17 Best 'Jurassic Park' Filming Locations You Can Visit

We promise there won't be a T. rex waiting for you at these incredible Jurassic Park filming locations.

2022 was a big year for summer Hollywood blockbuster movies, thanks to the release of "Jurassic World Dominion." In case you missed it, Owen Grady (Chris Pratt) returned to save us all from the dinosaurs (again), this time, on a global scale. Thankfully, as the film's trailer alludes, he got a little help from a few old friends, including Dr. Alan Grant (Sam Neill), Dr. Ellie Sattler (Laura Dern), and Dr. Ian Malcom (Jeff Goldblum).

While the movie trailer has us in full nostalgia mode, it's also got us in the wanderlust spirit. We're ready to help you marry those two feelings by sharing 17 of the best Jurassic Park film locations you can visit in real life. We promise there won't be a Tyrannosaurus rex or a velociraptor in sight.

Related: 31 Iconic Filming Locations Around the World You Can Actually Visit

Na Pali Coast, Kauai, Hawaii

Kauai, Hawaii's fourth-largest island, is essentially its own character in the Jurassic Park franchise. The island is featured in every film as the fictitious Isla Nublar, where the dinosaurs were brought back to life, bred, and roamed free. In 2015's "Jurassic World," the island made a comeback as the new Garden Isle. One of the most awe-inspiring film locations on the real island of Kauai is the Na Pali Coast, which also serves as the fictional Isla Sorna, or "Site B" as Jurassic Park fans recall. The best way to see this magnificent coastline for yourself is either from the water or the air, as there's no way to reach it by car. Hop aboard a charter boat with a company like Makana Charters to see the towering cliffs in all their glory, or take to the sky with Blue Hawaiian Helicopter tours to hover over and alongside them.

Red Rock Canyon State Park, California

Remember this terrifying scene from the original film when Dr. Grant explains just how scary a raptor could be? You know, the one where it's described as a "six-foot turkey?" Well, that scene was filmed in the very real Red Rock Canyon State Park in California. It's a rather well-chosen set too, as California State Parks explains, "hidden behind the scenes in the layers of rock is what amounts to paleontologists as a treasure trove." Come explore the park for yourself on a hiking or camping adventure, though if you do find any dinosaur bones, please leave them where you found them.

Kipu Kai, Kauai, Hawaii

The second installment of the Jurassic Park franchise kicks off with the Bowman family having a delightful day at the beach before, of course, their daughter is attacked by a hungry squad of tiny dinos. The real beach is Kipu Kai, a stunning two-mile stretch of sand that was also featured in "The Descendants." Once again, the best way to get there is via the water. Check out Captain Andy's Sailing Adventures for the ultimate ride there.

Halona Beach, Oahu, Hawaii

When Owen, Claire, and Franklin wash ashore in "Jurassic World: Fallen Kingdom," the threesome appear to be on a desolate stretch of shoreline. In actuality, it's the rather popular Halona Beach. Though it's a bit of a hike to get to, this beach is an ideal spot for a romantic day in the sand. And if it looks super familiar, that's because it's also been featured in films like "Pirates of the Caribbean: On Stranger Tides" and "From Here to Eternity."

Kualoa Ranch, Oahu, Hawaii

Kualoa Ranch on the Hawaiian Island of Oahu is quite the star. It shows up in "Jurassic Park," "Jurassic World," and "Jurassic World: Fallen Kingdom" as the wide, expansive space where we see all the famed stampede scenes. The ranch has capitalized on the publicity and now offers tours of the property and many of its popular film locations by bus, boat, ATV, or e-bike in addition to other outdoor activities.

Allerton Garden, Kauai, Hawaii

If you've been to Hawaii before, you know the flora and fauna here are huge — and we're talking big enough to feed an entire herd of Brachiosaurus (Brachiosauri? Brachiosaurus's? Anyway, we digress). That's likely why the location scouts for the Jurassic Park franchise chose to film at the Allerton Garden, part of Kauai's National Tropical Botanical Gardens. Come for a self-guided walk or take a tour to learn about all the plant life you can find here as well as on the rest of the Hawaiian Islands.

Kamloops and Merritt, British Columbia, Canada

Cold-weather destinations were also celebrated and featured in "Jurassic World Dominion." As the trailer (linked above) shows, the dinosaurs have made their way to some icy-looking tundra, which in the real world happens to be British Columbia. According to reports, both the Kamloops and Merritt areas served as backdrops — the movie producers even recruited locals in the area as extras via Twitter. Film crews were spotted in downtown Merritt setting up shop across from the Coldwater Hotel, which you can stay in now to relive the movie magic.

Valletta and Birgu, Malta

British Columbia wasn't the only destination that made its Jurassic Park debut. Malta was also a major player in the latest film, "Jurassic World Dominion." Malta's capital of Valletta was featured — you can even get a sneak peek of it in the trailer as Owen rides his motorcycle through the city streets — as well as the fortified cities of Birgu and Floriana. Għar Tuta cave in Mellieħa doubled as a dig site in what was supposed to be Utah, while St. Lawrence's Church in Vittoriosa also makes an appearance.

