AdventureDramaWestern

🎬 Where Was The Revenant Filmed? Complete Alberta, Canada Location Guide

2015

Alejandro G. Iñárritu

Added January 15, 2024

5 Locations

Unravel the rugged beauty of The Revenant's epic landscapes. Discover extreme filming locations and plan your own wilderness adventure.

About 🎬 Where Was The Revenant Filmed? Complete Alberta, Canada Location Guide

🎬 Where Was The Revenant Filmed? Complete Alberta, Canada Location Guide

Ever wondered if the brutal, breathtaking landscapes of The Revenant were actually real? Buckle up, film fans, because they absolutely were – and they're even more stunning in person! 🐻❄️

Director Alejandro G. Iñárritu plunged cast and crew into the unforgiving wilderness to bring Hugh Glass's epic tale of survival to life. This wasn't Hollywood magic; it was raw, unfiltered nature at its most majestic and menacing.

From the frosty peaks of the Canadian Rockies to the southernmost tip of Argentina, these locations aren't just backdrops; they're characters in their own right. They shaped the story, tested the actors, and ultimately delivered an Oscar-winning masterpiece.

Ready to trace the footsteps of Leonardo DiCaprio's legendary performance? Let's dive into the real-world spots that made The Revenant an unforgettable cinematic experience. Prepare for an adventure! 🗺️✨

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🗺️ Major Filming Locations

🎬 Dead Man's Flats (near Canmore), Kananaskis Country, Alberta, Canada - Where Survival Began 🏞️

Scenic view of Dead Man's Flats near the majestic Rocky Mountains, with a river in the foreground.

🏛️ The Location

Dead Man's Flats is a small hamlet nestled in the Bow Valley, just east of Canmore, Alberta. It's surrounded by the stunning, rugged beauty of the Canadian Rocky Mountains and serves as a gateway to Kananaskis Country, a vast park system. This area is a true wilderness paradise, perfect for intense outdoor filming.

🎥 In the Film

This location featured prominently in the initial scenes of the film, capturing the raw, untamed frontier. It provided the expansive landscapes for the fur trappers' journeys and helped establish the desolate and dangerous environment that Hugh Glass and his party navigated.

📍 Visitor Info

📍 Address: Dead Man's Flats, Alberta T1W 2W6, Canada

🕒 Hours: Open 24/7 (Outdoor area)

💰 Admission: Free (Day use areas in Kananaskis Country may require a Kananaskis Conservation Pass)

🌐 Website: https://www.tourismcanmore.com/

💡 Pro Tip: This area is excellent for hiking, mountain biking, and cross-country skiing. Bring bear spray and practice bear safety, as you are truly in the wild!
🎬 Fun Fact: The name "Dead Man's Flats" reportedly comes from the discovery of a deceased prospector in the area, adding to its mysterious and rugged allure.

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🎬 Spray Lakes Reservoir, Kananaskis Country, Alberta, Canada - Icy Waters of Despair 🧊

Stunning waters of Spray Lakes Reservoir in Kananaskis Country, surrounded by snow-dusted mountains.

🏛️ The Location

Spray Lakes Reservoir is a large, picturesque body of water in the heart of Kananaskis Country, southwest of Canmore. Created by a hydroelectric dam, it's famous for its dramatic mountain views and often frozen, windswept surfaces in winter. It's a truly isolated and awe-inspiring place.

🎥 In the Film

The frozen expanses and the surrounding rugged terrain of Spray Lakes Reservoir were crucial for depicting Hugh Glass's arduous journey through the harsh winter landscape. Scenes requiring desolate frozen rivers or vast, snow-covered plains likely utilized the reservoir's dramatic natural features.

📍 Visitor Info

📍 Address: Spray Lakes Road, Kananaskis Country, Alberta, Canada

🕒 Hours: Open 24/7

💰 Admission: Free (Kananaskis Conservation Pass required for vehicle access)

🌐 Website: https://www.albertaparks.ca/parks/kananaskis/spray-valley-pp.aspx

💡 Pro Tip: The road to Spray Lakes can be gravel and challenging in winter; a 4x4 vehicle is recommended. Pack layers!
🎬 Fun Fact: Despite the extreme cold depicted in the film, the crew sometimes faced difficulties with a lack of natural snow, requiring careful planning and even relocating parts of the production.

