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Did you spend your teenage years completely obsessed with the love story of one clumsy human and one sparkly vampire??? Same, people. Same. Yep, we’re talking about Twilight. So join us, Twihards as we take a deep dive into the most popular (and beautiful) Twilight filming locations in the USA. Moody views guaranteed!
Psst… did you hear? Twilight is making a return to select cinemas! So be sure to catch a midnight screening if you can. And, while you’re there, take the Twilight quiz to find out which broody icon you are!
Was Twilight filmed in Forks?
Ah, yes. Good ‘ol gloomy Forks, Washington – the epicentre of Bella and Edward’s romance. Is it a real place? Yep. Is it where Twilight was filmed? Nope.
Unfortunately Twilight was not actually filmed in Forks, Washington despite being set there, and instead it was made up of other filming locations around.
Rumour has it that the filmmakers thought that the actual town lacked that certain je ne sais quoi. So, eventually, they packed up and headed to the neighbouring state of Oregon instead.
Image source:Cristofer Maximilian / unsplash
Twilight filming locations
1. Kalama High School, Washington
This famous high school in Kalama, a small town in Washington, was the stand in for Forks High School and is the palace where Bella Swan first locked eyes with her lover-to-be (remember that cafeteria scene?). The parking lot outside the high school is also where that scene takes place. You know, the one where Edward saves Bella by literally stopping a car with his hand? Pretty iconic to study at a high school that has a slice of cinema history forever associated with it…
2. Ecola State Park, Oregon
When Bella first learns about the “cold ones” (and Taylor Lautner landed on our list of top 10 celebrity crushes), the LaPush Beach, AKA, the Indian Beach in Ecola State Park, plays the backdrop. And yes, you can visit it IRL! Expect epic scenery filled with dramatic rocks, beautiful blue waters and golden sands. A perfect stopover on a USA road trip? We think so. And possibly one of the prettiest Twilight filming locations out there.
Image source:Kush Dwivedi / unsplash
3. Hoke House, Portland, Oregon
Yep, we’re talking about the Cullen House. Much to our surprise, the house isn’t actually nestled deep in the woods. It’s right in the middle of a bustling city. But unlucky for us, it’s a private residence. So, don’t go knocking asking for Edward. He’s probably out playing baseball anyway.
4. Silver Falls State Park, Oregon
Gosh, these Twilight filming locations are gifts that keep on giving. Another natural wonder is the oh-so-beautiful Silver Falls State Park. This is the spot where several key scenes, including THE baseball game, were filmed. And it’s also the perfect spot for a hike while surrounded by milky white waterfalls and (almost) neon green moss and trees.
Image source:Cristofer Maximilian / unsplash
5. Multnomah Falls, Oregon
Let’s talk about Multnomah Falls in Oregon, another absolutely breathtaking Twilight filming location. (No wonder they used it in the opening scenes). This majestic waterfall is surrounded by lush greenery. And of course, you need to take pictures while you’re on that bridge! Whether you’re a Twilight fan or not, it’s definitely a must-see in the USA.
6. The View Point Inn, Corbett, Oregon
Who can forget the iconic prom scene? Dreamy gazebos, twinkling lights, vampires charming humans…If you wanna visit that spot, you need to head to View Point Inn in Corbett. The site has become a church for Twilight fans. Unfortunately, it was damaged by a fire in 2011, but has been restored since then.
7. Carver Café, Oregon
If you want to grab a bite to eat in true Twilight style (real food, we mean – not that kind of bite!), then you’ll want to head to Carver Café! This is the quaint All-American diner that played host to The Lodge – the local hangout spot for Bella and Co. The café is owned by a husband and wife duo and has been in business since the late ‘50s.
8. Wauna Federal Credit Union, Vernonia, Oregon
Much of Forks was filmed in Vernonia, Oregon instead of actually in Washington, and a prominent location is the Wauna Federal Credit Union which was used to depict the police station where Charlie, Bella’s father, works. We see this best in the scene when Bella and Edward are returning home from Port Angeles.
Additionally, the house Bella and her dad live in is about 20 miles east of here, just on the border with Washington by St. Helens.
9. Oregon City Mill, Oregon
Plenty of scenes in Twilight are gruesome and action-packed – I mean, we’re talking about vampires AND teenagers here! But the scene with James’ Coven, where they attack and kill a security guard, is one of the very first and certainly leaves an impression. This scene was filmed at the Oregon City Mill which is actually an idyllic spot (when the saws aren’t on), surrounded by water.
New Moon filming locations
Many of the previous Twilight filming locations make a return for New Moon, with the addition of some beautiful extras!
1. Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada
Aaand as the saga moves into New Moon, this tale has a new home – Vancouver. Lush forests and mighty mountains were perfect for the dark, mystical tone that took over the sequels.
Image source:Eoin Anderson / unsplash
2. David Thompson Secondary School, Vancouver
Forks High School has changed location and certain shots of it and scenes were filmed instead at David Thompson Secondary School in Vancouver. But, no matter, as the plot is taking us out of high school and more towards the mystical and dangerous…
3. Coquitlam, British Columbia
This gorgeous little farm house plays a very fitting home to Jacob and Billy Black, and the rest of their werewolf buddies. It’s located on Victoria Drive, however the house is a private residence on a residential street, so if you choose to stop by this Twilight filming location make sure to be respectful!
