The classic 1981 Steven Spielberg film “Raiders of the Lost Ark” was filmed in England, Tunisia, Northern California and Hawaii. The opening famously depicts the Paramount Pictures logo fading into a mountain peak. The real peak is located on Kalalea Mountain in Kauai. While this is a well known filming location, power lines run down the road leading to the peak, so to get an unobstructed shot, you need to be back a further distance.
LOCATION: Kamalomaloo Pl, Anahola, HI 96703 (GPS coordinates: 22°09’09.6″N, 159°18’41.5″W)
The 1958 musical “South Pacific” was filmed in Hawaii. Early in the film, Joe Cable, played by John Kerr, is seen arriving on the island at Hanalei Pier, located in Kauai.
LOCATION: Hanalei Pier, Hanalei, HI 96714
The beach appears in numerous scenes with the Seabees. The pier also appeared in the 1954 film “Beachhead,” while “The Descendants” also filmed scenes at the same beach.
There is a plaque in front of the pier, primarily noting a fundraiser to save and restore the pier in 2013, after it had suffered damage from a hurricane in 1992. At the bottom, the plaque acknowledges the film, stating, “The pier was featured in the movie South Pacific and became a location for many Hollywood productions.”
The 2001 film “Jurassic Park III” was filmed in Hawaii and Southern California. Early in the film, Dr. Alan Grant, played by Sam Neill, visits the home of Ellie, played by Laura Dern. Ellie’s house can be found in South Pasadena, California. The same house was featured in the film “Bringing Down The House,” as well as the TV shows “Family” and “Fatal Attraction.”
LOCATION: 1230 Milan Ave, South Pasadena, CA 91030
Much like the original “Jurassic Park” and the sequel “The Lost World: Jurassic Park,” this third installment also shot scenes at Jurassic Kahili Ranch in Kauaʻi, Hawaii. In Spring 2019, the ranch began offering tours to the public for the first time. However, it is unclear if they are still offering them, as most of their tour information has been removed from their website. It’s difficult to pinpoint specific scenes from the film, as the ranch is quite large and mostly credited for being featured in general outdoor and jungle scenes. The ranch’s movie tour focused primarily on the original film and the 2015 hit “Jurassic World,” with little mention of where scenes from the third film specifically shot. Here are some looks around the grounds of Jurassic Kahili Ranch. Please note that this land is private and unless you have express permission from the owners, it is trespassing to attempt to enter the grounds.
LOCATION: Jurassic Kahili Ranch, 5-1771D, Kuhio Hwy, Kilauea, HI 96754
One scene that can be matched up comes late in the film is when Dr. Grant and the survivors ride a barge along the water and pass herds of dinosaurs standing along the banks. This was filmed at the Pu’u Ka Ele Reservoir. After a breach of the nearby Ka Loko Reservoir in 2006, located about 2 miles east of the ranch, the owners decided to decommission the Pu’u Ka Ele Reservoir in 2009 and downsize it into a lake. This is how it appears now. This is the same area where Grant sees the dinosaur herds at the lake in the original film.
In 2015’s “Jurassic World,” the story takes us back to Isla Nublar, the same fictional island from the original “Jurassic Park,” supposedly located off the coast of Costa Rica. The locations are a composite of multiple places, including Louisiana and Hawaii. Filming largely took place at Kualoa Ranch in O’ahu, where as the original film also shot, albeit to a lesser extent.
As the ferry takes the boys to the island, the establishing shot shows the majestic Nā Pali Coast on the North Shore of Kauaʻi. There are a variety of ways to see the coast, including boat and helicopter tours. Some areas can also be hiked.
LOCATION: Nā Pali Coast State Wilderness Park, Kapaʻa, HI 96746
The escalators where the boys head to their room is on the island of O’ahu at the Hawaiʻi Convention Center. The same escalators were featured in the TV series “Lost.”
LOCATION: 1801 Kalakaua Ave, Honolulu, HI 96815
The helicopter pad where Claire, played by Bryce Dallas Howard, is picked up is at Kualoa Ranch in Oahu, where the original “Jurassic Park” also filmed scenes. The pad set was initially kept after filming was completed, but eventually the ranch decided to remove it, as many helicopters travel the nearby air space and they had concerns one of them might confuse it for an actual landing pad. Many of the locations around Kualoa Ranch have signs such as this posted, identifying which films shot where.
