Love it or hate it, the cultural impact of Twilight by Stephenie Meyer and its 2008 movie adaptation can not be understated. Though it takes place in Forks, Washington, much of the first movie was filmed in and around Portland, Oregon. This article will show you how to see the filming locations of one of Twilight’s most iconic scenes.
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Stone Cliff Inn
The Stone Cliff Inn is a restaurant in the town of Carver, just outside of Portland. Not only does it have some amazing views, it also has a very special parking lot. As you might assume from the name, behind the Stone Cliff Inn, there are amazing cliffs with boulders, caves, and mossy trees. This area is one of Twilight’s most iconic backdrops. It is here where Edward shows Bella what it means to be a vampire.
The Filming Locations
In the back of the parking lot on the edge of the woods, the restaurant has put up a helpful sign to point visitors towards the filming locations. In addition, each filming location has a plaque with the part of Twilight’s script that was filmed there.
The first filming location, chronologically, is to the left of the main sign. This first area you come to is where Edward shows Bella “the skin of a killer.”
It’s very overgrown compared to how it looked in the movie back in 2008, but the spot becomes apparent once you look at the large boulder from the correct angle.
The plaque on the boulder shows a photo of the location (although not from the same angle as in the movie) and the part of the script that was filmed here.
Finding the exact angle that was used in the movie is almost impossible with this location, as the area has almost completely grown in since filming. To figure out where Edward was standing, I tried my best to line up the large boulder and the clump of three trees with the still from the movie. I was able to get pretty close by placing my camera on the rocky mound above the “no parking” sign, but it’s clear my angle was off. I should have put the camera further away and on the path that Bella was walking on.
A huge thanks to my boyfriend, Nathaniel, for putting up with my directing, and making my teenage dreams come true. These photos have been heavily color graded to match the lighting of the movie.
Top: Still from Twilight, courtesy of Summit Entertainment, reproduced here for commentary and educational purposes, not for profit, under fair use.
The easiest way to get to the next chronological filming location is to go back to the main sign and then go past it until you see the tree with a low, angled branch.
Edward and Bella spend some time talking in front of the two boulders to the right, about how Edward is “the world’s most dangerous predator.”
As Edward shows Bella what he is capable of, he quickly jumps to the third filming location, a huge boulder above and to the right of the tree.
It’s a bit difficult and slippery getting up that big boulder, so please be careful if you try!
Top: Still from Twilight, courtesy of Summit Entertainment, reproduced here for commentary and educational purposes, not for profit, under fair use.
Next, Edward and Bella make their way back to the unique tree they’ve just walked by. This shot was very easy to line up almost exactly like the movie, but the ground/stump Bella was standing on appears to have eroded away. If you’re trying to pose for a photo, it is very difficult to hold yourself up in the correct position now!
Top: Still from Twilight, courtesy of Summit Entertainment, reproduced here for commentary and educational purposes, not for profit, under fair use.
Finally, Edward and Bella end up at the last filming location at the Stone Cliff Inn. To get to this teetering boulder, simply walk past the boulder behind the tree in the above photo, and go left.
Here, is where one of Twilight’s most iconic scenes takes place. Standing between these boulders, Edward tells Bella, “So the lion fell in love with the lamb.”
Top: Still from Twilight, courtesy of Summit Entertainment, reproduced here for commentary and educational purposes, not for profit, under fair use.
If you could visit the filming locations for any movie, what would it be? Let me know in the comments below!
Know Before You Go
- All of these filming locations are on private land owned by the Stone Cliff Inn. It is an absolute privilege to be able to visit here, for free at that. Please be respectful of the property and don’t do anything that would dissuade the owners from letting people come here.
- The ground is very uneven and steep in places. Even though all the filming locations are close to the parking lot, they may not be accessible to everyone.
- These boulders and the cliff above them are a popular spot for climbers and Twilight fans alike, so you will likely be sharing the space with others.
- Cliff climbing is not allowed unless you have a valid Carver Climbing Club membership.
Other Things to Do in the Area
- Carver Cafe
Carver Cafe is right across the street from the Stone Cliff Inn and was the cafe that Bella and Charlie frequent in Twilight. Even Stephenie Meyer can be seen in one of the cafe scenes.
Image courtesy of Google Street View - Mount Hood
Less than an hour drive East stands Mount Hood, the tallest peak in Oregon. There are many ways to get some amazing views of it. I recommend Trillium Lake for those looking for a low-key way to view Mount Hood or the Mirror Lake Trail if you want something more adventurous.
- Hidden Falls Nature Park
The Hidden Falls Nature Park in the nearby town of Happy Valley has some easy, scenic trails.
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