Ever wondered where Holes filmed? I get it watching Stanley dig those holes in the blazing sun makes you curious about the real locations. I’ve done the research so you don’t have to.
This guide covers every filming spot used in the movie. You’ll learn about the California ranches and deserts where they shot each scene. I’ll share exact locations, visiting tips, and behind-the-scenes facts.
We’re covering why they picked California, major spots like Melody Ranch and Red Rock Canyon, plus how you can visit these places yourself.
Why California Made Sense for Holes
The production team picked California for several practical reasons. Wide open deserts provided the harsh, hot look the story needed.
Working ranches near Los Angeles could be set up as Camp Green Lake.
The Mojave Desert delivered that unforgiving landscape perfectly. Having everything in one state saved money and time during the 10-week summer 2002 shoot.
From dry lakebeds to rocky canyons, California had it all.
About the 2003 Film
Holes follows Stanley Yelnats IV, wrongly accused of stealing sneakers. He’s sent to Camp Green Lake, a juvenile detention center in the desert. There’s no lake, just dried-up land and heat.
The boys dig holes daily, supposedly building character. Stanley learns the warden is really hunting for buried treasure. The story shifts between present day and flashbacks showing how a family curse started generations ago.
Shia LaBeouf plays Stanley, with Sigourney Weaver as the Warden. Jon Voight plays Mr. Sir, and Khleo Thomas is Zero. Andrew Davis directed, the same director behind The Fugitive. Louis Sachar wrote both the original book and screenplay.
The movie stays true to the novel’s darker themes.
Production ran 10 weeks during summer 2002. The cast and crew worked in real desert heat, often above 100 degrees. The budget was a modest $20 million for a major studio film. Most money went to location work, practical sets, and the large cast.
They built actual holes and camp structures instead of using CGI. The film honors Scott Plank in the end credits. Plank played Trout Walker and died in a fire before the movie came out. The dedication appears as a tribute to his work.
Main California Filming Locations
Here’s where the cast and crew shot every major scene across California’s desert landscapes.
Melody Ranch, Placerita Canyon
Most of Camp Green Lake was built at Melody Ranch in Santa Clarita, about 35 miles north of Los Angeles. The crew built the entire camp here tents, the warden’s cabin, and administration building.
The famous hole-digging scenes happened at this spot. They dug real holes in the ground, each exactly five feet deep and five feet wide, just like the book describes.
The boys spent days actually digging, though stunt coordinators helped with harder work. The flat, dusty terrain stretches out behind the camp in wide shots.
Melody Ranch has hosted hundreds of westerns and TV shows. It’s a working facility with limited public access. You can sometimes visit during special events or organized tours.
The ranch is at 24715 Oak Creek Avenue in Newhall. Check their website before planning a trip since filming often closes the property.
Walt Disney’s Golden Oak Ranch, Newhall
Golden Oak Ranch provided flashback locations. These scenes show Green Lake as a thriving community with actual water. The production team used existing western town sets and modified them for the time period.
Katherine Barlow’s schoolhouse scenes were filmed here. So were the general store and main street shots from the late 1800s and early 1900s. The ranch gave them a ready-made small town that felt authentic.
This saved time and money compared to building from scratch.Golden Oak Ranch is private Disney property, not open to the public. The ranch sits in Santa Clarita, used only for Disney productions.
Unless you’re working on a film or TV show, you can’t access these areas.
Mojave Desert
Open desert scenes were shot in the Mojave Desert. Stanley and Zero run away from camp and struggle to survive here. The barren landscape shows how harsh and dangerous their escape becomes.
Miles of sand and rock stretch everywhere with no shelter.
They filmed scenes where the boys search for water and climb toward Big Thumb mountain. The heat was real during production, adding to the actors’ performances. Crew members took frequent breaks and drank lots of water.
The Mojave Desert covers a huge area in Southern California. You can access it via Highway 14 or Interstate 15. Public lands are open for exploration, but always bring plenty of water and tell someone your plans.
Red Rock Canyon State Park, Cantil
Red Rock Canyon State Park provided one of the film’s most important locations. Stanley carries Hector (Zero) up the mountain toward Big Thumb here. The park’s red and white rock formations create a dramatic backdrop.
The natural layering looks like a painted canvas.
The scene required careful choreography since Shia LaBeouf had to carry Khleo Thomas up rocky terrain. They filmed multiple takes over several days. The park’s trails and formations gave them various angles.
