Utah Film Trail Locations
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Antelope Island State Park
The dangerous buffalo hunt from the epic western, "The Covered Wagon," was filmed here at Camera Flats. It was one of the most successful films of the silent era and the first Hollywood film ever produced in Utah. The movie follows a group of pioneers traveling from Kansas to Oregon, but nearly every stage of the 2000-mile trek along the Oregon Trail was filmed in northern Utah.
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Compass Rose Lodge, Huntsville
Northern Utah’s white-capped mountains, evergreen pines and quaint small towns have provided the perfect backdrop for more than 60 holiday movies filmed in Utah since the 1980s. Nestled in the heart of Huntsville, the Compass Rose Lodge along with the surrounding historical buildings have made it a picturesque setting for a number of holiday movies featured on the Hallmark and Lifetime channels, including, "Check Inn To Christmas" (2019), "The Christmas Edition" (2020) and "A Cozy Christmas Inn" (2022).
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Coral Pink Sand Dunes State Park
At Coral Pink Sand Dunes State Park, the hills of sand changed by wind have an otherworldly quality that blur the line of reality, making it the perfect backdrop for the sci-fi western television series, "Westworld." Director Jonathan Nolan used Utah’s classic western landscapes for this science fiction story about a Wild West amusement park filled with AI hosts. These sand dunes have also been the backdrop of countless other productions, including "Arabian Nights" (1942), "Mackenna's Gold" (1969), "One Little Indian" (1973) and "The Outlaw Josey Wales" (1976).
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Dead Horse Point State Park
Fossil Point that sits just below Dead Horse Point State Park is featured in one of the most iconic scenes from "Thelma & Louise" starring Susan Sarandon and Geena Davis. Director Ridley Scott was captivated with the landscapes in Moab and chose this area for the film's memorable ending. Other productions filmed in this area include "Fort Apache" (1948), "Mission: Impossible II" (2000) and "Westworld" (2016 - 2018).
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Goblin Valley State Park
The otherworldly rock formations at Goblin Valley State Park can seem like they come from an alien planet, making it the perfect backdrop for movies. The sandstone hoodoos were famously used as the foundation for the Rock Monster in the campy, sci-fi film, "Galaxy Quest" starring Tim Allen and Sigourney Weaver. Goblin Valley has also been featured in other productions, including "Rubin and Ed" (1991), "City Slickers II: The Legend of Curly's Gold" (1994) and "The Tree of Life" (2011).
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Great Salt Lake State Park
The indie classic, "Carnival of Souls" jump-started Utah as an unlikely home for the horror genre. Director Herk Harvey’s drive through Utah inspired the cult film featuring the abandoned Saltair Resort as its spooky backdrop. Since then, countless other productions have filmed at the Great Salt Lake State Park, including "SLC Punk!" (1998), "Double Teamed" (2002), "Tree of Life" (2011), and "Joe Bell" (2020).
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Heber Valley Railroad
Traveling between Heber City and Provo Canyon, the historic Heber Valley Railroad's timeless look captivates filmmakers and audiences alike. The breathtaking views of the Wasatch Mountains surrounding this landmark have made this train station a frequent backdrop for films and television shows, including "Touched by An Angel" (1994-2003), "Deidra & Laney Rob a Train" (2017), and "Escape from Germany" (2024).
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Helper Main Street
The mining town of Helper has been the backdrop to independent films and television shows over the years looking to capture the small town feel of the historic and restored downtown. The Book Cliffs mountain range offset by the railroad that passes through the Carbon Corridor provide filmmakers with a cinematic landscape. Helper has been featured in "Rigoletto" (1993), "Adventures of Power" (2008), "Wayshower" (2011),"Ghost Adventures" (2021) and more.
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Park City Main Street
In 1985, Sundance Institute began running the U.S. Film Festival in Park City, becoming a platform for independent artists. The Festival was officially renamed the Sundance Film Festival in 1991 attracting thousands of film lovers to this mountain town. Since then, iconic film and television productions have used Park City to enhance their stories, including "Dumb and Dumber" (1994), "Everwood" (2002-2006), "Hereditary" (2018), "Yellowstone" (2018-2020) and more.
