The Paramount Mountain used in the opening scene of “Raiders of the Lost Ark” can be found on Kauai. It is Anahola Mountain.
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Raider of the Lost Ark – Huleia National Park
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In the opening scenes of “Raiders of the Lost Ark”, Indiana Jones is looking for the lost Idol in Peru… the crew went to a more tropical location, the Island of Kauai. Spielberg would return here for his blockbuster “Jurassic Park“. For Indy, the boulder scenes were also filmed at the wildlife refuge.
Kipu Falls is the spot where Indy shoots his guide (who tries to shoot him first, but maybe in a new Special Edition version, this will be altered…. #Greedo)
Jurassic Park – Olokele Canyon
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Olokele Canyon or Valley, was used to set up the electrified fence for Jurassic Park. Even though most people just see “a fence” in the film, Michael Lantieri and his team put great effort in getting the wires tight. The size of the fence made that very difficult.
Jurassic Park – Allerton Garden
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Allerton Garden (4425 Lawai Road, Koloa) on Kauai is definitely a place where you don’t want to go… if you have seen Jurassic Park. First this is the place where Grant finds the hatched raptor eggs. Later in the movie, this location was used to build the shed, where a raptor attack took place.
But on the other hand, if you have seen Pirates of the Caribbean : On Stranger Tides, Jack Sparrow looks for the fountain of youth at this site.
Jurassic Park – Kualoa Ranch
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After Hurricane Iniki flattened the sets on Kauai, the crew still had to get some footage for the Gallimimus Herd being attacked by the T-Rex. This was filmed near where the crew stayed at Kualoa Ranch, Kamehameha Highway, Ka’a’awa Valley, a place you can actually visit and some movie memorabilia still remains.
Other movies that used this film location are “Lost”, “Godzilla”, “Windtalkers” and “50 first dates”.
Jurassic Park – Mount Wai’ale’ale
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The map above is a rough estimate for the exact location of one of the biggest gems for Jurassic Park visitors, the Main Gate. The location is at the base of Mount Wai’ale’ale. You can get there hiking if you are a good hiker or by 4×4. Detailed descriptions are here if you go by car.
At the end of Kuamo’o Road (Highway 580), Kuamo’o Road becomes a dirt road. The road heads inland and eventually ends. At the end, bear right and continue for about 1/2 of a mile until you reach a Y. Here you will see a Hunting Unit C sign nailed to a tree asking people to not pick up “lost” hunting dogs. Take the left fork. At about 1 1/4 mile is a left branch. Do not take it. Go straight. At almost 1 1/2 miles is another Y. Take the left fork. At 1 8/10 miles is the gate used in Jurassic Park.
When you find the location, do not be disappointed, the actual gate is gone. Two concrete poles remain.
When you take this route, be sure to stop by Blue Hole. This is where the T-rex paddock was build, it is along the same route. Blue Hole is a water filled canyon.
Jurassic Park – Valley House Plantation Estate
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An iconic scene in Jurassic Park is the arrival at the visitor center (and the departure at the end). The exteriors for the Visitor center were constructed at Valley House Plantation Estate, 6191 Hauaala Road, Kealia. The interiors were filmed on a sound stage in LA.
Jurassic Park – Kahili Ranch
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The first dinosaur encounter for Grant and Ellie is at Jurassic Kahili Ranch on the north shore of Kauai. No dinosaurs there, but since this is a working ranch (2,800 acres!), mostly cows and horses (about 200). Not only has this location been used for all Jurassic Park movies (Lost World, Jurassic World), also “Just go with It”, “the Testaments” and the remake of “Mighty Joe Young” as well as numerous commercials.
Jurassic Park – Hanapepe Valley
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Welcome to Jurassic Park, the helicopter arrives through Hanapepe Valley, Kauai. Nowadays, all helicopter tours take you through here to relive the movie. From the aerial view you can also see the waterfalls that were used for the film. The waterfall where the ‘copter lands is in fact a different waterfall then where the landing pad was build (Manawaiopuna Falls).
Jurassic Park – Na Pali Coast
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Standing is for “Isla Nublar” are the steep cliffs of “Na Pali Coast” in Kauai. These cliffs cannot be accessed on foot, but can be viewed by the many helicopter tours in Kauai or by boat.
Na Pali Coast also was used in “Six Days – Seven Nights” with Harrison Ford and the Classic 1976 version of King Kong.