Where Was “Stand By Me” Filmed?

If you recently watched the iconic film and wondered, “where was Stand By Me filmed?” then you’ve come to the right place! We’re going to break down some of the movie’s most iconic filming locations. In fact, we’ll cover everything from pie-eating contests to the boys running away from a speeding train.

And if you’re an aspiring filmmaker looking for locations at which to shoot, check out Peerspace. As the largest online marketplace for hourly venue rentals, the platform provides you with some “Stand by Me”-inspired filming locations across the globe. We’re talking professional film studios to acres of wooded land and everything in between! Peerspace is your ticket to any type of production location you need for your project.

What is “Stand By Me”?

“Stand By Me” tells the story of four boys searching for a dead body in the woods. An absolutely classic coming-of-age story, Rob Reiner’s 1986 film has remained loved by audiences old and new alike. It also helped launch the careers of the late great River Phoenix, as well as Corey Feldman, Jerry O’Connell, and Wil Wheaton, who play the four friends. It is a relatable story about growing up and treasuring our childhood friendships.

The nostalgic charm of the film remains true to this day, thanks to the great cinematography that brings the 1950s-inspired locations to life. Based on a Stephen King novella called The Body, it takes place in King’s fictional and recurring Maine town of Castle Rock. But if you are asking, “Where was “Stand by Me” filmed?” you may be surprised to find out the answer. 

Love all things Stephen King? Then discover the filming locations for “Shawshank Redemption” next!

Brownsville, Oregon

You may have been watching the movie and thinking to yourself, “Where was ‘Stand By Me’ filmed” anyway? And naturally, you might’ve originally thought they filmed it in Maine, where many Stephen King stories take place.

However, the bulk of the shooting, including the scenes with Gordie walking downtown, takes place in Brownsville, Oregon. 

According to an article by KLCC, the town takes the movie pretty seriously. “Parts of the film were shot in Brownsville, Oregon, and the city became a popular tourist spot for avid fans. In 2013, Brownsville designated July 23 as “Stand By Me Day” and organized annual tours and events. This year is the 35th anniversary of the film’s release, and the event will return on a smaller scale this year, with COVID safety guidelines in place.” 

More “Stand By Me” scenes in Brownsville

Rob Reiner picked downtown Brownsville as a primary filming location for its authentic 1950s style. Yet, it doesn’t seem to have changed much these days, retaining that same nostalgic charm. The infamous scene where the boys fire the gun took place there. The bridge the boys take back into town at the film’s end is also in Brownsville. 

Do you remember the scene where Vern finds the penny? According to this article by John Regalado, “The city of Brownsville actually embedded a penny in the road to celebrate the movie’s 30th anniversary”.

If you’re an aspiring filmmaker looking for a home to shoot near Brownsville with a nostalgic vibe, take a look at this classic historic colonial traditional family house. It would be a perfect match for the houses that a character from “Stand by Me” might live in.

The pie-eating contest

How can anybody forget the movie’s infamous pie-eating contest scene? If you weren’t too distracted by the vomiting to ask yourself, “Where was ‘Stand by Me’ filmed?” you would find out that this scene also takes place in Brownsville, Oregon.

According to an interview with director Rob Reiner in Entertainment Weekly: “The production built a tent in Brownsville, Oregon, hired extras, and ordered dozens of blueberry pies, plus vats of filling, from a local bakery”. This scene exemplifies how using a real-world location along with local extras can really teleport you back in time.

Lane County, Oregon

While most of the film was shot in Brownsville, they filmed other very memorable scenes in nearby Lane County, Oregon. Namely, the scene where the boys are in the junkyard and chased away by the terrifying dog. The scene where the older boys are knocking on mailboxes with baseball bats is also in Lane County.

From an article by the Cinemaholic: “Additionally, some scenes were filmed in Eugene, a major city situated by the Willamette River. The adrenaline-filled car racing scene was filmed at Royal Avenue in Eugene”. So even though much of the movie can feel like it may be in New England, you now know that the majority of filming was actually in Oregon.

Cottage Grove, Oregon

The last location in Oregon that we’re going to cover today is the red bridge that the boys cross as they start their quest. This is in nearby Cottage Grove, Oregon, and fans will be glad to know they can still visit this location.

From an article on Fast Rewind: “The bridge runs over Mosby Creek and can be found at the trailhead alongside highway 89 north of Burney Falls state park and is on a bike path named ‘Row River Trail’”. Finding an authentic rail bridge to shoot at like this one may be a little harder these days!

Check out 10 of the best movies filmed in Oregon here!

Outrunning the train scene

One of the most iconic scenes in the movie is when the boys have to outrun an oncoming train while on a huge bridge over water. This was one of the few scenes that they did not film in Oregon. Instead, they filmed it in Burney, California. Unlike some of the locations we’ve featured here today, unfortunately, this one isn’t as easy to visit.

From a Lokagraph page on the bridge: “Outrunning a train across this span won’t be a challenge for kids anymore: the railway ceased operations across the bridge (and most of its line) in 2005, before shutting down entirely in 2009. The bridge is barricaded to prevent any entry at all”.

You’ll also be happy to learn there that the actors were never in any danger. This was just another example of that Hollywood magic!

“Stand By Me”-worthy venues for your production

If you’re looking for spaces that give you mid-century Americana vibes a la “Stand By Me” for your production or event, then you’re in luck. Peerspace is your gateway to amazing retro venues that you can book for your creative needs!

Here are a few of our favorites:

• This downtown century home in Rochester, NY (pictured above) that is 6,000 square feet of intricate woodworking and elegant furnishings
• This middle class house in south Los Angeles, CA with mid-century styling and a large backyard
• This 50’s-inspired guest house in Tacoma, WA with plenty of color and vintage furnishings
• This cozy 1950s-style cottage house in Los Angeles, CA with a fireplace and large yard
• This mid-century 1950s Pan American loft in Los Angeles with an open floor plan and cute decor

This is only the beginning of the types of sweet vintage spaces you can rent on Peerspace! Click a link to start a search for a retro space near you and bring your “Stand By Me” tribute to life.

Where was “Stand By Me” filmed? conclusion

We hope you’ve enjoyed this deep dive in “Stand By Me” and its primary filming locations! Besides perhaps watching the film yet again, we hope we’ve also inspired you to get out there, book a Peerspace, and do something creative.

You can count on our platform to connect with incredible spaces owned by helpful locals looking to help your event or production succeed. Reserving a space only takes a few minutes. And once you do, you’ll be on your way to enjoying a neat-o venue for as many hours as you like!

Find unique filming locations on Peerspace