12 Best Things to Do in Lone Pine, California

If you’re wondering, the tiny town of Lone Pine, California, was named after a lonely little pine tree found at the mouth of the (now) Lone Pine Canyon. Unfortunately, a flood eventually destroyed the town’s namesake, but the eponymous town was already growing due to the gold rush.

The search for gold allowed Lone Pine to become a supplier to the nearby mining communities of Darwin, Cerro Gordo, and Kearsarge. However, the town has a storied history, with a deadly earthquake in 1906 and the shameful housing of Japanese Americans in the Manzanar relocation camp during WWII.

Despite its history, Lone Pine is a fantastic place to visit, with 20 square miles of natural beauty between the Inyo Mountains to the east and the eastern peaks of the Sierra Nevada Mountains to the west. It’s hard to believe that Lone Pine is only a few hours away from the hustle and bustle of San Francisco.

When you visit Lone Pine, you can hunt for massive ancient trees and natural arches. In addition, you can go mountain biking, scope out hiking trails, camp at Lone Pine campground, and fish for rainbow trout at the numerous national parks nearby.

With so many fun things to do in Lone Pine, California, it’s hard to believe that the town’s population is barely 1,500. Even with the small population, you can enjoy Lone Pine things, such as Alabama Hills, the Whitney Portal Store, or the Western Film History Museum when you visit.

 TLDR

If you’re visiting Lone Pine and need a few quick ideas of fun things to do, look no further. This quick list should get you started!

• Most significant landmark – Mount Whitney
• Best park – Alabama Hills
• Best free activity –…