Aside from the tragic love story between Jack and Mel, one of the most fascinating things about Virgin River is the Virgin River—the charming wooded enclave where it all happens. With Virgin River about to return for Season 4 (which wrapped filming in December), viewers can immediately return to the show's dreamy mountains, cozy cabins, and stunning waterways. However, despite its generally earthy nature, Virgin River 's setting was influenced by a bit of TV magic. Don’t worry, the dramatic forest vibes aren’t all fake – they’re just not where you think they are.
Of course, this isn't a surprise — Robin Carr, author of the Virgin River books, told Entertainment Weekly that she's used to reminding fans that the town "only exists in our hearts and minds." However, a fictional town has to be filmed somewhere, and in the case of Virgin River, that "somewhere" is the natural expanse in and around Vancouver, British Columbia. Here's everything you should know about Virgin River's real-life filming locations to satisfy your forest wandering desires and lead to your new dream vacation.
Visit Mel's Cottage
Mel apparently drove all night from Los Angeles to Virgin River, but in reality, that trip took about 20 hours. According to "Condé Nast Traveler", McCrae Cottage is located in Murdough Fraser Park and was built 70 years ago. Its older, less lavish character is important to the plot of "Virgin River" and is the first signal to Mel that her new small-town life won't be what she expected.
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As Vancouver lifestyle website Vancouver Is Awesome details, the tiny cabin produces "an average of 12 productions per year." Therefore, if you visit, ongoing projects may prevent you from exploring the building as closely as you would like. In addition, renovations are underway to keep the cabin, once a park ranger's home, in tip-top shape for years to come.
virgin river movies on famous islands
In addition to Mel's cabin and bar, many of the most memorable moments on the Virgin River involve the water—whether it's fishing, kayaking, or picnicking like Jack and Mel did on their adorable first date. As Condé Nast Traveler explains, Burnaby's waterfront workshop serves as the backdrop for Page's food truck and other scenes. Meanwhile, if you want to immerse yourself in the authentic feel of a Virgin River town, Bowen Island might be your best bet. According to local Bowen Island Undercurrent, the island's Snug Cove was used primarily for "establishing shots," the kind you might see between key scenes at the cabin or Jack's Bar.
Speaking of which...
Jack's Bar is almost a real place
Country Living reports that the exterior footage of Jack's Bar was filmed at The Watershed Grill, a real restaurant in British Columbia. Alas, the interior we saw on Virgin River was actually a studio. But even though the interior itself (and the very dreamy bartenders) are designed for TV, you can still come by to take photos and enjoy a meal by the Squamish River, which sounds as close to a full Virgin River experience as you can get.
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Embrace your adventurous side at Grouse Mountain
While there are many settings on the Virgin River that make you want to curl up and cuddle up with a favorite book (or person), there are also plenty of adventurous outdoor activities to choose from. According to Marvel Atlas, the third season of the Lumberjack Games will be held at Grouse Mountain in Vancouver. In the winter, it's a great place to ski or snowboard, but come here when the weather is warm and you can zip line or race across that terrifying rope bridge like Jack and Mel.
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The cast of " Virgin River " also shared filming locations
If Virgin River 's pastoral scenery and cinematography inspire you to explore further, check out the cast's social media pages. Martin Henderson and Alexandra Breckenridge, who play Jack and Mel respectively, often share photos of themselves exploring the Vancouver wilderness on and off set, Virgin River The same goes for the official Instagram page.
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'Virgin River' isn't the only Netflix show filmed here
Many fans of "Virgin River" are also flocking to the charms of "Firefly Lane" — and it turns out the two Netflix series have more in common than cozy romance. Firefly Lane, like its Netflix predecessor, is filmed in Burnaby, British Columbia, The Sun reports . Of course, like Virgin River, Firefly Lane borrows from BC as a stand-in for an entirely different place.
