It’s 2025, which means it’s finally okay to say that “Twilight” is a literary and cinematic masterpiece. Yup, we’re not gonna apologize about loving Bella Swan’s odyssey through the trenches of love and vampires and nor should you. While the books were set in the quaint town of Forks, Washington, the films weren’t actually shot there.
If you’re scared that the cold, stark, but cozy world of “Twilight” was shot on sound stages, don’t worry. The films were shot primarily in the Pacific Northwest, with filming locations spanning Oregon and Washington state.
The Twilight Films Weren’t Shot In Forks
The moody, rain-soaked town of Forks, Washington – where Bella Swan moves to live with her father – was actually filmed in various Oregon locations, with the small city of St. Helens serving as the primary backdrop for many of the film’s most memorable scenes. In fact, that’s where Charlie’s house was filmed!
The bustling city of Portland, Oregon pretty much served as Forks, Washington. A lot of the film’s most iconic sets and locations were shot in and around the area. Portland, however, wasn’t enough, especially for the small-town vibes, which forced the production team to venture outside of Oregon.
For example, Kalama High School in Washington stands in as Forks High School, where Bella and Edward’s romance begins. The school’s exterior and parking lot, featured prominently in several pivotal scenes, remain popular spots for fans to visit. Just don’t go during school hours and disturb the kids!
Where Your Favorite “Twilight” Scenes Were Filmed
The famous “Radiohead” heavy baseball scene was filmed in the Columbia River Gorge, specifically at Multnomah Falls in Oregon. Meanwhile, the Cullen family’s modernist glass house was filmed at a private residence in Portland. La Push Beach, where Bella learns the truth about the werewolves from Jacob Black, was actually filmed at Indian Beach in Oregon’s Ecola State Park.
For scenes requiring the most dramatic natural backdrops, production spent most of its time in Washington state. The meadow scene, where Edward reveals his sparkly vampire skin in the sunlight, was filmed in Paradise Valley at Mount Rainier National Park. Nearby, the town of Montesano provided additional locations for Forks’ downtown scenes.
You Can Visit Your Favorite Locations
“Twilight” fans often make pilgrimages to these filming locations, though the actual town of Forks, Washington – while not used for filming – has embraced its vampire legacy with themed tours and merchandise. The official Forks website has plenty of resources that can help you plan your itinerary, should you choose to visit.
