Major city · United States
Lone Pine
Spend 1–2 days in Lone Pine as a base for Mount Whitney hikes and Alabama Hills; drive or shuttle to sites, walk town.
Lone Pine is a small desert town in the Eastern Sierra, offering quick access to Mount Whitney, Alabama Hills and film‑history museums. A night or two lets you hike, explore the western‑movie scenery and drive to nearby Death Valley.
More ways in
Local time, weather, currency, airports
- Weather
- see forecast
- Currency
- USD
- Best months
- Mar–May, Sep–Nov
- avoid Jul–Aug (extreme heat)
- Airports
- LAX · BHM
- Nights
- 1–2
Rules in force · 7Crossing between the US, Canada and Mexico by land needs …Cannabis is legal in Canada and in many US states, but ta…
- North America ↗Crossing between the US, Canada and Mexico by land needs your passport even on a day trip; rental cars need the company's written permission to cross, and most US and Canadian rental insurance stops at the Mexican border.
- North America ↗Cannabis is legal in Canada and in many US states, but taking any amount across the US, Canadian or Mexican border is a federal crime — including edibles and vapes.
- North America ↗The busiest US and Canadian national parks need timed-entry, campsite or lodge reservations in summer; release dates are months ahead.
- United States ↗Check whether you need an ESTA (Visa Waiver Program) or a visa on the official CBP and State Department sites; apply only through esta.cbp.dhs.gov, not third-party sites, and allow time before you book.
- United States ↗Several popular national parks use timed-entry or vehicle reservations in peak season; check each park's page on nps.gov and book on recreation.gov before fixing your dates.
- United States ↗Medical care is very expensive for visitors; buy travel insurance with high medical cover before you fly.
- United States ↗Tipping is expected: about 15–20% at sit-down restaurants and bars, and a tip for taxis, hotel staff and guides.
Entry rules depend on your passport. Full visa guide
What is in this basic guide9 covered · 4 not yet ▾
In this guide
Not in this guide yet
- Walking areas with bag rules
- Day plans checked against opening hours
- Airport-to-bed timings and the last safe connection
- Field-checked times and prices
Official sites
Emergency numbers for Lone Pine911 ▾
Tap a number to call from your phone. These are the numbers listed in this guide; a row marked check has not been verified.
EssentialsQuick answers and what things cost
Essentials
Quick answers and what things cost
Quick answers
The questions people ask first about Lone Pine, one line each. Tap a card for the full answer.
- Cash or card?Currency is the US dollar (USD, $).United States-wide
- SIM or eSIMAT&T, Verizon and T-Mobile cover the country; prepaid SIMs at their stores and Walmart/Target (passport required), or an eSIM before you fly.United States-wide
- Tap waterTap water is drinkable nearly everywhere; boil or treat water from streams in parks.United States-wide
- TippingSit-down restaurant: 18–22% of the pre-tax bill.United States-wide
- Plugs & powerSockets A/B. US/Canada (A/B): fits · UK/Ireland (G): adapter · Australia/NZ (I): adapter. 120 V: UK and AU 230 V-only devices need a converter; most chargers are dual-voltage.United States-wide
- SafetyLone Pine is generally safe; main risks are summer heat, limited services outside town, and occasional dust storms—carry water and a charged phone.
Show all 12 answers
- RestroomsFree public toilets are scarce in big cities; use cafés, department stores, libraries, stations.United States-wide
- Emergency numbers911 police · 911 fire and ambulance · 530‑258‑0000 County Sheriff (Inyo)
- Sundays & holidaysFederal holidays close offices, banks and post offices; national parks stay open.United States-wide
- Your embassyFind your embassy's 24-hour line before you fly.
- AirportLAX Los Angeles International (215 mi south, rent a car for the drive).
- Getting aroundTown is walkable; a car or pre‑booked shuttle is needed for Whitney Portal (12 mi) and Alabama Hills.
Cost cheat-sheet
Typical prices for the everyday things, as ranges. Your currency is shown next to the local price.
- Coffee$2–4
- Museum or sight ticketMuseum entry$5–10
- Budget bedMotel room, a night, per roomUS$80
- Mid-range bedMotel room, a night, per roomUS$120
- High-end bedMotel room, a night, per roomUS$180
A day, not counting the bed: Budget US$70 · Mid US$120 · High US$200
Prices in local money; change the currency in the header to see yours next to them. Every price and the budget calculator →
DecideWhat it is known for, and when the weather works
Decide
What it is known for, and when the weather works
At a glance
What the city is known for, how you fly in, and where to find the phrases.
- Airports
- LAX Los Angeles International (215 mi south, rent a car for the drive) · BHM Bishop Airport (60 mi north, limited flights)
Best months at a glance
From the guide's best and avoid lists
Jan
not flagged
12°C (54°F)54°F (12°C)
Feb
not flagged
14°C (57°F)57°F (14°C)
Mar
Best
18°C (64°F)64°F (18°C)
Apr
Best
22°C (72°F)72°F (22°C)
May
Best
28°C (82°F)82°F (28°C)
Jun
not flagged
34°C (93°F)93°F (34°C)
Jul
Avoid
38°C (100°F)100°F (38°C)
Aug
Avoid
37°C (99°F)99°F (37°C)
Sep
Best
33°C (91°F)91°F (33°C)
Oct
Best
26°C (79°F)79°F (26°C)
Nov
Best
18°C (64°F)64°F (18°C)
Dec
not flagged
13°C (55°F)55°F (13°C)
Best: Mar–May, Sep–Nov. Avoid: Jul–Aug. Month by month →
Warmest Jul (38°C (100°F)100°F (38°C)), coolest Jan (2°C (36°F)36°F (2°C) low), wettest Jan (5 rain days), driest Jul (0). Averages, not a forecast.
