Netflix’s thriller miniseries Untamed might be set deep in California’s Yosemite National Park, but the production never actually filmed there.
Instead, the show brought its rugged forests, granite cliffs, and remote ranger stations to life using locations across British Columbia, Canada.
From log cabins in North Vancouver to dramatic cliffs in Squamish, here’s a complete breakdown of where Untamed was filmed, and how the production transformed the Canadian wilderness into a convincing stand-in for one of America’s most iconic national parks.
Why Untamed Wasn’t Shot in Yosemite
Despite Yosemite’s cinematic legacy and natural appeal, filming inside the national park came with significant limitations, especially during the peak summer months. Access was tightly regulated, and securing the kind of freedom needed for a full-scale production wasn’t feasible. As a result, the crew opted to recreate the park’s look and feel by combining various scenic locations across British Columbia.
For Untamed, the team built much of its version of Yosemite in British Columbia, both on location and on sound stages at North Shore Studios in Vancouver, which is home to many Netflix productions.
Key Filming Locations for Untamed
Mount Seymour, North Vancouver
In the series’ opening scene, a body plummets from a cliff that’s meant to evoke El Capitan. Instead of filming in California, the production used Mount Seymour, a popular hiking destination just outside Vancouver. Its elevation and rocky outcrops made it a fitting double for Yosemite’s towering granite landmarks.
Murdo Frazer Park Cabin
The cabin used as Kyle Turner’s home in Untamed is no stranger to Netflix fans. Located in North Vancouver’s Murdo Frazer Park, the rustic log structure gained widespread recognition as Mel’s cabin in Virgin River, one of Netflix’s most popular and enduring dramas. Its cozy, secluded look made it the perfect choice for Turner’s quiet, grief-stricken life in the wilderness. While Virgin River focused on the cabin’s front porch and interiors, Untamed offers a wider perspective, revealing smaller nearby structures that weren’t shown in the romantic drama. Off-screen, the McCrea cabin has become a must-visit spot for fans, drawing Virgin River viewers from around the world who want to see the iconic filming location up close.
Sea to Sky Gondola and The Chief, Squamish
The sweeping forest vistas and high-altitude shots throughout Untamed were captured in Squamish, with some views of the iconic Chief rock face. These locations helped shape the visual feel of the series, bringing the scale and danger of Yosemite’s terrain to life.
Greenwood Park & Whistler Olympic Park
For scenes requiring dense woods and wide-open trails, the production turned to Greenwood Park and Whistler Olympic Park. Both locations gave the series the kind of visual depth and atmosphere needed to support its mystery-thriller tone.
Deloca Farm, Deroche
The squatters’ community, where a large portion of the drug ring storyline unfolds, was shot on location at Deloca Farm in Deroche. This quiet farming village provided an eerie contrast to the natural beauty surrounding it.
Nita Lake Lodge, Whistler
In the show, Turner visits a luxurious resort steeped in Native American history. That lodge is actually Nita Lake Lodge in Whistler, a boutique hotel known for its scenic lake views and Indigenous-inspired architecture. It doubled as the Yan-O-Pah Hotel, named after Yosemite’s Vernal Fall in the native Miwok language.
Eagles Hall, Maple Ridge
The ranger station where Turner and Vasquez operate was filmed at Eagles Hall, a local events venue whose woodsy design made it a great stand-in for government property nestled in the forest.
Cheakamus River and Balls-to-the-Wall Waterfall
For the many tracking sequences and nature hikes, Untamed made use of the Cheakamus River and a section known as “Balls to the Wall” waterfall. These locations brought dramatic movement and a sense of danger to the show’s action beats.
Port Moody & Local Streets
In August 2024, production filmed in Port Moody, converting parts of Henry, Hope, and William Street into busy production zones. Local outlets reported film trailers, boom lifts, and crew lining the neighborhood for days of on-location work.
Behind the Scenes: Building Yosemite in Canada
Some of Yosemite’s interior spaces, including ranger offices and parts of Turner’s home, were recreated on sound stages at Vancouver’s North Shore Studios. The production blended real-world Canadian landscapes with carefully built sets to craft a seamless version of the park on-screen.
While Yosemite may be the soul of Untamed, British Columbia is the body. With its flexible access, dramatic scenery, and well-established film infrastructure, it delivered everything the production needed to tell Kyle Turner’s haunting story.
So no, Untamed wasn’t filmed in California, but you wouldn’t know it by looking.
