The 1985 Western movie Silverado was filmed primarily in New Mexico, especially at the purpose‑built Western town set on Cook Ranch, now known as Cerro Pelon Ranch near Galisteo, New Mexico.

Main filming locations

Most of Silverado was shot on location in New Mexico, using the high- desert landscape and ranch properties to stand in for several different Western towns. The production built an extensive town set at Cook Ranch (now Cerro Pelon Ranch), which provided streets, storefronts, a church, and saloon and jail interiors used throughout the film.

Other key scenes were filmed around northern New Mexico, including:

  • White Rock and the White Rock Overlook area near Los Alamos for the opening sequence.
  • Ghost Ranch near Abiquiu for wide riding and chase scenes across rugged red-rock country.
  • Kasha-Katuwe Tent Rocks (Cochiti Pueblo) for the distinctive rock formations seen during gunfights.

Some additional Western-street material was shot at J.W. Eaves Movie Ranch near Santa Fe, a long-standing Western backlot used by many productions.