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Where Was Nomadland Filmed? A Look at Its Locations

Inspired by Jessica Bruder’s non-fiction work, ‘Nomadland’ is a neo-Western drama film that chronicles the journey of Fern (Frances McDormand), a woman who departs her tiny town to traverse the American West following the loss of her husband and all her possessions during the Great Recession.

She embarks on a lifestyle as a contemporary nomad in her van, traversing various locations in pursuit of employment and encountering intriguing individuals. The novel lifestyle prompts Fern to uncover distinctive facets of her identity.

The directorial work of Chloé Zhao oscillates between vast landscapes and diminutive communities, prompting our curiosity regarding the film’s shooting locations. Here are our findings!

Filming Locations of Nomadland

‘Nomadland’ was filmed in many places across the USA, including Nevada, Nebraska, South Dakota, Arizona, and California. The filmmaking process was equally compelling as the narrative the movie portrays. The film was filmed in the second half of 2018. Here are the particulars!

Empire, Nevada

Fern’s journey begins in her hometown of Empire, Nevada, which has suffered economically due to the closure of a mining. This ghost town in Washoe County was formerly the site of the United States Gypsum Corporation, which ceased operations in 2011.

Since the company’s closure, the town’s economy has shifted its reliance from mining to tourism.

Empire is recognized for hosting the Burning Man festival, which has taken place there since 1991. The event accounts for 20% of the area’s business development. Another reason many come Empire is the recreational opportunities at The Black Rock Desert.

The desert extends across the counties of Washoe, Pershing, and Humboldt. The film features multiple scenes of this stunning landscape.

Another setting seen in the film is an Amazon warehouse, where Fern secures seasonal employment. McDormand composed a letter to Amazon, formally seeking authorization to film on the grounds.

Scottsbluff, Nebraska

where was nomadland filmed

The film continues to depict Fern as she participates in a beet harvest in Scottsbluff, Scotts Bluff County. The community is situated in western Nebraska, a region recognized for its sugar beet production, which has persisted for over a century.

Scottsbluff possesses a semi-arid or semi-desert climate characterized by significant seasonal and daily variability.

The community was named in honor of American mountain mountaineer and fur trapper Hiram Scott. The fur trader allegedly perished at the foot of a cliff formation adjacent to the North Platte River during an expedition in 1828.

This geographical site is currently designated as the Scotts Bluff National Monument, which is also depicted in the film.

South Dakota

Various segments of the film were filmed in South Dakota, particularly in Badlands National Park and the Pine Ridge Indian Reservation. Fern secures employment in a campground in the Badlands Region, specifically at the adjacent Wall Drug Store.

The Badlands are recognized for pursuits like hiking and fossil excavation. Visitors frequently appreciate driving through the region and observing wildlife. The variegated canyons, spires, and buttes provide as the backdrop for ‘Nomadland.’

‘Dances with Wolves,’ ‘Armageddon,’ and ‘Thunderheart’ are few films that were shot at the National Park.

The Wall Drug Store continues to be a prominent tourist destination. Initially a modest location offering complimentary ice water to tourists, it has evolved into a renowned roadside destination attracting over two million visitors annually.

It is particularly renowned for the colossal 80-foot brontosaurus sculpture. South Dakota is well-known territory for director Chloé Zhao, as her initial two feature films, ‘Songs My Brother Taught Me’ and ‘The Rider,’ are also situated in this locale.

Zhao resided for several months in the Pine Ridge Reservation during her work on ‘The Rider.’

Quartzsite, Arizona

where was nomadland filmed

Fern attends in the annual Rubber Tramp Rendezvous event at Quartzsite. Quartzsite is recognized as the “Desert Phenomenon” and is renowned for its gem show and trade meet, which occurs annually for two months, January and February.

It is among the most renowned locations for RV boondocking globally. Several moments in the film were shot at the Quartzsite Yacht Club, including the dance scene featuring Fern and Dave.

Point Arena, California

In the film, Fern joins Dave to see his relatives in the coastal city of Point Arena, located in Mendocino County. These sequences were recorded on-site. Point Arena is among several coastal settlements linked to counterculture movements.

The local economy is centered on summer tourism. The Point Arena Lighthouse is a prominent feature of the city’s skyline and is the highest lighthouse on the West Coast of the United States.

Hendy Woods State Park, located in Mendocino County, is depicted in the film as Fern observes the ancient trees, some exceeding 1000 years in age. The 816-acre region is renowned for its pristine forests of California redwoods.

The verdant forest featuring Fern is the San Bernardino National Forest, which offers 47 complimentary ‘Yellow Post’ campsites for camping. Notable films and programs filmed here include ‘Gone with the Wind,’ ‘Star Trek: Enterprise,’ ‘Old Yeller,’ and ‘Daniel Boone.’

‘Nomadland’ was filmed by a compact crew of 19 men and 17 women who traversed extensive distances in vintage vans. The picture employed natural light to the greatest extent feasible. Cinematographer Joshua James Richards employed a naturalistic technique and filmed the majority of the movie during the “magic hour,” which he describes as “God’s best light.”

The video features actual nomads referenced by Bruder in her book. Frances McDormand embraced a wandering lifestyle for a period to preserve the authenticity of her role. She adorned the van utilized in the film with her own things and named it “Vanguard.”

The actress undertook several gigs and resided in the van as part of the process. Ultimately, she had to cease that activity to prevent tiredness from impairing her onscreen performance.

Enjoy the remarkable journey of Fern and the amazing landscapes that sparked ‘Nomadland.’ This article covers Nevada’s ghost towns and Arizona’s deserts in detail. Look into the film’s famous locations and inside narratives—visit our website now for the complete experience!

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