Where was The Shack filmed?

The Mack's house scene takes place in a suburban winter landscape. Mack (Sam Worthington) is outside his home, shoveling snow in the driveway with a peaceful, content expression. He receives an unexpected letter from “Papa,” his wife’s nickname for God. This moment marks the beginning of Mack's spiritual journey in The Shack. The residential scenes came to life in a suburban area near Vancouver with artificial snow. A scene reveals the number 1853 on Mack's family home, though it does not show the street name. Vancouver is a significant center for entertainment production in Canada. The suburbs play a crucial role as a primary filming location. Moreover, Vancouver could be an excellent place to start your exploration of The Shack's filming locations. Take a direct flight from your city or drive along Highway 5 for about two to three hours if your starting point is Seattle or Bellingham in Washington State. Alternatively, drive up through BC’s interior on highways 1 or 3 if your starting point is further east within Canada and USA border states like Idaho or Montana.

Mack (Sam Worthington) loses his footing on the icy ground, prompting a flashback to a memorable camping expedition he embarked on with his wife Nan (Radha Mitchell) and their three children - Josh (played by Gage Munroe), Kate (Megan Charpentier), and Missy (Amélie Eve). He remembers narrating a tale to his children about a self-sacrificing princess who gave her life to protect her kingdom's people. The waterfall they admired, Multnomah Falls, was portrayed as the sorrowful tears the princess's father shed. The tale of the Indian Princess unfolds against the backdrop of the picturesque Multnomah Falls, located in the Columbia River Gorge to the east of Portland, Oregon. The stunning viewing bridge and the neighboring lodge were constructed in 1925 by American businessman and philanthropist Simon Benson. However, the film production entirely happened in Canada, with only stock footage used to depict the falls. Multnomah Falls is 30 miles east of Portland, Oregon, in the Columbia River Gorge National Scenic Area. It is accessible by car via Interstate 84 or US Highway 30 — both roads will take you directly to the two-acre park surrounding the waterfall.

During a campfire sing-along with another group that night, Missy (Amélie Eve) excitedly urges Mack (Sam Worthington) to pray to Papa. Even though it's not his usual practice, he joins her in prayer. She poses many deep queries about God. The following day, while Missy is busy sketching the princess, Kate (Megan Charpentier) and Josh (Gage Munroe) enjoy a canoe ride. When Kate suddenly stands up, the canoe flips, trapping Josh underneath. Mack plunges into the lake to rescue Josh, assisted by other campers who help him bring Josh safely to shore. Sayres Lake Campground in Mission, British Columbia, provided the backdrop for the campfire scenes. The campground offers an idyllic setting for camping, surrounded by tall trees and a peaceful lakefront atmosphere, perfect for creating a calming atmosphere for this pivotal scene in The Shack. Sayres Lake Campground is approximately 17.8 miles northwest of the city center of Mission. The most convenient route is through a private car ride from Mission City Center, which should take around 38 minutes. From Vancouver, it typically takes about 1 hour and 20 minutes by car to reach the campground, though this may vary depending on traffic conditions.

Mack (Sam Worthington) walks to the shack, stepping into a spacious dwelling. The woman he encounters is identical to the one from his childhood. She introduces herself as "Papa" (Octavia Spencer), while the man Mack has been following is her son, Jesus (Aviv Alush). Another woman present, Sarayu (Sumire Matsubara), represents the Holy Spirit. Lorie Martin, an esteemed writer hailing from Abbotsford, BC, had the privilege of being invited to witness the filming of scenes set in a cabin near her home, starring the illustrious Octavia Spencer. The picturesque setting could be none other than the serene Cultus Lake. Cultus Lake is one of British Columbia's top-rated outdoor getaways for all seasons, featuring crystal clear waters for swimming during summer months or a winter wonderland experience during colder temperatures. Visitors can enjoy serene hikes through lush forests and picture-perfect views of snow-capped mountain peaks. With over 1,000 campsites throughout the region, visitors can easily find their not-so-humble abode to relax and enjoy all Nature offers. Reaching Cultus Lake from Vancouver requires a drive on Highway 1 East toward Hope. Follow Highway 1 until you reach Cultus Lake Road, where stunning views of Cultus Lake will surround you. Alternatively, visitors can access the lake via East Chilliwack Station, part of TransLink's rapid transit system connecting downtown Vancouver to Mission City Station.

Jesus (Aviv Alush) instructs Mack (Sam Worthington) to venture out on the lake to observe something on the opposite shore. As Mack experiences a flashback of the fateful day, the boat cracks and begins to submerge. From the shoreline, Jesus advises him not to panic and to "just keep your eyes on me." Jesus strides over water to reach him, and miraculously, the boat reverts to its undamaged state. Jesus prompts Mack to step out of the boat and accompany him, but Mack fears he will drown. Jesus reassures Mack that he won't sink as long as he places his trust in him. The crew filmed the beach where their paths intertwine at Minaty Bay, off Howe Sound near Britannia Beach in the breathtaking Sea-to-Sky Corridor region of British Columbia. As revealed in the behind-the-scenes footage, a water tank served as the setting for all boat scenes, enabling the seamless integration of CGI hills in the backdrop. Take Highway 99 North and follow it towards Squamish before taking a right onto Britannia Beach Road. Follow this road until you reach Minaty Bay Provincial Park, which offers camping sites and outdoor activities like boating, fishing, and hiking trails.

After traversing the lake, they return to dry land. Jesus (Aviv Alush) highlights a trail for Mack (Sam Worthington) to follow, promising to meet him at the end. The trail leads Mack to a mountain with a stone face, where he encounters Sophia (Alice Braga), who reveals herself as Wisdom. The mountain Mack is guided to in the scene appears to be a digitally created image, likely inspired by the near-vertical Grand Wall of Stawamus Chief. The actual filming happened in Stawamus Chief Park, which features a magnificent granite dome near Squamish. The verdant forests around Squamish resemble the landscapes depicted in the film that the characters navigate through. Stawamus Chief Park is accessible by car or bike and can be reached from the Squamish or Vancouver area via Highway 99. It lies at the base of Stawamus Chief Mountain and features multiple trails ranging from strolls to more strenuous hikes. Visitors can enjoy the spectacular views over Howe Sound while exploring the mountain's many trails and caves, all reminders of Mack's journey to spiritual awareness in The Shack.