--- title: "Was Jurassic Park Filmed on Oahu? The Real Locations" canonical: "https://hawaiitravelbureau.com/was-jurassic-park-filmed-on-oahu/" author: "Evan Miles" published: "2026-10-11T07:00:00+00:00" modified: "2026-10-17T06:15:20+00:00" language: "en-US" site: "Hawaii Travel Bureau" description: "If you are planning a trip to Hawaii, you might wonder: was Jurassic Park filmed on Oahu? The answer is yes, but only a small portion of the original 1993…" categories: "Hawaii Travel Guides" attribution: "Hawaii Travel Bureau (https://hawaiitravelbureau.com/)" --- # Was Jurassic Park Filmed on Oahu? The Real Locations If you are planning a trip to Hawaii, you might wonder: was Jurassic Park filmed on Oahu? The answer is yes, but only a small portion of the original 1993 movie was shot there. Most of Steven Spielberg's classic was filmed on Kauai. Oahu provided the backdrop for one of the most famous dinosaur chase scenes in cinema history. As of 2026, you can still visit the exact valley where production took place. ![was jurassic park filmed on oahu](https://hawaiitravelbureau.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/10/was-jurassic-park-filmed-on-oahu-mupd25pc.webp) *Image source: Web (Bing) / tripsavvy.com (Web image (fair-use with source credit))* ## Quick Answer ### 🌺 Local Island Guide Quick Answer Yes, Jurassic Park was partially filmed on Oahu. Only one major outdoor scene was shot there. The crew filmed the famous Gallimimus stampede in Kaʻaʻawa Valley at Kualoa Ranch. Most other outdoor scenes were filmed on Kauai. ## Visual Breakdown: The Gallimimus Stampede and Kaʻaʻawa Valley The primary Oahu location used in the 1993 film is Kaʻaʻawa Valley, located within the 4,000-acre private reserve at Kualoa Ranch. This sweeping valley on Oahu's windward coast provided the wide-open grassy expanse needed for a large-scale visual effects sequence. In this scene, Dr. Alan Grant (Sam Neill), Lex Murphy (Ariana Richards), and Tim Murphy (Joseph Mazzello) walk through an open field. Suddenly, a flock of Gallimimus runs down the mountain slope toward them. Tim delivers the iconic line, "They're flocking this way." The trio ducks behind a large fallen log to take cover. Seconds later, the Tyrannosaurus rex ambushes one of the flocking dinosaurs right in front of them. ![Kaʻaʻawa Valley](https://hawaiitravelbureau.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/10/ka-a-awa-valley-mupd26a3.webp) *Image source: Web (Bing) / sowhatshouldwedo.com (Web image (fair-use with source credit))* The physical log seen on screen was a prop placed in the valley specifically for the shoot. The dramatic, fluted green ridgeline visible behind the actors belongs to the Koʻolau Mountain Range. The steep, corrugated mountain walls make this scene instantly recognizable to anyone viewing the valley in person. ## Oahu vs. Kauai: Mapping the 1993 Jurassic Park Filming Locations Many movie fans assume the entire original movie was filmed on Oahu. In reality, Kauai was Steven Spielberg's primary Hawaiian location for outdoor photography in late summer 1992. Kauai served as the primary canvas for Isla Nublar due to its dense, prehistoric rainforests and sheer waterfalls. Oahu provided the wide, flat valley floor that Kauai's steep terrain could not match for a running herd sequence. | Scene / Landmark | Island | Specific Real-World Location | | --- | --- | --- | | Gallimimus stampede and fallen log | Oahu | Kaʻaʻawa Valley, Kualoa Ranch | | Helicopter arrival at waterfall | Kauai | Manawaiopuna Falls (Hanapepe Valley) | | Jurassic Park entrance gates | Kauai | Mount Waiʻaleʻale base (Blue Hole path) | | Finding the Raptor eggs in the wild | Kauai | Allerton Garden (National Tropical Botanical Garden) | | Sick Triceratops field | Kauai | Kipu Ranch (Lihue) | | Initial helicopter ocean approach | Maui | Keōpuka Rock (North Shore) | | Visitor Center interiors and kitchen | California | Warner Bros. and Universal Studios soundstages | The production division between the islands was intentional. Kauai offered towering jungle canopies and dramatic waterfalls. Oahu offered the expansive mountain backdrops needed for ILM's groundbreaking digital dinosaur animations. ## How Oahu Took Over as the Primary Island for Jurassic World While the 1993 original used Oahu for just one scene, later franchise entries flipped the balance. When Universal Pictures rebooted the series with *Jurassic World* (2015) and *Jurassic World: Fallen Kingdom* (2018), production moved heavily to Oahu. According to archival production notes maintained by the [Hawaii State Film Office](https://filmoffice.hawaii.gov), the modern productions required extensive infrastructure, easy crew logistics, and vast open acreage for massive physical sets. Oahu provided all three. ![Jurassic World Indominus Rex paddock](https://hawaiitravelbureau.