Alabama Hills Loop West

What can you do to help the Alabama Hills?

Don't Crush the Brush: Desert plants keep the soil healthy and provide homes and food for wildlife. While these plants are specially adapted for harsh desert environments, they can also be destroyed easily if walked on or run over by a vehicle. Stick to trails and driving routes to keep our public lands healthy.

Pack Your Paper: There is an incredible amount of toilet paper and waste products being left in bushes and under rocks, with high concentrations near popular campsites and climbing areas. In a desert environment, we urge you to use dedicated restrooms or pack out your toilet paper and waste products. Natural toilet paper has been used by many campers for years. When done correctly, this method is as sanitary as regular toilet paper, but without the impact problems. Popular types of natural toilet paper include stones, vegetation and snow.

Fire Ring Etiquette: Many areas in the Alabama Hills are being degraded by the overuse of fires. The best place to build a fire is within an existing fire ring in a well-placed campsite. Keep the fire small and burning only for the time you are using it. Allow wood to burn completely to ash. Put out fires with water, not dirt. Dirt may not completely extinguish the fire. Avoid building fires next to rock outcrops where the black scars will remain for many years. Carry your wood in and out. Do not use surrounding vegetation to fuel your fire. Desert plants keep the soil healthy and provide homes and food for wildlife. What may appear to be dead brush, is most often alive and part of a thriving eco-system. The BLM and local stewardship groups take the responsibility to break apart fire rings, and carryout the remains of wood and ash. If a fire is important to your camping experience, consider staying at Lone Pine or Tuttle Creek campground that support maintained fire rings. Please note that a California Campfire Permit is required for campfires, stoves, and lantern use in the Alabama Hills.

Stay on Trail: We encourage visitors to be aware of and respect, thesignage posted throughout the Alabama Hills. Signage protects and helps restore sensitive areas. We need all recreation user groups to do their part an ensure their community recognizes signage and protects undisturbed and sensitive areas.

Conscious Camping: We encourage users to consider camping at nearby and maintained Tuttle Creek and Lone Pine campgrounds. The Alabama Hills National Scenic Area Management Plan is now in effect. Included in the Plan is the reduction in the number of dispersed campsites that created heavy user conflicts, high environmental impacts, and distracted from the scenic values of the area. Designated campsites have new signs. Please adhere to the signs to protect this delicate desert landscape. Camping is only allowed in areas marked with a tent symbol (left). You will see signs with a tent and red line that indicate locations where you cannot camp (right). Do not create new campsites or move boulders or rocks to make sites bigger.

History: Alabama Hills has a rich history, with evidence of human presence dating back thousands of years. The region was originally inhabited by Native American tribes, including the Paiute people. They utilized the area for hunting and gathering resources.

During the mid-1800s, the California Gold Rush brought an influx of settlers to the region. Lone Pine, the closest town to Alabama Hills, became a hub for mining and ranching activities. The hills gained their name from a Confederate warship, the CSS Alabama, which was in the news during the American Civil War.

In the early 20th century, filmmakers recognized the unique and versatile landscape of Alabama Hills, leading to its establishment as a popular location for Hollywood productions, especially Westerns. Many iconic movies and television shows were filmed in the area, contributing to its cultural significance.

Geology: Alabama Hills is primarily composed of granite rocks, specifically biotite monzogranite. These rocks originated from volcanic activity that occurred around 100 million years ago. Over time, weathering, erosion, and tectonic forces sculpted the granite into the distinctive rounded shapes and arches seen today.

The geological processes that shaped Alabama Hills are complex, involving a combination of uplift, faulting, and erosion. The result is a unique landscape featuring large boulders, natural arches, and other intriguing rock formations.

Flora and Fauna: The plant life in Alabama Hills is adapted to the arid environment of the High Desert. Common plant species include sagebrush, creosote bush, Joshua trees, and various types of cacti. The area also supports a variety of wildflowers that bloom during the spring.

While the rocky terrain might seem inhospitable, it provides habitat for a range of wildlife. Some of the fauna in the region includes mule deer, desert bighorn sheep, coyotes, jackrabbits, and numerous bird species. The diverse plant life in Alabama Hills sustains a delicate ecosystem, and visitors are encouraged to respect the natural environment.

Conservation: Efforts have been made to preserve the natural and cultural heritage of Alabama Hills. In 2019, the area was designated as the Alabama Hills National Scenic Area, ensuring its protection for future generations. This designation aims to balance the conservation of the landscape with the recreational and cultural activities that take place in the region.

Whether exploring the geological wonders, learning about the history, or appreciating the flora and fauna, Alabama Hills offers a multifaceted experience for those who visit. It remains an important part of California's natural and cultural heritage.