Filming a Western in Los Angeles? Here are the Best Desert Locations for Rent.

Who doesn’t love a good ole’ Western! The sandy deserts with gunslingers on horses, the vast shrubby landscapes with adrenaline-packed chase sequences, or even the damsel in distress trope overplayed in some of these movies, Western have a special place in the heart of a movie buff.

The defining feature of the photos and films shot in this style are the locations they are shot at. Here’s our pick for the best desert locations in Los Angeles for you to rent for your Western film or photoshoot.  

A scenic space for your protagonist to grab a drink; this open bar in the desert is a treat for the camera. Rocky, shrubby terrain around and a mountain against the backdrop, this location will transport you to a different time and place. There’s also a stony fireplace in the dirt yard and a BBQ Grill which adds to the myriad of views, looks and feels of the property.

Spread over a sprawling 2 acres, this ranch style home has all the workings of a western. The desert setting is best enjoyed from the large back patio, and starting a fire in the fire pit really adds to the outback vibe that comes from this space. With hills running as far as the horizon can see, this estate is located adjacent to the Angeles Crest Forest. There are multiple rooms available within the ranch which make for this location perfect for a family in the old West.

A neglected site perfect for filming a Western the vast property is spread over a massive 80 acres, 40 acres of which consist of a dry lake bed and small dunes. There also a 1-acre lake with boats and a shady structure giving it a grunge oasis feel. Apart from this there’s also a horse stable and horse corrals with two horse shoe pits which give the lot a rustic Western vibe. Get the right props, and the location has the rest here to make your Western production a visual treat.

A luxurious hilltop ranch with all the works, including a white picket fence and a red barn, this space is perfect to make a Western set in the 80’s and 90’s. The property has a lot to offer, and a lot of it is very diverse. With an onsite guest house, pool house (with a pool) and the actual house, you’re bound to have no trouble with any indoor sequence in this location. The outdoor area has a grassy lawn, and a dirt yard giving you enough diversity to frame the shot in different settings. All in all, a great place your camera will love

If you want to shoot a Western in LA without moving around too much, then this is the ideal space for you. An equestrian town with a complete Western aesthetic it has everything you could want and more.  Not to mention the property is located on a hilltop, giving you really stunning vistas during the golden hours.

• Horse facility
• Full Saloon/Bar
• Bunkhouse
• Stagecoach depot
• Cemetery
• Period correct wagons
• Buggies and stagecoaches
• Antique Model T truck in old shed
• Jail
• Deck
• Old building facade
• Old mine

A beautiful western ranch with a western feel and western antique decor, this property belongs on a Western set. With a rocky backdrop and shrubby environment, there’s a definite Wild West aura to the space. There’s also a rustic seating area outdoors with a firepit and wood furniture and decor which blends itself very well into the dirt yard. A very modest space, this is the leading candidate to double as the house of the hardworking average Joe.

A 5-acre desert property that with shrubs, Joshua trees and amazing rock formations, this desert land is perfect for filming films, TV shows or even framing your still projects. The stunning desert landscape has internal tracks/roads which are perfect for action scenes. The cacti really teleports you to another part of the world. There’s also incredible views of the starry night sky which add a magical feel to your shot.

An equestrian ranch property spread over 8 acres, this location is fully fitted to serve most Western purposes. With features including:

• House
• Pool
• Game/bunkroom/pool house
• Western saloon
• Blacksmith area
• Western town
• Barn
• Horses
• Horse facilities
• Farm animals
• Vintage trucks
• Garage with car lift
• Arena
• Open space canyons

Hidden from the public eye, this 350-acre post apocalyptic landscape with 360° views perfect for your camera needs. There’s plenty of unique features offered here, including -  decaying vintage vehicles, a gutted plane shell, weathered furniture, rusted oil drums and a working railroad track which gives the space a one-of-a-kind look. There’s also a whole lot more the location has going for itself as it is pyro, animal and stunt friendly. Not to mention film permits in Kern County are free.

A rustic ranch and camp, the Holcomb Ranch is up the road from the big Bear Lake where over 400 acres of woods awaits. Scattered throughout the site are old ranch houses, barns, event pavilions and camp support buildings.The site is neglected and there’s rusting equipment and vehicle available to add to the aesthetic appeal of the frame you want to capture.

A bouldery location which makes for a mesmerizing backdrop, this place has a Western shootout feel to it. Private and undisturbed, this unique film location offers magical views of the sunset sky. With natural sand dunes baking up the majority of the space, the odd tree and dirt tracks really offer a lot of character and on screen magic.

With plenty of open area to bring in the wildest rigs and lay the oddest of tracks, these Western film locations are perfect for your film and photo project. The wood finish, dirt setting and overall vibe really lends itself well to the camera. If you’re interested in renting any of them, or taking a look at more pictures, or getting an entire list of features, please follow the links provided. Happy filming!

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