Jurassic Park is a science fiction action film directed by Steven Spielberg and produced by Kathleen Kennedy and Gerald R. Molen. The film is based on a 1990 science fiction novel written by Michael Crichton. The movie was our childhood fantasy and the biggest fear too. Despite the danger and fearful encounters we see in the movie, it’s true that we all did wish we were there on the ground to witness it all. Well! It’s not going to remain just an incomplete wish. You can visit the places where the movie was filmed after all the dinos were not real, but the places are. So, in this piece, we have brought you the most prominent filming locations of Jurassic Park.
While the filming itself took place in November 1992, the movie was only rolled out in May 1993. This could be because of the technological disadvantage at the time due to which the CGI could have taken far longer than what the industry standard is right now.
What are the filming locations of Jurassic Park?
All the interiors and night scenes were filmed in the Universal Studios, Los Angeles, California. The two main filming locations of the movie are Hawaii and California. Here are some of the filming locations of ‘Jurassic Park’ you can visit and feel like the “main character”.
Fun fact: If you’re planning to visit any of these places, there are 100% chances of you NOT being eaten up by a dinosaur.
Here are the top seven places where the movie was shot:
Mojave desert, USA
Let’s start from the very beginning. The first appearance of paleontologists Dr. Alan Grant and Dr. Ellie Sattler is presented on the dig site. This site is actually Red Rock Canyon of Mojave desert, California. We don’t suggest it as a good place to visit for fun as there won’t be any fossils for you to see. So what if we don’t have dinosaur fossils, there are some eye-catching landscapes! The place is only accessible to four-wheel vehicles.
Missing the greenery? Keep moving!
Manawaiopuna Falls, Hawaii
Popularly known as “Jurassic Falls”, Manawaiopuna Falls is just another mesmerizing spot where the movie was shot. At the beginning of the movie Jurassic Park, the helicopter carrying both the paleontologists and John Hammond along with two other people lands at the base of a beautiful waterfall. This is that fall!
You’ll find this spot in Kauai, Hawaii. This fall is located on private property, and it is only accessible via helicopter, so you’ll need to take a tour with one of the helicopter companies that are permitted landing access. It might sound expensive, but it would be a recreation of the original scene of the movie. The waterfall is found inside the dense forest of Hanapepe valley.
The Jurassic Kahili Ranch, Hawaii
Located in Kilauea, on the north-eastern shore of Kauai, this wide green field has been featured in three Jurassic Park films. This is the place where the dinosaurs were introduced in the movie. Every Jurassic Park lover must be having the scene traced in their mind where Dr. Grant and Ellie were absolutely astounded when they saw the giant Brachiosaurus. The reaction of the leads was so pure. They literally expressed the exact reaction of the viewers, Mesmerized!
The ranch owner didn’t permit access to tourists earlier, but luckily they now offer private tours for the public.
Mount Waialeale, Kauai
What an awe it was when the giant gate of “Jurassic Park” was finally on the screen. The actual spot would cost you a bit more bravery because the price is eight miles-long hike to reach the exact location where the giant entry gates to ‘Jurassic Park’ were established. Focus on the “were”! The gate is no more there. It was removed once the film shooting was completed, but there are two tall poles found on either side of the path as a small sign that the iconic ‘Jurassic Park’ movie was shot here.
The gate was situated deep in the middle of Kauai, right at the base of Mount Wai’ale’ale, probably to make it fun for the visitors because more the wait, more is fun when you finally get it.
The Kualoa Ranch, Hawaii
Remembering the electrifying scene from the movie where Dr. Alan and the kids were stuck in the Gallimimus stampede, and they were running for life, finally taking a cover behind a massive fallen tree. YES! when they witnessed the terrific T-Rex hunting Gallimimus! That scene was filmed on the Kualoa Ranch in Oahu. The savior fallen tree they hid behind is still in the ranch.
It’s actually the highlight now with a template of “Jurassic Park”. The tree is now a must-take-pic-with celebrity.
Olokele Valley, Hawaii
The electrified fences which the T-Rex broke eventually bringing our worst nightmare to well… not life but the screen. Those fences and the scene were filmed on Olokele Valley, Kauai. Fans still are getting anxious thinking about that scene (Just like me).
It’s true that there won’t be any dinosaur or their fossil to see, but Hawaii is full of hypnotizing scenery, flora, and fauna. If you haven’t made up your mind, choose Hawaii already!
Also Read: Where Was Jumanji Series Filmed? Jumanji 4 Is Coming