Alabama Hills, CA - Hikes and Offroad, July 2025 Visit

Introduction:

What? :

Along the last 10 years, early July 2025 was my 6th Alabama Hills visit.

This time I use this area as a night-stay basecamp and during the days I hiked in the nearby eastern Sierra mountains.

I arrived in the afternoon and hiked to Mobius Arch Loop Trail and after that I went and hiked to Boot and Cyclops Arches.

It was already late in the afternoon and the sun started setting in the west.

I dove and climbed offroad trails leading to the hills north of the Alabama Hills area. I was looking for a night campground on a high location with a view to the west.

I climbed an old trail leading to abandon mine shaft and reach the hilltop. This was a perfect campground site. Top of the hills with a panoramic view of the high Sierra mountains across the valley below and far from any other travelers.

I organized myself for night sleep, prepared dinner and waited until sunset, just enjoying the view and the solitude.

This is a complementary blog to my Alabama Hills blog from Nov 2020.

Where? :

Alabama Hills area is located west of Lone Pine town (395 higway).

Take Whitney Portal road west and after 2.7 miles you will see a clear marked turn to your right into the Alabama Hills area.

Drive 1.6 miles north on unpaved dirt-road and you will reach Mobius Arch Loop Trailhead.

Google Map Link

When? :

The area is open year-round.

Summer months are very hot and crowded.

Winter can be cold but usually without a lot of snow.

During winter months the area is less crowded.

The best time to visit here are fall and autumn months.

I highly recommend coming here late in the afternoon when it is not as hot to see sunset over the mountains or early in the morning for sunrise, you will be rewarded by the sun lighting the Sierra mountains.

Due note 1:

Although hikes are not long or challenging they are all exposed to the sun. Bring plenty of water with you, use sunscreen, a hat, and sunglasses.

For fall and winter months bring warm layers.

Due note 2:

This is BLM-managed land, no entering or hiking fees are required to visit this amazing place.

Due note 3:

Allows free dispersed camping, free annual camping permit is required, and “designated” campsites must be used. During summer months all sites can be occupied so come early if you want to find an empty location.

Due note 4:

Restrooms are available near Mobius Arch trailhead.

Due note 5:

Cellular reception is limited.

Due note 6:

Movie Rd is a washboard dirt road but is accessible to all vehicles, side roads and trails leading to the hills are high-clearance AWD/4x4 only.

Due note 7:

Gas, restaurants and other tourist needs can be found in the nearby town of Lone Pine.

My thoughts:

I always enjoy visiting here, the unique rock boulders formation, the arches and the Sierra views are great destinations.

The Visit:

The Alabama Hills area is known for its rounded granite formations that are the result of wind and chemical weathering, sculpted over millions of years. These rock formations together with the backdrop dramatically view of the jagged Sierra peaks make this a prime location for many western movies.

Photo Opportunity Tip: Alabama Hills Lady or as it is marked in Google map “Nightmare Rock” is located near Whitney Portal road, just before Movie Rd entrance, keep an eye for a turnoff on the right and park near the painted rock.

This is a "famous" Instagram location and a popular photo opportunity.

Mobius Arch Hike:

From the parking lot there is a short 0.6 mile loop trail that traverses between the boulders and reaches Mobius Arch. You can do this hike in each direction.