When Steven Spielberg resurrected the dinosaurs in 1993, he didn’t just change the face of cinema — he transformed some of the world’s most breathtaking scenery into prehistoric playgrounds. Although the dinosaurs were movie magic, the stunning backdrops were entirely real. From the verdant valleys of Hawaii to the ancient redwood groves of California, these settings became as legendary as the T. rex. The magic didn’t end there, though, as the sequels kept coming with spectacular real-world locations that made ideal dinosaur habitats.
Below is a list of 15 actual places where Jurassic Park films were shot, affirming that sometimes life is more dramatic than any film set.
Kualoa Ranch, Oahu
Dubbed Hollywood’s ‘backlot of Hawaii,’ this 4,000-acre working cattle ranch has appeared in all three original Jurassic Park films, plus Jurassic World and Fallen Kingdom. The famous Gallimimus stampede scene was filmed here, complete with the fallen log where Dr. Grant and the kids took shelter — which almost wasn’t part of the film until Hurricane Iniki forced production to move from Kauai to Oahu. Today, visitors can take the 2.5-hour Jurassic Adventure Tour through Kualoa, Hakipuu, and Kaaawa Valleys, experiencing the Indominus Rex paddock and authentic dinosaur props used in the movies.
Manawaiopuna Falls, Kauai
Recognized around the globe as ‘Jurassic Park Falls,’ this massive 400-foot waterfall was the setting for the famous helicopter landing scene in the original film. The cascade falls into a secret valley only reachable by helicopter, so you’re one of the rare few who can see it up close. You’ll have to take a tour with authorized helicopter operators, such as Island Helicopters Kauai, to recreate the memorable scene in which John Hammond first greets his visitors to the island.
Like Travel Pug’s content? Follow us on MSN
Na Pali Coast, Kauai
These razor-sharp cliffs and emerald valleys served as the perfect backdrop for Jurassic Park’s awe-inspiring aerial shots, particularly in the opening sequences and establishing shots of Isla Nublar’s coastline. In The Lost World, this spectacular coastline doubled as the fictional Isla Sorna, located approximately 90 miles from Isla Nublar. The ancient, untouched landscape feels genuinely prehistoric — which explains why Spielberg chose it to represent a world where dinosaurs still rule.
Jurassic Kahili Ranch, Kauai
This working cattle ranch covering 2,500 acres on Kauai’s North Shore provided the setting where new arrivals encounter their first Brachiosaurus by the lagoon scene that makes the actual tour feel understated in comparison. Despite its name, this private property has the distinction of appearing in all three original Jurassic Park movies, plus the 1998 version of Mighty Joe Young and Just Go With It. Unfortunately, the ranch doesn’t offer public tours, though you can glimpse it from nearby areas.
Allerton Garden, Kauai
Part of the National Tropical Botanical Garden, this lush paradise featured the towering Moreton Bay fig trees, where Dr. Grant discovers hatched raptor eggs and realizes the dinosaurs have found a way to reproduce. The same garden also doubled as the location where Jurassic Park’s maintenance shed was built, making it a crucial plot point. Guided tours are available today, though it was also used for background shots in The Lost World.
Like Travel Pug’s content? Follow us on MSN
Fern Canyon, California
Located in Prairie Creek Redwoods State Park near Orick, this moss-covered canyon served as the primordial forest of Isla Sorna in The Lost World, where the Stegosaurus herd grazes and unfortunate Dieter Stark meets his end via tiny Compsognathus. At least a dozen different fern species cling to the canyon walls, creating a one-of-a-kind vertical wetland that looks genuinely Jurassic. Due to its popularity, California State Parks now requires day-use permits from May 15 to September 15.
Universal Studios, California
Many interior sets and nighttime sequences from the original Jurassic Park were shot on soundstages at Universal Studios in North Hollywood, where vacant warehouses were converted into tropical labs and T. rex pens. Stage 23 was utilized primarily for shooting major scenes from the original film, though this historic soundstage was tragically destroyed in 2017 as the theme park expanded. Although you can’t see the actual shooting places, the studio tour provides peeks into where magic in the movies took place.