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/10/jurassic-world-indominus-rex-paddock-mupd26o7.webp) *Image source: Web (Bing) / sowhatshouldwedo.com (Web image (fair-use with source credit))* Kualoa Ranch became the main production hub for *Jurassic World*. The production constructed several high-profile sets directly inside Kaʻaʻawa and Hakipuʻu valleys, including: - The massive 40-foot-tall concrete walls for the Indominus Rex paddock - The Gyrosphere departure platform and rolling meadow - The exterior bunker entryways used in *Fallen Kingdom* - The animal containment pens and research outposts If you visit Oahu today, you will see significantly more physical set structures and scenery from *Jurassic World* than from the 1993 original. ## Common Location Mistakes: Jurassic Landmarks You Won't Find on Oahu Because Kualoa Ranch brands itself as Hawaii's "Jurassic Valley," travelers often arrive looking for scenes that were never filmed on Oahu. Knowing what is and is not on the island helps set realistic expectations. The famous Jurassic Park wooden gates were never built on Oahu. The production crew erected those massive wooden doors deep in the interior of Kauai, near Mount Waiʻaleʻale. The physical gates were dismantled after filming, though two concrete support poles remain in the Kauai jungle. The dramatic waterfall seen during the helicopter arrival is also not on Oahu. That sequence features Manawaiopuna Falls, located on private land within Kauai's Hanapepe Valley. You can only view it via private helicopter tours. Finally, the iconic Visitor Center rotunda, the computer control rooms, and the terrifying kitchen raptor chase were never filmed in Hawaii at all. Those sequences were filmed entirely on soundstages in Burbank and Universal City, California. Oahu provided natural grandeur, while studio stages handled the tense indoor action. ## Visiting Kualoa Ranch: Practical Guide to Seeing the Real Jurassic Valley You cannot hike into Kaʻaʻawa Valley on your own because Kualoa Ranch is an active cattle ranch and private nature reserve. Access requires booking an official guided tour through the ranch. The reserve sits along Kamehameha Highway on Oahu's Windward Coast, roughly a 45-minute drive from Waikiki. Tour operators at Kualoa offer several different formats to view the film locations: - **Movie Sites Tour:** An open-air vintage bus tour focused on filming sets, ideal for families and casual fans. - **UTV Raptor Tour:** A multi-passenger off-road vehicle excursion that traverses rugged dirt trails deep into Kaʻaʻawa Valley. - **Jurassic Valley E-Bike Tour:** A pedal-assist mountain bike tour offering a quiet, close-up look at the terrain. - **Custom VIP Tours:** Private guided vehicles with dedicated stops for specialized film photography. If you book the standard Movie Sites tour or the UTV tour, guides stop directly at the famous fallen log location. Guides carry replica dinosaur props and help visitors stage photos matching the 1993 scene. Tours regularly sell out two to three weeks in advance during peak travel seasons. Reserving your spot well ahead of time guarantees you access to the valley floor. ## Frequently Asked Questions About Jurassic Park Filming on Oahu ### Which exact scene was filmed on Oahu in the 1993 movie? Only the Gallimimus stampede scene was filmed on Oahu. In this scene, Dr. Alan Grant and the kids flee a flock of running dinosaurs and hide behind a fallen log before the Tyrannosaurus rex strikes. ### Can you visit the Jurassic Park log on Oahu? Yes, you can visit the fallen log prop site on Oahu by booking a guided tour at Kualoa Ranch. The ranch maintains the filming location inside Kaʻaʻawa Valley as a regular tour stop for photo opportunities. ### Why was most of Jurassic Park filmed on Kauai instead of Oahu? Director Steven Spielberg selected Kauai because its dense rainforests, dramatic gorges, and untouched waterfalls closely matched Michael Crichton's novel descriptions of Isla Nublar. Oahu was chosen primarily for its wide valley floor at Kualoa Ranch. ### Was the Jurassic Park gate scene filmed on Oahu? No, the iconic wooden Jurassic Park gates were built and filmed on Kauai inside the interior rainforest near Mount Waiʻaleʻale. The set pieces were removed after production wrapped in 1992. ### Were other Jurassic movies filmed on Oahu? Yes, both *Jurassic World* (2015) and *Jurassic World: Fallen Kingdom* (2018) filmed extensively on Oahu. Major sets built at Kualoa Ranch include the Indominus Rex paddock, the Gyrosphere launching pad, and various military outposts. ### 🥾 Field-Tested Gear: Hawaii Trail & Sightseeing Protection From rugged Kualoa filming valleys to sharp volcanic ridgelines, tackle Oahu’s premier attractions safely with trail-proven footwear and sun protection: - **High-Traction Breathable Water Hiking Shoes:** [Check Quick-Dry Water Hiking Shoes on Amazon →](https://www.amazon.com/s?k=breathable+water+shoes+for+hiking+and+creek+walking&tag=hawaiitravelbureau-20) - **UPF 50+ UV Sun Protection Long-Sleeve Rash Guard:** [Check UPF 50+ Sun Protection Shirts on Amazon →](https://www.amazon.com/s?k=upf+50+long+sleeve+sun+shirt+rash+guard&tag=hawaiitravelbureau-20) *FTC Disclosure: As an Amazon Associate, Hawaii Travel Bureau earns from qualifying purchases. Learn more about our [field-tested travel research methodology](https://hawaiitravelbureau.com/how-we-test/).* ### 🌺 Related Hawaii Sights, Culture & Filming Guides: - [Top 10 Hawaii Tourist Attractions You Must See](https://hawaiitravelbureau.com/top-10-hawaii-tourist-attractions-places/) - [What Not to Miss in Oahu: The Ultimate Island Bucket List](https://hawaiitravelbureau.com/what-not-to-miss-in-oahu-hawaii/) - [What Is Hawaii Most Famous For? 10 Iconic Answers](https://hawaiitravelbureau.com/what-is-hawaii-most-famous-for/) - [Where Is Ko Olina Located on Oahu? Map & Directions](https://hawaiitravelbureau.com/where-is-ko-olina-located-on-oahu/) - [How We Test & Research: Our Hawaii Travel Methodology](https://hawaiitravelbureau.com/how-we-test/)