The Real Forks: 15 Surprising ‘Twilight Saga’ Filming Locations You Can Still Visit In 2025

Die-hard Twi-hards have been flocking to the Pacific Northwest for over a decade, but the truth about the Cullen and Swan family homes is far more complex and surprising than the books let on. As of December 12, 2025, the real-life locations that brought Stephenie Meyer’s moody, rain-soaked world to life are still available for fans to visit, though you’ll need a passport and a good road trip playlist to see them all. The biggest revelation for most fans is that the iconic town of Forks, Washington, was, for the most part, simply a set dressed up in the picturesque, perpetually overcast landscapes of a neighboring state.

The entire five-film saga—Twilight, New Moon, Eclipse, Breaking Dawn – Part 1, and Breaking Dawn – Part 2—was a globe-trotting production, moving from the dense, misty forests of the Pacific Northwest to the sunny beaches of Brazil and the humid studios of the American South. The film series used a clever mix of practical locations and soundstages, creating a fictional world that spans multiple US states and a foreign country.

The Original 'Twilight' Movie: Oregon's Secret Role as Forks, Washington

The first film, directed by Catherine Hardwicke, established the iconic visual tone of the saga. To capture the perpetually cloudy atmosphere of Forks, Washington, the production team chose to film primarily in Oregon, utilizing its lush, temperate rainforests and affordable locations. This is where the core of the Twilight world was actually built.

• Shania Twains Bold Statement Why The Star Chose Nude Photoshoots At 57 Qf9cg

Bella Swan’s House: The St. Helens Gem

The modest, two-story house where Bella Swan (Kristen Stewart) moves in with her father, Charlie Swan (Billy Burke), is one of the most beloved and accessible locations. It is not in Forks, but in St. Helens, Oregon.

• Location: St. Helens, Oregon (a town on the Columbia River).
• Current Status: The house is now a popular rental property known as the "Twilight Swan House," where fans can stay and sleep in Bella's actual bedroom.
• On-Screen Moment: The famous scene where Edward Cullen (Robert Pattinson) climbs into Bella’s window was filmed here.

The Cullen Residence: A Modern Architectural Masterpiece

The sleek, glass-walled home of the Cullen family, which looks like it's nestled deep in the Olympic Peninsula woods, is actually in a bustling city. The exterior and interior of the house are the Hoke House in Portland, Oregon.

• Architecture: Designed by Skylab Architecture, the Hoke House sits on the edge of Portland’s Forest Park.
• The Myth: Many believe the house is a remote cabin, but it’s a contemporary residence in a residential area, chosen for its strong connection between the built environment and nature.
• Fun Fact: The "tree-to-tree" scene where Edward shows Bella the vampire's speed was shot near the house and in a studio.

Forks High School and The Prom Scene

The settings for Forks High School and the iconic Prom scene were also split between multiple locations in the Pacific Northwest:

• The Surprise Vegas Wedding And Shared Grief 5 Shocking Details Of John Schneider And Dee Dee Sorvinos Whirlwind Romance Ohirf

• Forks High School (Exterior): The front of the school, where Bella first sees the Cullen siblings, is Kalama High School in Kalama, Washington.
• Forks High School (Interior): The interior classroom scenes were shot at Madison High School in Portland, Oregon.
• The Diner (Carver Café): The spot where Bella and Charlie eat is the real-life Carver Café in Clackamas, Oregon.
• The Prom: The elegant, gazebo-style prom was filmed at the historic The View Point Inn in Corbett, Oregon, overlooking the Columbia River Gorge.

The Saga Expands: New Moon, Eclipse, and the Shift to Canada

After the first film, the production for the subsequent movies—*New Moon*, *Eclipse*, and the two parts of *Breaking Dawn*—largely moved north to Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada. This allowed the filmmakers to maintain the Pacific Northwest’s signature look, with its lush forests and mountainous terrain, while utilizing Canada's film infrastructure and tax incentives.

The Quileute Territory and Wolf Pack Scenes

The scenes featuring Jacob Black (Taylor Lautner) and the Quileute Wolf Pack, which are set in the fictional La Push, Washington, were primarily filmed on Vancouver Island and the surrounding areas.

• The Beach: The beach where Jacob tells Bella the Quileute legends in New Moon is Long Beach in the Pacific Rim National Park on Vancouver Island. Specifically, the area around Incinerator Rock is recognizable.
• The Forest Battle (Eclipse): The climactic battle between the vampires and the newborn army in Eclipse was filmed in the forests around Squamish and Whytecliff Park in West Vancouver. Whytecliff Park, with its dramatic ocean views, was used for several outdoor scenes.
• The Cliff Jump: The famous cliff-jumping scene in New Moon was a mix of studio work and location shots, with the scenic backdrop being the rugged Pacific coast of Vancouver Island.

The Epic Conclusion: Brazil, Louisiana, and the International Locations

The two-part finale, *The Twilight Saga: Breaking Dawn*, required the production to move far beyond the cold, misty climate of the Northwest to accommodate the wedding, honeymoon, and final confrontation scenes.

• 5 Shocking Facts About Anna Congdon Penn State Sweetheart To Nfl Fiances Social Media Firestorm Cc90e

The Exotic Honeymoon: Rio de Janeiro, Brazil

Edward and Bella's honeymoon retreat was one of the few scenes in the entire saga to be filmed exactly where it was set.

• Location: The romantic scenes were shot on location in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.
• The Island: The private island, Isle Esme, was actually a rented house in Paraty, Brazil, located on the coastline between Rio de Janeiro and São Paulo. The stunning, secluded beaches provided the perfect backdrop for the couple’s first moments as husband and wife.

The Denali Coven and Battle Preparation

For the interior sets, including the Cullen house interiors for the later films, and the more complex special effects sequences, the production moved to the southern United States.

• Studio Work: Much of the interior filming for Breaking Dawn – Part 1 and Part 2 took place on soundstages in Baton Rouge, Louisiana.
• Other Scenes: Scenes like Bella meeting the lawyer J. Jenks were filmed in a hotel restaurant in New Orleans, Louisiana.
• The Final Battle: The incredible final confrontation, which appears to be a snowy clearing outside Forks, was a massive set built in the forests outside Vancouver, Canada, with extensive special effects added in post-production.

Planning Your Twilight Filming Locations Road Trip

A true "Twilight Pilgrimage" requires two distinct trips: one focused on the original movie's unique locations in Oregon and Washington, and a second, more extensive trip to the larger production hubs in Vancouver, British Columbia.

The town of Forks, Washington, remains a must-visit, even though the movies weren't filmed there. Author Stephenie Meyer chose Forks for its high annual rainfall and remote location on the Olympic Peninsula, and the town has fully embraced its fictional fame. You can visit the real-life Forks Police Department, the Forks Community Hospital, and the Forks Timber Museum, all of which inspired the book's settings.

If you want to walk in the footsteps of Bella Swan and Edward Cullen in 2025, your itinerary must include the Twilight Swan House in St. Helens, the unique architecture of the Hoke House in Portland, and a ferry ride to Vancouver Island to experience the moody beaches where the Wolf Pack roamed. The legacy of The Twilight Saga is not just in the fictional town of Forks, but in the dozens of real-world locations that gave the series its enduring, atmospheric charm.