Hanapepe Valley, Kauai
The helicopter flight path in the first film continues through this spectacular valley on Kauai’s south side, east of Hanapepe town. While the Kaumualii Highway offers lookout points, the valley’s true majesty becomes apparent from the air during helicopter tours. Most Kauai helicopter companies include this location, where filmmakers constructed landing pads and staging areas for the movie’s aerial sequences.
Like Travel Pug’s content? Follow us on MSN
Prairie Creek Redwoods, California
These majestic ancient trees, whose lineage dates back to the age of dinosaurs, provided natural habitat locations for the forest scenes in The Lost World. Producer Gerald Molen conducted location scouts here with Park Rangers Bob and Ken Anderson, eventually choosing this World Heritage Site for its primordial atmosphere. Research indicated dinosaurs didn’t live in tropical habitats but in forests exactly like these towering redwood groves near Eureka.
Halona Beach, Oahu
Located just 12 miles from Waikiki, this beach served as the desolate shoreline where Claire, Owen, and Franklin washed up in Jurassic World: Fallen Kingdom after escaping the volcanic eruption and dinosaur stampede. The dramatic coastline perfectly captured the sense of isolation and danger the characters experienced. Unlike many other filming locations, Halona Beach remains easily accessible to visitors who want to recreate those dramatic escape scenes.
Dillingham Airfield, Oahu
This public and military-use airport on Oahu’s North Shore served as the landing strip for Isla Sorna in Jurassic Park III. It later appeared in Jurassic World: Fallen Kingdom when the rescue team arrives. The airfield might look familiar to Lost fans, as the fictional Oceanic Airlines flight 815 fuselage was stored here and transported to beaches for filming. The location demonstrates how real airports can convincingly double for remote island landing strips.
Makai Research Pier, Oahu
In Jurassic World, this working pier served as the dock where the Nublar ferry arrived, complete with the Navatek Boat that doubled as the movie’s transportation vessel. Although the original boat has been retired, the pier remains accessible to the public, and the company now offers whale-watching and dinner cruises on newer vessels. The location demonstrates how functional infrastructure can seamlessly integrate into Hollywood storytelling.
Like Travel Pug’s content? Follow us on MSN
Patrick’s Point (now Sue-meg State Park), California
This rugged coastal area in Northern California appeared in The Lost World as Wedding Rock, providing dramatic clifftop scenery for key sequences. The park also served as filming locations for other major productions, making it a favorite spot for directors seeking untamed coastal landscapes. The combination of ancient redwoods, rocky coastline, and pristine beaches creates an otherworldly atmosphere that perfectly suits the sequel’s darker tone.
Kipu Kai Beach, Kauai
This difficult-to-access beach on Kauai’s southeastern side, near Molehu, featured in The Lost World when the Bowman family dined on the beach before the notorious Compsognathus attack. The beach can only be reached by boat, adding to its remote, untouched feeling that made it perfect for representing an unexplored dinosaur island. The isolation and pristine beauty captured the sense of being truly cut off from civilization.
Garden of Eden, Maui
This stunning arboretum on Maui’s north shore provided the backdrop for helicopter entrance scenes in Jurassic World, showcasing the island’s lush tropical beauty. The garden feels like a place genuinely untouched by time, with its dense vegetation and exotic plants creating a convincing prehistoric atmosphere. Visitors can walk the same paths where film crews captured establishing shots of the revived Jurassic World theme park.
Where prehistoric magic lives on
These stunning sites show that the most successful movie magic occurs when directors discover landscapes so remarkable they require no computer-generated improvement. From Hawaii’s dramatic volcanic isles to California’s ancient redwoods, every location selected for Jurassic Park had a natural prehistoric aura that took viewers on a journey through time. Although years have gone by since the initial movie was released, these sites still attract tourists who want to tread where dinosaurs had walked.
While some provide guided tours that emphasize their movie history, others are untouched natural beauties where you can fantasize about raptors hiding behind trees. The popularity of these sites to this day shows how phenomenal films have the capability to alter how we perceive the world forever.
Like Travel Pug’s content? Follow us on MSN
More from Travel Pug
- 20 Best Beach Towns in the Carolinas
- 13 Destinations Where Tourists Regularly Regret Their Trip
- 20 Things You Actually Get in First Class
- 20 Small Airports With Aviation Museums
- 20 Places in the U.S. That Are Perfect for a Reset Trip
Like Travel Pug’s content? Follow us on MSN