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🎬 Stoney Nakoda Nation Reserve (Morley), Alberta, Canada - Sacred Wilderness 🌲

Beautiful view of Stoney Nakoda Nation Reserve lands, with vibrant green fields and distant mountains under a blue sky.

🏛️ The Location

The Stoney Nakoda Nation Reserve, located near Morley, Alberta, encompasses a vast and pristine area of land with significant cultural importance. Its diverse landscapes include forested areas, rivers, and open plains, providing authentic wilderness backdrops. The First Nations community's deep connection to the land resonated with the film's themes.

🎥 In the Film

Parts of the sweeping wilderness scenes, particularly those involving tracking and the indigenous characters, were filmed on the Stoney Nakoda Nation Reserve. The untouched nature of their traditional lands offered the perfect isolated setting for the intense survival narrative.

📍 Visitor Info

📍 Address: Stoney Nakoda Nation, Morley, Alberta, Canada (Specific filming areas are generally not public access)

🕒 Hours: N/A (Private land, respect local customs)

💰 Admission: N/A

🌐 Website: https://stoneynakodanations.com/

💡 Pro Tip: While direct access to filming spots on the reserve is limited, you can experience similar landscapes and learn about Indigenous culture through guided tours or nearby interpretive centers outside the reserve.
🎬 Fun Fact: The Stoney Nakoda people played a significant role in the film's authenticity, with some members of the community working as extras and consultants on set.

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🎬 Squamish Valley, British Columbia, Canada - Lush, Untamed Forests 🌳

Impressive forest of Squamish Valley, British Columbia, showing dense trees and a sense of remote wilderness.

🏛️ The Location

Squamish Valley, located in British Columbia, is known for its lush, temperate rainforests, towering mountains, and pristine rivers. It offers a different kind of wilderness beauty compared to Alberta's dryer mountains, characterized by dense vegetation and dramatic elevation changes.

🎥 In the Film

The dense, ancient forests of Squamish Valley provided additional wilderness scenes, particularly those requiring a more enclosed, verdant feel. The film utilized its varied terrain to complement the expansive views captured in Alberta, adding depth to Glass's journey.

📍 Visitor Info

📍 Address: Squamish Valley, British Columbia, Canada (Exact filming sites are not publicly marked)

🕒 Hours: Open 24/7 (Public access areas like parks)

💰 Admission: Free (Some specific attractions may have fees)

🌐 Website: https://www.exploresquamish.com/

💡 Pro Tip: Squamish is a hub for outdoor activities like hiking, climbing, mountain biking, and water sports. The Sea to Sky Gondola offers incredible aerial views of the valley.
🎬 Fun Fact: British Columbia's diverse landscapes make it a popular filming destination, often doubling for various parts of the world, including the wild American frontier.

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🎬 Ushuaia, Tierra del Fuego Province, Argentina - The World's End 🌍

Authentic mountainous landscape of Ushuaia, Argentina, with snow-capped peaks and a remote, wild feel.

🏛️ The Location

Ushuaia, often called "The End of the World," is the southernmost city in the world, located in Argentina's Tierra del Fuego province. It's renowned for its dramatic, untamed Patagonian landscapes, including mountains, glaciers, and subpolar forests. This incredible environment offers truly remote and chilling visuals.

🎥 In the Film

Due to unseasonably warm weather in Canada, the production relocated to Ushuaia to capture the desolate, snow-covered landscapes needed for the film's climax. The iconic final scenes, including the icy river crossing and the intense confrontation, were filmed in this far-flung, pristine wilderness.

📍 Visitor Info

📍 Address: Ushuaia, Tierra del Fuego Province, Argentina

🕒 Hours: Varies by attraction

💰 Admission: Varies (National Park has entrance fee)

🌐 Website: https://turismoushuaia.com/

💡 Pro Tip: Take a cruise through the Beagle Channel or visit Tierra del Fuego National Park for truly stunning views. Be prepared for unpredictable Patagonian weather, even in summer!
🎬 Fun Fact: The move to Argentina was a huge logistical challenge, involving transporting an entire film crew and equipment across continents just to find the necessary snow for the final weeks of shooting.

