Maybe you’ve never been to these national parks, but you sure know them!
There is one thing we can’t deny: the United States is home to some of the most stunning and iconic landscapes in the world. As a result, many national parks were the perfect setting for some blockbuster movies and beloved TV shows.
When you look on the screen and you see that place, you might want to visit it. Hopefully, this thing is easily possible because visiting national parks is a thing that many of us can easily do. All you need is a car and the will to go. Also, looking at the silver screen and seeing one place you’ve visited before adds an extra layer of excitement.
What is so awesome about America is that its diverse landscapes offer filmmakers many natural settings that can evoke a wide variety of moods and atmospheres.
So, wanderer, for your next adventure, we suggest you visit some filming locations found in the many national parks that this country has and immerse in your favorite movies in a way you never tried before!
1. Arches National Park, Utah (Indiana Jones and The Last Crusade – 1989)
This is a true marvel of nature, and the thing that makes this place stand out compared to other national parks is its unique red-rock formations and the desert landscapes that seem to be part of a completely different world.
There are over 2,000 natural stone arches, along with pinnacles and balanced rocks, and they successfully create a scenery that continues to captivate any visitor and also managed to catch the eye of Steven Spielberg back in the day and make him decide that this was the perfect place for an Indiana Jones movie.
The marvelous rocks appear at the beginning of the movie when our young “Indy” Jones, played by River Phoenix, along with his Boy Scouts, embark on a daring cave exploration. They navigate the rugged terrain, and here you can see some of the famous landscapes of this park: the Organ and the famous Double Arch.
If you are looking to visit these locations, the best time to do so is in the spring and fall. During these months, the weather in the desert is mild, and you can comfortably explore around. The entrance fee to the park ranges from $15 to $30, depending on the type of pass, but the fact that you’ll explore the same land as Indiana Jones is priceless.
2. Grand Teton National Park, Wyoming (Rocky IV – 1985)
Its neighbor, Yellowstone National Park, is always stealing the spotlight, but Grand Teton National Park is one of the gems of this country. Mountains, lakes, and wildlife—you can find all of them here, and not visiting them is a big loss.
But this breathtaking scenery is also one of the filming locations from the beloved Rocky IV. Written, directed by, and starring Sylvester Stallone is one of the most important movies of American cinema and even more for the sports drama genre.
The scenes that represent the harsh conditions in Siberia are actually made here in the USA at the Grand Teton National Park. The dramatic peaks and all the snow were perfect for this job, and the landscapes appear in the scenes where Rocky Balboa is preparing for a fight with the Soviet fighter Ivan Drago.
Locations such as Jackson Hole, situated at the base of the Tetons, and the Mormon Row Historic District, with its rustic barns and open fields, were used to depict the Soviet Union’s harsh conditions and isolation.
If you want to step into the world of one of the most iconic films of the 1980s, then this one of the national parks is for you. This is a place that offers you beauty and adventure. The best months to visit are May, September, and October because the temperatures are cooler and the crowd is not that big. Also, the entry fee is between $20 and $35.
3. Redwood National Park and State Parks, California (E.T. the Extra-Terrestrial – 1982)
Have you ever been to a place and suddenly felt so small? If this is something you want to experiment with, this is the best one of all national parks. Those towering trees are indeed intimidating, but at the same time, they are so beautiful and show us the true power of nature.
This is the exact reason why these mystical trees were part of the landscape in one of the most beloved films in cinematic history: ET the Extraterrestrial. This movie is directed by Steven Spielberg and tells us the story of a young boy named Elliott and his extraordinary friendship with an alien named E.T.
Most of the movie is filmed in suburban areas, but some of the most important scenes are filmed here, in this national park. This is the place where we find some of the tallest trees on earth, and this gives the whole place an otherworldly appearance, perfect for a sci-fi movie.
The best time to visit is from April to June because the trees are lush. The entrance is free, so if you are a fan of this movie or just want to visit a place that feels completely out of this world, this is your chance.
4. Death Valley National Park, California (Star Wars: New Hope – 1977 and Star Wars Episode VI: Return of the Jedi – 1983)
The fabulous landscapes of this one of the national parks are well known to attract tourists every year. What makes it stand out from the rest is that here you won’t find green trees, cascades, lakes, or snow. No, here the conditions are incredibly harsh, and you are basically in the desert.
This is why George Lucas decided that this is the perfect place to represent a desolate planet, the planet of Tatooine, which appears in Star Wars movies. Some of the filming locations include Golden Canyon, Mesquite Sand Dunes, Artists Palette, and Desolation Canyon. There are even more locations in the movie, and this just perfectly shows the vastness of the park and how hot and dry it is.
Today, these filming spots in Death Valley National Park are popular destinations for fans of the franchise, and you can relive the magic of the films. The entrance costs $15 to $30, and the best times to visit are in mid-October and mid-April because the temperatures are more tolerable. Also, the sky is clearer during that time, and this makes Death Valley National Park the perfect place for stargazing.
5. Denali National Park and Preserve, Alaska (Into the Wild – 2007)
This was a box office hit, but this movie is so emotional that no one wants to recall it. So, sorry if we did that, but it was so hard to make this list of national parks without mentioning the stunning Denali National Park and Preserve.
The movie is based on Jon Krakauer’s 1996 book and tells the story of Christopher McCandless, a young man who ventured into the Alaskan wilderness. Is all about freedom and adventure, but in the end the young man tragically dies in an abandoned bus just outside Denali National Park.
The movie does an amazing job of capturing the breathtaking landscape of the Alaskan wilderness, particularly the Cantwell area. So, if you love adventure, tall mountains, and stunning views, this one of the national parks is the best choice for you.
The ideal time to explore Denali is during the summer months—June, July, August, and early September. During this time the weather is nice and the park is more accessible.
You should also read: 9 Unusual Places to Visit in the US