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Parry Lodge, Kanab
The Parry Lodge started as a roadside motel in 1931 run by the Parry brothers, who promoted tourism for the Kanab region. Their attention to detail and hospitality drew Hollywood film companies to the area, including golden age Hollywood royalty like John Wayne, Maureen O'Hara, Frank Sinatra, Sammy Davis Jr., Shirley Temple, and Clint Eastwood. Over the past century, the hotel has welcomed hundreds of productions, including "The Lone Ranger" (1949-1957) and "The Outlaw Josey Wales" (1976), earning Kanab the title of “Little Hollywood."
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Snow Canyon State Park
Robert Redford, Paul Newman and Katharine Ross starred in the hit film "Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid" that shot across southern Utah. Snow Canyon State Park's petrified sand dunes and rock formations provided the unique landscape needed for the film's famous chase scenes. A number of other productions have used the park as a backdrop, including "Jeremiah Johnson" (1972), "The Car" (1977) and "High School Musical 2" (2007).
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Sundance Mountain Resort
The serene beauty of Sundance Mountain Resort and Provo Canyon provided the perfect backdrop for "Jeremiah Johnson," the true story of a mountain man who wishes to live life alone in the wilderness. This 1972 film starring Robert Redford embodies all the elements of a classic Western with a soulful hero at its core. Redford went on to found Sundance Institute at Sundance Resort in 1981.
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Uintah County/Vernal
Northeastern Utah has long been the place for experiencing the unknown, including aliens, ghosts, dinosaurs and more. The otherworldly landscapes of the Uintah Basin have been dubbed UFO Valley. This fascination has sparked many television shows to document the area's paranormal activity as seen on "Ghost Adventures" (2008), "Expedition X" (2020), "The Secret of Skinwalker Ranch" (2020), and "Mystery at Blind Frog Ranch" (2021).
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Zion Canyon Village, Springdale
Robert Redford, Paul Newman and Katharine Ross starred in the hit film "Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid" that filmed across southern Utah. Since then Washington County has been the backdrop of countless other films and television shows, including "Jeremiah Johnson" (1972), "The Eiger Sanction" (1975), "Romancing the Stone" (1984) and more.
Utah Film Itineraries
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Classic Westerns of the Silver Screen
From the alpine backwoods of Jeremiah Johnson to the sweeping vistas of Westworld and all the John Ford's in between, Utah is the place to travel for movie magic.
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Filmed in Utah: Explore the Settings of Sundance Movies
It’s a film buff’s dream — a three-day northern Utah road trip through the mountains, desert flats and cityscapes featured in Sundance standouts such as “Brigsby Bear,” “SLC Punk!,” “Nine Days,” “Hereditary” and “Frozen."
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Robert Redford’s Sundance Scenes
Journey through some of Utah's most striking mountain and desert filming locations to experience the awe of the all-American frontier immortalized in Robert Redford's "Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid," "Jeremiah Johnson," and "The Electric Horseman."
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See Where High School Musical Was Born
Walk through the halls of the real-life East High and immerse yourself in the vibrant cultural and rocky mountain landscapes where Disney’s "High School Musical" and "High School Musical: The Musical" series were filmed.
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The Sandlot Fan's Guide to Utah
Relive the nostalgia of "The Sandlot," with visits to filming locations around Salt Lake plus some other kid-inspired stops to make your own memories.
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Thelma & Louise: A Tribute Road Trip Through the Classic Film’s Utah Settings
Perfect for fans of the beloved film “Thelma & Louise,” tour the exact places where the movie was shot, and make some memories of your own exploring the beauty of this exquisite desert.
Stories to Inspire Your Travel
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The Salt of Sound: Live Music in Salt Lake City
Check out the live music scene while visiting Utah. Salt Lake City’s numerous music venues offer something for every music lover. Watch Salt of Sound for a taste.
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Discover the Breweries of the Wasatch Front
Over the past two decades, Salt Lake’s breweries have grown into a culture all their own. Here’s what you need to start planning a pub crawl with this collection of Salt Lake’s most popular breweries.
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You Are Where You Eat: Salt Lake Latino’s Perfected Flavors
Here is a guide for a day — or weekend — packed with some of the Salt Lake City's best Latino cuisine, brought to you by the hands who have cared and perfected their flavors for centuries.
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Where’s the Meat?
Taking the blue highways, finding a local diner or picking up fresh fruit from a family-run farm store gets us that much more in touch with the flow of seasons and feeling grounded in our sense of place as we travel. And shrinking the circle of our food sourcing has become a priority for many people even, and especially, while on the road.
