A small mountain town at the foot of Mount Whitney, where Western films were shot since the 1920s. The Museum of Western Film History documents its cinema legacy.
Lone Pine, a California town of 2,000 residents, sits between the Sierra Nevada and Inyo Mountains. Walk through the distinctive orange boulders of Alabama Hills where Iron Man and countless Western movies were filmed, or start your journey to Mount Whitney's 14,505-foot summit. The town lies at a remarkable geographic crossroads - drive 30 minutes east to reach Death Valley's salt flats, or head west to the granite peaks of the Sierra Nevada.
Getting to Lone Pine
Drive 215 miles north from Los Angeles or 260 miles south from Reno on US Highway 395. Eastern Sierra Transit runs weekday buses connecting to Reno and Lancaster. The nearest major airport is LAX, though Bishop Airport (60 miles north) connects to San Francisco, Los Angeles, and Denver.
Weather and Seasons
Summer days reach 97°F (36°C) in July, while winter nights drop to 27°F (-3°C) in January. March and April bring yellow wildflowers to the Alabama Hills. September and October have clear skies with daytime temperatures around 75°F (24°C), making these months popular for hiking.
Alabama Hills Recreation Area
Movie Road winds through giant orange-colored rocks and rolling terrain west of town. Stop at marked points to see where scenes from Gunga Din and Iron Man were filmed. Pick up a self-guided tour map at the Chamber of Commerce to find 25+ natural stone arches, including the 40-foot-high Mobius Arch with Mount Whitney in the background.
Mount Whitney Trails
Whitney Portal, 13 miles from town, sits at 8,374 feet elevation after climbing 5,000 feet through mountain switchbacks. The portal marks the start of the Mount Whitney summit trail (22 miles round trip). You'll also find shorter day hikes along Lone Pine Creek. The Whitney Portal Store sells hiking gear, snacks, and hot meals.
Museum of Western Film History
Browse costumes, props, and vehicles from movies filmed here since 1919. The collection includes John Wayne's saddle, the original Lone Ranger mask, and a restored 1928 Lincoln camera car. A 15-minute documentary shows how filmmakers used the Alabama Hills landscape across different movie genres.
Local Recreation
Fish for trout in Tuttle Creek and Lone Pine Creek at the edge of town, or at Diaz Lake three miles south. Rock climbers head to formations like "Shark Fin" in the Alabama Hills. Local guide services arrange Mount Whitney climbs from May through October.
Essential Services
Main Street has cafes, sporting goods stores, and grocery shops. Stop at the Interagency Visitor Center south of town for maps, permits, and current trail conditions. Southern Inyo Hospital provides emergency services, and you'll find gas stations along Highway 395.