Weather and climate
Lone Pine: next 7 days
Loading forecast…
Forecast: Open-Meteo (CC BY 4.0), model data for this point.
Air quality
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Model estimate (CAMS via Open-Meteo), not a street-level station; readings near busy roads run higher.
Jan
12°C (54°F)54°F (12°C)
2°C (36°F)36°F (2°C)
5 rd
Feb
14°C (57°F)57°F (14°C)
3°C (37°F)37°F (3°C)
5 rd
Mar
18°C (64°F)64°F (18°C)
5°C (41°F)41°F (5°C)
4 rd
Apr
22°C (72°F)72°F (22°C)
7°C (45°F)45°F (7°C)
3 rd
May
28°C (82°F)82°F (28°C)
11°C (52°F)52°F (11°C)
2 rd
Jun
34°C (93°F)93°F (34°C)
16°C (61°F)61°F (16°C)
1 rd
Jul
38°C (100°F)100°F (38°C)
20°C (68°F)68°F (20°C)
0 rd
Aug
37°C (99°F)99°F (37°C)
20°C (68°F)68°F (20°C)
0 rd
Sep
33°C (91°F)91°F (33°C)
16°C (61°F)61°F (16°C)
1 rd
Oct
26°C (79°F)79°F (26°C)
10°C (50°F)50°F (10°C)
2 rd
Nov
18°C (64°F)64°F (18°C)
5°C (41°F)41°F (5°C)
4 rd
Dec
13°C (55°F)55°F (13°C)
2°C (36°F)36°F (2°C)
5 rd
High / low, both scales · rd = rain days
Arrive & moveAirports are listed under At a glance; this is how to move once you are in
Arrive & move
Airports are listed under At a glance; this is how to move once you are in
Getting around
Town is walkable; a car or pre‑booked shuttle is needed for Whitney Portal (12 mi) and Alabama Hills.
See & doDay-trips, door to door
See & do
Day-trips, door to door
Day-trips
Death Valley National Park
goDoor to door: ≈4 h round trip
CA‑136 east, then CA‑190; about 2 h drive
Long day possible; overnight recommended for full park
Fossil Falls Campground
goDoor to door: ≈2 h round trip
US‑395 south, turn west; ~1 h drive
Scenic stop, short hike
Bishop
goDoor to door: ≈1 h each way
US‑395 north 60 mi
Shopping, dining, airport connections
Eat & sleepWhich area to sleep in
Eat & sleep
Which area to sleep in
Where to sleep
Areas, not hotels: pick the one that fits your arrival time and plans.
Best Western Frontier Motel
Basic rooms, free breakfast, pool; on US‑395
Dow Villa Motel
Historic 1920s motel, pool, hot tub; central town
PracticalWhat a day costs, what to watch out for, and the pocket card
Practical
What a day costs, what to watch out for, and the pocket card
Cost per day
- Budget
- $70–$100 excl. bed
- Mid
- $120–$160 excl. bed
- High
- $200+ excl. bed
Trip budget
| Motel room1 × 1 night × US$120 | US$120 |
| Food, local transport, entries2 × 1 day × US$120 | US$240 |
| Car rental (compact, 3 days)2 × US$200 · check | US$400 |
| Gas (per 100 mi)2 × US$40 · check | US$80 |
| eSIM data (1 week)2 × US$15 · check | US$30 |
| Buffer 10%Price creep, a taxi you did not plan, one splurge | US$87 |
| Trip total≈ US$479 per person per day, bed included | US$957 |
2026 estimate in USD; flights and car rental excluded.
Prices of common things
| Coffee | $2–4 |
| Burger | $8–12 |
| Gas (per gallon) | $4–5 |
| Museum entry | $5–10 |
2026 estimate; check locally.
Watch out
Safety
- Desert summer heat; carry water and shade.
- Dust storms from Owens Lake can reduce air quality.
- Limited services outside town; plan fuel and supplies.
Emergency numbers
- Police
- 911
- Fire and ambulance
- 911
- County Sheriff (Inyo)
- 530‑258‑0000
Pocket card
Fill in, then print or save as PDF
Stays in this browser only; nothing is sent anywhere.
Lone PineLone Pine
Pocket card · Voykit
My bed tonight
—
—
—
A esta dirección, por favorTo this address, please
Emergency
- Police911
- Fire/ambulance911
Embassy
US consulate in Los Angeles; nearest foreign embassies in Washington, DC.
My embassy: —
Fare anchors (2026 estimate)
- LAX → Lone Pine (rental car): ≈ $30–45 per day, 215 mi total (check)
- Shuttle to Whitney Portal: ≈ $25 round trip (check)
Say or show
- Disculpe — Excuse me / Sorry
- Gracias — Thank you
- ¿Cuánto cuesta? — How much is it?
Deep diveWhat this guide covers so far, and its sources
Deep dive
What this guide covers so far, and its sources
Not a trip line yet
This is a basic guide: no airport-to-bed contract, walking clusters or day plans are published for Lone Pine. Airport, fare and schedule details are unverified; check the operators before you fly.
What we know, and what is coming
On this page
- Best months: Mar–May, Sep–Nov · avoid Jul–Aug (extreme heat) · month by month →
- 2 airports and 2 areas to sleep in
- Weather: a 7-day forecast and monthly averages
- Cost per day in 3 bands
- 3 day-trips, door to door
- 3 things to watch out for, with emergency numbers
Coming as the guide grows
- An airport-to-bed path that says whether a late landing still works
- Walking clusters with bag rules
- Day plans checked against opening hours
- Field-verified times and fares
Sources
- officialLone Pine official site
- secondaryWikidata – Lone Pine
- secondaryWikivoyage: Lone Pine, revision 5237945 (CC BY-SA 4.0)
Ask about Lone Pine
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