LOCATION: Kualoa Ranch, 49-560 Kamehameha Hwy, Kaneohe, HI 96744
The helicopter pad is featured in a number of scenes throughout the film. Quite a bit of CGI was added, to include the buildings and train rail featured in the park. In the distance is the Moli’i Fishpond, also part of the Kualoa Ranch property, which is featured in several other scenes in the film.
The Indominus rex paddock set was also built on Kualoa Ranch, which does still stand. There are a wide variety of tours available at the ranch, more than one of which are film related. We recommend the Premier Movie Site Tour, as it takes you to many locations from this and other films that are only seen on that particular tour. The Hollywood tour, while cheaper, skips many locations on the ranch.
Here is the interior of the deck overlooking the Indominus Rex paddock.
A view of the deck from the exterior.
In a later scene, Claire brings Owen, played by Chris Pratt, to the paddock, where they initially believe the Indominus rex may have escaped. The claw marks Owen points out are still there.
The Moli’i Fishpond is where the giant mosasaurus emerges from the water and eats the shark. Quite a bit of CGI was added to the scene. The Moli’i Fishpond area has been featured in many movies, such as “Triple Frontier,” “50 First Dates,” “Snatched,” “Tears of the Sun,” “Mike and Dave Need Wedding Dates,” “You, Me and Dupree,” as well as the TV show “Lost.” Here is a sign identifying the mosasaurus scene.
LOCATION: 49-243 Kuukama St, Kailua, HI 96734
It’s also on the banks of the Moli’i Fishpond where Owen’s bungalow and trailer set was built, though it has since been removed. It’s worth mentioning that parts of this area can also by seen by visiting the local shops near the pond, which rent their buildings from Kualoa Ranch. They offer tours of their own near the water for a small fee, but the Premier Movie Site Tour offered by the ranch is still our recommended way to see it.
As the boys ride a train out to the Gyrosphere area, they pass a valley where gallimimus are running alongside a vehicle. This is a nod to the original film, where Dr. Grant and the two children run from a gallimimus stampede, which was filmed in the exact same location at Kualoa Ranch. The same valley pops on again in the sequel “Jurassic World: Fallen Kingdom,” when a convoy travels on an expedition into the park.
The mountains seen here have a railway added via CGI.
In the Jungle area of Kualoa Ranch, there is a stream that runs through, which is where the scenes of the Indominus rex attacking park security took place. Unfortunately, their tours quickly drive past this location, so you have to be quick trying to get photos.
The set where the boys wait in line for the Gyrosphere ride also still stands at Kualoa Ranch, with a stunning backdrop looking out over the ocean.
The scenes of the boys wandering the park in the Gyroscope were filmed at Jurassic Kahili Ranch in Kauaʻi. This is the same ranch where the brachiosaurus is first seen in the original “Jurassic Park.” It also appeared in the sequels “The Lost World: Jurassic Park” and “Jurassic Park III.” For years, the ranch remained closed to the public, proving to be one of the most elusive and sought-after locations for fans of the franchise. That changed in 2019, when the ranch began offering public tours for the first time. The tours were unfortunately suspended in 2020 due to the pandemic, but they may resume in the future.
The scene of the boys riding around with the dinosaurs was actually a composite of a couple different areas. This is the field they initially traverse.
LOCATION: Jurassic Kahili Ranch, 5-1771D, Kuhio Hwy, Kilauea, HI 96754
The filmmakers also wanted these mountains in the distance of several shots, which are in fact located in the same general area, but not from all of the specific angles seen in the film. Visual effects were employed to place the mountains into the desired areas of the shots.
The boys then notice an area of the perimeter fence that has a gate open. This set piece was left standing at the completion of the film, at the request of the ranch. The gate really does open and it’s heavier than you might expect.
LOCATION: 22.173597, -159.398782
Here is a wider view of the full set piece.
This is the view of the other side of the gate, where the boys look down. There is also a reverse shot looking back up towards the open fence at the Gyrosphere. This trail was made specifically for the film, to allow in equipment and crew and achieve the desired shots. The tour itself does not go down this trail, but guests are allowed to walk up on foot and take a closer look, if they’re so inclined.
As Claire and Owen go searching for the boys, they encounter a dying apatosaurus, which had the misfortune of encountering the Indominus rex. This was also filmed at Jurassic Kahili Ranch.
They then discover more dead dinosaurs lying scattered across this hill, realizing the Indominus is killing for sport.
In the closing shot of the film, the T-rex emerges from this area onto the helicopter pad, back at Kualoa Ranch in O’ahu.
Here is one of the vehicles seen in the film. It was actually owned by Kualoa Ranch prior to production. When the filmmakers saw it, they asked to use it in the film.
