National Lampoon's Vacation

National Lampoon's Vacation was released into theaters on July 29th, 1983. Filming locations include Flagstaff, Grand Canyon Village, Kayenta, Monument Valley and Sedona, Az. Arcadia and Los Angeles, Ca. and Alamosa, Boone, Durango, Hesperus, Pueblo and South Fork, Co. It was directed by Harold Ramis. Other notable movies directed by Ramis include Caddyshack and Groundhog Day. The lead of Clark Griswold was played by Chevy Chase. Other notable movies starring Chase include Caddyshack, Fletch, Nothing But Trouble and Three Amigos! It's followed by European Vacation (1985), Christmas Vacation (1989), Vegas Vacation (1997) and Vacation (2015). The song most associated with the film is Holiday Road by Lindsey Buckingham, as it can be heard in various scenes throughout the movie. The score was composed by Ralph Burns. The films first DVD release was on December 10th, 1997.

Griswold house - 2310 N. Vermont Ave. Los Angeles, Ca. 90027

The 3,351 square foot house was built in 1941.

All "Now" pictures taken in 2024.

Sinclair gas station - 2515 E. Butler Ave. Flagstaff, Az. 86004

In 2016, the original fuel island seen in the movie was removed and a smaller one was erected in it's place. The exact spot where they were parked isn't actually under the new island, rather about thirty feet north of it.

2024

Girl in Ferrari (first encounter) - CO-96 and 41st Ln. Pueblo, Co. 81006

They're traveling east along CO-96 and the structures in the screenshot are on the south side of the highway. They can actually be seen driving by these structures twice in the same scene.

2025

Cousin Eddie's house - 58909 Apple Rd. Boone, Co. 81025

The 1,962 square foot house was built in 1920.

2025

Picnic - 25313 US-160 South Fork, Co. 81154

(Shaw Creek Rest Area)

At the time of my visit the entire rest area was closed off and a major renovation was taking place.

All "Now" pictures taken in 2025.

Driving through mountains - US-160 Colorado 81147

(Wolf Creek Pass)

Wolf Creek Pass is a high mountain pass on the Continental Divide, located in the San Juan Mountains. It sits at an elevation of 10,857 feet.

2025

Kamp Komfort - 33846 US-160 South Fork, Co. 81154

(Riverbend Resort)

The resort has been in operation since 1965.

All "Now" pictures taken in 2025.

Pulled over by the officer - County Rd. 124 Hesperus, Co. 81326

They're traveling south.

All "Now" pictures taken in 2025.

Sonic - 1605 Main St. Alamosa, Co. 81101

At the time of my visit it was a Jimmy John's.

2025

Discuss their lost luggage - 2130 Lake Ave. Pueblo, Co. 81004

(Coronado Motel)

The motel has been there since at least 1955.

2025

Drive by rock formation - US-160 Arizona 86033

(Baby Rocks)

Named for it's eroded walls that resemble clinging babies. They're traveling east.

2024

Crash the Family Truckster - 36°58'4.11"N 110° 4'16.79"W

This is also the exact same spot where Cheyenne meets Harmonica in Once Upon a Time in the West.

All "Now" pictures taken in 2024.

2025

"What an asshole" - N. Window Dr. Monument Valley, Az.

(North Window Overlook)

Three Sisters can be seen in the background of screenshot #2.

All "Now" pictures taken in 2024.

Auto mechanic - US-160 Kayenta, Az. 86033

The structure was torn down at some point prior to 1997 and a Burger King was built in it's place.

All "Now" pictures taken in 2024.

Grand Canyon / hotel exterior - 9 Village Loop Dr. Grand Canyon Village, Az. 86023

(El Tovar Hotel)

The hotel opened in 1905. It was added to the National Register of Historic Places on September 6th, 1974. It was declared a National Historic Landmark on May 28th, 1987. The spot where they look out into the Grand Canyon is just north of the hotel. The precise spot where they're standing is fairly easy to locate, due to a recognizable triangle shaped rock along the stone wall.

All "Now" pictures taken in 2024.

Hotel interior - 699 Main St. Durango, Co. 81301

(Strater Hotel)

The hotel was built in 1887. It's part of the Main Avenue Historic District, which was added to the National Register of Historic Places on August 7th, 1980. The hotel interior and exterior locations are 314 miles apart from one another.

All "Now" pictures taken in 2025.

Aunt Edna's death - Schnebly Hill Rd. Sedona, Az. 86336

(Schnebly Hill Vista Overlook)

The easiest way to access the location is via I-17 exit #320. An 11.2 mile (roundtrip) drive along a rough dirt road is required to reach the location.

All "Now" pictures taken in 2025.

Cousin Normie's house - 3025 W. Wilson Dr. Flagstaff, Az. 86001

The 2,128 square foot house was built in 1979.

2024

Wally World entrance - north of* Huntington Dr. and Lacadena Ave. Arcadia, Ca. 91007

For the entrance, they drive under the overpass of the south entrance of The Shops at Santa Anita parking lot.

2024

Wally World parking lot - 285 S. Huntington Dr. Arcadia, Ca. 91007

(Santa Anita Park)

The parking lot and the entrance gates to Wally World were filmed at this location. Everything past the entrance gates (visible in the distance) of the Santa Anita Park was a matte painting.

2024