Walk in the Footsteps of Dinosaurs: Hawaii's Jurassic Park Locations

When Steven Spielberg brought dinosaurs back to life in 1993's "Jurassic Park," he chose the lush, otherworldly landscapes of Hawaii to stand in for Isla Nublar, the fictional island where the prehistoric creatures roamed. The islands’ diverse ecosystems, dramatic cliffs, and tropical forests provided the perfect backdrop for the film’s groundbreaking visual effects and thrilling narrative. Today, Jurassic Park enthusiasts from around the world flock to these iconic locations to witness the cinematic magic firsthand. This article delves into why Hawaii was chosen as the primary filming location, highlights key sites featured in the film, shares behind-the-scenes anecdotes, and explores how you can relive the Jurassic Park experience through various tours across the islands.

Why Hawaii Was Chosen for Jurassic Park

Hawaii's natural beauty and geographical diversity made it an ideal choice for depicting the untamed and mysterious Isla Nublar. The islands offer an array of environments, from dense rainforests and rugged mountains to sprawling coastlines, all within a relatively small area. This allowed the filmmakers to create the illusion of a vast and varied island ecosystem.

Spielberg and his team were also attracted to Hawaii’s cinematic history and its track record as a versatile filming location. Movies like “King Kong” and “South Pacific” had previously showcased the islands' capacity to transform into exotic locales. Additionally, Hawaii's favorable weather and cooperative local authorities made it easier to manage the complex logistics of a large-scale production like "Jurassic Park."

Iconic Jurassic Park Filming Locations in Hawaii

1. Kauai: The Garden Isle’s Jurassic Heart

Manawaiopuna Falls (Jurassic Falls)
Located in Kauai’s lush Hanapepe Valley, Manawaiopuna Falls, famously dubbed "Jurassic Falls," is one of the most recognizable locations from the film. The scene where Dr. Grant, Dr. Sattler, and Dr. Malcolm first arrive at Isla Nublar via helicopter was shot here. The waterfall, cascading dramatically against a backdrop of emerald-green cliffs, instantly set the tone for the epic adventure. Visitors can only access this stunning site by helicopter tours, which often include a thrilling landing at the base of the falls, allowing fans to walk in the footsteps of their favorite characters.

Na Pali Coast
The breathtaking Na Pali Coast, with its towering sea cliffs and lush valleys, provided the sweeping aerial shots that depicted the untamed beauty of Isla Nublar. The rugged, remote nature of the coastline made it the perfect stand-in for a land where dinosaurs still roam. Helicopter tours along this coast offer a bird’s-eye view of locations featured in the film, making it a must-see for Jurassic Park aficionados.

Allerton Garden
This botanical garden in Kauai’s Lawai Valley was used for the scene where Dr. Sattler and Dr. Grant discover a sick Triceratops. The meticulously maintained gardens, with their towering fig trees and exotic plant species, created the perfect setting for this unforgettable moment. Visitors can take guided tours to see the exact spot where the scene was filmed and learn about the unique flora of the garden.

2. Oahu: The Cinematic Playground

Kualoa Ranch
Kualoa Ranch, located on Oahu's northeastern coast, is perhaps the most famous Jurassic Park filming location. This sprawling 4,000-acre nature reserve was used for multiple scenes, including the heart-pounding sequence where Dr. Grant and the kids encounter a herd of Gallimimus. The iconic moment where they seek refuge behind a fallen log is still one of the most visited spots on the ranch.

The ranch also served as the setting for the film’s opening scene, where a velociraptor attacks a worker during a dinosaur transfer. Today, visitors can take guided tours to explore these sites, learn about the film’s production, and enjoy a range of activities from ATV rides to ziplining, all set against the stunning backdrop of the Koʻolau Mountains.

Moli'i Fishpond
Another Oahu location, the Moli'i Fishpond near Kualoa Ranch, was used in the filming of “Jurassic World” (2015), where characters navigate a Gyrosphere through a dinosaur-populated landscape. This historic fishpond, part of a private nature reserve, offers visitors the chance to kayak through serene waters, surrounded by the same lush scenery seen in the film.

3. The Big Island: Lava Fields and Lost Worlds

Mauna Kea’s Volcanic Landscape
The stark, otherworldly terrain of Mauna Kea’s volcanic fields on the Big Island provided the perfect backdrop for some of the film’s most dramatic moments. The craggy, desolate landscape stood in for the dangerous, uncharted regions of Isla Nublar. While access to these areas can be challenging, guided tours offer a glimpse into the geological wonders that made this location so memorable.

