Tucked between the Sierra Nevada and the Inyo Mountains, you may recognize the sight of California’s Alabama Hills rock formations, even if you’ve never visited it before. That’s because the landscape has been used widely in television and movies, especially Westerns! The unique geology of the area certainly catches your eye on the silver screen, but it looks even better in person. Spend the day at Alabama Hills where you can explore natural arches, rock formations, and even tour old film sites. Your time here is bound to be an adventure to remember.

Tucked along the edge of the Eastern Sierra just west of the town of Lone Pine, the Alabama Hills is a combination of gentle hills and rock formations.
steveberardi/Wikipedia
The unique geology here, in addition to numerous other places of stunning natural wonders in the Southern California area, is well worth making the journey to spend the day exploring!
The Alabama Hills is a truly unique sight, comprised of rounded rocks and eroded hills set between jagged mountain peaks.
Fred Moore/Flickr
It's the contrast between these two geologically complex yet dazzling setting that distinguishes it from most other beautiful landscapes anywhere else in California.
Visitors at the Alabama Hills can enjoy rock climbing, hiking, horseback riding, mountain biking, fishing, and so much more.
Bureau of Land Management/FLickr
There are so many adventures to be had; it's up to you where to start! Because the terrain is so breathtaking, it is among the many, to say the least, amazing places to take photographs in this part of the state. Some of the best shots are taken around the area's rock formations.

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The rock formations within the hilly landscape are very unique.
Aleta Rodriguez/Flickr
Featuring rounded contours and smooth surfaces, these rock formations give the area an otherworldly feel. There are two main types of rock exposed at Alabama Hills, the oldest of which is estimated to have formed 100 million years ago!
The rugged environment of the Alabama Hills made it popular for television and movie productions.
m01229/Flickr
You may have seen the landscape before in episodes of The Lone Ranger, Bonanza, and Annie Oakley. Just think, you may be walking exactly where stars like John Wayne or Gary Cooper rode their horse! The Alabama Hills is just one of the many places in Southern California where movie sets have graced the landscape.
Interested in astronomy? The Alabama Hills are also known for their exceptional night skies with a low level of light pollution.
Andrew Kearns/Flickr
On a clear night, it's possible for visitors to be treated to unaided views of the Andromeda galaxy and the central Milky Way. Bring your telescopes for some of the best stargazing in the state!
Another thing to note is that the Alabama Hills rock formations are part of the Alabama Hills National Scenic Area.
Anish Patel/Flickr
Many people love to go camping in Southern California, and you can do that here as well. Its also a great place to enjoy the wildflowers that bloom every spring. Care of the are falls under the Bureau of Land Management.

Have you visited the Alabama Hills? This unique landscape is definitely worthy of an adventure.  Drop your photos in the comments below!

If you’re looking for other spectacular rock formation areas in Southern California, be sure to check out the Vasquez Rocks Natural Area.

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Alabama Hills Rock Formations

Lysa Allman-Baldwin | October 07, 2022

What are some other places to enjoy unique rock formations in Southern California?

The Southern California landscape is so geologically diverse that you can find numerous places to enjoy unique rock formations. One of the most beautiful spots is at El Matador State Beach. The cool thing here is that the rock formations rest right on the beach!

I'm looking for family-friendly hiking trails in Southern California.

Hiking is a very, very popular activity in Southern California and you're sure to find numerous distinctive trails that suit every level of physical ability. As far as family-friendly hiking trails, you might try the Discovery Trail in Franklin Canyon Park, the Pumpkin Rock Trail in the town of Norco, or the Guy Fleming Trail in Torrey Pines State Reserve, just to name a few. 

Are there any rustic campgrounds in Southern California?

Absolutely! Although some people prefer to have more creature comforts when they camp, or at least want to bring along a pop-up camper as a middle-of-the-road option, many people just want to stick with truly rustic campgrounds that really connect you with nature. You can find them in the Los Padres National Forest, Altadena, Ojai, and Santa Barbara, among other places.

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Alabama Hills, California, USA