Redwoods in a Starring Role

Jedediah Smith Redwoods State Park.
Jedediah Smith Redwoods State Park.

Autumn is definitely upon us, and as the colder months advance, many of us transition into “hibernation mode,” enjoying some cozy indoors activities in favor of outdoor adventures. If you find yourself more in the mood for a movie and hot cocoa than a trek in the woods, you can still enjoy some stunning redwoods scenery. Did you know that several redwood parks have provided the setting for some of our favorite films? Maybe you can recognize the forests of Muir Woods National Monument, Prairie Creek Redwoods State Park, and Jedediah Smith State Park—among others—in films like The Lost World: Jurassic Park, Outbreak, and Rise of the Planet of the Apes. George Lucas also favored the redwood giants as the setting for scenes in Star Wars Episode VI: Return of the Jedi.

There are some pretty amazing shots of the redwoods in these movies. Think you can guess where they were filmed? Test your expertise with the quiz below! I’m looking forward to settling in with a bowl of popcorn on a chilly night to watch dinosaurs and ewoks among some my favorite places in the redwoods.

Match the movie and scene with the redwoods park it was filmed in. Leave a comment and let us know how you did, and which is your favorite redwoods scene!

Films:

  1. Star Wars Episode VI: Return of the Jedi scenes, like the famous “speeder chase” scene, set in Endor (home of the Ewoks)
  2. The Lost World: Jurassic Park forest scenes
  3. The Lost World: Jurassic Park scene in which the Tyrannosaurus Rex pushes the motor home over the cliff
  4. Outbreak
  5. Rise of the Planet of the Apes

Redwood Parks:

  1. Muir Woods National Monument
  2. Prairie Creek Redwoods and Patrick’s Point State Parks
  3. Jedediah Smith Redwoods State Park
  4. Patrick’s Point State Park
  5. Prairie Creek Redwoods and Humboldt Redwoods State Parks

About the author

Jennifer joined Save the Redwoods League in 2007 as the Director of Outreach and is now the League's Chief Marketing and Communications Officer. A Bay Area native, Jennifer brings several years of journalism, marketing communications and media relations experience in the public and private sectors to her work. Jennifer is charged with leading the organization's marketing communications and outreach efforts to connect people to the peace and beauty of the redwood forests.

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2 Responses to “Redwoods in a Starring Role”

  1. Jennifer Benito

    Thanks Grant for your response to my little “quiz”! Here’s the answers:

    1. Star Wars Episode VI: Return of the Jedi scenes, like the famous “speeder chase” scene, set in Endor (home of the Ewoks) – Jedediah Smith Redwoods State Park

    2. The Lost World: Jurassic Park forest scenes – Prairie Creek Redwoods and Humboldt Redwoods State Parks

    3. The Lost World: Jurassic Park scene in which the Tyrannosaurus Rex pushes the motor home over the cliff – Patrick’s Point State Park

    4. Outbreak – Prairie Creek Redwoods and Patrick’s Point State Park

    5. Rise of the Planet of the Apes – Muir Woods National Monument

    Bonus: ET – According to http://www.movie-locations.com, E.T.’s redwood forest scenes are set in Redwood National Park.

    Thanks so much for playing!

    Reply
  2. grant

    Star Wars Episode VI: Return of the Jedi scenes, like the famous “speeder chase” scene, set in Endor (home of the Ewoks)- Jedediah Smith Redwoods State Park

    The Lost World: Jurassic Park forest scenes-Prairie Creek Redwoods and Patrick’s Point State Parks

    The Lost World: Jurassic Park scene in which the Tyrannosaurus Rex pushes the motor home over the cliff- Patrick’s Point State Park

    Outbreak-Prairie Creek Redwoods and Humboldt Redwoods State Parks

    Rise of the Planet of the Apes-Muir Woods National Monument

    How about ET?-Prairie Creek SP?

    Reply

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