From the first sweeping shot of misty forests to the raw silence of a working logging camp, Train Dreams feels like a film pulled straight from history. Every frame carries the weight of nature, towering trees, rushing rivers, and rugged railroad paths that reflect the harsh, lonely world Robert Grainier is forced to survive in.

Netflix’s Oscar-nominated adaptation of Denis Johnson’s beloved novella may be set in early 20th-century Idaho, but the production found its real cinematic soul somewhere else entirely. The filmmakers sought out landscapes that could mirror the Pacific Northwest’s untamed beauty, choosing locations rich in wilderness, rail history, and old-town atmosphere.

Where exactly was Train Dreams filmed? Here’s a look at the real-life places that brought this haunting story to life.

Washington’s scenery does more than serve as a backdrop in Train Dreams; it becomes part of the story. The production used several major filming sites across the state, starting with Spokane, where both natural landmarks and historic architecture helped establish the film’s period setting. Riverside State Park’s striking Bowl and Pitcher rock formations appear in key scenes, offering dramatic visuals that perfectly match the film’s tone.

Spokane also featured the historic St. Michael Mission chapel, now located on the Mukogawa Fort Wright Institute campus. The crew also filmed in Metaline Falls, a small town near the Pend Oreille River, known for its heritage sites and its proximity to the wilderness of Colville National Forest. Its remote atmosphere fits seamlessly into the film’s themes of isolation and survival.

Another important location was Colville, where scenes were shot at the real Webley Lumber Yard logging camp, which has reportedly been operational since the 1800s. To preserve historical accuracy, modern equipment was removed during filming to make the site feel true to the early 20th century.

Railroad sequences were filmed in Snoqualmie and North Bend, with support from the Northwest Railway Museum. The surrounding Snoqualmie Valley and nearby natural landscapes helped create some of the film’s most sweeping outdoor shots.

Other reported filming spots include Chewelah, Tekoa, and Seattle, which helped round out the movie’s setting with rural streets, small-town authenticity, and controlled interior shoots.

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How did the production capture intense wilderness scenes without harming the environment?

Train Dreams centers on the logging industry; the filmmakers had to portray tree-felling and destruction realistically while still keeping the production environmentally responsible. The crew reportedly filmed at real logging sites ethically, using trees that were already scheduled for removal.

For major cutting sequences, the production also created fake trees, allowing the film to show the physical impact of logging without unnecessary damage to the forest. The crew also constructed a watch tower and cabin at High Serenity Ranch in Chattaroy, building controlled outdoor structures that matched the film’s era while minimizing disruption to untouched land.

Filming reportedly took place around May 2024, and the film’s stunning natural imagery later earned major recognition, including awards and attention for cinematography, proof that breathtaking visuals and eco-conscious production can go hand in hand.

Train Dreams, directed by Clint Bentley, is the kind of film where the landscape feels like a character, shaping every emotion and every tragedy Robert Grainier endures. By choosing Washington State’s forests, rivers, historic towns, and railroads, the Netflix adaptation successfully recreated the early Pacific Northwest with haunting realism.

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What did you think of the filming locations in Train Dreams? Let us know in the comments!