Glad I was able to lock down a spot at Portagee Joe for the end of March. My backup was dispersed camping in Alabama Hills but with only 20 spots that would be a big risk
Having lived in this area now for the past 55 years, came here when i was 19 from the OC coast back in the late 60's. when it was getting beyond bad down there in OC. The past 10 years since the popularity of mobile living, vanlife and all that free living stuff became popular, The Alabama hills has been abused & suffered alot. Trash everywhere, RV'ers dumping their crap tanks out in the desert (too cheap to pay to dump properly), The off road crowd and their ATV's as well as most people these days driving so fast on the dirt roads and raising dust and creating their own trails.. Even in Lone Pine these days businesses are putting slow down signs on the sidewalk because most hyper driven people drive 40- 50 ++ in a 25 zone through town and nearly kill us just for walking across the street.. It is that bad these days. I am happy the Hills are mostly day use now for their own survival, let nature re establish itself, My kids grew up here camping and exploring the hills with no crowds or restrictions, but it was different then, people had far more respect and were not in a huge hurry to go everywhere and nowhere as fast as possiblet. I know it was a hard decision for locals to close the Hills because we like to camp there too, and we have a tourist dependent economy, but the manpower hours of volinteers it takes to clean up after this new breed of scumlife campers is just too much.. Like mama said "this is the reason so many people cannot have nice things",, In this case its having nice natural places to camp for free..
Thank you so much for the thoughtful reply. It's nice to hear from the local. It's so sad that the people don't see to have respect for the land and the locals. The changes may hurt the tourist economy slightly but the Alabama Hills are beautiful again. Cheers!
Makes me sad to hear this, as an LA guy whose Dad always took him fishing up there near you. I respect your town, your rules and laws and will teach my children to do the same. I'm sorry you have had these experiences.
We have camped there a couple times a year for many years. A beautiful area to camp at. Over the years, more and more people came and a lot of the city folks had the mindset that Rangers would come pick up their trash. It is a unique area and hopefully it will be more enjoyable with less people.
thanks much for this update. i agree, its both sad that i cant camp there, never have but was planningon it, and now we cant. but i agree, everywhere you go, is just too many people. even the most remote areas , that are hard to get to, are packed with campers, always. ever since covid, everyone got into camping.
Thanks for the comment. After Alabama Hills, I headed for nearby Indian Wells Canyon. Pretty place and nobody there. I enjoyed Alabama Hills but camped just outside the boundary.
Glad the changes were made. It will be a nicer area to visit. I brought a German tourist to see these beautiful hills last year and she, being a champion climber, loved the rocks but was appalled at the human feces everywhere behind the rocks. We camped in my self contained trailer for two nights in what now is day use only. My concern is that the day use restrictions won't stop some visitors from pooping behind rocks!
It's so sad that people don't seem to respect the beauty of the area. It was a process for me as indicated in the video. At first I was upset that I couldn't camp there. But later walking around I realized that it was nice to be rid of messy, disrespectful campers.
In 2020 and 2021 the hoards came out in full force leaving the area full of turds and trash. At Travertine hot springs in Bridgeport, July 2021 I counted 70 vehicles in the parking lot, insane!
This is great news. Finally Alabama Hills gets some love. At one time you could see gun shells and tin cans and glass all over. The Owens Valley is a very beautiful and this will only help it. Bravo.
Thanks for the comments. Not everyone agrees that the closures are good thing. But I agree that they will preserve this beautiful spot even if camping becomes more of a challenge. Designating it as a day use area makes it much easier to explore without bothering campers.
we recently found out about this place in the past few years and have been wanting to camp, but sounds like that won't be possible anymore. unfortunately, humans are our own worst enemy. definitely a necessary change to preserve this beautiful area for posterity.
Right on, but don’t let it stop you from visiting. There’s good Boondock camping nearby and also organized camping at Tuttle Creek which is pretty nice. Then just visit Alabama Hills by day. It’s much nicer now!
I saw there summer 2023, I saw way way more then 20 sites, vans and campers all over the place, Love those hills, but I did see a ton of trash scattrered about
In Alabama Hills you can get a permit if you are a licensed drone pilot and follow the rules. In many places you can fly over if you take off and land outside of the restricted area. In either case you need to respect the privacy of people and not harass anyone. I always follow these rules.
“Closure isn’t the answer” it doesn’t surprise me, it was only a matter of time. I have camp there, and I have also been shut out with all the sites taken. The amount of garbage and human waste appalled me. I always pack it in pack it out, dispersed camping has to be be respected and common sense applied.
there's just too many people on this planet, i'm in my mid 70's, when we wanted to go camping back in the day we just loaded the VW and went. These days a weekend camping trip has to be planned like an extended vacation. I completely understand, more pepole = more laws, rules, fees, trash, human waist, polution, and it takes place in less space. We better step up our care of this planet, and it starts on a personal level.
I support the camping ban. Too many inconsiderate and stupid people were abusing this area and ruining it for everyone else. I saw loads of trash, tufts of toilet paper and human feces around the camp sites. You can’t have nice things anymore as our cultural values decay.
