Where was Holes filmed?

Stanley is falsely accused of a crime and sentenced to serve 18 months at Camp Green Lake. Upon arrival at the camp, he gets off the bus and thanks the driver. He asks the guard, “So, uh, where’s the lake?” And the guard responds, “Eh…what did I just tell you? Don’t be a wise guy. Follow me.”

He is taken to meet Mr. Sir, an intimidating man who is eating and spitting out sunflower seeds.

Guard: What’s with the sunflower seeds, man?

Mr. Sir: I’ve given up smoking. (He picks up a file). Stanley Yelnats…the Fourth.

Stanley: Yeah, everyone in my family names their sons Stanley because it’s Yelnats backward. It’s like this little…ummm…tradition.

Mr. Sir: My name is Mr. Sir.

(Stanley stifles a laugh.)

Whenever you speak to me, you will call me by my name.

Stanley: Yes, Mr. Sir.

To visit this former Holes film set, travel southwest on Market Street, and make a right onto Railroad Avenue. Make another right-hand turn onto 13th Street. Continue following 13th Street until it merges into Arch Street, making a left at 12th Street. Keep traveling onto Placeritos Boulevard, making a right-hand turn onto Quigley Canyon Road then another left onto Placerita Canyon Road. A final left onto Oakcreek Avenue will bring you to your destination.

In this Holes scene, a flashback sequence opens in a small rural town. Kissing Kate Barlow’s soon-to-be love is selling his onions in the town square. The following conversation takes place in this funny scene in Holes.

Onion merchant: Get your sweet, sweet magical onions! Get your elixirs, health potions, honey tonics! Onions, get your onions here, folks! God’s own chosen vegetable! Nature’s magic vegetable right here, folks. Mr. Collinwood, let me see that head of yours.

Mr. Collinwood: My head?

Onion merchant: Yes, sir. Yeah, that’s what I thought. I got exactly what you need. (Speaking to his wife) Rub this on his head every night, Mrs. Collinwood, and before you know it, his hair is going to be as long and as thick as Marylou’s mane (his horse).

In one of the very few scenes shot at a film studio, you can reach Golden Oak Ranch by taking bus lines 301, 302, or 50. Or you can drive yourself, use a rideshare app, or call a cab.

Stanley writes a letter to his parents while a montage plays, showing that he is putting a very positive spin on what his days at Camp Green Lake are actually like. In his letter, he writes.

“Dear Mom, I’m having a wonderful time at camp. The food’s great. Not as good as yours, of course, but I like it. We’ve been out on the lake all day. Once I pass the swimming test, I get to learn how to water ski. I’ve made lots of friends. And the water is cool and refreshing. You’d like my counselor. He’s a doctor. I’m really enjoying the wildlife. The other boys aren’t bad kids. Like me, they were just in the wrong place at the wrong time. Well, that’s it for now, Mom. Say hi to Dad and Grandpa for me. Love, your son, Stanley.”

To visit this Holes filming location, you have a couple of options for public transit. You can travel on bus lines 180, 207, or 217 or take the Subway’s B Line (Red). To get there by vehicle, you can rent a car, call a taxi, or use a rideshare service.

Stanley and Zig-Zag get into a fight after digging holes in the desert. The boys are brought before Mr. Sir and Louise Walker who try to get to the bottom of what happened. The following conversation takes place in one of the best scenes in Holes.

Louise: Is that what happened Zig-Zag?

Zig-Zag: Ya. Like X-ray said, you know, working all day in the hot sun. You know, while Caveman sits around and does nothin’.

Louise: Excuse me? Caveman digs his hole just like everyone else.

Zig-Zag: Sometimes.

Louise: Excuse me?

Zig-Zag’s friend: Ma’am, Zero’s been digging a part of Caveman’s hole every day.

Mr. Sir: You’re not digging holes no more? Huh?

Stanley: I-I’m teaching him how to read.

Mr. Sir: What? He’s a smart kid.

Dr. Pendanski: Smart? Oh, yeah? Hey, Zero—what does C-A-T spell? Huh? What’s it spell? Yeah, he’s a real genius. He’s so stupid he doesn’t even know he’s stupid.

This scene was shot in several sections of the Mojave Desert in California. In an immense natural space, it is not possible to pinpoint the exact spot where filming occurred. Still, it is well worth your time to come to explore this beautiful recreational area. You’ll easily be able to envision this scene unfolding in the heart of the scorching hot desert plains. To get to the Mojave Desert in California, follow Interstate 15 from Baker.

Carrying Hector on his back, Stanley climbs the mountain in search of food and water to help keep them both alive. They fight off flies, and as Stanley shoos them away, he exclaims to himself, “D*mn bugs!” Suddenly, a realization dawns on him, and he shares these words with Hector in one of the best action scenes in Holes, “Wait a minute, wait…there’s bugs! That must mean there’s…WATER!”

To get to this film-shoot location, you can drive yourself or call a cab. Take Highway 14 near Cantil for approximately 25 miles. You will need to continue to travel west for 1/4 mile on Abbott Drive. You will see a sign indicating the exit for Red Rock Canyon State Park directly off the highway. Rideshare services are also available in this area.

In the final scene in Holes, the staff is exposed and arrested. This conversation takes place between the former prison staff and the arresting officer, a Texas Ranger.

Arresting officer: Marion Sevilo, it’s been a long time since El Paso. Marion, you’re in violation of your parole carrying this weapon.

Louise: I had no knowledge of that.

Mr. Sir: Oh, yeah. Just like you didn’t know Pendanski wasn’t no doctor neither.

Arresting officer: Sit down, Marion. You’re under arrest…again.

To get to Cuddeback Dry Lake, the site of this iconic film scene, follow the signs found in the Mojave Desert National Preserve. You can drive yourself, use a rideshare app, or call a taxi.