A winding mountain road through a semi-arid landscape with rocky terrain and snow-capped mountains in the background during overcast weather.

Explore & Experience

Make the most of your stay with our curated list of local favorites.

A twisted, weathered tree with gnarled branches growing in a rocky landscape under a blue sky at sunset.

Adventures Near Big Pine

A large, twisted, and weathered tree stands alone in a dark landscape under a starry night sky with the Milky Way visible.

Ancient Bristlecone Pines

Discover the Ancient Bristlecone Pine Forest near Big Pine, home to the world’s oldest trees. Wander high-elevation trails through a surreal, windswept landscape where twisted, ancient pines have withstood thousands of years of weather, solitude, and time.

Colorful, rugged mountains with dark streaks and striped patterns in earthy tones ranging from beige to deep red, purple and blue in a desert landscape.

Death Valley

Death Valley, California, is a land of extremes—towering dunes, colorful canyons, salt flats, and record-breaking heat. Explore Badwater Basin, the lowest point in North America, and marvel at otherworldly desert landscapes carved by time and nature’s raw power.

A scenic landscape featuring a turquoise mountain lake surrounded by rocky terrain and green trees, with snow-capped mountains and a partly cloudy blue sky in the background.

Big Pine Lakes Trail

The Big Pine Lakes Trail offers a stunning alpine adventure through lush forests, waterfalls, and glacial-carved valleys. Hikers are rewarded with turquoise lakes framed by the jagged peaks of the Sierra Nevada, including majestic views of Temple Crag.

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Manzanar Historic Site

Manzanar National Historic Site preserves the memory of a World War II Japanese American internment camp. Walk through reconstructed barracks and exhibits that reveal the resilience, hardship, and history of those unjustly incarcerated during wartime.

A radio telescope dish pointed towards a star-filled night sky with the Milky Way galaxy visible above mountains.

Owens Valley Radio Observatory

Near Big Pine, this is one of the world’s premier radio astronomy sites. The Owens Valley Radio Observatory. Visitors can view massive radio telescopes and learn how scientists study distant galaxies and black holes from this high desert location.

A person jumping through a natural rock arch in a desert landscape with mountains in the background.

The Alabama Hills

Near Lone Pine, California, is a whimsical playground of weathered granite formations against the Sierra Nevada named The Alabama Hills. Perfect for hikes, photography, and movie history, this enchanting spot features natural arches and stunning views of Mount Whitney.