Immerse yourself in the world behind the Canadian TV series, Heartland, as we unveil its scenic filming locations.
The show is set on a picturesque ranch in Canada that features beautiful horses and scenery. From scenic vistas to charming local spots, Heartland’s unique filming locations help to create its immersive and authentic feel.
These are not studio backdrops, but real-life locales nestled in the heart of Alberta, Canada. This article will guide you through the series’ most iconic filming locations, unveiling the beautiful truth behind Heartland’s on-screen magic.
Where is Heartland Filmed?
Heartland is filmed in Alberta, Canada. Most of the exterior shots are filmed in Millarville, a small town near High River. The interior shots are filmed in Calgary.
In 1928, Roy Foster and his family moved to the property where they raised cattle. The famous barn that is seen on the show was built by Roy’s brother, Les.
The show also films ranch scenes at a dude ranch, which is not far from the real Heartland Ranch, and a studio in Calgary.
Can You go to Heartland Ranch?
Unfortunately, you can’t visit the real Heartland Ranch because it is privately owned, and the owner doesn’t give anyone apart from the cast and crew during filming.
However, you can see the ranch from a distance, and fans are allowed to visit the outside of Maggie’s diner in High River and peer in to see the set.
Fans may also visit the Museum of the Highwood, which includes costumes and props from the show. If you are lucky, you may even get to catch a glimpse of the crew’s trailers as they park behind the museum when filming.
The show is set in the fictional town of Hudson, but it is actually filmed in and around High River. High River is a great place to visit if you are a fan of Heartland. There are several businesses in town that cater to Heartland fans, and you can even take a tour of the ranch where the show is filmed.
High River is a great place to visit if you are a fan of the show. In addition to the museum and Maggie’s diner, you can also stroll through the town to visit shops that sell Heartland mementos.
If you’re in High River, don’t forget to take a stroll in George Lane Memorial Park. Here, you will find the famous red gazebo that hosted Amy and Georgie’s high school graduation.
Here is a Heartland set tour with Amber Marshall (Amy Fleming) and Graham Wardle (Ty Borden):
Are There Heartland Ranch Tours?
Though there are no guided tours for the Heartland Ranch, but you can take self-guided tours through High River. In addition, there are ranches just outside of Calgary that offer trail rides throughout beautiful scenery.
Did you know that all indoor scenes on Heartland Ranch and Scott’s clinic are filmed in a studio in Calgary? These include the interiors of the farmhouse, the barn, the loft, and the vet clinic.
Besides Heartland Ranch, there are other filming locations in Millarville fans might want to visit. For once, there is the cute little wooden chapel where Lou’s wedding ceremony took place. To find it, look for signs to the Millarville Anglican Church.
The Millarville Farmers’ Market and Race Track are also open to visitors all year round. This location served as the setting for all rodeo and horse racing-related scenes. The Farmer’s Market is the best in the foothills and opens every Saturday from June to October.
See more information about Heartland self-guided tours here on foothillstourism.com.
Where is Dude Ranch Located?
The Heartland Dude Ranch can be found south of the Priddis community in Alberta, along Range Road 30. It’s not far from the real Heartland ranch in Millarville, but unfortunately, it’s also private property.
Is Maggie’s Diner from Heartland Real?
Maggie’s Diner, Tack and Feed is filmed on a real set and is the only permanently accessible set that fans can visit.
Although Maggie’s is not a real working diner, fans are allowed to peer through the windows and see the set when the show isn’t filming there.
You can also visit a real-life version of Maggie’s in High River called Evelyn’s Memory Lane. This retro diner is located on 4th Avenue, and it’s one of the best places for food in the area.
Do All the Actors on Heartland Ride Horses?
Surprisingly, horse riding is not a requirement for getting a role on Heartland. Since many actors didn’t have prior experience with horses, they had to attend cowboy camp to learn the basics.
Amber Marshall and Alisha Newton are real-life equestrians and do most of their horseback riding scenes on Heartland. However, the actors are replaced with stunt doubles who ride for them in the more dangerous riding scenes.
Jessica Amlee, who plays Mallory on Heartland, was also a confident rider before coming on the show. Shaun Johnston (Grandpa Jack) and Nathaniel Arcand (Scott Cardinal) both grew up on a farm with horses and were happy to ride for the show.
Also read: Heartland Actors Who Live Like Their Characters in Real-Life
Who Owns the Horses on Heartland?
John Scott owns most of the horses that are used in Heartland. Scott is the head wrangler of the show and is well known in the film industry.
With over 50 years of experience training animals for movies, this man has done it all. John Scott has been wrangler on major productions like Lord of the Rings, The Revenant, Unforgiven, and many others.
Scott is a widely celebrated actor, stuntman, wrangler, and producer. According to Avenue Calgary magazine, his company John Scott Productions has worked on seven Oscar-winning films to date.
