Revisiting Breathtaking Jurassic Park
locations in Hawaii
Hawaii is filled with such incredible sights that you’ll want to visit again. A previous article on the must visit places in Hawaii discussed sites such as the Pearl Harbor National Memorial Park, Waikiki Beach and Kona Coffee Farms.
Hawaii’s incredible landscapes have made it a favorite filming and vacation site. One of the most iconic films shot on the islands is the Jurassic Park series, which made use of Hawaii’s gorgeous landscapes to create awe-inspiring prehistoric sets surrounded by beautiful mountains and pristine greenery.
Since the first film was released in 1993, The Jurassic Park franchise has become a global phenomenon with the franchise raking in over $5 billion. Alongside the films it has spawned an incredible range of media and collaborations. Foxy Bingo has three Jurassic Park-inspired games, including an official Jurassic Park collaboration, which shows the audience demand for the franchise in the online realm. And with a new film due out this year, the demand for more Jurassic Park material will only increase.
For serious fans, you can go on an immersive adventure and visit the real film sites to recreate the memories of Jurassic Park.
Here are five breathtaking Jurassic Park movie locations tourists can visit:
Kualoa Ranch
Kualoa Ranch is a private 4,000-acre nature reserve situated on the island of Oahu. This famous tourist attraction is known by locals as the “Jurassic Park of Hawaii.”
One of the famous scenes shot in this location was when Grant and the kids were being chased by dinosaurs and hid behind a fallen log. The fallen log is still there and if you are interested, Kualoa Ranch offers movie tours which passes by the famous log and gives tourists an opportunity to snap a few photos.
Hanapepe Valley
Hanapepe Valley is located on the island of Kauai and is famous for the beautiful Manawaiopuna Falls. This site is where the original Jurassic Park helicopter was filmed landing near a gorgeous waterfall. The locals of Kauai call this place “Jurassic Park Falls” and it is one of the most popular sites for tourists.
One thing to note is that Manawaiopuna Falls is situated on private property and can only be visited by taking a helicopter. If you plan to visit the beautiful falls, you must book reservations with a helicopter company that has permits, landing access and gives tours.
Hanola Beach
Hanola Beach is situated on the island of Oahu. It is a small and stunning cove surrounded by steep and jagged cliffs. This is the site in Jurassic World: Fallen Kingdom, where Franklin, Owen and Clair fled for cover and escaped the erupting volcano.
The steep and rocky cliffs make an amazing but treacherous hike, so be careful if you dare take on the ominous trek.
Puu Ka Ele Reservoir
Puu Ka Ele Reservoir is situated on the North Shore of Kauai island and is a breathtaking lagoon. This was the site where the main characters first discovered the dinosaurs on Isla Nubar and saw the Brachiosauruses.
Puu Ka Ele Reservoir is actually located on the Jurassic Kahili Ranch, a beautiful 2,500-acres private property ranch, located on the northeast part of the island.
Mount Wai’ale’ale
Mount Wai’ale’ale is situated on the island of Kauai. It is the most famous site of all the Jurassic Park filming spots. At the base of the mountain, deep in the center of Kauai, formerly stood the Jurassic Park gigantic entry gates. Today, the gates are no longer standing but there are two poles that have been put in place so that tourists can mark the spot and enjoy taking pictures of the former entrance.
Hawaii is a beautiful paradise and it is no wonder why it is the filming site of the famous Jurassic Park series. Now, you can revisit these spectacular places and experience the awe of where the Jurassic dinosaurs roamed.
Whether you take a tour, ride in a helicopter or hike, you can enjoy the beauty of Hawaii and relive the pre-historic experience of the Jurassic Park movie series.
For more travel and adventure article we have plenty more here on Of Whiskey and Words
About the Author…
Mark Peckham is a film fan and avid traveler. He loves to combine his two passions and explore famous film locations around the world. When he isn’t watching films or jumping on an airplane, he loves to be on the water kite surfing.