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🎬 Behind-the-Scenes Secrets

Filming The Revenant was an epic journey in itself, almost as challenging as Hugh Glass's survival tale. The dedication of the cast and crew, coupled with the director's unique vision, truly pushed the boundaries of filmmaking. It was a commitment to authenticity like no other!

🎭 Director's Vision

🎯 Location Strategy: Iñárritu insisted on filming in remote, untouched wilderness using only natural light. This meant unpredictable weather, short shooting days, and incredible logistical hurdles.

🎨 Visual Style: The raw, unfiltered locations enhanced the film's immersive quality, making the audience feel the biting cold, the isolation, and the sheer scale of Glass's struggle against nature.

🎪 Production Highlights

🎬 Extreme Elements: The crew battled real blizzards, sub-zero temperatures, and rough terrain, often having to clear paths through deep snow just to get equipment to set.

🎭 DiCaprio's Dedication: Leo pushed himself to the limits, enduring freezing rivers, eating raw bison liver, and sleeping in animal carcasses to embody Hugh Glass's desperate fight for survival.

🎨 Practical Effects Focus: Whenever possible, Iñárritu favored practical effects and real stunts over CGI, making the action feel incredibly visceral and immediate.

🎯 The Search for Snow: When Canadian winter disappointed, the entire production packed up and moved thousands of miles to Ushuaia, Argentina, just to find the necessary snow for the climax.

🌟 Cast & Crew Stories

😄 Survival School: Actors underwent intense survival training, learning how to build fires, track animals, and handle weapons, ensuring their performances were rooted in realism.

😮 Icy Plunge: The infamous river scenes were filmed in genuinely freezing water, with safety protocols in place, making the struggle even more harrowing for the actors.

🎉 Oscar Glory: The extreme conditions paid off! The Revenant earned Leonardo DiCaprio his first Oscar for Best Actor, and Alejandro G. Iñárritu won Best Director, a testament to their unwavering commitment.

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🗺️ Plan Your Visit

Ready to embark on your own wilderness adventure inspired by The Revenant? While you probably don't want to recreate Hugh Glass's exact journey, these stunning locations offer incredible opportunities for exploration and connection with nature.

🏨 Where to Stay

💰 Budget: Hostels in Canmore/Banff - $50-100/night - Perfect for solo travelers or groups, offering shared amenities and a friendly atmosphere. Close to many Kananaskis attractions.

🏛️ Mid-Range: Hotels in Canmore - $150-250/night - Comfortable and convenient, providing a great base for exploring the mountains with amenities like pools and restaurants.

✨ Luxury: Fairmont Banff Springs Hotel (Resort) - $300-800+/night - The iconic "Castle in the Rockies" offers world-class service, stunning views, and a truly indulgent experience just a short drive from some film sites.

🚗 Getting Around

🚇 Metro: Public transport is very limited in these remote areas. While some buses connect major towns like Canmore and Banff, they don't reach the specific wilderness filming locations.

🚗 Car: Renting a car is absolutely essential for exploring the Revenant locations. A 4x4 or AWD vehicle is highly recommended, especially if traveling in winter or on gravel roads.

🚶 Walking: Many specific viewpoints are accessible via hiking trails. Be prepared with proper outdoor gear, water, and navigation tools. Always inform someone of your plans.

📸 Photo Tips

🌅 Best Times: Golden hour (sunrise and sunset) offers the most dramatic lighting for capturing the vast landscapes and the intense wilderness vibe of the film. Early mornings often provide calmer conditions and fewer crowds.

📱 Instagram Spots: The shores of Spray Lakes Reservoir, scenic overlooks along the Spray Lakes Road, and any clearings offering panoramic mountain views will give you those epic, Revenant-esque shots.

🎬 Movie Moments: Try to find open clearings or forested areas that visually match the film. Use wide-angle lenses to capture the immense scale of the landscape, just like Iñárritu did. Dress warmly if you want to brave the cold for authentic shots!