Manawaiopuna Falls, Kauai, Hawaii

Manawaiopuna Falls, also known as "Jurassic Park Falls," is one more must-see Kauai destination to visit on a Jurassic journey. The famous falls served as the backdrop for the helicopter takeoff and landing scenes in the first film. Though the falls sit on private property, you can still catch a glimpse of them by booking your own helicopter ride, with an outfitter such as the Hawaii Adventure Center.

Universal Studios, California

Sorry to ruin the movie fun for you, but we have to let you in on a secret: Not all the places you see in films are real. Gasp! We know. Some of the scenes from the Jurassic Park franchise were actually staged at Universal Studios in Hollywood. According to The Cinemaholic, a "considerable" number of scenes were set in Stage 12, Stage 24, Stage 27, and Stage 28 at Universal Studios in Universal City, California. Of course, the folks at Universal Studios Hollywood would love to show you around on one of its studio tours, which also reveal the behind-the-scenes magic of some of its other famous franchises, like Fast and Furious.

Honolulu Zoo, Oahu, Hawaii

Located in Kapi'olani Regional Park, halfway between Waikiki Beach and Diamond Head State Monument, Honolulu Zoo doubled as the Isla Nublar resort's children's petting zoo in "Jurassic World." While there are (obviously) no actual dinosaurs at the real Honolulu Zoo, you can still visit the roughly 900 animals that do call it home, including orangutans, Komodo dragons, lemurs, giraffes, sloths, rhinos, penguins, elephants, and all manner of other reptiles, amphibians, and birds.

Hawaii Convention Center, Oahu, Hawaii

If the fictional Hilton Isla Nublar Resort in "Jurassic World" looked familiar, that's because it's actually the Hawaii Convention Center. When it's not playing a fancy hotel in the movies, it's where you'll find all sorts of events and festivals all year long, like the Made in Hawaii Festival, the annual Okinawan Festival, the Hawaii Pacific Model United Nations, health and travel expos, and a number of corporate conferences. Check the website's events calendar to see if anything fun will be happening during your trip.

Ho'opi'i Falls, Kauai, Hawaii

In the original "Jurassic Park" film, it's explained that the mosquito fossils being used to regenerate the dino-DNA came from the Mano de Dios Amber Mine in the Dominican Republic. It turns out that footage was shot a long way's away from the D.R., and was actually filmed at a site near Ho'opi'i Falls on the Hawaiian Island of Kauai. While the 1.8-mile out-and-back trail is considered to be a moderate-level hike, it should still be treated with care and respect — please be mindful that you'll be starting the hike in a residential neighborhood, so be on your best hiking trail behavior.

Garden of Eden Arboretum and Botanical Garden, Maui, Hawaii

This beautiful garden on the island of Maui was featured several times in the O.G. "Jurassic Park" movie. This popular spot along Maui's legendary Hana Drive is the first place you'll see as the group of scientists makes their way to the island on their epic helicopter ride (skip to the 1:25 mark). It's where you'll find "Jurassic Rock," or, in reality, Keōpuka Rock, which makes a memorable appearance in that arrival scene. Hike the trail to the Keōpuka Rock Overlook for amazing views of the famous rock with the blue waters of the Pacific Ocean in the background.

Limahuli Garden and Preserve, Kauai, Hawaii

Limahuli Garden and Preserve, part of Kauai's National Tropical Botanical Garden, was featured in the first "Jurassic Park" film, although the exact film location looks a little different now compared to how it did in the 90s. The area where the Visitor Center currently stands once doubled as the velociraptor paddock, and the place where the raptors viciously attack their captors as they're being transferred in the opening scene. Today, you can visit the garden to see its diverse collection of endangered plants and birds, and learn about the Indigenous Hawaiian people's history and culture. Guided and self-guided tours are available, though you will need to book a reservation through the website.

He'eia State Park, Oahu, Hawaii

This dramatic escape sequence from "Jurassic Park: Fallen Kingdom" was actually filmed in He'eia State Park, on the Windward side of Oahu in Kaneohe. You won't have to worry about over-the-top Hollywood-style CGI volcanic eruptions in the real-life park — just take in the views of the nearby Ko'olau Mountains on a self-guided walking tour of the 18-acre site.

Hangar 79, Oahu, Hawaii

At the end of "Jurassic World," the scene where the characters are reunited in the big airplane hangar was shot in Hangar 79 at the Pearl Harbor Aviation Museum. Visit the museum to learn about what happened that fateful December day in 1941 — you can still see the holes left by the bullets that struck the historic building's blue glass windows during the attack on Pearl Harbor. Don't leave without checking out the WWII-era helicopters, historic airplanes, and touring the Ford Island Control Tower, where the air raid on Pearl Harbor was first broadcast by radio.

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