You’ll find Arizona’s most filmed ghost town at Old Tucson Studios, where over 400 Westerns have shot since 1939 across authentic adobe buildings and desert streetscapes. The Mescal Movie Set near Benson features 28 frontier structures built in 1969 that hosted “Tombstone” and “The Outlaw Josey Wales.” Goldfield Ghost Town east of Phoenix offers reconstructed mining-era buildings with working sets, while Trail Dust Town preserves a 1951 Western location. These active filming sites continue hosting productions while offering guided tours that reveal their cinematic histories.
Key Takeaways
- Mescal Movie Set features 28 authentic 1880s buildings on 70 acres, used in over 80 westerns including “Tombstone” and “The Outlaw Josey Wales.”
- Old Tucson Studios, built in 1939, has hosted over 400 western productions including John Wayne films and “Gunfight at the O.K. Corral.”
- Arizona desert ghost towns like Chloride and Bisbee provided authentic 1860s structures for films since the 1950s, replacing studio backlots.
- Goldfield Ghost Town near Phoenix offers reconstructed Western buildings used for filming alongside tourist attractions like mine tours and gunfight reenactments.
- Canyon de Chelly’s Navajo sandstone formations served as dramatic filming locations for productions including “The Lone Ranger.”
Mescal Movie Set: Benson’s Historic Western Town Since 1969
When you exit Interstate 10 at mile marker 297 between Tucson and Benson, a dusty dirt road leads you to 70 acres of authentic Old West history that’s been fooling movie cameras since 1969.
Originally constructed for “Monte Walsh” starring Lee Marvin, this working set would’ve been bulldozed if the Kretchner family hadn’t rescued it through a lease purchase.
A Hollywood western set built for Lee Marvin faced demolition until one family’s lease purchase saved this authentic slice of frontier history.
Historical preservation efforts by volunteers transformed barren desert into 28 buildings representing an 1880s frontier town.
The filming logistics here are legendary—over 80 westerns shot on location, including “Tombstone’s” iconic 1,130 shots captured across three summer days in 1993.
Television productions like Gunsmoke and Little House on the Prairie also used these authentic streets for their western episodes.
You’ll walk the same boardwalks as Clint Eastwood and Sharon Stone.
The mountain backdrops and scenic vistas provide spectacular views that enhance every production’s authenticity.
Tours run between productions at $10 cash, though you’ll need to plan around no on-site facilities.
Iconic Films That Brought Hollywood Legends to Arizona’s Desert
Arizona’s desert ghost towns have pulled in Hollywood’s A-list since the 1950s, with production crews choosing these locations for their untouched authenticity over studio backlots. You’ll find Violent Saturday (1955) kicked off the trend, capturing raw desert landscapes around Bisbee’s abandoned mining structures.
The 1980s brought Cannonball Run II (1984) and Young Guns II (1990) to these same territories, leveraging the wild west atmosphere that no soundstage could replicate.
South of Heaven, West of Hell (2000) utilized Chloride’s 1860s structures and Bisbee’s rugged terrain. Jerome’s historic mining town setting between Prescott and Sedona provides another authentic ghost town aesthetic that attracts film productions.
Meanwhile, independent productions like Four Eyes and Six Guns (1992) and Lucky U Ranch (2016) shot at Miracle Valley.
The Mescal Movie Set, constructed in 1969, became another cornerstone location, hosting productions like Maverick, The Outlaw Josey Wales, Tombstone, and The Quick and the Dead.
These filmmakers understood what you’re seeking—unfiltered frontier backdrops where genuine history meets cinematic storytelling without artificial constraints.
Old Tucson Studios: From 1939 Film Location to Theme Park Destination
You’ll find Old Tucson Studios at 201 S Kinney Road. Columbia Pictures built a complete 1860s Tucson replica in just 40 days using 350,000 adobe bricks for the 1940 film *Arizona*.
The site’s evolved from hosting over 400 Western productions—including John Wayne’s *Rio Bravo* and *Tombstone*—into a dual-purpose destination.
It’s continued filming while operating as a public theme park since 1960.
The studio officially opened to the public in 1939 following the completion of filming.
Despite a devastating 1995 fire and COVID-19 bankruptcy, the facility’s remained open daily from 8:30 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.
It offers stunt shows, train rides, and period attractions alongside its active soundstages. American Heritage Railways assumed operations in April 2022 after Pima County invested over $1 million in upgrades and repairs.
Classic Western Film Productions
Built in 1939 by Columbia Pictures on a Pima County-owned site west of the Tucson Mountain range, Old Tucson Studios emerged from a $150,000 investment that transformed desert scrubland into a functioning replica of 1860s Tucson.
You’ll find this location revolutionized western filmmaking through authentic set design that eliminated studio backdrops. The inaugural production, “Arizona” (1940), starred William Holden and Jean Arthur under Wesley Ruggles’ direction.
After five dormant years, Bing Crosby’s “The Bells of St. Mary’s” (1945) reignited production activity.