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V Is for Variety
Gary Vlasic, Salt Lake City’s premier event designer, creates spellbinding experiential design in a city that offers unparalleled freedom and space.
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Meet the Women Leading Utah's Food and Beverage Renaissance
When it comes to food and beverage in Utah, there are key influencers who have been the proponents of change, growth, and the role of women in Utah’s food scene.
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12 Family-Friendly Activities Near SLC
From roller coasters to ski slopes, discover 12 fun family activities in and around Salt Lake City.
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Destination Ski City: Culture Élevé
After a day of skiing, soak up Salt Lake City’s culture and nightlife: Enjoy a live performance and explore delicious dining options and great bars. Check it out!
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Step Into an Artistic Vision
The columns of Simmons Pioneer Memorial Theatre slowly appear as you climb to its perch above downtown Salt Lake City. The theatre sits on the campus of the state’s flagship university with metropolitan lights below and mountains behind that rise several thousand feet off the valley floor to provide a backdrop to the east and south.
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Short List: Local Salt Lake City Nightlife Picks
Make the most of winter's shortened daylight by extending your Utah ski trip into the night. Sure, some resorts offer incredible night skiing — so, okay, after that — but then the night really gets going in downtown Ski City.
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Where to See Women's Art in Utah
There’s no shortage of art galleries in Salt Lake City and across Utah's Wasatch Front. Beyond the major metropolitan areas, there are also small artist communities across the state where artists seeking a slower pace have flocked for decades. Here are a few recommendations for where you can experience art in Utah.
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Salt Lake's Tattoo Scene: Inclusivity is the New Frontier
Traveling for tattoos is second nature for those seeking the perfect piece. Keep Salt Lake, the Crossroads of the West, in mind when planning your next piece.
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Day-tripping a Women-owned Business Enclave in Salt Lake City
While the lure of Salt Lake City’s shopping and dining experience attracts tourists to downtown, less than 10 blocks away is the trendy and unique 9th and 9th and Maven District neighborhoods. It’s brimming with 40-plus women-owned businesses that are helping to boost the local economy, as well as each other.
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Family and Budget Guide to the One and Only Ski City: Salt Lake
With 11 family-friendly resorts nearby, Salt Lake City skiing, dining and entertainment options make Utah one of the best ski destinations in the western U.S.
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Utah’s Women Make History
Walk in the footsteps of Utah’s earliest women’s suffrage leaders at sites throughout downtown Salt Lake City. Along the way, view public art installations commemorating voting rights and stop at trail-adjacent local women-owned businesses.
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Salt Lake City’s Rainbow Colors Fly Year Round
Take a trip to Salt Lake City, an LGBTQIA+ friendly city, which over the past two decades has become a destination for those who enjoy both a hip urban atmosphere and easy access to the great outdoors.
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Utah's Rum Underdogs
Utah distilleries are becoming very popular. Distillery 36 is rising to the top of the list. Drink in their story and then let’s toast with Brigham agricole rum!
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More Than Coffee: The Caffeinators of Salt Lake City
The unique Salt Lake City coffee community is ready to embrace you. When you visit Utah, try all the capital city's coffee shops and styles to find your favorite cup.
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How-to Guide for Salt Lake City Conference Attendees: Food, Drink and Fun
Here’s everything you need to know to get the most out of your time before, during, and after your conference in Salt Lake City, Utah.
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Insider's Guide to Salt Lake City Neighborhoods
Check out these neighborhoods on your next trip to Salt Lake City
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Fervor on Foot: Tracking Salt Lake's Food and Spirits
Salt Lake City, Utah is a walkable town with a flourishing and ever-evolving food and spirits culture. Find a neighborhood district to stroll, taste, touch and see!
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Salt Lake City’s Must-See Street Art
Salt Lake City, Utah has more than 80 murals and art installations to discover. Come and see how these urban street artists showcase their own flavor and perspective.
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The Spice of (a New) Life
Some of the best food in Salt Lake City is served in the Spice Incubator Kitchen. Come visit this international culinary kitchen for a treat to your taste buds.
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Hike + Dine: Salt Lake City
Here are a few of Utah's Salt Lake City best hiking trails and eateries to check out during your next visit.
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Digging Salt Lake City for 48 Hours
Looking for fun things to do in Salt Lake City? Check out our 48-hour guide to get the scoop on the most popular and under-the-radar attractions.
