On the Trail of Utah's Classic Movies

In 1924, Utah staked its claim in Hollywood with the premiere of "The Covered Wagon" and "The Deadwood Coach," the first movies filmed amidst the state's iconic landscapes. Now, a century later, Utah boasts a rich and storied film history, easily accessible to those seeking to add a touch of theatrical magic to their Utah itinerary. (Read: Filmed in Utah)

And so, after my cinematic road trip in 2019, I'm heading back to celebrate 100 years of Utah film and television, beginning my journey in Salt Lake City. 

A Capital City with a Reel Appeal

It’s July, and I’m heading to high school. But it’s not summer school, and it’s not just any high school. I'm on my way to East High, where in 2006, Zac Efron and Vanessa Hudgens danced their way into hearts worldwide in Disney’s "High School Musical."

The moment I spot the front entrance, the opening drumline of "We're All in This Together" echoes in my mind. It's hard to believe it's been nearly 20 years since the film's release; I half expect Troy, Gabriella and the rest of the Wildcats to appear any second. But the real testament to this film's enduring impact is the steady stream of visitors I’ve noticed nearby, each snapping a photo in front of the iconic welcome sign, striking that classic ”High School Musical” jump pose.

Inside the school, it’s easy to recognize where the filming took place. The cast sang “Stick to the Status Quo” in the cafeteria and Troy led the Wildcats to victory in the gym. Sharpay’s locker(s) are still painted pink to this day. The Wildcats' red logo is also emblazoned on the gym banners, even though the local team is known as the Leopards. (Itinerary: See Where High School Musical Was Born)

 (Note: Looking to capture some of that East High spirit? You can snap a photo outside, in front of the iconic East High School welcome sign; but visitors are advised to do so outside of school hours.)

Utah's Other Cinematic Schoolhouse

East High School is of course not the only school in Utah to have achieved Hollywood status. About 60 miles south of Salt Lake City resides another educational institution that’s earned film recognition: Payson High School, backdrop to 1984’s “Footloose.”

Though released four decades ago, the movie enjoys cult status thanks to its catchy soundtrack and the undeniable charm of Kevin Bacon. Bacon even recently returned to Payson to celebrate the film's 40th anniversary with local students.To mark the occasion, Bacon’s locker in the film was decorated with the original props, including the Bible that Ariel prepared for Ren, Ren's Walkman and, of course, his danced-through boots.

While the high school used in the film is slated for demolition in 2025, its larger replacement has already been erected next door. Hopefully, some of the original props, including the iconic "Footloose" locker, will find a home in the new building as a tribute to this cinematic classic.

Beyond Payson High School, other local "Footloose" filming locations remain as testaments to the movie's legacy. These include the Payson City Center, the American Fork Presbyterian Church and the Lehi Roller Mills.

The Best Movie Trips Near Salt Lake

Salt Lake City serves as a fantastic jumping-off point for other movie-themed day trips. Here are a few exciting options for film enthusiasts:

The Landscape that Stole Kevin Costner's Heart

In the southern portion of the state, Utah's red rocks, canyons and mountain ranges have always been a strong magnet for Hollywood. Film legend Robert Redford fell in love with the landscape on a roadtrip in the early 1960’s, and made Utah his adopted home. (Read: Robert Redford Sets the Sundance Scene)

Redford's international breakthrough came in 1969 when he starred as the Sundance Kid alongside Paul Newman in "Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid."  Redford himself helped secure the film's stunning southwestern Utah locations by convincing director George Roy Hill to shoot there.

The film's most recognizable locations include Zion National Park, the ghost town of Grafton and Snow Canyon State Park — which I am visiting for the first time on this trip. I was immediately taken with its vibrant orange rock formations and petrified dunes — as Katy Perry likely was, when she used the location in her “Rise” music video.

Another tip for movie tourists: it's only a five-minute drive from Snow Canyon State Park to The Inn at Entrada, which was featured as Lava Springs in “High School Musical 2.” Yes, the club really exists and you can stay where Troy, Gabriella and Sharpay spent their summer vacation. The film was mainly shot by the pool, at the clubhouse and on the golf course. 

In addition to Redford, Kevin Costner has also fallen in love with Utah's landscape, relying on Moab and the Zion area for his multi-part film series “Horizon: An American Saga” (Read: Explore Utah Through the Lens of "Horizon: An American Saga"). According to Costner, the incomparable landscapes and the vibrant creative community drew him to the region.

He is even building his own film studio near St. George, which suggests the surrounding landscapes will play backdrop to more big screen stories. 

So even after 100 years, it's far from over for film in Utah, and I'm already looking forward to my next visit to explore Utah's future film history.