High Plains Drifter is a popular Western film that stars Clint Eastwood. Eastwood is easily one of the most recognizable people in the Western film industry. He has acted in many western movies, but he also has directed films. High Plains Drifter was one of Clint Eastwood’s first times directing and acting in a film, so it is a great watch with cinematic significance. The movie follows a mysterious gunfighter who arrives in the small settlement of Lago. The townspeople are left vulnerable when a shootout kills its protectors. The plot thickens as The Stranger’s mystique intrigues the townspeople.
Mystery and the great outdoors are some of the most consistent aspects of Western movies, so this film was a hit. With the distinct landscape and Eastwood’s cinematic eye, the setting of this western came to life. And although the main character and his circumstances are puzzling, the filming locations of the 1973 film are not. Check out where High Plains Drifter was filmed and where travelers can go to embody their rugged western cowboy dream.
Winnemucca Lake, Nevada
- Key Scenes: exterior action
- Best Time to Visit: April to October for picturesque views and best weather
- Transportation Options: by train or car
As with the classic western genre, the stunning landscapes of the film truly complete the story. So it is no surprise that Winnemucca, Nevada is one of the locations that made that story come to life. It is known as the friendliest town in Nevada and is quite a sight to see.
Winnemucca Lake is a remote location in Northwest Nevada, but is a popular tourist spot. The destination served as the backdrop for plenty of action scenes in High Plains Drifter. A scene that travelers might remember happening there is when The Stranger and Outlaw (Cole Carlin played by Anthony James and Dan Carlin played by Dan Vadis) exchange gunfire and an outlaw’s ear gets shot off.
Aside from the movie magic that was captured at this location, there are plenty of other reasons to visit. Winnemucca has many features that attract tourists. For one, the hospitality in the region is exemplary and locals are welcoming.
Another popular feature is the rich history and culture that can be observed there. Petroglyphs are popular and a unique part of the landscape. Travelers can take mountain trails to look for the prehistoric rock carvings or learn more about the history of Winnemucca. The Buckaroo Hall of Fame & Heritage Museum and Humboldt Museum are among the top attractions that highlight the Wild West and indigenous culture.
Things to Do: Some of the most popular things to do in Winnemucca include the Winnemucca Sand Dunes, Riverview Park and even horse riding tours.
Where to Eat: Winnemucca Pizzeria, The Pig BBQ & Pub and The Griddle are some of the top restaurants in Winnemucca.
Where to Stay: Candlewood Suites Winnemucca, Holiday Inn Express Winnemucca and New Frontier RV Park are the top accommodations for travelers in Winnemucca.
Mono Lake, California
- Key Scenes: city scenes
- Best Time to Visit: fall
- Transportation Options: ESTA buses or by car
Mono County was a main filming location for the film High Plains Drifter. The scenes in the town (Lago) took place around Mono Lake. In fact, the entire town of Lago was built by the production team on the shores of the lake. So, it is where “High Plains Drifter” was primarily filmed. Since the area has thriving wilderness, the production team of the film had plenty of space to construct the set. The plain and relatively remote environment of Mono Lake lends itself to the eerie tone of the western film.
Mono Lake was a filming location due to its convenient proximity and open space. Mono County is relatively close to Los Angeles, so the cast and crew could easily commute there. The buildings of the films’ town were three dimensional and placed on the desert terrain. The land was like an empty canvas for the production team. While the sets are no longer there, travelers can enjoy the same views that Clint Eastwood enjoyed. The most popular view is the Mono Lake Scenic Viewpoint, which is over 1,000 feet high and has prime views of the lake and basin.
Things to Do: Travelers visiting the stunning landscape of Mono Lake often hike, kayak, bird watch or simply take in the peaceful nature.
Where to Eat: Nicely’s, Bodie Mike’s Barbeque and Tioga Gas Mart & Whoa Nellie Deli are some of the top rated places to eat within miles of Mono Lake.
Where to Stay: There are plenty of rustic accommodations near Mono Lake. The top rated places to stay include the Heidelberg Inn, Mammoth Mountain Inn and the Village Lodge.
Sierra Nevada Mountains, California
- Key Scenes: exterior shots
- Best Time to Visit: June for warm weather and November to March for winter sports
- Transportation Options: by car is most convenient but buses are available
The Sierra Nevada Mountains in California added to the allure of the western film as well. The mountain range was featured as the background for the narrative, so it is technically where High Plains Drifter was filmed. The large mountain range located in western North America was featured in a majority of the movie. This is due to the mountains surrounding the area. It is an expansive range of mountains with peaks ranging from 11,000 to 14,000 feet. The area is home to the largest trees in the world (giant sequoias).
The recreational centers of the Sierra Nevada Mountains are a reason they have become such a popular tourism destination. Families especially enjoy the seemingly endless amount of summer, fall and winter activities. The mountains are a great place for couples, families and solo travelers trying to explore the great outdoors. Backpackers, climbers and hikers will find the mountain range to be like a paradise. There are even wildflower hiking opportunities, skiing experiences and various waterfalls for travelers to enjoy. For traveling fans of the western film, historic train rides that explore the area in April.
Things to Do: The Sierra Nevada National Park has horseback riding, hiking group tours and e-bike nature tours for travelers.
Where to Eat: Sierra Nevada Taproom & Restaurant, Red Moose Cafe & Inn and Cutthroat Markleeville are highly rated restaurants in the area.
Where to Stay: There are many options that surround the mountains. The Sierra Mountain Lodge is one of the best options since it is just outside of the Sierra National Forest. This accommodation also has a relaxing ambiance and rustic feel.
Universal Studios, California
- Key Scenes: The Stranger getting haircut turns into a shootout
- Best Time to Visit: during the weekday and earlier in the day to avoid crowds
- Transportation Options: the subway or bus is most convenient
The Universal backlot is where High Plains Drifter was filmed. It is a place within the film studio where plenty of sets have been built. Universal’s studios have been the filming location for plenty of popular productions, including High Plains Drifter. Much of the filming used real-life natural features, but a small amount was built on the Hollywood studio’s set. The lot was used to film some minor interior scenes, including a shootout between the main character and three men. Travelers should be sure to take a movie tour while visiting Universal. The studio offers behind-the-scenes tours and exciting attractions to visitors.
Things to Do: Travelers should take advantage of their proximity to exciting rides and attractions by purchasing admission tickets to the park. There are dining, shopping and entertainment experiences that travelers can choose from.
Where to Eat: For theme park visitors, there are plenty of high quality restaurants to choose from. Some of the top restaurants include the Three Broomsticks, Voodoo Doughnut, Krusty Burger and Toothsome Chocolate Emporium.
Where to Stay: The Hilton Los Angeles, The Garland and the Holiday Inn Express & Suites Hollywood Walk of Fame are accommodations with high ratings.