Behind-the-Scenes Stories and Fun Facts

• Hurricane Iniki’s Impact: Filming on Kauai was dramatically interrupted by Hurricane Iniki, the most powerful hurricane to hit Hawaii in recorded history. The cast and crew took shelter in their hotel as the storm ravaged the island, even capturing real storm footage that Spielberg later used in the movie! The hurricane's impact was so severe that it altered filming schedules and required the team to relocate some scenes to Oahu.
• Jeff Goldblum’s Pranks: Jeff Goldblum, who played Dr. Ian Malcolm, was known for his sense of humor on set. During one particularly tense scene, Goldblum decided to lighten the mood by hiding a speaker in the foliage and playing dinosaur roars to startle his co-stars. His antics kept the cast and crew in high spirits, even during grueling shoots.
• The T-Rex Animatronic: The life-sized animatronic T-Rex used in the film was both a marvel and a challenge. Weighing nearly 12,000 pounds, the T-Rex would sometimes malfunction, particularly when it got wet. During the infamous rain-soaked attack scene, the crew had to frequently stop shooting to dry off the giant robot and keep it operational.
• The Gallimimus Stampede: The scene where Dr. Grant and the kids watch a herd of Gallimimus running was filmed in an open field at Kualoa Ranch. The actors had to react to nothing, as the dinosaurs were added in post-production. Spielberg used men holding large cardboard cutouts to help the actors visualize the movement and direction of the dinosaurs during filming.
• Stan Winston’s Puppet Mastery: Stan Winston’s team created a full-size, mechanical puppet of the sick Triceratops for the scene shot at Allerton Garden in Kauai. The puppet was so realistic that when filming ended, many crew members instinctively tried to pet it. The Triceratops' lifelike movements and textures were achieved using advanced animatronics and a latex skin covered with a unique blend of paints to mimic reptilian scales.
• Sam Neill’s Shocking Experience: Sam Neill, who played Dr. Alan Grant, experienced a minor shock—literally—during the electric fence scene. While the fence itself was not electrified, Neill accidentally touched a live wire on set, causing a brief but memorable jolt. He joked about it later, saying it was a good reminder to stay alert in a dinosaur-filled jungle.
• Laura Dern’s Fright on Set: Laura Dern, who played Dr. Ellie Sattler, had a genuine scare on set when filming the scene where she’s chased by a velociraptor in the maintenance shed. During one take, the velociraptor’s mechanical head malfunctioned and lunged closer than expected, causing her to let out a real scream of terror. The reaction was so authentic that Spielberg decided to keep it in the film.
• Hawaiian Cultural Blessing: Before filming began, the crew participated in a traditional Hawaiian blessing ceremony at each primary location, led by a local kahuna (spiritual leader). The ritual, meant to bring good fortune and respect to the land, was a gesture of appreciation to the Hawaiian community for allowing the production to use their land. It helped foster a strong relationship between the crew and local residents.
• Logistics of Filming in Remote Areas: Transporting the crew and equipment to some of Kauai's remote locations, like the Manawaiopuna Falls, was a massive logistical challenge. Helicopters were required to shuttle everything in and out, and any delays or technical issues could halt production for hours. Despite the obstacles, the stunning visuals of these locations made it all worthwhile.
• Steven Spielberg’s Directorial Genius: Spielberg’s attention to detail was evident when he personally manipulated the animatronic dinosaur puppets to get the perfect shot. In one scene, he controlled a small-scale velociraptor puppet to ensure the creature’s movements matched his vision precisely. His hands-on approach helped bring the dinosaurs to life in a way that CGI alone could not.
• Clever Use of Scale Models: For some scenes, including the iconic T-Rex paddock attack, the crew used scale models of the fences and jungle. By carefully positioning the models and using forced perspective, they created the illusion of vast distances and enormous creatures within a relatively small space.
• Richard Attenborough’s Return to Acting: Richard Attenborough, who played John Hammond, had been retired from acting for over a decade before Spielberg convinced him to join the cast. He later shared that working on “Jurassic Park” was one of the highlights of his career, particularly because he had been directing films for years and rarely got the chance to act anymore.
• The Iconic Ripples in the Water: The memorable shot of ripples forming in a glass of water as the T-Rex approaches was achieved through a surprising technique. The crew found that simply tapping the dashboard wasn’t producing the desired effect, so they plucked a guitar string under the car's dashboard to create the concentric ripples, making for one of the most iconic moments in cinematic history.
• Improvised Dialogue: Many of Jeff Goldblum’s lines were improvised, including his now-famous line, “Life, uh, finds a way.” Spielberg encouraged Goldblum to bring his quirky, intellectual charm to the role, resulting in some of the film’s most memorable dialogue.
• A Family Affair: Steven Spielberg’s wife, actress Kate Capshaw, and their children were on set during much of the filming in Hawaii. Spielberg often referred to the shoot as a "working vacation," and the family took full advantage of the island’s beauty, enjoying snorkeling, hiking, and exploring the local culture whenever they had a break from production.

Exploring Jurassic Park Today: Tours and Experiences

Hawaii’s Jurassic Park legacy lives on through a variety of guided tours and experiences that allow fans to explore these iconic sites.

1. Kauai Helicopter Tours Multiple operators, such as Island Helicopters and Blue Hawaiian Helicopters, offer aerial tours of Kauai’s Jurassic Park locations. These tours provide a unique perspective of Manawaiopuna Falls and the Na Pali Coast, and some even include a landing at Jurassic Falls for an up-close experience.
2. Kualoa Ranch Jurassic Tours Kualoa Ranch offers several Jurassic-themed tours, including the popular Jurassic Adventure Tour, which takes visitors to key filming sites across the ranch. The Jurassic Valley Zipline and ATV tours are also available, providing a thrilling way to explore the stunning landscape.
3. Jurassic World Experience at Moli'i Fishpond Located at Kualoa Ranch, this tour lets visitors explore the fishpond and ancient Hawaiian fish farming techniques while visiting the filming locations used in "Jurassic World." Kayak and canoe tours offer a serene experience in this lush, picturesque setting.
4. Big Island Volcanic Tours For those intrigued by the otherworldly landscapes of Mauna Kea, several tour companies offer guided expeditions across the Big Island’s volcanic terrain. These tours provide insight into the unique geology of the area and a glimpse into the dramatic backdrop used in the film.

Imagine standing in the shadow of towering cliffs, with the same wind rustling through the trees as it did when a T-Rex first roared to life on the big screen. You close your eyes and suddenly, you’re there—on Isla Nublar, where dinosaurs walked the earth once more. Visiting these incredible Jurassic Park filming locations in Hawaii is like stepping into a piece of cinematic history, where the line between reality and imagination blurs. And when you return home, grab some popcorn and rewatch "Jurassic Park" or "Jurassic World" with a new perspective—you’ve been there, where the adventure began.