Lodging Near the Alabama Hills, Lone Pine

Mobius Arch Loop Trail

Mobius Arch is the best-known arch in the Alabama Hills, and it frames Mount Whitney and the Sierra crest when you line it up from the right spot. A short, mostly easy loop trail leaves from a signed parking area off Movie Road and passes Mobius Arch along with smaller arches nearby. The loop is about 0.6 miles.

The trail is exposed with almost no shade, so carry water even for a short walk, and stay on the marked path to protect the fragile desert soil. Climbing on the arches themselves is discouraged.

Movie Road and Lone Pine Film History

Movie Road is a graded dirt road winding through the boulders where Hollywood filmed Westerns, serials and later feature films and commercials for decades. From Summit Sanctuary it's about a 10-minute drive to the start of Movie Road. Most passenger cars handle the main road in dry conditions; side tracks can be rougher.

To put names to the scenery, visit the Lone Pine Film History Museum on Main Street in Lone Pine (US-395), about 12 minutes from the house. Its exhibits cover the many productions filmed in the Alabama Hills and the surrounding Owens Valley. Check the museum's website for current hours and admission.

Alabama Hills National Scenic Area

In 2019 Congress designated the Alabama Hills National Scenic Area, which is managed by the Bureau of Land Management. The designation protects the area's scenery, cultural resources and recreation uses. Visitor numbers have grown sharply, so Leave No Trace practices matter here: pack out all trash, keep vehicles on existing roads, and respect closures meant to let damaged areas recover.

Camping vs. Staying in a Home

Camping is popular in the Alabama Hills, but rules have tightened as visitation has increased. Camping is limited to designated areas, so check the BLM Bishop Field Office for current rules, permits and fire restrictions before you go.

Staying in a home trades the tent for a few comforts that make a big difference after a cold desert night or a long day outside:

• A queen Murphy bed under large picture windows, so you can watch the night sky from bed
• A deep soaking tub and tiled shower combo
• AC and heat for hot afternoons and cold nights
• A kitchenette with induction cooktop, full-size fridge and Keurig coffee bar for an early start
• A private fenced patio with a chiminea and Adirondack-style seating

Sunrise Photography in the Alabama Hills

Sunrise is the classic time to photograph the Alabama Hills. The sun comes up behind you over the Inyo Mountains and lights the east face of the Sierra Nevada, often turning Mount Whitney and the surrounding peaks pink to orange in the first minutes of light. That alpenglow is usually short, so plan to be set up before sunrise.

Because Summit Sanctuary is about 8 minutes from Mobius Arch, you can leave in the dark, catch first light at the arch and be back for coffee on the patio. Bring a headlamp to find the trail before dawn, a wide-angle lens for arches and a telephoto to isolate the peaks. Evenings bring softer, warmer light on the boulders, and once it's dark the hills are a strong spot for night photography as well.

Common questions