Funny story - I drove around Alberta for three days last summer with a crumpled Open Range DVD case on my dashboard, determined to find that exact spot where Costner's cattle drive scenes were shot. Let me save you the blisters and wrong turns. When people ask where was Open Range filmed, the quick answer is mostly Alberta, Canada. But man, there's way more to it than that.
Quick fact for those in a hurry: About 85% of the film was shot within 100 miles of Calgary, Alberta. The main locations? Kananaskis Country and the town of Longview. But stick around because the specifics matter for visitors.
Alberta's Cowboy Country: The Primary Filming Backdrop
Director Kevin Costner didn't just randomly pick Alberta. He needed that untouched frontier vibe that simply doesn't exist in most modern US locations. What he found in southern Alberta was landscape so authentic it practically became another character in the film.
Kananaskis Country: Where the Open Range Truly Opens Up
Coordinates: 50.6859° N, 114.8789° W | Nearest Town: Longview (15 min drive)
This is ground zero for most sweeping landscape shots. When you see Charlie Waite (Costner) riding through endless grasslands with mountains framing the background? That's Kananaskis. What surprised me when I visited was how accessible it still is.
| Visitor Info | Details |
|---|---|
| Access Fee | Daily Pass: $15 CAD per vehicle | Annual Pass: $90 CAD (2024 rates) |
| Best Visiting Months | June to September (October gets snowy fast) |
| Key Film Spots | Bar U Ranch National Historic Site, Highwood Pass, Etherington Creek |
| Local Tip | Stop at the Longview Steakhouse after - they've got photos from filming days |
Honestly though? The wind never stops howling up there. I was there in July and still needed a fleece. That explains why some actors look genuinely cold in "summer" scenes.
Longview: The Stand-In for Harmonville
Population 307 - and yes, that tiny town became the film's fictional Harmonville. They built the entire main street set from scratch on a field just outside town. Drove past it last year - just empty grassland now, which feels kinda sad. But downtown Longview still has that frontier vibe.
- Must-see spot: The Longview Hotel (302 2nd Street) where cast stayed during filming
- Don't miss: Jerry's Saloon (main street) where crew drank after wrap
- Getting there: 1 hour drive south from Calgary Airport (YYC)
Ran into a rancher at Jerry's who worked as an extra. "Costner hated the Canadian mosquitoes more than any movie villain," he laughed. "We sprayed him with repellent like he was crops."
The Forgotten Filming Locations (That Most Guides Miss)
Most articles about where Open Range was filmed stop at Alberta. But as a location hunter, I uncovered some lesser-known spots that added texture to the film:
| Location | Film Scene | Current Status | Visitor Access |
|---|---|---|---|
| Stoney Nakoda Resort, Alberta | Indigenous camp scenes | Still operating as resort | Day passes available ($10 CAD) |
| Fort Macleod, Alberta | Additional town shots | Historic Main Street preserved | Always open | Free walking tour maps |
| Santa Fe Ranch, New Mexico | Select interior shots | Private property | No public access (view from road only) |
The New Mexico thing shocked me. Turns out post-production needed some close-up interiors done during winter when Alberta was buried under snow. Found that nugget after badgering a retired crew member at a film convention.
Why These Locations Matter to Film Buffs
You can't separate where Open Range was filmed from why the film feels so authentic. Modern Montana has highways and power lines everywhere. But southern Alberta? It's one of few places where horizons look like 1880s America. Costner's team shot at golden hour constantly to maximize that magic-hour glow. Standing in those same spots at sunset? Chills.
Practical tip: If you're visiting, download the Alberta Film Locations app. Has GPS coordinates for exact spots like:
- The river crossing coordinates (50.812° N, 114.592° W)
- Butcher's Gulch ambush site
- Final shootout ridge
Annoyingly precise? Maybe. But when you're standing where Robert Duvall delivered that "freegrazers" speech, you'll thank me.
Planning Your Open Range Filming Locations Road Trip
After three visits, I've refined the perfect Alberta filming locations loop. Do NOT attempt this in winter unless you've got a snowplow.
The 3-Day Open Range Road Trip Itinerary
Day 1: Calgary to Longview (90km)
Pick up supplies in Calgary. Visit Fort Macleod (1 hr detour) before hitting Longview. Stay at Longview Hotel - same rooms cast used. Dinner at steakhouse.
Day 2: Kananaskis Country Circuit (160km loop)
Morning: Bar U Ranch (opens 10am, $8 entry). Afternoon: Highwood Pass scenic drive. Pack lunch - zero services. Sunset at Etherington Creek overlook.
Day 3: Hidden Gems & Return (120km)
Stoney Nakoda cultural center (9am-4pm). Detour to Elbow Falls for bonus vistas. Back to Calgary by dusk.
Rental tip: Get an SUV. Those gravel roads eat sedans for breakfast. And buy the extra insurance - I learned that the hard way when a rogue rock chipped my windshield near Highwood Pass.
Open Range Filming FAQs (What Real Travelers Ask)
Can you still visit the Open Range filming sites?
Absolutely. Most Alberta locations remain publicly accessible. The Longview set was dismantled post-filming, but nearby landscapes look identical. Kananaskis requires a park pass ($15/day).
Why was Open Range filmed in Canada instead of the US?
Three reasons: 1) Tax incentives saved production millions 2) Alberta offered vast undeveloped landscapes 3) Crew infrastructure from earlier westerns like Unforgiven already existed near Calgary.
What's the closest airport to the filming locations?
Calgary International (YYC). From there, it's 60-90 minutes to all major sites. Avoid Edmonton airport - it's 5+ hours north.
Are guided tours available?
Surprisingly few. "Alberta Movie Tours" runs seasonal half-day trips from Calgary ($95 CAD pp). DIY is better though - most sites have detailed signage after the film's tourism boost.
Is it free to visit where Open Range was filmed?
Mixed bag. Longview streets are free. Kananaskis requires $15 daily vehicle pass. Bar U Ranch charges $8 admission. Budget about $25 CAD/day for site access fees.
How the Locations Shaped the Film's Legacy
Thinking about where Open Range was filmed isn't just geography trivia. Alberta's weather became a plot device - those sudden storms in the film? Absolutely real. Local ranchers taught actors authentic cattle-driving techniques. Even the mud was legit Alberta gumbo that stranded equipment trucks. That authenticity bleeds through every frame.
Last thought: Visit during the Calgary Stampede (July). They often screen Open Range outdoors near filming sites. Watching that final shootout scene while sitting on the actual prairie where it was filmed? Western nirvana.
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