Sadly, you are right. While I missed being able to camp there, during the day I had a much better time with fewer campers littering the area, both literally and figuratively.
It's pretty much the fault of the stupid people. I went there to use a day use site and even those had broken beer bottles and trash. We are our own worse enemy.
All good things come to an end, when stupid people are allowed to ruin it. I live in the Eastern Sierras and have been camping in the Alabama Hills for decades. I pick up other people’s trash and bury shit/toilet paper every time I’m here. This disregard people have for environmental preservation is happening to every awesome camping area. Soon there will be no more boondock camping anywhere.
Yes it is a shme that since feds took it over the camping sites decreased but previously it was getting out of hand and the last time i went there and camped, saw someon bold enouogh to dump there Gray Water on the ground instead of going the coupld of miles over to the dump station at the campground. I still lover to visit there and probably will go there within the next couple of weeks, BTW love the Kenned Meadows Hat, love that area and sitting at the General store up there talking many of the hikers passing through.
I just called the BLM office and they said you can disperse camp still. It just has to be in certain zones. Its NOT only limited to 20 sites as stated in this video.
Great! Just heed the advice in the video and be sure to pick up the brochure with the map. It should be available at the entry information board near the end of the pavement. If not grab one at the ranger station in town. Cheers!
great shots, enjoyed.
Glad you enjoyed it! Thanks for the comment.
Yeah, It's too bad it had to change but the last time I was there it was just too crazy and it was getting messy. I think it's a necessary change. TY
Thank you.
Glad I was able to lock down a spot at Portagee Joe for the end of March. My backup was dispersed camping in Alabama Hills but with only 20 spots that would be a big risk
Having lived in this area now for the past 55 years, came here when i was 19 from the OC coast back in the late 60's. when it was getting beyond bad down there in OC. The past 10 years since the popularity of mobile living, vanlife and all that free living stuff became popular, The Alabama hills has been abused & suffered alot. Trash everywhere, RV'ers dumping their crap tanks out in the desert (too cheap to pay to dump properly), The off road crowd and their ATV's as well as most people these days driving so fast on the dirt roads and raising dust and creating their own trails.. Even in Lone Pine these days businesses are putting slow down signs on the sidewalk because most hyper driven people drive 40- 50 ++ in a 25 zone through town and nearly kill us just for walking across the street.. It is that bad these days. I am happy the Hills are mostly day use now for their own survival, let nature re establish itself, My kids grew up here camping and exploring the hills with no crowds or restrictions, but it was different then, people had far more respect and were not in a huge hurry to go everywhere and nowhere as fast as possiblet. I know it was a hard decision for locals to close the Hills because we like to camp there too, and we have a tourist dependent economy, but the manpower hours of volinteers it takes to clean up after this new breed of scumlife campers is just too much.. Like mama said "this is the reason so many people cannot have nice things",, In this case its having nice natural places to camp for free..
Thank you so much for the thoughtful reply. It's nice to hear from the local. It's so sad that the people don't see to have respect for the land and the locals. The changes may hurt the tourist economy slightly but the Alabama Hills are beautiful again. Cheers!
Makes me sad to hear this, as an LA guy whose Dad always took him fishing up there near you. I respect your town, your rules and laws and will teach my children to do the same. I'm sorry you have had these experiences.
Well said 👍
We have camped there a couple times a year for many years. A beautiful area to camp at.
Over the years, more and more people came and a lot of the city folks had the mindset that Rangers would come pick up their trash. It is a unique area and hopefully it will be more enjoyable with less people.
Thank you and totally agree. I can't believe people leave trash there. Pack it in, pack it out isn't that hard!
thanks much for this update. i agree, its both sad that i cant camp there, never have but was planningon it, and now we cant. but i agree, everywhere you go, is just too many people. even the most remote areas , that are hard to get to, are packed with campers, always. ever since covid, everyone got into camping.
Thanks for the comment. After Alabama Hills, I headed for nearby Indian Wells Canyon. Pretty place and nobody there. I enjoyed Alabama Hills but camped just outside the boundary.
Glad the changes were made. It will be a nicer area to visit. I brought a German tourist to see these beautiful hills last year and she, being a champion climber, loved the rocks but was appalled at the human feces everywhere behind the rocks. We camped in my self contained trailer for two nights in what now is day use only. My concern is that the day use restrictions won't stop some visitors from pooping behind rocks!
It's so sad that people don't seem to respect the beauty of the area. It was a process for me as indicated in the video. At first I was upset that I couldn't camp there. But later walking around I realized that it was nice to be rid of messy, disrespectful campers.
Sad…our family has enjoyed the Alabama Hills and the Sierras for nearly 40 years. Times are changing.
In 2020 and 2021 the hoards came out in full force leaving the area full of turds and trash. At Travertine hot springs in Bridgeport, July 2021 I counted 70 vehicles in the parking lot, insane!
