“Red Dawn” has two main versions, and they were filmed in different places.

1984 “Red Dawn” – original film

Most of the original 1984 “Red Dawn” was filmed in New Mexico.

Key locations:

  • Las Vegas, New Mexico – used as the fictional town of Calumet, Colorado, including downtown streets and the school area.
  • Johnson Mesa, New Mexico – used for remote outdoor and execution scenes.
  • Ghost Ranch near Abiquiu, New Mexico – used as Mr. Mason’s farm and surrounding countryside.
  • Areas around Hermit’s Peak and other nearby mountain locations for the Wolverines’ mountain hideouts and guerrilla scenes.

So, if you’re thinking of the classic Patrick Swayze version, it was essentially “set” in Colorado but filmed around Las Vegas and northern New Mexico.

2012 “Red Dawn” – remake

The 2012 remake with Chris Hemsworth was mainly shot in Michigan , with some additional locations.

Major spots:

  • Mount Clemens, Michigan – primary small-town setting, with lots of downtown and neighborhood scenes.
  • Detroit, Royal Oak, Pontiac, and other Metro Detroit suburbs – streets, interiors, and action set‑pieces.
  • Grand Ledge and other Michigan outdoor areas – used for forest, camp, and battle sequences.
  • Some “Wolverines” hideout and action work also used ranch and park-style locations, including Dodge Park/Highland Recreation Area and Polsa Rosa Ranch in California.

So if your question “where was Red Dawn filmed” is about the remake, the short answer is: mostly in and around Detroit and other parts of Michigan, with a few additional locations.

TL;DR:

  • 1984 “Red Dawn”: filmed largely in and around Las Vegas, New Mexico (standing in for Colorado).
  • 2012 “Red Dawn”: filmed mainly in Michigan (Mount Clemens, Detroit area, Grand Ledge), plus a few extra locations like a ranch in California.

Information gathered from public forums or data available on the internet and portrayed here.