Rare Utah Locations (and where to find them)

I have been working as a location manager for over 8 years. Bring that time I have needed to find some pretty unique locations that are tricky to find. Here are some gems that filmmakers planning on making their next film in Utah may find super helpful.

Peterson Elementary

Old Petersen Elementary, which closed operations in 2008, is a former neighborhood school set against the rugged high-desert landscape of East Carbon’s historic coal country. While approximately half of the building has caved in and is unusable, a substantial remaining portion — including the gymnasium, multiple classrooms, hallways, and office space — is still accessible for production use.

The property offers an authentic small-town Utah atmosphere with vintage school interiors, a large parking area, and added privacy. It provides a versatile setting for realistic old-school scenes, nostalgic storytelling, or an eerie thriller backdrop. Plus as it is in Carbon County, it is eligible for the Rural Film Incentive Program (RUFIP) with $12 million in annual funding.

Goldenstone Ranch/ Rogers Ranch and Western Town

The Rogers Family is offering their family ranch for filmmakers to enjoy. There is a reason why many filmmakers have chosen to film at this ranch. “Yellowstone ”, “Damsel” and “Blood and oil” for example, knew the beauty could be caught on camera. Regardless of the season or the weather, there is always a serene backdrop to enjoy. The ranch sits on over 1000 acres and is known to give a sense of peace.

Goldenstone Ranch has many unique offerings:

-7 min from Main St, Park city. 

-Goldstone also offers the largest indoor event space in comparison to all other Utah ranch venues, with an indoor occupancy rate of 670. 

-Western town movie set “film ready” and can also be improved or changed. 

-Multiple Mountain backdrops – ski slopes, sagebrush hills, green grass, Pond and creeks. 

-Wildlife of deer, owls, etc., in the spring and summer you will see bald eagles perch above the pond.

-Real working cattle ranch 

-5 bedroom home attached to Barn event center 

-Movie theater for screenings

-Tesla Charging station

Seriously this is a banger of a location. 

Magna Senior Center

The Magna Kennecott Senior Center is located at the former site of the historical Webster Elementary school resided for more than 50 years. The Magna Township is a community with a rich and colorful past. There are many participants who have lived in Magna their entire life. Many participants have worked at Kennecott Copper, and have a love for the community. The community shares a deep pride in their city and that passion and love is played forward to those who attend the senior center. The participants are welcoming, and they are very proud of their senior center.

Daggett County Jail

The Daggett County Jail is located in a rural area and has two buildings totaling around 18,000 sq ft. The rooms have limited views. The jail is currently closed and doesn’t house any inmates.

Provo Towne Centre

This is a large indoor shopping mall with 90s style layout. You have a typical food court, and children’s play area along side a Cinemark Movie theater and several unique shops uncommon to most malls across America. 

Salt Lake Justice Court

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I get asked for court rooms all the time and the options are not abundant in Utah. Luckily The Salt Lake Justice Court is a contemporary courthouse with courtrooms equipped with microphones and TVs.

Provo Airport

The Provo Airport is Utah’s second biggest airport. This airport is a small regional airport which includes a cafe, a shop, a conference room, a business and family lounge, baggage claim area, and restrooms. This airport is logistically easier to film at due to its size and number of daily flights. If you can schedule your shoot in the middle of the night, you will have a lot more flexibility in the airport due to the lack of flights arriving and departing. 

The Kozy Cafe

60’s, 70’s, & 80’s Cafe. Classic diner ~ 4,000 SF. Complete Set with bar/stools/tables/props – maintained for production value. Significant area on site available for parking, staging, equipment and etc. Electricity, restrooms, climate controls, waste management, water and etc. are available. The big highway sign out front is part of the set. Also on the property is the Kozy Motel. Search Kozy Cafe Utah, Kozy Motel Utah, Kozy Cafe and Motel Utah for scenic and historical images and history.

Bariatric Medicine Institute

The Bariatric Medicine Institute Clinic is available as a filming location on a very limited basis. The location is small and would be difficult to be utilized by larger productions. Currently, with its schedule of services the location is only available on Tuesdays. 

Utah Motorsports Campus

Utah Motorsports Campus (UMC) is in Tooele County, Utah, just 30 minutes from Downtown Salt Lake City. UMC includes a world-class racetrack, acres of open space, and a variety of meeting spaces and classrooms with full audio/video capabilities.

The best way to get in contact with any or all of these locations is via the Utah Film Commision’s website https://film.utah.gov/locations/

Once you search a location type you will be able to request the contact information for any and all locations you would like to film at. Once you have locked down the locations for you scout, make sure you work with a local locations manager to help you navigate the world of permitting through the various towns and cities as they are just as diverse as the locations themselves.