Discover Where ‘High School Musical’ Was Filmed (Hint: It’s a Real School!)

“High School Musical” is a favorite movie for many. It was released in 2006 and tells the story of high school-aged kids finding themselves and love. This film stars big actors like Zac Efron, Vanessa Hudgens, and Ashley Tisdale. But what is this movie about? Where was “High School Musical” filmed? Is the school real? Follow along to discover where “High School Musical” was filmed and more.

What is “High School Musical” About?

Before we dive into the filming locations of this movie, let’s learn about the film’s plot. Warning: spoilers from here on out.

“High School Musical” follows Troy Bolton and Gabriella Montez and their love story. Gabriella is new and trying to get used to the school, while Troy is a big basketball player who secretly has a passion for music. They met while singing a karaoke duet on New Year’s Eve. The rest of the film follows the two as they try to break out of stereotypes and into their different interests. Other characters are introduced including Sharpay Evans, Ryan Evans, Chad Danforth, and Taylor McKessie.

This first film did so well that the movie received two additional films and a spin-off series.

Where Was “High School Musical” filmed?

So, where was the “High School Musical” filmed? Most of the film was shot at East High School in Salt Lake City, Utah. Not only is the high school in Utah, but also Gabriella and Tory’s homes. Gabriella’s home is at 2236 Country Club Drive in Salt Lake City. It’s currently a private residence, so don’t bother the residents or trespass. Troy’s home from the film is also close by. Not all the scenes shot in the school though are at East High School. Some of the scenes, including Troy and Gabriella’s “Breaking Free” scene, were filmed in Murray High School.

About Salt Lake City, Utah

Now that we know where “High School Musical” was filmed, let’s dive into the city. Salt Lake City is in Salt Lake County in Utah. Europeans settled this area in 1847. Salt Lake City is home to around 200,000 people. However, the population of the Salt Lake City metropolitan area is over 1.2 million.

Salt Lake City has a surface area of 110 square miles and is known for its stunning scenery. There is so much to explore in this city. Some of the best places to explore in Salt Lake City are the Natural History Museum of Utah, Temple Square, Clark Planetarium, Red Butte Garden, and Utah’s Hogle Zoo.

So many movies have been filmed in this city, not just the High School musical films. Some of these films include Airport 1975, Dumb and Dumber, The Sandlot, and Unaccompanied Minors.

Wildlife in Salt Lake City

Salt Lake City has plenty of hiking trails where you can see wonderful nature and wildlife. Listed below are some animals you can find in Salt Lake City.

Cooper’s Hawk

One type of bird found throughout Salt Lake City is Cooper’s hawk. This large bird species has many names. It’s also referred to as the hen hawk. Cooper’s hawks have long tails and broad wings. They are about 15 inches long with a wingspan of up to 35.5 inches. These lovely birds are great hunters. They consume small mammals, frogs, birds, and more.

Mule Deer

Another animal that lives in Salt Lake City is the mule deer. Mule deer are native to western North America. The scientific name for this animal is Odocoileus hemionus. They are common and listed as Least Concern on the IUCN Red List.

Gopher Snake

Next on our list of wildlife in Salt Lake City are gopher snakes. Another name for this animal is the great basin gopher snake. You can also find these snakes in Colorado, Arizona, Idaho, British Columbia, New Mexico, and Wyoming. Gopher snakes are around 4.5 feet long but may reach as long as nearly 6 feet. They are nonvenomous and consume lizards, birds and their eggs, and small mammals.

Lazuli Bunting

Last but not least is a very beautiful bird, the lazuli bunting. This vibrant blue bird is about 5.1 to 6 inches long. They can weigh up to 0.6 ounces. These sweet songbirds are found across western North America, although mainly in the United States. Males are blue, while females are brown.

The photo featured at the top of this post is © Alexander Lukatskiy/Shutterstock.com