Discover Where ‘Longmire’ Was Filmed: Best Time to Visit, Wildlife, and More!

Longmire is an American T.V. series. This modern crime drama premiered in 2012 and aired on the A&E network. The story was developed by Hunt Baldwin and John Coveny, who based the story on Craig Johnson’s novels.

Generally, the story revolved around a sheriff in fictional Absaroka County in Wyoming. The sheriff works alongside his daughter, staff, and friends while solving severe crimes in the area.

The series became one of the best rated original T.V. drama series on A&E. However, in 2014, the network announced its failure to renew the show after its third season. As such, Warner Horizon Television made an offer to other T.V. networks.

Netflix came on board and picked up the series, guaranteeing its continuation. It ran four more seasons for a total of seven seasons. The final season released in 2017. You can stream episodes on Netflix U.S.A.

Interestingly, the series’ locations have always been a point of interest. While the storyline has always been catchy and exciting, the film locations amazed viewers even more.

Many people have wondered if Absaroka County is a real place in Wyoming. It turns out that the county is made up. However, the locations continue to be of interest to many viewers.

The Funny Thing About Longmire Locations

Overall, the series was set in Wyoming. However, the actual filming largely happened in New Mexico. The motivation for this shoot location was the terrain.

New Mexico has a fantastic, rugged beauty and unspoiled natural terrain. It is easy to see why it was a suitable pick for the series. No other location would have magnificently captured the wild west feel of the show.

The series was mainly shot in Las Vegas, NM and Santa Fe, NM.

Don’t be surprised if you recognize the sheriff’s department. Keen observers may spot the Plaza Hotel in Las Vegas, NM in the background.

As for Santa Fe, noticeable sites from the show include the district courthouse. This is where Walt’s wife’s murder took place. Many of the locations considered iconic include the cabin belonging to Walt Longmire. This is located at Valles Caldera National Preserve in West Santa Fe.

Television creators are brilliant people. They take time to research and establish that the locations they feature are perfect for their programs.

Below is a closer look at each location in detail:

1. Red River, New Mexico, U.S.A.

This is one of the prominent locations in the show, in terms of exteriors. The location was selected because of its substantial snowfall, which made the scenes realistic and believable.

Today, Red River, New Mexico, remains one of the most attractive destinations for tourists. The warm weather and inviting terrains are a plus. Note that the hottest time to visit is around July. The busiest months are around August, then July and April. It is less busy in November, which is a low-key month to visit.

Visiting Red River

Advantages of each season:

• Summer – June to August is the most comfortable weather. Temperatures are high, and the area receives the highest precipitation lasting one to six days monthly. However, it is also the busiest tourist season meaning that accommodation is pretty expensive.
• Fall- September to November is often chilly, windy, and humid. The snow and rains are moderate/average. Tourists tend to stay away during these months due to the unfavorable weather. Fortunately, accommodation may be slightly more affordable.
• Winter – December to February is when the Red River region is less busy. The weather is chilly, with highs of 41.8 degrees Fahrenheit and lows of 32.5 degrees Fahrenheit. The rain and snow are also insignificant. However, the season also experiences slow to moderate tourist activity.

Now that you know when to visit, you may be wondering about activities in the area. Is there any exciting wildlife to see?

Well, Red River has a lot to offer. You should expect to see bighorn sheep, black bears, and mule deer. Also present are elks, beavers, bobcats, mountain lions, chipmunks, and numerous mountain critters. Bird lovers will enjoy watching numerous varieties of birds.

Flora and Fauna

Birds found in the area are ringneck doves, chickadees, red-tail hawks, nuthatches, evening grosbeaks, and magpies. Additionally, you may spot rufous hummingbirds, broadtail hummingbirds, golden eagles, and woodpeckers.

Anglers will be interested to know the Red River also has fish. Expect to catch brook, German brown, and rainbow fish. Also available are pike, salmon, and cutthroat trout. All of these are common in the Red River and surrounding waters.

Besides the wildlife, the Red River has unique flora composition. Most notable is the ponderosa pine in the southwest region. You can also find Douglas firs, aspens, blue and silver spruces, red willows, and cottonwoods.

Plant lovers and researchers will be excited about the 250 wildflower species. Some of the most common include:

• Mariposa Lily
• Columbine
• Indian Blanket
• Fairy Trumpets
• Cinquefoil
• Mountain Iris
• Daisy
• Aster
• Mountain Iris
• Penstemon

2. Santa Fe, New Mexico, U.S.A.

The Santa Fe area was one of Longmire‘s filming locations, specifically the Santa Claran Hotel in Espanola, New Mexico. They used both the interior and exterior of the location.

The Four Arrows Casino scene in fictional Absaroka County was shot at the Santa Fe Casino. With all the action happening on screen at the casino, it is not surprising that many fans wonder if they can visit. Fortunately, you can in fact visit the Santa Claran Hotel and Casino!

Six of the show’s seasons were shot in Santa Fe, with most of the filming taking place downtown near the Central Plaza. Interestingly, the Central Plaza itself was never shot.

The locations in and around Santa Fe include:

106 South Federal Place

This large stone district courthouse is seen in several episodes. Federal courthouse scenes were also shot here. It first appeared in the fifth episode of the second season.

