately 22.0 miles.
How far is Manzanar from Lone Pine and from the campsite?
Manzanar is 9.0 miles north of Lone Pine. From designated campsite 16, the planning distance is 12.0 miles via Lone Pine.
What summer temperatures should campers expect?
Published Lone Pine averages are 91/58°F in June, 97/63°F in July and 95/62°F in August. Actual heat can exceed 100°F, and the BLM has documented substantially higher extremes.
Do you need 4WD?
Not for the planned campsite 16 route in normal dry conditions because BLM maps it as 2WD accessible. Dirt-road conditions can still change after storms, and orange map symbols indicate sites intended for 4WD access.
Official Planning Links
Free Alabama Hills camping permit Complete the required free designated-camping permit before arrival. BLM Alabama Hills recreation page Directions, toilets, camping rules, contact details and current notices. Official designated campsite map Use this to locate site 16 and identify legal 2WD and 4WD alternatives. Whitney Portal Area Forest Service access, elevation, facilities and seasonal context. Manzanar directions NPS confirms the site is 9 miles north of Lone Pine. Southern Inyo emergency care Current hospital emergency-service information. More California free camping Continue to CIWILD's California campsite collection. Top 100 free campsites Return to CIWILD's main national campsite directory. Open the campsite finder Compare additional campsites and regional options.