A Movie-Lover’s Photo Tour of Arizona’s Iconic Filming Locations in 2025
Lights, camera, action! Arizona’s stunning landscapes have long been a backdrop for Hollywood’s biggest films, from dusty Westerns to sci-fi epics. In 2025, these cinematic gems are still accessible, offering movie buffs a chance to step into the scenes of their favorite films. Grab your camera, channel your inner director, and join us on this fun and engaging photo tour of Arizona’s most iconic movie filming locations you can visit today!
1. Old Tucson Studios – Tucson, AZ
Featured in: Rio Bravo (1959), Tombstone (1993), The Quick and the Dead (1995)
Kick off your tour at Old Tucson Studios, a living, breathing slice of the Wild West. This historic film studio and theme park has been the set for over 300 Westerns, including John Wayne’s Rio Bravo and the gritty Tombstone. Walk the dusty streets where Kurt Russell’s Wyatt Earp faced off against the Clantons, and snap a photo in front of the iconic saloon. In 2025, Old Tucson remains a vibrant attraction, offering live stunt shows and guided tours that capture the classic Western vibe.
Photo Tip: Frame your shot at sunset with the wooden facades and saguaro cacti in the background for a cinematic golden-hour glow.
Visitor Info: Open daily, with tickets around $24.95 for adults. Check oldtucson.com for seasonal events like “Nightfall” for a spooky twist!
2. Monument Valley – Arizona/Utah Border
Featured in: Stagecoach (1939), Forrest Gump (1994), Once Upon a Time in the West (1968)
No Arizona movie tour is complete without Monument Valley’s towering buttes. This breathtaking landscape, straddling the Arizona-Utah border, is practically a character in John Ford’s Stagecoach and the unforgettable running scene in Forrest Gump. Stop at the exact spot where Tom Hanks ended his cross-country jog (mile marker 13 on US-163) and capture the iconic road stretching toward the buttes.
Photo Tip: Use a wide-angle lens to capture the vastness of the valley, and visit at sunrise for soft, dramatic lighting.
Visitor Info: The Monument Valley Navajo Tribal Park offers guided photography tours for $75–$150. Self-guided drives are also available, but respect Navajo land regulations.
3. Sedona’s Red Rock Country – Sedona, AZ
Featured in: Midnight Run (1988), Broken Arrow (1950), The Karate Kid (1984)
Sedona’s crimson cliffs and lush forests have starred in everything from Westerns to modern action flicks. In Midnight Run, Robert De Niro’s bounty hunter chased his target through these rugged landscapes, while The Karate Kid used Sedona’s vistas for its serene training montages. Hike the Bell Rock Trail for a photo-worthy view of the same red rock formations that framed these films.
Photo Tip: Shoot from Cathedral Rock at dusk for vibrant colors that pop against the sky, perfect for Instagram-worthy shots.
Visitor Info: Sedona is free to explore, with trailhead parking fees around $5. Visit visitsedona.com for maps and trail guides.
4. Yuma Territorial Prison – Yuma, AZ
Featured in: 3:10 to Yuma (2007), The Getaway (1972)
Step into the gritty world of 3:10 to Yuma at the Yuma Territorial Prison State Historic Park. This 19th-century prison, with its stone walls and guard towers, provided an authentic backdrop for the film’s tense Western drama. Wander the cells and imagine Russell Crowe’s outlaw plotting his escape. The site’s eerie vibe makes it a must-visit for fans of historical dramas.
Photo Tip: Capture the prison’s imposing gate with the Colorado River in the background for a moody, cinematic composition.
Visitor Info: Open daily, admission is $10 for adults. Check azstateparks.com for special events like ghost tours.
5. Lake Powell – Page, AZ
Featured in: Planet of the Apes (1968), Gravity (2013), Maverick (1994)
Lake Powell’s otherworldly beauty, with its turquoise waters and sculpted canyons, has doubled as alien planets and rugged frontiers. The original Planet of the Apes used Glen Canyon’s shores for its post-apocalyptic scenes, while Gravity captured its vastness for space-like isolation. Rent a kayak or take a boat tour to snap photos from the water, where the cliffs reflect like a movie set.
Photo Tip: Photograph Antelope Canyon (nearby) for surreal, wave-like rock formations that scream sci-fi epic.
Visitor Info: Boat tours start at $50, and Antelope Canyon photography permits are $98. Book early at lakepowell.com.
6. Superstition Mountains – Apache Junction, AZ
Featured in: The Searchers (1956), Charro! (1969)
The rugged Superstition Mountains, with their jagged peaks and desert expanses, were a favorite of Western legend John Wayne. In The Searchers, these mountains framed Ethan Edwards’ epic quest. Hike the Peralta Trail for sweeping views and photo ops that capture the untamed spirit of the Old West.
Photo Tip: Shoot from Lost Dutchman State Park at dawn, when the mountains glow against a pastel sky.
Visitor Info: Park entry is $7 per vehicle. Visit azstateparks.com for trail details and camping options.
Why Arizona in 2025?
Arizona’s filming locations aren’t just relics of Hollywood’s past—they’re vibrant, accessible destinations that let you live out your movie fantasies. Whether you’re posing like a gunslinger in Old Tucson or chasing Forrest Gump’s run in Monument Valley, these spots blend cinematic history with jaw-dropping scenery. Pack your camera, plan your route, and make 2025 the year you star in your own Arizona movie adventure!
