7Views 0Comments
A Guide To Visiting The Cinematic Landscapes Of Utah
Culture Trip’s resident set jetter Cassam Looch heads off to Utah to explore some of the most famous film locations in the world. Here’s his guide to the American state which has just celebrated a centenary of cinematic excellence.
To say I was excited when I found out I was going to visit some of the locations from my favourite films of all time is an understatement. Utah has a well earned reputation as one of the original homes of cinema in North America. Most travellers will know it for the Mighty Five – a selection of 5 national parks that span the state – and fortunately for me there is a great crossover for movie lovers too.
> The best excursions and experiences to book in Utah
I moseyed into town in typical ‘old west’ fashion by rail. The Canyon Spirit from Denver to Moab was the perfect introduction to the distinctive red rocks of Utah and offered me plenty of time to research the ultimate road trip for cinephiles. The sheer size of the state makes it virtually impossible to do everything in one go, so I had to be selective. I certainly knew which spots were the must-see ones (for me), but I also trusted my local guide to pick out a few more. Luckily Kevin from Utah Luxury Tours was also a huge film nerd (and I mean that in the best possible way) so I was in for an absolute treat over the next few days.
What are the Big 5 in Utah?
These world-renowned national parks are noted for their vast desert landscapes, sculpted by millennia of natural erosion on the Colorado Plateau. These parks offer a stunning array of red rock formations, towering cliffs, and surreal views, drawing millions of visitors annually to explore their unique beauty. Road trips are popular and you will need to plan ahead if you want to visit, as some require pre-booking for access at peak times. Here’s a look at each one and some of the films you might have seen them in.
Zion National Park
Think of towering sandstone cliffs, deep canyons, and the Virgin River. Notable features include Angels Landing (a daring hike with chain-assisted ridges), The Narrows (a slot canyon wading hike), and Emerald Pools. Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid (1969) is one of the greatest films of all time and was partly shot here in the southwestern part of Utah. Both Romancing the Stone (1984) and its sequel The Jewel of the Nile (1985) were also made in Zion. > Visit Zion National Park
Arches National Park
Arguably the most recognisable of the Mighty 5, there are over 2,000 natural stone arches here, including the iconic Delicate Arch. You’ll probably know Landscape Arch (longest span), Balanced Rock, and Fiery Furnace maze from films like Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade (1989), Thelma and Louise (1991) and Hulk (2003). This is also a great spot for stargazing and catching an unforgettable sunrise. > Visit Arches National Park
Become a Culture Tripper!
Sign up to our newsletter to
save up to $800 on our unique trips.
Bryce Canyon National Park
Boasting the world’s largest concentration of hoodoo – spire-like rock formations – clustered here in the park. Sunrise and sunset illuminate the amphitheater in vibrant colours and the Navajo Loop and Queens Garden hiking routes are very popular. It’s slightly cooler here so you can feel a little more comfortable in summer while looking for the scenery featured in Sergeants 3 (1962), starring Frank Sinatra, Sammy Davis Jr. and Dean Martin. > Visit Bryce Canyion National Park on this epic 7-day tour including Monument Valley and the Grand Canyon
Capitol Reef National Park
Given its isolated central location in Utah, this is the least visited park on the list. Highlights include the Waterpocket Fold, a 100-mile geologic monocline, and historic Fruita district with pioneer orchards. Petroglyphs and white domes resembling the U.S. Capitol. Not many films have been made here, compared to the others on the list anyway, but some scenes from The Searchers (1956) were shot on location in and around the park.
Canyonlands National Park
Vast and rugged terrain make this ideal for off roading adventures. The space is divided into three districts: Island in the Sky (mesa-top vistas), The Needles (colorful spires), and The Maze (remote backcountry). The Colorado and Green Rivers converge at the heart of the park. This was the setting of 127 Hours (2010), and the real-life location of the incident than inspired the film. Tom Cruise famously climbed the rocks here in Mission: Impossible II (1999) and a number of scenes from Thelma and Louise (1991) feature this backdrop. Dead Horse Point is a State Park which is essentially connected to Canyonlands and you’ll certainly want to include that on a trip here. > Tour the Canyonlands Backcountry
I was only visiting two of the parks on this trip, but we had arranged several additional stops on the way to Salt Lake City that would take in the best set jetting locations in Utah. The road trip itself is a huge part of journey, both figuratively and literally, and we even found a few movie locations that aren’t on the map!
Things to do in Moab
I was starting in Moab and actually spending a few nights here so had plenty of time to get to know the place. The city is compact with a central road that runs the length of it and well beyond too. There are a nice selection of diners, restaurants and great craft shops if you’re looking to pick up some souvenirs. Moab really serves as a gateway to Canyonlands and Arches National Parks with some of the activities starting right here in town.
> Check out the best bookable experiences and tours in Moab
4×4 and off-road tours in sturdy buggy type vehicles, which can clamber of the rocks here with ease, are very popular. You can hire these with a guide to drive yourself or join a group to explore with an expert driver. Hell’s Revenge features sandstone domes and precarious slickrock ledges that lead up to views of the La Sal Mountains and the Colorado river. It’s a short drive from Moab and ideal for sunset spotting after a long day hiking on foot.
Dead Horse Point is a culturally curious destination shrouded in mystery. A number of legends exist around it and (explain the sombre moniker) most of which revolve around horses being herded onto a plateau with only one exit point. The animals supposedly could not find this route out and either died of exhaustion in the intense heat or jumped off in desperation onto the rocks below. Thankfully today it is a well-maintained attraction which allows you to safely recreate film scenes from the likes of Mission: Impossible II and Thelma and Louise. As with all such locations, you are afforded the trust and respect to behave responsibly. There is no need to risk your life for the perfect selfie and go too close to the edge. Your camera can do the work and even if you stick to the clearly marked paths you can get great pictures.