If you get a chance to visit Hawaii, we highly recommend Jurassic Kahili Ranch in Kauaʻi and Kualoa Ranch in O’ahu. Both offer spectacular views and very recognizable locations from not only this film, but the original “Jurassic Park” as well. As a reminder, these are private ranches closed to the general public for unauthorized experiences. Please do not trespass. The only way to see them is by booking a tour.
Thanks to Sean Mello for providing the GPS coordinates of the fence.
Steven Spielberg’s classic 1993 film “Jurassic Park” takes place on the fictional island of Isla Nublar, supposedly near Costa Rica. The real locations were filmed mostly in Hawaii, on the islands of Kauaʻi, O’ahu and Maui, with some additional scenes filmed on studio lots near Hollywood, California.
The Velociraptor pen seen in the film was a set built at Limahuli Garden & Preserve in Northern Kauaʻi. It was removed after filming and a visitor’s center building now stands in it’s place. However, the mountains in the background can still be matched up. If you want to visit the garden itself, it has a very small parking lot that fills up quickly, so advanced reservations are recommended.
LOCATION: Limahuli Garden & Preserve, National Tropical Botanical Garden, 5-8291 Kuhio Hwy, Hanalei, HI 96714
Grant and Ellie, played by Sam Neill and Laura Dern, are introduced discovering dinosaur fossils at a dig site supposedly located in the Badlands, near Snakewater, Montana. These scenes were actually filmed at Red Rock Canyon State Park in Cantil, California, a couple hours north of Los Angeles in the Mojave Desert. To get to the area seen in the film, you can take the Red Cliffs Nature Trail from the Red Rock Cliffs Parking Area, which will lead you most of the way there. We’ve provided GPS coordinates below.
LOCATION: Red Rock Canyon State Park, Cantil, CA 93519 (GPS coordinates: 35°22’26.2″N, 117°58’18.2″W)
Here is the area where Grant talks to the young boy about the hunting techniques of the raptor.
Here is one of the angles from the area where the monitor canopy was set up. Closer to the rocks is also the area where the camper trailer is parked and Hammond, played by Richard Attenborough, opens the champagne.
This area is not seen in the film, but we’ve included it for reference to those who wish to visit. From the Red Rock Cliffs Parking Area, you start where this Red Cliffs Nature Trail sign is located. It is roughly a 20 minute hike from here, which we’d describe as moderate with some hills. Once you get over the hills from the parking lot, there is a trail most of the way. You can follow the cliffs to the left as a reference to keep your bearings most of the way. We highly recommend knowing your route before you go, as cellular service is spotty. We also recommend plenty of water and avoiding hiking during excessive heat.
Nedry, played by Wayne Knight, meets Dodgson at an outdoor dining area, supposedly located in San Jose, Costa Rica. The real location is just off the Kuhio Highway in Kapaʻa, Kauaʻi. There are numerous food trucks there where motorists can stop and enjoy local food. This is the spot where Dodgson first arrives by the side of the road.
LOCATION: 4-1620 Kuhio Hwy, Kapaʻa, HI 96746
This is the general area where Nedry and Dodgson sit and discuss plans to steal dinosaur DNA from InGen and sell it to a rival company. As you can see, the area has changed a little bit. While there are tables you can sit and eat, they are closer to the road at the food trucks. In the film, the two sit further back near the palm trees.
One of the most memorable scenes in the film is of course the first dinosaur sighting. For years, it also remained one of the most elusive locations to fans. The brachiosaurus encounter was filmed at Jurassic Kahili Ranch in Kauaʻi. The land is a private ranch for horse, sheep and cattle. For decades, it did not offer tours of any kind and only a select few ever made it onto the property. That changed in 2019, when the ranch began offering public tours for the first time, including a tour dedicated to filming locations around the ranch. The tours were unfortunately suspended in 2020 due to the pandemic, but they may resume in the future. Besides the original film, “The Lost World: Jurassic Park,” “Jurassic Park III” and “Jurassic World” also filmed at the ranch.
Here is where Hammond rides with Grant, Ellie and Malcolm (Jeff Goldblum) in the Jeeps, as they first approach a hill towards the brachiosaurus.
LOCATION: Jurassic Kahili Ranch, 5-1771D, Kuhio Hwy, Kilauea, HI 96754
The vehicles continue driving past this row of trees.
Here is the exact spot where they first see the brachiosaurus. It is eating from the tree on the right. As iconic as this scene is, the ranch itself is so vast, it would be quite easy to miss if you didn’t know the general vicinity. However, once you’re there, if you know the film, it’s very identifiable.