Glad to hear it’s been changed to day use only. Camped amongst the rocks many years ago on a full moon night…very special.
Thank you for posting. Great info and scenery shots. Did you go to The Museum of Western Film History in Lone Pine? Cheers!
Did not go this time but will. I love that area and will be back again soon!
This is great news. Finally Alabama Hills gets some love. At one time you could see gun shells and tin cans and glass all over. The Owens Valley is a very beautiful and this will only help it. Bravo.
Thanks for the comments. Not everyone agrees that the closures are good thing. But I agree that they will preserve this beautiful spot even if camping becomes more of a challenge. Designating it as a day use area makes it much easier to explore without bothering campers.
we recently found out about this place in the past few years and have been wanting to camp, but sounds like that won't be possible anymore. unfortunately, humans are our own worst enemy. definitely a necessary change to preserve this beautiful area for posterity.
Right on, but don’t let it stop you from visiting. There’s good Boondock camping nearby and also organized camping at Tuttle Creek which is pretty nice. Then just visit Alabama Hills by day. It’s much nicer now!
I plan to make the Alabama hills my final resting place… I love that area.
I understand. It’s a very special place.
@@fiestaadventures Yes. It’s a special place…I live on Kauai and was considering the Napali coast, which is gorgeous, but Lone pine wins out…
I saw there summer 2023, I saw way way more then 20 sites, vans and campers all over the place, Love those hills, but I did see a ton of trash scattrered about
Thanks for the comment!
Is that drone footage? How did you get a permit?
In Alabama Hills you can get a permit if you are a licensed drone pilot and follow the rules. In many places you can fly over if you take off and land outside of the restricted area. In either case you need to respect the privacy of people and not harass anyone. I always follow these rules.
“Closure isn’t the answer” it doesn’t surprise me, it was only a matter of time. I have camp there, and I have also been shut out with all the sites taken. The amount of garbage and human waste appalled me. I always pack it in pack it out, dispersed camping has to be be respected and common sense applied.
Thanks for the comment!
there's just too many people on this planet, i'm in my mid 70's, when we wanted to go camping back in the day we just loaded the VW and went. These days a weekend camping trip has to be planned like an extended vacation. I completely understand, more pepole = more laws, rules, fees, trash, human waist, polution, and it takes place in less space. We better step up our care of this planet, and it starts on a personal level.
Well said.
glad i got the chance to camp there a couple times before camping was banned. big thanks to the people that ruined it for everyone else.
Camping isn’t banned. It got regulated to designated spots.
@@jimmycamacho3264 Sorry, I meant dispersed camping.
I saw this slowly begin about 20 years ago. The ruling party in Calif. is about restrictions not about freedom.
I support the camping ban. Too many inconsiderate and stupid people were abusing this area and ruining it for everyone else. I saw loads of trash, tufts of toilet paper and human feces around the camp sites. You can’t have nice things anymore as our cultural values decay.
Sadly, you are right. While I missed being able to camp there, during the day I had a much better time with fewer campers littering the area, both literally and figuratively.
It's pretty much the fault of the stupid people. I went there to use a day use site and even those had broken beer bottles and trash.
We are our own worse enemy.
Half of LA treated like they do LA, is what happened
All good things come to an end, when stupid people are allowed to ruin it. I live in the Eastern Sierras and have been camping in the Alabama Hills for decades. I pick up other people’s trash and bury shit/toilet paper every time I’m here. This disregard people have for environmental preservation is happening to every awesome camping area. Soon there will be no more boondock camping anywhere.
Thanks for the comment. Yes it’s sad people don’t respect these great areas. 😥
Utah’s high Uintas are trashed now because people camping wherever they want. Fire rings, stripped trees, human waste, all such a mess now.
Shocking and disappointing that people just can't seem to take the simple steps to take care of our beautiful world.
Yes it is a shme that since feds took it over the camping sites decreased but previously it was getting out of hand and the last time i went there and camped, saw someon bold enouogh to dump there Gray Water on the ground instead of going the coupld of miles over to the dump station at the campground. I still lover to visit there and probably will go there within the next couple of weeks, BTW love the Kenned Meadows Hat, love that area and sitting at the General store up there talking many of the hikers passing through.
🙏
I just called the BLM office and they said you can disperse camp still. It just has to be in certain zones. Its NOT only limited to 20 sites as stated in this video.
May I know which area and how many sites can accomodate. Thank you!
We just went. BLM sent me an email stating there are a total of 52 sites for camping.
Thank you for sharing. I'm planning to head out there next weekend for my first time. Do you have any suggestion ?
Great! Just heed the advice in the video and be sure to pick up the brochure with the map. It should be available at the entry information board near the end of the pavement. If not grab one at the ranger station in town. Cheers!
@@fiestaadventuresdoes the map show the spots you can boondock at ?
@@corymullins3737 It does not at this time but they may add it later, not sure.
People will still camp they wont care
They still do camp where ever
I was up there recently and even in the camping spots that were left there was still alot of toilet trash.People suk
Thanks for the comment!