The rocks glow orange and red during sunset, adding visual warmth.
Red Rock Canyon is off Highway 14 near Cantil, about 25 miles north of Mojave. The park welcomes visitors and has camping facilities. You can hike the same trails seen in the movie. Spring and fall offer the best weather. Summer can be extremely hot.
Cuddeback Dry Lake, San Bernardino
The final scenes happen at Cuddeback Dry Lake. Stanley and Zero dig up Kate Barlow’s treasure chest here.
The warden and Mr. Sir arrive to take the chest, leading to the confrontation with yellow-spotted lizards. The arrest scene also happens here.
Cuddeback Dry Lake is a genuine dry lakebed completely flat with cracked, pale earth stretching for miles. The production team chose this spot for its otherworldly appearance. No plants or landmarks break up the horizon.
The lakebed is in San Bernardino County, accessible from Highway 395. It’s used by the military and aircraft testing, so access can be restricted. Check current regulations before visiting.
Other Brief Locations
Lake Casitas near Ventura doubled as Green Lake when it still had water. The flashback scenes showing the lake full of life were filmed here.
Lancaster provided additional desert shooting locations. The city sits in the Antelope Valley, surrounded by desert landscape. Small scenes and transitions were filmed here.
Trona, near Death Valley, offered more desert backdrops. The town’s isolated location and surrounding badlands added to the harsh environment on screen.
Los Angeles appears in brief scenes. Leconte Middle School served as Stanley’s school in the opening sequences.
Behind-the-Scenes Facts
The yellow-spotted lizards weren’t real. The production used 14 bearded dragons for all lizard scenes. Handlers painted spots on them and trained them for specific actions.
Bearded dragons are naturally calm, making them safe to work with.
Digging all those holes required serious planning. The crew didn’t dig every hole to full depth at once. They started with shallow holes and gradually made them deeper.
Some holes were only a few feet deep for wide shots. The ones used in close-ups went the full five feet down.
Shia LaBeouf got the role partly because of his resemblance to Tom Hanks. The director wanted a young actor who could carry the film with that everyman quality.
This was his first major film role, launching his movie career.
Visiting Tips
Plan your Holes location tour with these timing, access, and route suggestions for the best experience.
Best Time to Visit
- Spring (March-May) or fall (September-November) for comfortable weather
- Summer exceeds 110 degrees
- Winter gets cold at night
Location Access
- Melody Ranch: Private, special events only
- Golden Oak Ranch: Closed to public
- Red Rock Canyon State Park: Open year-round with fees
- Mojave Desert: Public lands open for exploration
Suggested Tour Route
- Start: Drive past Melody Ranch in Santa Clarita
- Next: Head north on Highway 14
- Stop: Red Rock Canyon State Park for hiking and photos
- Continue: Mojave Desert area
- Final stop: Cuddeback Dry Lake (if accessible)
- Can be done in one long day or weekend trip
- Bring water, sunscreen, and full tank of gas
Conclusion
I’ve always loved how Holes used real California locations to tell its story. From the working ranches of Santa Clarita to the vast Mojave Desert, each spot added something real to the film.
Where Holes filmed isn’t just one place it’s a collection of California’s most interesting landscapes.
If you’re a fan, I highly recommend visiting Red Rock Canyon or driving through the desert areas. Standing in those same spots brings the movie to life in a whole new way.
Have you visited any of these locations? Drop a comment and share your experience!
Frequently Asked Questions
Can you visit where Holes was filmed?
Yes, Red Rock Canyon State Park and Mojave Desert public areas are open to visitors. However, Melody Ranch and Golden Oak Ranch are private properties not accessible to the public.
Was Holes actually filmed in Texas?
No, the story is set in Texas but all filming happened in California. The production used Southern California deserts and ranches to create Camp Green Lake.
How hot was it during filming?
Desert temperatures often exceeded 100 degrees during the summer shoot. The cast and crew took frequent water breaks and worked shorter shifts during the hottest hours.
Were the holes really five feet deep?
Some were, but not all of them. Close-up shots used full five-foot-deep holes, while wide shots used shallower holes that looked deep on camera.
Are the yellow-spotted lizards real?
No, the filmmakers used 14 bearded dragons painted with spots. These calm reptiles were safe for actors to work with during filming.