The 1950s brought classics like “Winchester ’73” and “Gunfight at the O.K. Corral,” while John Wayne dominated the 1960s with four productions.
Advanced stunt coordination and versatile outdoor settings enabled over 400 westerns through the 1990s, including “Tombstone” (1993) and “The Quick and the Dead” (1994). Robert Shelton transformed the site in 1959 by leasing and restoring the abandoned studio complex, ultimately reopening it in 1960 as both a working film studio and public theme park. Descendants of the Tohono Oodham contributed to the studio’s authenticity by producing over 350,000 adobe bricks using desert dirt for the original set construction.
Dual-Purpose Entertainment Venue
Columbia Pictures transformed 320 acres of Pima County desert into Old Tucson Studios in just 40 days during 1939. They employed local technicians, carpenters, and Tohono O’odham descendants who fabricated over 350,000 adobe bricks from desert dirt without access to running water.
This $2.5 million film set evolved into Arizona’s “Hollywood in the Desert,” producing 300 westerns. It has also operated as a theme park since 1960. The venue capacity expanded to accommodate both production crews and tourists seeking Old West experiences. Legendary Hollywood stars like Clint Eastwood and John Wayne walked these grounds during its storied 70-year production history.
After the 1995 fire destroyed 40% of buildings and caused $10 million in damages, reconstruction implemented enhanced safety protocols. However, inadequate water access and on-set propane storage had previously compromised firefighting efforts. The rebuild added 16 new buildings to restore the park’s authentic western atmosphere.
Today, you’ll find this dual-purpose destination nestled between Saguaro National Park and Tucson Mountain Park, offering backlot tours alongside authentic 1860s-era structures.
Television Shows and Music Videos Filmed at Arizona’s Western Sets
While feature films have dominated the production schedules at Arizona’s western sets, television shows have quietly carved out their own significant presence across these authentic frontier locations.
Television productions have established their own lasting legacy at Arizona’s western movie sets alongside major feature films.
You’ll find documented evidence of this television legacy at the Mescal Movie Set, where historical film tours showcase specific shooting locations from various productions.
The Mescal facility has hosted notable television work:
- *Tales From the Crypt* episode “Showdown” utilized the set’s 28-building western town.
- Modern TV series continue booking these locations between major film productions.
- Music video shoots capitalize on the authentic Old West atmosphere.
These desert locations offer production crews genuine frontier architecture without constructed sets.
You’re accessing the same rugged landscapes and weathered buildings that’ve supported over 100 western productions since 1969, providing unmatched authenticity for television and music video projects.
Goldfield Ghost Town: Phoenix Area’s Authentic Mining Camp Attraction
Located just 30-40 minutes east of Phoenix along the Apache Trail, Goldfield Ghost Town sits at the base of the Superstition Mountains where gold miners established a 4,000-person boomtown in 1892.
You’ll find reconstructed Western buildings lining Main Street—including the Mammoth Saloon, General Store, and operational mining tunnel—that have served as filming backdrops for various productions while maintaining their function as working tourist attractions.
The site’s authentic narrow-gauge railroad, underground mine tours, and staged gunfight re-enactments provide both visitors and film crews with genuine Old West infrastructure and visual atmosphere.
Historic Mining Town Setting
When gold was discovered at the base of the Superstition Mountains in 1892, prospectors rushed to establish the Mammoth Mine. Goldfield rapidly transformed from empty desert into a bustling mining camp.
Within five years, over 1,000 residents built:
- Three saloons alongside a brewery and meat market
- Essential services including a boarding house, general store, and blacksmith shop
- Community infrastructure with a schoolhouse, church, and hotel
Mineral extraction proved unsustainable when the gold vein faulted by 1897, forcing closure.
Fire destroyed most structures in 1943, leaving only foundations and a water tower.
Bob and Lou Ann Schoose’s town reconstruction began in 1984, transforming rubble into today’s authentic attraction.
You’ll explore working mining tunnels and walk Main Street where actual prospectors once sought fortune.
Filming Location Productions
Location scouting teams appreciate Goldfield’s proximity—just 35 miles southeast of Phoenix at 4650 N. Mammoth Mine Rd—which streamlines logistics without sacrificing authenticity.
The historic Mammoth Gold Mine area, gunfight zones, and narrow gauge train provide versatile shooting options.
Phoenix-based crews can access the site quickly while capturing genuinely rugged western environments.
Tourist Activities and Amenities
Goldfield Ghost Town operates as a fully accessible attraction where you’ll walk Main Street‘s dusty corridors past 1890s-era structures—the jail, assay office, saloon, and chapel—without paying admission to enter the main town area. This Wild West experience combines authentic mining heritage with hands-on activities:
- Underground Mine Tours ($12 adults, $10 seniors, $8 children) depart every 10 minutes for 25-minute guided explorations featuring exploding dynamite effects and historical mining equipment demonstrations.
- Superstition Narrow Gauge Railroad ($10 adults) provides Arizona’s only narrow gauge train rides with Superstition Mountains vistas from the Goldfield station.
