Where in the Grand Canyon Was Vacation Filmed?

By Michael Ferguson

If you’re a fan of the movie Vacation, you may have wondered where in the Grand Canyon the film was actually shot. The iconic scene where the Griswold family takes a family photo on the edge of the canyon is one of the most memorable moments from the movie. In this article, we’ll explore where exactly that scene was filmed and some other locations in and around the Grand Canyon that were featured in Vacation.

The Filming Location

The famous scene in Vacation was actually filmed at Mather Point, which is located on the South Rim of the Grand Canyon. Mather Point is one of the most popular viewpoints in Grand Canyon National Park and offers stunning panoramic views of the canyon. It’s no wonder why filmmakers chose this location to capture such an iconic moment in movie history.

Other Locations in and Around the Grand Canyon

In addition to Mather Point, there are several other locations in and around the Grand Canyon that were featured in Vacation. Here are a few notable spots:

Flagstaff, Arizona

Flagstaff is a city located just outside of Grand Canyon National Park and was used as a filming location for several scenes from Vacation. The city’s historic downtown area was featured prominently in a scene where Clark Griswold (played by Chevy Chase) gets into an altercation with locals after accidentally dragging his dog behind his car.

The Hoover Dam

While not technically part of the Grand Canyon, Hoover Dam is located just a few hours’ drive from it and was also featured in Vacation. In the movie, Clark Griswold takes his family on a detour to visit Hoover Dam on their way to Walley World.

  • The Painted Desert: Another spot near Flagstaff that made an appearance in Vacation was The Painted Desert. This colorful landscape provided a backdrop for a scene where the Griswold family gets lost in the desert.
  • The Grand Canyon Railway: The Grand Canyon Railway is a historic train that takes visitors from Williams, Arizona to the Grand Canyon. In Vacation, the Griswold family takes the train to get to the canyon, and several scenes were filmed aboard the train.

Conclusion

While Mather Point was the primary filming location for Vacation’s famous Grand Canyon scene, there were several other spots in and around the canyon that were featured in the movie. From Flagstaff and The Painted Desert to Hoover Dam and The Grand Canyon Railway, Vacation showcased some of the most beautiful and iconic locations in Arizona. Whether you’re a fan of the movie or just love exploring natural wonders, a trip to the Grand Canyon is definitely worth adding to your bucket list.