LOCATION: Jurassic Kahili Ranch, 5-1771D, Kuhio Hwy, Kilauea, HI 96754, USA (GPS coordinates: 22°11’09.7″N, 159°23’19.4″W)
As Grant sits on the ground bewildered by what he’s just seen, he looks the opposite direction and sees a herd of dinosaurs at a lake. This is made to appear as if it’s right near the trees where the first brachiosaurus is seen, but in reality is a completely different part of the ranch. Visual effects were used to composite the actors into the shot, to appear to be overlooking the lake.
This was filmed at the Pu’u Ka Ele Reservoir, located on the ranch. After a breach of the nearby Ka Loko Reservoir in 2006, located about 2 miles east of the ranch, the owners decided to decommission the Pu’u Ka Ele Reservoir in 2009 and downsize it into a lake. This is how it appears now. This same lake was featured again in “Jurassic Park III,” when Dr. Grant and the survivors ride a barge along the water and pass herds of dinosaurs standing along the banks.
If you get a chance to visit Jurassic Kahili Ranch in Kauaʻi, we certainly encourage you to do so if you’re a fan of the film. There are other, very recognizable locations from the other “Jurassic Park” films to be seen there as well. The staff is very friendly and welcoming to photography and video and eager for fan input on how to improve the experience. With the ranch now open to tours, it will likely grow as a tourist hot spot in the years to come.
Later in the film, a storm arrives on the island, which was filmed at Nawiliwili Harbor in Kauaʻi. The very real Hurricane Iniki hit Kauaʻi during filming in 1992. Spielberg and the cast were safely holed up at the Marriott Resort in Lihue when the hurricane struck. The hurricane resulted in many scenes initially planned for filming in Kauaʻi to be shifted to O’ahu, as well as the studio lots in California. However, they managed to use footage of the actual hurricane in the film, taken at the hotel looking out over the harbor. If you don’t want to visit the hotel, there is a nearby park, from which the harbor can also be seen pretty well.
LOCATION: Nawiliwili Harbor, Lihue, HI 96766 (seen near 3610 Rice St, Lihue, HI 96766)
The T-rex attack was filmed at Warner Bros. Studio in Burbank, California, on their tallest sound stage. The T-rex chasing Malcolm and Ellie was originally intended to be shot in Kauaʻi, however. Due to the hurricane, this scene was also shifted to the Warner lot and can sometimes be seen on their studio tours, depending on the production schedules around the lot (4000 Warner Blvd., Burbank, CA 91505).
Perhaps the most widely known location for this film is Kualoa Ranch in O’ahu. The Gallimimus stampede, with Grant and the two children, was not initially intended to be filmed at Kualoa Ranch. Instead it was meant to be another location in Kauaʻi. Kualoa was a replacement location, due to the hurricane. Here is the main valley at the ranch, where the stampede takes place.
LOCATION: Kualoa Ranch, 49-560 Kamehameha Hwy, Kaneohe, HI 96744
The original log they hide behind as the T-rex hunts and eats the Gallimimus was replaced by the ranch in 2012, due to deterioration. However, the ranch still has a small piece of the original log behind the replacement. They added a sign for the film and it has since become the most popular photo location on the ranch. It’s right next to the main tour trail, so it’s very easy to access.
These mountains were seen in the background as Grant and the kids hide and watch the T-rex.
While “Jurassic Park” was not the first movie to film at Kualoa, it certainly became the most famous. After this film, countless other films, TV shows, commercials and music videos began filming on the ranch, bringing with it quite a lot of tourism. The ranch has so many filming locations, it’s almost like a studio tour. There are a wide variety of tours available at the ranch, many of which are not film related. While the locations from this film can be seen on quite a few of the tours, we recommend the Premier Movie Site Tour, as it takes you to many locations from other films that are only seen on that particular tour.
If you get a chance to visit Hawaii, there are quite a few “Jurassic Park” locations to be seen. Some are quite a challenge to visit, however, involving hiking or private helicopter rides as the only way to reach them. For the casual fan, we recommend Jurassic Kahili Ranch in Kauaʻi and Kualoa Ranch in O’ahu. Both offer spectacular views and very recognizable locations from multiple different “Jurassic Park” films. As a reminder, these are private ranches closed to the general public for unauthorized experiences. Please do not trespass. The only way to see them is by booking a tour.
Thanks to Sean Mello for providing the GPS coordinates of the brachiosaurus tree.
To see our “Jurassic Park” location page, click here.
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