Higgins Haven from “Friday The 13th Part III” can be found at the Melody Ranch Studio Backlot in Santa Clarita, California.  Many people know the lot as the Veluzat Movie Ranch and it is still commonly referred to by that name.  However, the ranch has since changed its name to the Melody Ranch Studio Backlot.  If you make it to the ranch in person, you’ll see a sign at the gates, referring to it as such.  The lot is owned by the Veluzats, who also own Melody Ranch in Newhall, California.  To make matters more confusing, right next to it sits the Diamond V Movie Ranch.  This is owned by other members of the Velutats, but not the same ones as those who own Melody Ranch and the Melody Backlot (a.k.a. Veluzat Movie Ranch).  People often mistake Diamond V and Veluzat Ranch as being one in the same, or Melody Ranch and Melody Backlot, but they are separate properties.

While perhaps not quite as well known as Melody Ranch in Newhall, the Melody Backlot is actually larger.  To get to the ranch, you make a turn from Copper Hill Drive.  There is a very unassuming dirt road there (GPS coordinates: 34°27’36.5″N 118°30’32.0″W).  You would never guess from that road what lies at the end of that dirt road, but if you follow the long dirt road, you’ll sure enough arrive at the ranches.  However, a locked fence is at the entrance and you can proceed no further without permission of the owners.  The good news, however, is that the ranch is available for public tours.  You must book by appointment only and if productions are in active progress, that may inhibit their availability, but the Melody Ranch owners are very generous in that they offer tours in the first place, as most Southern California movie ranches do not.

Perhaps the most widely known location among horror fans at the property is Higgins Haven.  This is where the house was located, which was destroyed by a fire.  The chimney and parts of the foundation still remain.

LOCATION: Melody Ranch Studio Backlot (a.k.a. Veluzat Movie Ranch), Forest Rte 5N28, Santa Clarita, CA 91390 (GPS coordinates: 34°29’32.0″N 118°29’46.4″W)

Here is the famous barn from the film, which sits right across from the above location.

Here is a look inside the barn.

Here is the second level, where Jason attacks.

If you get a chance to visit the Melody Ranch Studio Backlot, we highly encourage it.  Please do so by booking a tour, to support the owners who have preserved these sets for decades.