Arches National Park was the first stop on my way out of Moab. It’s easy to see how this place got its name and you’ll want to spend a fair amount of time to fully explore the incredible rock formations from all angles. Some arches look like tiny holes from one side but then emerge as remarkable cave like structures on the other. In the opening sequence of Steven Spielberg’s Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade River Phoenix played a younger version of the title character and was seen escaping with a rare treasure here.
This was one of my favourite film locations I’ve ever visited. The colours change throughout the day and at sunrise I was sat with a coffee in hand as Kevin pointed out the road Thelma and Louise took on their own road trip. You’ll find Balanced Rock here, too, which appears like a boulder suspended on a thin upward formation, although this is more of an optical illusion than a physics-breaking phenomena.
Moab has a thriving film and TV industry to this day. I had dinner at Red Cliffs Lodge, which has been functioning as a range since the late 1800s and has been a working ranch ever since. The property also houses the Moab Museum of Film and Western Heritage telling the colourful stories of cowboy life – past and present. There are props from some of the movies shot here and some short films too. Bega Metzner, the Film Commissioner of the Moab to Monument Valley Film Commission, shared some of the upcoming projects in the area and a couple of secrets I am sworn to never tell.
Monument Valley and Forrest Gump Point
Around mile marker 13 on U.S. 163 you’ll see a few signs for a scenic stop. It seems like a random place on the drive to Monument Valley but you’ll see crowds gathering and vehicles parked up on either side of the highway as people stare off into the distance. This is Forrest Gump Point, and anyone who has seen the film will get why its such an impressive stop. To be honest, even if you haven’t seen it, this is an astounding stretch of road.
Forrest decided he was done running after three years, two months, 14 days and 16 hours. Not only breathtakingly beautiful, this spot is absolutely integral to the history of Western cinema. I was to explore a little further into the valley later, but there was no way I was going to pass up this opportunity to take a picture. I love the fact that film tourism has been embraced here and the ample parking space makes it easy to stop for a few minutes. Other travellers will have exactly the same idea but everyone seems to understand that as this is a working highway you have to be respectful of traffic. I tried sprinting on the road but after a few days of American cuisine and a general lack of fitness, I was done running after 3 seconds.
Originally set up as a trading post, Goulding’s became a Hollywood hotspot in the 1930s after the owner heard of a movie production company scouting out locations in the Southwest to use in films. He believed that bringing movie production to Monument Valley would help the local Navajos with much-needed income. This resulted in Stagecoach (1939) starring John Wayne being filmed there. I wanted to explore an authentic Navajo experience so took a ride through the backcountry with a native tribesman to learn about the culture. This time was also used to showcase how some of the natural features across the land have different significance to indigenous populations.
Sitting on the Utah border with Arizona, John Ford’s Point is a vantage site used in a number of classic westerns. Ford, a famous director and genre pioneer, picked out this dramatic backdrop which features sweeping views of the valley’s towering sandstone buttes, including the East and West Mitten Buttes, which have become symbols of the American Southwest. Somewhere in this wilderness is also the abandoned cinema set from Back to the Future III (1990), the specific location of which has been lost in recent years.
An out-of-this-world trip to Goblin Valley
As I mentioned, it was a tough choice to forgo the other national parks in Utah on this trip but i’m glad I opted to go for a smaller state park instead. This was a fair drive from Monument Valley so we stayed overnight at Bluff Dwellings Resort & Spa and left very early the next morning. This was the last leg of my journey and I was flying home to London from Salt Lake City, but there was a lesser-known location I had to experience for myself.
This strange and colourful rocky arena, which is unlike any other in Utah, is Goblin Valley State Park. The landscape, covered with sandstone goblins and formations, is often compared to Mars. Explore the geology, and camp among the nooks and gnomes. It was famously featured in the space comedy Galaxy Quest (1999). You’ll understand why when you see just how otherworldly it is there!
It was noticeably quieter here compared to the other locations we had visited. This is partly due to the remoteness of the location, but it is this isolation that adds to the serene and unnerving ambience of the place. Kevin had mapped this valley out already from memory, but there was one location that had alluded him so far. He was on the hunt for a spot seen in 1994’s City Slickers II: The Legend of Curly’s Gold and it wasn’t going to be easy to find. Serious set jetters want to recreate movie scenes as closely as possible, so it’s often a case of trial and error to get it just right. You have to compare screenshots with real life backdrops, but with perseverance you can find what you’re after.
Yes, we did find this particular movie treasure in the end… and celebrated in style!
On the last drive into downtown Salt Lake City, we had lunch close to Lehi Roller Mills. If you’re an 80s kid like me, when you see this distinctive building, you’ll start hearing Kenny Loggins in your head and feel an uncontrollable urge to get footloose. It seems like there are film locations everywhere you look in Utah, and there are new ones being added to the list every year. The latest Marvel film Thunderbolts (2025) can be added to the list and don’t forget TV series like Westworld and Yellowstone, too. For more information and to plan your trip here check out Visit Utah, and don’t mind me if I have a little dance as I reminisce about my last trip here.
About the author
Cassam Looch has been working within travel for more than a decade. An expert on film locations and set jetting destinations, Cassam is also a keen advocate of the many unique things to do in his home city of London. With more than 50 countries visited (so far), Cassam also has a great take on the rest of the world.
If you click on a link in this story, we may earn affiliate revenue. All recommendations have been independently sourced by Culture Trip.