Image source:Kharl Anthony Paica / unsplash
4. Parthenon Park, Vancouver
As Bella tries to get over her heart break and forget Edward, she spends more time with Jacob and he brings her to Parthenon Park where a group of boys are jumping off the cliffs into water. This is a tiny beach which can actually be quite hard to reach – but if you know your way it’s a lovely hidden gem!
5. Incinerator Rock, Long Bach, Vancouver
After Bella finds out Jacob is a werewolf she understandably has questions – I mean, both her love interests are revealed to be mythical creatures! Wow, what are the chances? As Jacob explains to her the ins and outs of lycanthropy, he takes her for a moody walk along Long Beach where the rock stands impressively in the background.
6. West Vancouver, British Columbia
The new Cullen house (RIP original one, you will always be iconic) was filmed at a private home on 118 Stevens Drive, though if you decide to drive by and see you may be confused as it really doesn’t look like the original one at all. Also in West Vancouver is Whytecliff Park where several cliff diving scenes are filmed, including the one of Victoria being chased off by the werewolves. It’s a very scenic and dramatic park, perfect for Twihards to spend a day exploring.
7. Montepulciano, Italy
We can all agree that Edward is a little dramatic, right? But, in his most dramatic move, Edward travels to Volterra in Italy where he stands in the sun, prepared to reveal the secrets of vampirism all in an effort to attain the Volturi’s attention so they’ll kill him because he believes Bella is dead. Yeah… that’s a lot.
But the scene is undeniably beautiful, a medieval hilltop town in Tuscany lit up by the sun. Gorgeous. While Volterra is a real place in Italy, Twilight’s scene was filmed in Montepulciano in the Palazzo de Comune with the impressive clock tower.
Image source:Lothar Boris Plitz / unsplash
Eclipse filming locations
Say hello to some new dreamy locations for the third instalment of the Twilight saga.
1. Tofino, British Columbia, Canada
If you and your significant other are Twihards, there’s one place that will completely capture your hearts – and that’s Tofino. Yup, this is the spot where Edward attempts to convince Bella to marry him, in the blooming meadows in Twilight: Eclipse. Plus, you’ve got jaw-dropping views of the white-sand beaches and rocky cliffs made up for Bella’s ever-so-subtle rejection. It’s probably one of the prettiest Twilight filming locations out there.
2. Minnekhada Regional Park, British Columbia
Just down the road from the previous filming location in Coquitlam you can find Minnekhada Regional Park where many scenic and outdoor scenes from Eclipse were filmed. It’s a gorgeous area to take a stroll through with your brooding vampire and werewolf boyfriends…
3. Mount Seymour, Vancouver
During Bella, Edward, and Jacob’s less than friendly camping trip, the trio (and all the filming crew) find themselves at the top of Mount Seymore. This is the Twilight filming location where they set up camp, and where Jacob and Bella cuddle. For warmth, of course.
4. Widgeon Slough, Pitt River, British Columbia
This location features a few times throughout the Twilight franchise, actually, but you may remember it most as the location where Jacob kisses Bella… Yikes! But, in reality, the marshes here are very pretty and the water reflects the nearby mountains in something like a Bob Ross painting.
5. Port Moody, British Columbia
Perfect name, right? Well, Port Moody is actually a very popular Hollywood filming location and it also features in Disney+’s Shōgun! But, for Twilight, Port Moody is where the newborn vampire army emerges from out of the shimmering waters… Eerie stuff.
Breaking Dawn filming locations
Many of Breaking Dawn’s filming locations are the same as previous movies, like Port Moody, Indian Beach, Widgeon Slough, etc. But here are the new ones for Twilight’s final installation!
1. Pemberton, British Columbia, Canada
Now if you thought Bella and Edward spend their secluded honeymoon in a cottage in Brazil, you’re in for a surprise. The scenes were set in the Island of Esme (it does not exist IRL unfortunately), but were filmed in Pemberton, Canada. The stunning waterfalls, the lush lakes, the tropical paradise – all of it was filmed in British Columbia. Either way, we sure do love island hopping.
Image source:Photerrestrial / unsplash
2. Cascade Falls Regional Park, Mission, British Columbia
Yet another forest-y filming location to add to your list, Cascade Falls Regional Park is a wooded park which is filled with waterfalls! Clue’s in the name. It’s a gorgeous location, perfect for all your Twihards to get lost in, and it’s the area where Bella – now a vampire – jumps over waterfalls during a hunting scene. We would recommend you stick to the regular paths on your visit, however.
3. Stawamus Chief, Canada
And last but not the least. The finale. The fight with the Volturi in Breaking Dawn: Part 2. was filmed in Squamish, British Columbia. The Stawamus Chief Provincial Park was the perfect spot for this dramatic scene. Snowy fields. Towering mountains. Deep wooded forests. It was the ultimate Twilight filming location for the ultimate showdown. And the best part? It’s right next to Whistler! Canadian Rockies trip anyone?
