Where was Longmire filmed?

In the first few seasons of Longmire, one of the show’s key ongoing story threads is Walt’s investigation into the death of his wife, Martha. Though she was battling cancer at the time, Martha was murdered by a meth addict named Miller Beck.

The crime was made to look like a robbery gone wrong, but when Beck later turns up dead, and given Martha’s ongoing fight to stop Jacob Nighthorse’s new casino going ahead, Walt suspects something more sinister is at play. Martha’s death has a huge impact on Walt’s outlook on life, his desire for justice, and the plot of Longmire, and she remains an ongoing presence throughout the first few seasons.

Martha’s murder in the show took place in a Denver alleyway. In real life, you’ll find this Longmire filming location in the heart of Santa Fe. It’s a much nicer location in person than it was made to look for the show, and with plenty of restaurants and Santa Fe attractions within walking distance, it’s well worth a visit.

In season six, one of Longmire’s cases involves a notorious bank robber named Cowboy Bill who is terrorizing the county. Walt is determined to bring the man to justice, and when he discovers that someone has been swiping license plates from cars at the Pine Mountain Rehab Center, he realizes he knows exactly who Cowboy Bill is.

The bank robber is actually Bob Barnes (John Bishop), whose son also happens to be receiving treatment at the rehab center. So when the call comes over the radio that Cowboy Bill is cornered in a bank in a room full of hostages, Longmire races to the scene to defuse the situation.

Right from the outset, he’s calm and in control. “I know it's you under that fake beard, but the Bob I know, no matter how hard up or desperate he was, he'd never scare anybody … or hurt 'em.” It’s a tense scene as Bob contemplates turning the gun on himself, but he eventually surrenders and apologizes.

The bank used for this scene is actually the Southwest Capital Bank on Douglas Avenue in Las Vegas, New Mexico. It’s just off 7th Street right near the city center, so it’s definitely one to include on your Longmire filming locations itinerary.

Of all the villains we meet across the six seasons of Longmire, few are as despicable as Barlow (Gerald McRaney). But in season four episode three “High Noon”, Barlow meets his maker.

Now that Walt has realized Barlow murdered his own son, the sheriff isn’t going to believe any of the other man’s lies. And in a stunning and brilliantly acted confrontation at Walt’s cabin, Barlow admits to ordering Martha’s murder. “I had worked too hard and too long to let you and that wife of yours stand in my way”, he spits.

“So, when you couldn't get at me … you went after the thing I loved”, a stunned Longmire realizes, and a violent struggle ensues that ultimately leads to Barlow’s bloody demise.

Walt’s cabin is a constant presence throughout Longmire, appearing in plenty of iconic scenes. Best of all, you can check the cabin out for yourself — it’s known as the Ranch Foreman’s cabin and is found in Valles Caldera National Preserve, roughly 50 miles northwest of Santa Fe. This gorgeous cabin appears almost exactly the same as it does on-screen, while the vistas of the surrounding countryside alone make the trip to this iconic Longmire location well worth it.

In season six episode three, as Walt prepares to stand trial for the wrongful death of Barlow, he’s surprised to find Vic arriving at the courthouse. Little does he know that she’s not there for him, but for the D.A. to bring murder charges against Chance Gilbert (Peter Stormare), who had previously bashed Vic. “Sometimes it’s hard to tell you things”, Vic admits to Longmire nervously.

But she’s in for a surprise of her own when Chance overpowers a guard, dons a gas mask, and escapes. Vic and Walt set off in hot pursuit out of the courthouse, but they’re stunned to find a crowd of dozens of people all clad in gas masks. It’s clearly a well-orchestrated escape plan and Chance is now on the run. “I got him a new hearing so he could escape from the courthouse”, Vic laments.

The courthouse makes multiple appearances in Longmire and is actually found on S. Federal Plaza in Santa Fe. It’s close to the heart of the downtown area, so is another easy location to visit for Longmire fans.

Throughout the six seasons of Longmire, Walt has plenty of run-ins and ongoing battles with local businessman and casino owner Jacob Nighthorse (A Martinez). But in episode four of season four, Walt is forced to apologize to his long-time nemesis.

After an RV collides with a bus heading to Nighthorse’s Four Arrows Casino, Longmire finds a woman’s body in a duffle bag. The sheriff heads to the casino to track down the bag’s owner, but before Nighthorse will offer him any assistance, he demands an apology from Walt.

“I’m sorry that my deeply held belief that you are a dishonorable, untrustworthy person led me to falsely accuse you of killing Branch Connally”, he says. As far as apologies go, we’ve heard better!

Interior and exterior casino scenes for Longmire were filmed at the Santa Claran Hotel Casino In Espanola, 25 miles north of Santa Fe. From the building itself to the front desk, you’ll instantly recognize the venue from numerous Longmire episodes.

No finale of a long-running series is going to keep everyone happy, but the final episode of Longmire season six comes close. All the loose story threads we’ve been following throughout the series are tied up and, more importantly, Walt finally finds happiness.

Across the six seasons, the audience was often left wondering whether there was any chance of romance between Vic and Walt. And finally, in the finale, they got the answer they were hoping for. After a tense shootout on the Crow Reservation, Walt is lucky to come away unscathed.

But the news is too much for Vic to take. As the two sit on the bench outside their office, she tells him why: “I don't think you understand. I cannot lose you.” It’s quite a moving scene and her words clearly have an effect on the usually stoic Walt — it’s clear he feels the same way about her.

The Sheriff’s Department is one of the most recognizable Longmire locations and is found in the southwestern corner of the Las Vegas Plaza. You’ll even be able to spot the Absaroka County Sheriff's Department badge on the door at the entrance, which will surely put a smile on the face of any longtime fan of Longmire.