8 Movie-Inspired Camping Trips
Step into the scene of one of these great movies by visiting its filming location on your next camping adventure. There are many great camping spots that served as the backdrop to classic films nationwide. Check out these eight filming locales and camping destinations below:
1. No Country for Old Men - Big Bend Ranch State Park, Texas
Why we love it:
- Beautiful remote high desert setting
- Accommodations include an old hunting lodge
The sweeping high desert plains, rugged bluffs, and steep canyons of Big Bend provided the desolate backdrop for the thriller No Country for Old Men. Remote and majestic, this park has much to offer an adventurer besides the thrill of stepping into a chilling murder movie. There are over 100 campsites available, including beds in a large lodge that was once a famous hunting lodge.
2. Last of the Mohicans - Lake James State Park, North Carolina
Why we love it:
- Enormous reservoir with 150 miles of shoreline
- Plenty of camping and picnicking
The Last of the Mohicans was set during the French and Indian War of 1757 in the Adirondacks. However, filming for the movie largely occurred in the Smoky Mountains in North Carolina. One set location was at Lake James State Park, a quiet spot tucked away in the rolling hills at the base of the Linville Gorge. The park’s enormous reservoir boasts 150 miles of shoreline and stunning views of Appalachia. There are 83 non-electric campsites and three picnic pavilions to reserve.
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3. Hunger Games: Mockingjay Part 1 - Sweetwater Creek State Park, Georgia
Why we love it:
- Minutes from downtown Atlanta
- Large reservoir great for fishing with boat rental options
Sweetwater Creek State Park is a peaceful tract of wilderness winding through the open forest with beautiful mountain streams. Rushing rapids fill the air as hikers make their way to the ruins of New Manchester Mill. The impressive five-story mill is recognizable from the Hunger Games: Mockingjay Part 1. The campground has 10 yurts and 5 tent only campsites.
4. Homeward Bound: The Incredible Journey - Wallowa State Park, Oregon
Why we love it:
- Year-round camping with 121 full hookup sites
- Picturesque views of the Wallowa Mountains
Situated between the south end of a scenic glacial lake and the towering peaks of the Wallowa Mountains, the park is an ideal base camp for wilderness treks and watersports fun. The Disney family adventure-comedy, Homeward Bound: The Incredible Journey, was filmed here and in multiple other locations in the Wallowa area. Besides being star-struck by the scenery, the park is a hikers paradise and great for fishing, boating, and swimming. There are 121 full hookup sites, 88 non-hook up, 2 hard-sided rustic yurts, and 3 group tent sites.
5. Into the Wild - Salcha River State Recreation Park, Alaska
Why we love it:
- Set amidst the majestic wilderness of central Alaska
- Abundant hiking, fishing, hunting, and wildlife spotting
Located south of Fairbanks and east of Denali, Salcha River State Park is set amidst the majestic wilderness of central Alaska. This is where Chris McCandless spent his final days, following a quest to disavow himself of possessions and modern entrapments for a simple, solitary life in pure wilderness. His story was turned into a book, and then the indie movie classic Into the Wild. Salcha River State Park has a single public use cabin for true nature-lovers who want to hike, fish, hunt, and play in pristine backcountry.
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6. 127 Hours - Dead Horse Point State Park, Utah
Why we love it:
- Unique landscape of red rock formations, buttes, and mesas
- Nine yurts available to rent
Based on a true story, 127 Hours captures the formidable five days a mountaineer was trapped in a remote part of Utah after a boulder fell and pinned down his arm. Filmed in and around Arches National Park and Moab (also the real-life setting), the movie reveals the beauty and challenges of this iconic western landscape. Red rock formations, soaring buttes, steep canyons, and rocky mesas comprise Dead Horse Point State Park and the surrounding area. At the foot of Canyonlands Park, Dead Horse State Park is an ideal base for many adventures in southwestern Utah. Plenty of camping is available, with 64 sites, including nine yurts.
7. Dances with Wolves - Cedar Bluff State Park, Kansas
Why we love it:
- Diverse topography of prairieland and chalk bluffs
- Nearly 200 campsites, including six cabins
The iconic film Dances with Wolves was partly filmed on the plains of western Kansas. One of the settings in the movie is Fort Hays, an old pioneer outpost located less than an hour from Cedar Bluff State Park. The park itself is beautiful and topographically diverse with the Smoky Hill River and the surrounding marshland considerably fluctuating in size depending on the amount of rainfall. The park has plenty of camping with nearly 200 campsites and six cabins.
8. True Grit - Ridgeway State Park, Colorado
Why we love it:
- Beautiful mountainous scenery with lots of wildlife
- Three yurts available to rent
The 1969 Western classic True Grit was filmed in various locations in Colorado, including Ridgeway. Just a couple of miles from the park is the summit of Owl Creek Pass, where specific scenes were filmed, including when Mattie sleeps on a large rock (that is still there). This south-western portion of Colorado is characterized by mountains, wide meadows, and abundant wildlife. The park has 256 campsites and three yurts.
Check with your Local Government Organization
Many policies have been established to counter and control the coronavirus outbreak. State and local officials have been taking decisive action to stop the spread. The policies vary by state, sometimes to a great degree. When you book a reservation, make sure to review the park and state's latest rules and regulations prior to your visit.
For COVID-19 updates, please visit our Impacted Park List and Reservation Guide for the latest information.