Center Content: 

Two visitors photograph the mountains at Alabama Hills in California. Photo by Bob Wick, BLM.

Filming on Public Lands

America’s public lands have long been a popular location for the motion picture industry.  The desert landscapes, dry lake beds, mountain terrain, and open range of the American West provide some incredible scenery for national and international film production companies, and many major movies, television shows, and commercials have been filmed on BLM-managed lands.  

For professional and amateur photographers, learn more here about:

  • When You Need A Film Permit
  • Film Permitting Process
  • Regional Film Permit Information

A sunset at Empire Ranch in Arizona, a popular film location for classic westerns. Photo by Bob Wick, bLM

Visit @mypubliclands Flickr for a photo collection of movie locations on your public lands, from classic westerns to out-of-this-world science fiction.

Right Sidebar Content: 

Film Site Features

Actors dressed as R2D2 and C3PO at Imperial Sand Dunes in California, site of multiple Star Wars movie themes. Photo by J Vogel.

Check out a few of our popular film set posts on @mypubliclands Tumblr.