FUN AND GAMES July 28, 2025

Unveiling the Untamed Beauty: Secret Western Landscapes That Shaped Legendary Films

Westerns such as Django Unchained, Dances with Wolves, and Shane used the city of Jackson Hole, Wyoming as their picturesque filming location. The towering peaks of the Teton Range make Jackson Hole the perfect place to shoot a Western.

Fans of Django Unchained may not know that Leonardo DiCaprio struggled to play such as ruthless villain. He had to take pauses while filming his scenes to apologize for how he was acting.

Kanab Earned The Nickname “Little Hollywood”

Western TV fans probably remember the hit 1940s and 1950s show The Lone Ranger. That and several other Westerns were filmed in the town of Kanab, Utah.

Since it became a place favored by actors and directors, it earned the nickname “Little Hollywood.” The Lone Ranger fans should know that the “Hi-Yo Silver!” shout at the beginning of each episode was actually recorded from a radio broadcast in the 1930s.

Read on to discover one of Western filmmaker Sergio Leone’s favorite filming locations!

Filming At Actual Native American Reservations

star wars return of the jedi scene in the desert

The Hopi Native American village of Walpi dates back to 900 AD and it has been used as a scenic backdrop for a select few films. It’s now extremely difficult to be given permission to film there.

Filmmakers wanted to film in Walpi because of its dramatic cliffs and panoramic views. Not just an ideal spot for Westerns, films such as Star Wars: Episode VI – Return of the Jedi and Indiana Jones and the Temple of Doom were shot there.

Many Spaghetti Westerns Were Filmed At Cinecittà Studios

One of the most popular filming locations for spaghetti Westerns was Cinecittà Studios in Rome, Italy. Starting in the 1930s, spaghetti Westerns such as Once Upon a Time in the West and Seven Pistols for a Massacre got to film there.

Other well-known movies made at Cinecittà Studios include Romeo and Juliet, Zoolander 2, and Gangs of New York.

Cabo De Gata-Níjar Showed Off The Spanish Mountains

a fistfull of dollars still with Clint Eastwood

The Cabo de Gata-Níjar National Park in Andalusia, Spain provided both a look of arid deserts and rugged mountains. Cabo de Gata-Níjar happened to be a favorite shooting location for director Sergio Leone.

Popular Westerns filmed at this Spanish national park include A Fistful of Dollars and The Magnificent Seven.

Westerns Filmed In This Ancient Spanish City

Guadix, Granada, Spain is centered on a high plain across the northern foothills of the Sierra Nevada mountain range.

Not only does this city have some breathtaking views, but it’s also the shooting location of some famous Westerns. Fans may recognize the town in films such as Duck, You Sucker! or A Fistful of Dynamite.

This Spanish Village Pays Homage To Spaghetti Westerns

for a few dollars more still with Clint Eastwood

The small Spanish village of Los Albaricoques pays homage to the iconic spaghetti Westerns of the past. Two of the most well-known filmmakers to work in Los Albaricoques are Sergio Leone and Clint Eastwood.

They shot scenes from their Dollars trilogy and made sure to employ many of the locals.

A Historical Landmark Became A Fun Filming Location

Only in Andalusia, Spain will people find the Torre de los Alumbres. This historical landmark was built in 1510 and was made to protect the town of Rodalquilar from pirate raids.

Western fans may have spotted it in Sergio Leone and Clint Eastwood’s movie For a Few Dollars More. It was used as the hideout for the antagonist, Indio.

What’s Special About Tampico

the treasure of the sierra madre with Humphrey Bogart and Tim Holt

Something that sets Tampico, Mexico apart from other Western filming locations was that it was part of a historical cinematic moment.

The Treasure of the Sierra Madre was released in 1948 and was one of the first Hollywood films to be shot on location outside of the United States. Directed by John Huston, the film starred Humphrey Bogart and Tim Holt as two outlaws joining forces with an old prospector (Walter Huston).

See which city is filled with art, great views, and historic architecture…

Westerns Go Hollywood

high noon still black and white Gary Cooper

While several Westerns were shot across the United States and all over the world, the majority were actually filmed in Hollywood.

The Iverson Movie Ranch and the Columbia Movie Ranch were just a couple of the special sets made to look like the Wild West. Some may remember that even the notorious Manson family lived in one of these types of sets at Spahn Ranch.

A Favorite Spot Of Clint Eastwood

One of Clint Eastwood’s most successful Westerns was 1992’s Unforgiven. He played an aging outlaw alongside Gene Hackman, Morgan Freeman, and Richard Harris.

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