136 Grant Ave

This location was used as the Kodiak Bank from the seventh episode of season two. It was featured in a scene in which Vic meets a former co-worker. Visit to experience it for yourself and relive the moment!

142 W Palace Ave

The popular Palace and Saloon Restaurant was also used as a filming location. Though this spot has since closed, it made an appearance in episode three of season two. Walt Longmire’s wife is seen having a drink before she is brutally murdered.

Burro Alley

Production added fencing and dumpsters to transform this fancy pedestrian lane into a shady city alley. It is in this “alley” that Longmire’s wife is murdered.

116 W San Francisco St.

This is the location of real-life bar, The Matador. Branch visited this local watering hole in the eighth episode of Season three.

If you are in the area, consider stopping by this spot. It may not look like it did in the show, but it is certainly unique. And the drinks are good!

Visiting Santa Fe

Santa Fe is a great place to visit. Consider visiting in fall or spring, as these are the best times, especially if you’re concerned about costs and crowds. During March and April, as well as October and November, temperatures are mild. These months are also outside tourist season, so crowds are minimal. The peak season to visit Santa Fe is summer. However, you should beware of the high accommodation costs and rising temperatures.

There are a lot of activities to engage in. If you love wildlife, then you are in for a big treat.

You will find different types of wildlife in Santa Fe. However, the most common are turkey, mule deer, mountain lion, black bear, elk, and bighorn sheep. Also present are numerous songbird species and small animals. The many wildflowers in the area attract the birds.

Fishing is also another great activity to engage in in Santa Fe. All you have to do is get the appropriate license from the New Mexico Game and Fish Department. The Santa Fe National Forest is a great place for anglers. Catch the native cutthroat and rainbow trout.

You can always visit the Santa Fe Forest. Some top natural areas include San Pedro Parks, Pecos, Dome, and the Chama River Canyon. Checkout the dramatic life in the wild!

3. Eagle Nest, New Mexico, U.S.A.

Eagle Nest is a small village in Colfax County, Northern New Mexico. It is west of Cimarron Canyon State Park. The series shot season two in this location.

Cowboy Corner

Production chose Eagle Nest because it has a cafe called Cowboy’s Corner. This diner type spot provided a perfect setting for the series. The crew transformed the eatery into a gas station. With the blessing of the ecstatic cafe owners, the shoot was very successful. What’s more, the view of Eagle Nest Lake was a hit, just as anticipated. The dynamic landscapes combined with a responsive local community created an ideal working environment.

Visiting Eagle’s Nest

The warmest time to visit Eagles Nest is in July, June, and August. This coincides with the peak tourist period, so be ready to pay a little bit more for accommodation.

Fall is chilly and windy, but it is also off season and easier on the pocketbook. Winter runs from December to February. This season works best for travelers who don’t like hot weather. Accommodation is also reasonably affordable during this time since tourism is slow.

Common Animals in the Area

Eagle Nest is home to a lot of wildlife, especially within Eagle Nest Lake Park. The lake is the ideal habitat for different species of fish.

Fish you are likely to find with ease include:

• Brown trout
• Rainbow trout
• Kokanee salmon
• Cutthroat trout
• Yellow perch
• Smallmouth bass
• White sucker
• Sunfish
• Channel catfish
• Northern Pike

As a visitor, you can camp, ride horses, and engage in water-based activities.

4. Las Vegas, New Mexico, U.S.A.

Las Vegas, NM was also a popular filming location for most of the Longmire scenes. Several scenes were shot in this city, as detailed below:

The Sheriff’s Office

Besides Walt’s cabin, the series’ second most popular and iconic scene is the sheriff’s office/sheriff’s department. If you watch carefully, you will notice that the office was on the Southwestern side of the Las Vegas Central Plaza.

The Plaza Hotel

Another popular location must be The Plaza Hotel at 230 Plaza Street. Many scenes were shot here.

The Southwest Capital Bank

You can see this bank in episode eight of season six when Cowboy Bill robs a bank. This epic crime scene was shot at Southwest Capital Bank at 622 Douglas Avenue.

The Carnegie Library

This library is located at 500 National Avenue. Its exterior is captured in the first episode of season four. Henry and Walt are seen having an exchange while driving by.

The For Union Drive-In Movie Theatre

This theatre can be found at 3300 7th Street. A murder scene took place here in Episode 10 of season one.

The theater was first opened in 1958. It remains one of the classic drive-in theaters in the area, with a single outdoor screen showing mainstream movies.

Visiting Las Vegas, NM

The best times to visit the area are March, June, and July. Unfortunately, these are also the most expensive months to visit since tourists flood the area.

The most comfortable weather is in summer, between June and August. Fall is the slowest season running from September to November. Winter, which runs from December to February, is also reasonably slow but ideal for tourists who prefer the cold season.

Las Vegas has a diverse wildlife. The ecosystem is home to different animal species. Some famous animals from the region include burrowing owls and badgers in the native prairies. Mule deer live in timbered sandstone canyons. Coyotes may also roam in multiple habitats. You will also find over 271 species, including hawks, bald eagles, and ducks.

In conclusion, the Longmire series was shot in unique locations in the U.S. Try visiting some of these areas to relive the series on your own. And enjoy the wildlife and nature while you’re at it!