The Alabama Hills: Visit California’s Most Filmed Rock Formations

Rows of rounded rocks known as the Alabama Hills—which are located just outside of Lone Pine, California—have served as a captivating backdrop for countless films. From the first masked Lone Ranger in the television series of the same name in 1949, to Kevin Bacon narrowly escaping the jaws of a vicious desert creature in the 1990 film Tremors—audiences have been continuously thrilled by an arid Western landscape that could easily double as the planet Mars.

Located between the snow-covered peaks of the Sierra Nevada and the rugged Inyo Mountains, the Alabama Hills National Scenic Area is a breathtaking spot where visitors can hike, admire vibrant wildflower blooms every spring, and reenact stills from iconic films such as Quentin Tarantino’s Django Unchained. No trip to the Alabama Hills is complete without striking a pose from one of the many Westerns filmed in the area such as The Gunslinger.

Every October, film lovers can attend the Lone Pine Film Festival which showcases the cinematic history of the Alabama Hills. Lone Pine Film Festival attendees can watch films shot in the Alabama Hills, listen to talks from actors and directors who have worked in the area, and take a bus tour that winds along Movie Road and showcases some of the most famous angles of the Alabama Hills.

The Mobius Arch Loop Trail is a low impact hike that offers a sweeping view of the Alabama Hills’ distinctive terrain. The Mobius Arch is a small natural arch that looks as though it belongs in a modern art museum. A short, simple walk allows visitors to enjoy the striking beauty of a desert landscape that is punctuated by distinctive rocks that seem familiar because they have appeared in countless films. The surreal shapes of the rocks may inspire you to make a film about traveling to another plane of existence.

If you’re interested in spending the night near the Alabama Hills, there are several designated campgrounds in the area including Inyo National Forest Lone Pine Campground. Visitors can also book a night at a hotel in Lone Pine such as the Historic Dow Hotel or the Best Western Frontier Motel.

The Alabama Hills are a striking landscape that has ignited the imaginations of travelers and filmmakers for over a century. If you’re searching for a unique landscape with a captivating history that is unlike any other place you have ever visited, a trip to the Alabama Hills is an absolute must.

Location of Mobius Arch on Google Maps.