“Rooster Cogburn” (1975), with John Wayne and Katharine Hepburn, was filmed mainly on location in Oregon, with some work done on studio backlots in California.

Main filming locations

  • Central Oregon (around Bend) – The production was based in Bend, with many outdoor scenes shot in Deschutes County and the surrounding Cascade Lakes region.
  • Deschutes River & Benham Falls – Key river and whitewater sequences (including the rapids) were filmed on the Deschutes River near Benham Falls, west of Bend.
  • Rogue River, near Grants Pass – Additional river work and action scenes were shot on the Rogue River in southern Oregon, in Josephine County near Grants Pass.

Other notable Oregon sites

  • Smith Rock State Park (near Redmond) – The dramatic rock formations and canyon landscapes provided backdrops for several scenes; the building used as “Kate’s Saloon” was constructed at the park entrance and still stands today.
  • Deschutes National Forest & Ryan Ranch area – Mountain and frontier-style outdoor scenes were filmed in the forested areas and meadows around the Ryan Ranch in Deschutes National Forest.

Studio work

  • Universal Studios, California – Some sequences and town/street setups were completed on soundstages and the “Six Points Texas” western backlot at Universal Studios in Universal City, California.

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“Wondering where was Rooster Cogburn filmed? The 1975 John Wayne western was shot mainly on location in Oregon—Deschutes River, Rogue River, Smith Rock State Park—with some studio work at Universal in California.”

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