- Goldfield Gunfighters stage free dramatic reenactments on Main Street every Saturday and Sunday.
You’ll also find gold panning at Prospector’s Palace, a zipline ($12 first ride), and evening ghost tours ($35 adults) exploring the town’s supernatural history.
Trail Dust Town: Tucson’s Reimagined 1950s Movie Set Experience
Rising from the dusty remnants of an abandoned 1951 Glenn Ford western film set, Trail Dust Town took shape in 1960 when developer W. Howard Hamm transformed three acres near Grant and East Tanque Verde Road into a late 1800s-style attraction.
You’ll find this locally-owned destination has weathered mob-related bombings in the early 1960s and a devastating 1971 fire that destroyed the original Pinnacle Peak Steakhouse.
Today’s family-friendly complex offers Wild West stunt shows featuring two-story falls and dynamite explosions in a 175-seat outdoor theater.
You can ride a 1954 Allan Herschell carousel, explore the C.P. Huntington Railroad, and spin on the Ferris wheel.
The third-generation family operation hosts farmers markets and Oktoberfest celebrations, delivering authentic Family Fun under twinkling evening lights along red-brick pathways.
Celebrity Performances That Made Arizona’s Ghost Towns Famous
When Hollywood discovered Arizona’s weathered ghost towns in the 1930s, A-list performers transformed abandoned mining camps and purpose-built western sets into cinematic landmarks.
You’ll find these locations became production favorites due to efficient set maintenance and authentic backdrops that required minimal dressing.
Celebrity visitor impacts shaped three primary filming hubs:
- Mescal Movie Set – Clint Eastwood’s The Outlaw Josey Walesand Kurt Russell’s *Tombstone* utilized the 1969-constructed boardwalks, while Val Kilmer’s iconic Doc Holliday performance cemented its reputation.
- Old Tucson Studios – Over 300 westerns since 1939, including Sharon Stone’s The Quick and the Dead.
- Canyon de Chelly – Johnny Depp’s The Lone Rangerand Spencer Tracy’s *The Sea of Grass* leveraged Navajo Nation’s dramatic sandstone walls.
These performances turned working ghost towns into tourist destinations without compromising their rugged independence.
Exploring Arizona’s Active Film Locations Through Historical Tours
Beyond the silver screen magic, Arizona’s ghost town film sets welcome you to walk the same dusty streets where Hollywood legends performed.
You’ll discover Mescal Movie Set’s 28 authentic buildings north of Benson, offering historical tours between productions starting May 24th.
Old Tucson Studios, constructed in 1939, sits between Saguaro National Park and Tucson Mountain Park. It hosts immersive experiences from January through December.
Forty miles east of Phoenix, Goldfield Ghost Town presents 1890s structures against the Superstition Mountains’ ancient ruins and hidden caves.
Trail Dust Town transforms a 1950s movie set into your personal frontier exploration.
These active filming locations let you experience where Tombstone, Maverick, and countless westerns came alive—no studio gates blocking your adventure through cinematic history.
Frequently Asked Questions
What Permits Are Required to Film at Arizona Ghost Town Locations?
You’ll need permits from relevant jurisdictions—city, county, or federal agencies managing the ghost town. Make sure you’re compliant with local zoning laws and environmental regulations, plus carry liability insurance. Contact authorities like Tombstone City Hall directly.
How Much Does It Cost to Rent These Locations for Productions?
Rental pricing isn’t publicly listed for these Arizona ghost town locations. You’ll need to contact each site directly for location fees—Mescal, Old Tucson, and Goldfield don’t advertise rates online, requiring personalized quotes based on your production’s specific needs.
Are Props and Period Costumes Available for Rental at These Sites?
While specific prop rental options aren’t publicly documented, you’ll find period costume availability through on-site performers at Goldfield and Old Tucson’s costume departments. Contact locations directly—they’ve supported 100+ productions with authentic Old West wardrobes and set pieces.
Which Ghost Town Locations Offer Overnight Accommodations for Film Crews?
None of these ghost town locations explicitly offer overnight accommodations for film crews. You’ll need to arrange separate lodging while traversing historical site regulations. Consider exploring local ghost town tours first to scout authentic backdrops that’ll maximize your creative freedom.
What Modern Amenities Exist at These Historic Filming Locations?
You’ll discover modern conveniences amid historical preservation—credit card terminals at Goldfield’s steakhouse, commercial zoning for weddings, and visitor amenities like guided tours. These authentic locations balance frontier atmosphere with practical infrastructure you’d need for comfortable exploration.
References
- http://www.thennowmovielocations.com/2025/12/ghost-town.html
- https://pointintimestudios.com/filming-in-arizona/
- https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7XCiuYKLhJg
- https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_films_shot_in_Arizona
- https://www.mescalmovieset.com
- https://oldtucson.com
- http://www.onlyinyourstate.com/trip-ideas/arizona/az-trail-dust-town
- https://blarefilms.net/goldfield-ghost-town/
- https://www.outdoorssw.com/mescal-movie-set-part-ii
- https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=usqb2MHdaDI