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❓ Quick Answers

🎬 Is this based on a true story?

Yes, The Revenant is loosely based on the real-life frontiersman Hugh Glass's incredible story of survival after being mauled by a bear and left for dead in the 1820s.

🗺️ Can I visit all locations in one day?

No, absolutely not. The Canadian locations are spread across Kananaskis Country and British Columbia, and Ushuaia, Argentina, is on another continent entirely. Plan at least 2-3 days for the Canadian sites if driving around.

💰 How much should I budget?

Budgeting varies greatly. For a multi-day trip exploring the Canadian Rockies, plan for $100-$300+ per person per day, covering accommodation, car rental, and food. A trip to Ushuaia would be a separate, more significant expense.

📱 Are there guided tours?

Yes, you can find local guided hiking, wildlife, and sightseeing tours in Canmore and other towns in the Canadian Rockies that cover similar wild landscapes. While not "Revenant-themed" specifically, they'll immerse you in the environment.

🎭 When was this filmed?

Principal photography for The Revenant took place from October 2014 to August 2015, primarily during the winter months to capture the authentic snowy conditions.

🌍 Is Alberta safe for tourists?

Yes, Alberta is very safe for tourists. However, when exploring wilderness areas, proper preparation is essential: be aware of wildlife (bears, cougars), check weather conditions, inform someone of your plans, and stick to marked trails.

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🎬 Ready for Your Cinematic Adventure?

The Revenant isn’t just a film; it’s an experience. By visiting these breathtaking real-world locations, you’re not just seeing where a movie was made; you’re stepping into the heart of an epic survival story. You'll feel the raw power of nature and gain a deeper appreciation for the incredible effort that went into bringing this masterpiece to the screen.

So, pack your bags, lace up your hiking boots, and prepare to be awed by the sheer majesty and silent brutalism of these untamed landscapes. Share your adventures with us using #WhereWasItFilmed! And remember to explore responsibly, leaving no trace behind. Which cinematic location are you eager to visit next?

Year Released

2015

Director

Alejandro G. Iñárritu

Filming Locations

5 locations

Behind the Scenes

Director Alejandro G. Iñárritu envisioned a film that felt raw, visceral, and authentic, opting for natural light and challenging conditions. This commitment meant plunging cast and crew into the Canadian and Argentinian wilderness, often battling sub-zero temperatures and unpredictable weather. The goal was to make the audience *feel* the ordeal of Hugh Glass, turning the stunning, yet harsh, landscapes into a character itself.

Production initially sought locations in Canada due to its abundant snow, but warm weather forced a decisive move to Argentina to finish filming.
Leonardo DiCaprio ate raw bison liver for realism, despite being vegetarian, to truly embody his character's desperate struggle.
Director Iñárritu shot the film chronologically to help the cast and crew experience the grueling journey alongside Hugh Glass.
Much of the film was shot using only natural light, limiting daily filming to a few hours and extending production to nine months.
The iconic bear attack scene was generated using CGI but based on extensive research into bear behavior for maximum realism.
Tom Hardy often arrived on set hours early to help build fires and stay in character, showcasing intense dedication.
Crew members endured extreme isolation and freezing conditions, leading to a truly immersive production experience.
The movie's brutal realism meant minimal green screens, forcing actors to interact with the environment directly.
Iñárritu referred to the production as 'cinematic penance,' emphasizing the effort required from everyone involved.
Hugh Glass's grunts and growls were carefully crafted, as DiCaprio spent months working with a vocal coach to perfect them.
The vast, untouched wilderness of Canada and Argentina became a silent, yet powerful, antagonist in the film.
The entire project was a testament to survival – not just Glass's, but also the cast and crew's endurance during filming.

Location Gallery

Dead Man's Flats

Spray Lakes Reservoir

Stoney Nakoda Nation Reserve (Morley)

Squamish Valley

Ushuaia, Tierra del Fuego

Travel Tips

Best time to visit most of these locations is during spring or fall for mild weather.
Consider booking accommodations in advance, especially during tourist season.
Guided tours are available that cover Dead Man's Flats, Spray Lakes Reservoir, Stoney Nakoda Nation Reserve (Morley) in one day.