Where was Napoleon Dynamite filmed?

Who says grannies should just stick to baking, cooking family recipes, or attending their little backyard garden? Well, grandma Dynamite proves that older people can do some adrenaline-pumping activities too.

In one of the notable and rare Napoleon Dynamite action scenes, you’ll see Napoleon’s grandma riding an ATV on the sand dunes. Unfortunately, she wasn’t so lucky that day and fell off the ATV, injuring her tailbone. That evening, Uncle Rico arrives and informs Napoleon and Kip about the accident and that he will stay with them until she returns after her recovery.

The iconic scene of grandma jumping off an all-terrain vehicle was shot in St. Anthony Sand Dunes. It comprises over ten thousand acres of quartz sand located in the Snake River Plain in Idaho. It serves as a playground for many off-road vehicle enthusiasts and is home to one of the country’s largest herds of wintering elk. There is also a campground at Egin Lake and campsites on the dunes’ east end along the Red Road.

If you plan to visit any Napoleon Dynamite location, make sure to stop by St. Anthony Sand Dunes. It is less than five miles northwest of St. Anthony and about fifty miles northwest of the famous Idaho Falls. It’s a natural beauty to enjoy and a great place to have a blast riding four-wheelers, motorcycles, dune buggies, or even a horse.

There are several access areas to the dunes. These include the Desert Oasis access, Sand Hills Resort, and Egin Lakes Access, which provide full-service campgrounds. The easiest and most convenient way to get to the location is through a private vehicle.

Filming Locations Directory

In one of the memorable scenes of Napoleon Dynamite, we’ll see Napoleon sitting on the steps outside of the school, drawing something, when Deb sits close to him. Curious, Deb asks what he’s drawing. Then Napoleon casually responds, “a liger." Apparently, it’s his favorite animal, which is “like a lion and a tiger mixed bred for its skills in magic,” as he explains.

The school you see in the movie is actually Preston High School. It is located in central Preston and has become one of the most visited schools in the town as a result of the film’s popularity. Many parts of the movie took place in this school, and the Napoleon Dynamite production used it for numerous exterior and interior shots.

Preston High School is still a functioning school today, so you’ll have to report to the security desk in the main building to get permission to visit. Since it’s in a central location, it’s easily accessible by bus.

You can take a photo of the building, check out the classrooms, and walk the halls as Napoleon did in the movie. And see if you can still find the multi-colored locker doors used as a backdrop in several remarkable scenes in the film.

Access Video Shoot Locations

While uncle Rico doesn’t seem to have a good relationship with Napoleon, he remains on good terms with Kip. They appear in various scenes together, hanging out, talking about relationships, and chatting like old friends.

In one of the scenes, you’ll see Rico and Kip talking about the money-making scheme that the former has in the works. Then, there’s a part where Kip throws the ball at the bowling alley, bouncing off the gutter and blocking railings a few times before striking the pins. Later in the next shots, you’ll see the bowling lane behind Rico and Kip as they stand immersed in their conversation.

The scene was shot in Pop’N Pins Lanes & Island Bowl Grill, a vintage bowling alley at 441 South Highway 91, Preston. Its appearance in the comedy film made it famous among visitors who would stop by to take pictures, dine, and play.

The bowling center offers open bowling, leagues, and more, whereas the island Bowl Grill boasts excellent Hawaiian cuisines. It provides a dining space and catering services for parties and events. It is open from Monday through Friday, from 11 am to 8 pm. If you want to visit where Kip showed off his bowling skills, make sure you stop by the bowling center. It’s hard to miss as you drive along the highway.

Film Shoot Locations Map

Pedro and Napoleon are now getting ready for the school dance. While Deb has prepared something for Pedro, Napoleon plans to wear “just like a silk shirt or something” for the occasion. Pedro must’ve thought (as we probably all agree) that it wasn’t the best idea, so he tells his friend he should get a suit. The duo goes to the thrift store and finds something nice on a mannequin. Then later, Napoleon appears looking dapper in a beautiful three-piece rusty orange suit. The color choice is brilliant, as it perfectly matches his red Afro. Just don’t pay too much attention to his foliage green socks, and you might be convinced to wear this attire at a formal party. If you’re curious about where they bought the fabulous suit for the dance, it’s in Deseret Industries Thrift Store located at 36 South State Street. It’s on the west side of US Highway 91 or State St south of Oneida street. Since it’s a low-budget film, most of the wardrobe in the movie was actually sourced from this store.

Check Production Spaces

Another unforgettable Napoleon Dynamite film scene is when our main character and friends work for a chicken farm. Their task is to put the chickens in their cages that day by noon. As the owner gives them instructions on how to handle the chickens, the concerned Napoleon asks, “Do the chickens have large talons?”

But before trying their hands at chicken farming, they’re given some refreshments. It includes some boiled eggs, sandwiches, and what looked like orange juice with a raw egg stirred in it. So no one can blame Napoleon when he gags after trying the drink.

The shots of the chicken farm where they earn six dollars were filmed on Ritewood Egg Farm’s property in Franklin, Idaho. The character of the supervisor in the movie is loosely based on one of the chicken farm’s founders and a former Franklin resident, Marlow Woodward.

The Ritewood Egg Farm is still in business today. It’s been in the industry for over 50 years and is the only business you’ll find in the area. To get to the company, you’ll have to head east on Main Street from US Highway 91. Then turn left on 300 East, stay on Maple Creek Road and turn left at 4000 East.

If it’s your first time watching the film, don’t turn your TV off until you get to the post-credit scene. Otherwise, you’ll miss Kip and LaFawnduh’s sweet, touching, and fun wedding. Kip sings his bride a love song, inspired by his love for all things technology.

Like most weddings where not everything goes according to plan, Kip’s singing is interrupted by Napoleon’s grand entrance arriving on a horse. He apologizes for being late and proclaims he “just got done taming a wild honeymoon stallion” for the bride and groom. He asked Deb to take a photo of him on the horse before the newlyweds took off for their honeymoon.

The scenic outdoor wedding venue in the movie is the 84.5 Lamont Reservoir in Franklin County. It is three miles east of Preston, providing excellent fishing opportunities during weekends or summer holidays. Even if you only came here to visit one of the Napoleon Dynamite filming locations, don’t miss the chance to enjoy the scenery and go fishing. So bring some fishing gear and fish from a float tube, a boat, the shore, or any ADA-accessible dock.