Where Was “Little House on the Prairie” Filmed?

Where was “Little House on the Prairie” filmed? Running for a total of nine seasons, along with spinoffs and several movies, the television show “Little House on the Prairie” has been a mainstay on television screens since it first aired back in 1974. It’s based on the “Little House” series by author Laura Ingalls Wilder and showed the life of the Ingalls family while they dealt with the trials and tribulations of frontier living. The show has lived on in the hearts of viewers since it aired. In fact, new fans discovering the Ingalls family and growing to love them every year.

Maybe you’re an original fan from all the way back in the 70s or have just started watching in recent years. Either way, you may have asked yourself the question: where was “Little House on the Prairie” filmed? We have the inside scoop on the history of the production. Now, let’s take our wagons West as we set out for the frontier and harken back to a simpler time in history… and in television!

Is Walnut Grove, Minnesota a real place?

calimesa 50 acre production ranch
Source: Peerspace

Before we get into the nitty-gritty of the production, let’s explore where the show was supposed to be set. If you’re a fan of the show then you’re certainly familiar with the town that the Ingalls family lived near – Walnut Grove, Minnesota. Since they based the series on the real-life writing of Laura Ingalls Wilder, it’s also the setting for the TV show.

Walnut Grove, Minnesota is most definitely a real place! The town itself has leaned into being the home of Laura Ingalls Wilder, complete with a yearly pageant depicting the family and narrated by an actress playing the author.

If you ever find yourself in Walnut Grove, be sure to check out the Laura Ingalls Wilder Museum as well. It has everything you’d expect in a frontier-themed museum. In fact, it has “an 1898 depot, a chapel, an onion-domed house, dugout display, little red schoolhouse, early settler home, and covered wagon display.”

And for fans of the television show ,the stars gave the museum some memorabilia to display! So now that we’ve got the setting covered, you’re probably still wondering about the answer to the question “Where was ‘Little House on the Prairie’ filmed”? Stick around as we pull back the curtain and take a quick trip to the fictional Walnut Grove.

Love classic westerns? Then also check out where “Silverado” was filmed next!

Was “Little House on the Prairie” shot on location?

Autumn Photoshoot Ideas
Source: Peerspace

Now that we know where the show was set, you’re probably wondering if the show was shot on location in Walnut Grove. As you might expect, most Hollywood productions don’t leave California, especially to deal with the frigid winters in Minnesota.

So if you were asking yourself “Where was ‘Little House on the Prairie’ filmed?” then here’s your answer! Nearly the entirety of the production was on at the Big Sky Movie Ranch in Simi Valley, California. (It’s a little more temperate there than in Minnesota!)

The Big Sky Movie Ranch has been a shooting location for many shows and movies that we know and love. According to their website, they have been the setting for countless television and movie productions, from Western shows like “Bonanza” and “Gunsmoke” to blockbusters like “Men in Black” and “Transformers.”

Being so close to Hollywood has made it an integral part of the history of film and television. It even hosted tours and reenactments for many years. Sadly, you can no longer visit the set of “Little House on the Prairie”. A fire swept through the ranch back in 2018 and tragically destroyed the place.

Other notable “Little House on the Prairie” filming locations

Source: Peerspace

Another location that fans of the show may be familiar with is the town of Mankato, Minnesota. It’s the town that Charles Ingalls frequents. This is also a real place in Minnesota that Laura Ingalls Wilder herself probably visited. For the purposes of the show, filming was done at the Old Tucson Studios in Arizona. This studio was also mainly used for filming Western movies, such as John Wayne’s “Rio Bravo” and “El Dorado.”

According to Arizona Foothills Magazine, “Little House on the Prairie” was the first television production at the Old Tucson Studio. It actually paved the way for many more television shows to come. Unfortunately, this studio also fell victim to fire. It destroyed many of the original “Little House on the Prairie” costumes as well as a sound stage used on the show. They were eventually able to reopen and Arizona’s “Hollywood in the desert” still welcomes visitors and events.

So there you have it – now we have the answer to the question “where was ‘Little House on the Prairie’ filmed?”

Are heartfelt coming-of-age stories your jam? Then you need to discover where “Stand By Me” was filmed, too!

“Little House on the Prairie” inspired filming locations

alpaca farm in sherborn, ma
Source: Peerspace

Perhaps after learning about the ins and outs of the production locations for “Little House on the Prairie,” you’re feeling inspired to go out and make a frontier drama of your own! If you’re an aspiring filmmaker looking for locations to film, then your first stop should definitely be Peerspace.

As the largest online marketplace for hourly venue rentals, it’s home to countless amazing filming locations available to rent. Like this one, which includes 50 acres of mountain views, horses, two homes, and almost everything in between. If that’s not enough, it’s also near where they filmed “Little House on the Prairie”: Simi Valley, California.

There’s a reason why this location comes so highly rated, with dozens of five-star reviews that praise the host and property. Here’s a quote from one of these reviews: “Heath was an INCREDIBLE host. He went above and beyond what was expected and was accommodating to all our last-minute asks. This spot is super production-friendly! Would definitely come back when the scenes call for it again!!”

By renting through Peerspace, you can check it out for yourself and create another beloved international sensation like “Little House on the Prairie”!

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