Forrest Gump Film Locations in the Carolinas – HD Carolina (2024)

Forrest Gump tells the inspirational story of a simple man with a big heart who never lets life’s tribulations get him down. Forrest warmed our hearts instantly, much faster than the speed at which he speaks. The movie cleverly shows how the most modest of souls can have the biggest impact on our lives. From the alterations, of history such as the influence of Forrest on Elvis’s moves and the implication that he reported the Watergate burglary, to memorable sayings like, “Mama always said life was like a box of chocolates, you never know what you’re gonna get,” the movie is a timeless treasure.

Adding to the movie’s charm was the lush scenery, giving audiences a taste of the gorgeous sights the south has to offer. And much of the movie was filmed in the Carolinas. So let’s explore!
Forrest’s fictitious hometown of Greenbow, Alabama was filmed in Varnville, South Carolina on Route 68 approximately 35 miles northwest of Beaufort. Before we give details of the scene locations, let’s learn a little about town!

Varnville is a town in Hampton, South Carolina. It was founded by the Varn Brothers, who gave railroad track access through their sawmill in 1972. Historical places include the Hattie J. Pepples House, Oak Grove, Poplar Grove Mill and House, the Summit Mountain Lookout Tree, and Furman Historic District.

Back to the movie! When Forrest and his mom walk home after seeing the doctor, they are at the crossroads of Main St. and W. Palmetto Ave. in Varnville. Take a drive along Main Street because many of the shops had been altered for the movie and owners of those buildings have chosen to keep the spirit of “Greenbow” alive by retaining its look.

Would you like to see Forrest’s house? Want to know where the classic “Run, Forrest, run!” scene was filmed? You’ll find Bluff Plantation in all its lush glory at 3547 Combahee Road in Yemassee, South Carolina. One of the most precious scenes in the beginning of the movie is when Forrest and Jenny climb a tree and read a book together in order to escape life’s troubles. The tree can be found at 2979 Combahee Road in Yemassee. The Gump boarding house and Jenny’s farmhouse sat on the Bluff Plantation on Twickenham Road, just southeast of Yemassee on the Combahee River between Varnville and Beaufort. But you’ll have to imagine each of those two buildings, as they were built only for the movie and have since been torn down.

Gump’s school, where Forrest discovered realized just how dedicated his mom was to his education, was Hampton Street Elementary School at the time. It is now Colleton Center. It’s located at 494 Hampton Street in Walterboro, South Carolina, north of Beaufort.

Forrest Gump Film Locations in the Carolinas – HD Carolina (1)

Venture off the coast of Beaufort if you’d like to explore the areas where Gump first meets Bubba and Lieutenant Dan. These “Vietnam” scenes were shot on Fripp Island and at Hunting Island State Park! But you’ll have to hop onto Lady’s Island to take a look at Bubba’s “Louisiana” home. That house sits on Alston Road in Lucy Point Creek, just southeast of Beaufort. And the devastating hurricane? That scene was shot near Port Royal.

Forrest Gump Film Locations in the Carolinas – HD Carolina (2)

When Gump prays for shrimp at “Four Square Baptist Church,” he was actually getting spiritual at Stoney Creek Chapel in McPhersonville, located in Hampton County. The University of South Carolina’s Beaufort Performing Arts Center at 801 Carteret Street was transformed into “Bayou La Batre Hospital” and “Gump Medical Center.”

A pivotal part of the movie is when Forrest takes Jenny’s advice — he decides to run. Does he take a jog around the block? Or even the town? No. Forrest runs from one side of the country to the other. He first runs through downtown Varnville. If you’d been on set, you’d have spotted the “Mississippi Welcomes You” sign at Chowan Creek Bridge, which links Lady’s Island and St. Helena Island, east of downtown Beaufort. In the movie, TV crews interview Forrest. As much as he has inspired the world, everyone still wonders why he would do such a thing. That bridge is called the Richard V. Woods Memorial Bridge and you can find it where US21, Sea Island Parkway, crosses the Beaufort River.
Let’s venture into North Carolina where you can find Forrest Gump Curve! On Grandfather Mountain Entrance Road which is surrounded by breathtaking views with a mountainous backdrop, Forrest realizes he’s got followers. The curve is on Grandfather Mountain near Linville.

Happy Gump hunting!

Forrest Gump Film Locations in the Carolinas – HD Carolina (2024)

FAQs

Forrest Gump Film Locations in the Carolinas – HD Carolina? ›

Downtown portions of the fictional town of Greenbow were filmed in Varnville, South Carolina. The scene of Forrest running through Vietnam while under fire was filmed on Hunting Island State Park and Fripp Island, South Carolina. Additional filming took place on the Biltmore Estate in Asheville, North Carolina.

What parts of Forrest Gump were filmed in North Carolina? ›

Major chunks of the Forrest Gump production were shot in and around the parts of Beaufort in South Carolina, areas of North Carolina, and coastal Virginia. There's also a famous running shot of Forrest going over the Blue Ridge Parkway near Boone in North Carolina.

Where was Forrest Gump filmed in South Carolina? ›

Although most of this Academy Award-winning classic was set in Alabama, much of the filming took place in and around Beaufort. The University of South Carolina-Beaufort campus was transformed into Gump Medical Center through the magic of CGI. Scenes of Forrest cutting grass were filmed at the Basil Green Complex.

What scenes of Forrest Gump were filmed in Savannah, Georgia? ›

Explore some key settings for movies filmed in and around Savannah! "Forrest Gump." "Forrest Gump" made Chippewa Square famous while sitting on a bench and sharing his life story with others waiting for the bus. The bench can now be found in the Savannah History Museum, but a stop in the square is still essential.

Was Forrest Gump autistic? ›

It would have been extraordinary if Groom had created the character with autism in mind and all evidence points to the idea that he simply intended Forrest to be a low-IQ individual stumbling through some of recent history's most historic events.

Where was the final running scene of Forrest Gump filmed? ›

Route 163 offers a beautiful and unique scenic adventure across Monument Valley, bringing visitors back to the world of the Wild West and cowboys. Because of this, it's not surprising that Hollywood films are quite fond of the area. Around marker 13 is the location where Forrest Gump stopped running.

What plantation home was Forrest Gump filmed? ›

5 Bluff Plantation, 3547 Combahee Rd, Yemassee, South Carolina . , site of the Gump boarding house and Jenny's farmhouse where she lived in as a child. Both built for the filming, and torn down as the film was completed.

Where was the park bench scene in Forrest Gump filmed? ›

Chippewa Square

A statue of General Oglethorpe sits in the middle, but it's the film history that brings visitors. Forrest's iconic bench scene took place here, but the bench is now housed in the Savannah History Museum.

What scene in Forrest Gump was filmed at the Biltmore? ›

During one scene where Forrest Gump is running across America, he was actually running along the road which leads to The Inn on Biltmore Estate® and Antler Hill Village & Winery!

Where was Bubba Gump filmed? ›

And don't be fooled by those CGI mountains, either – the 'Vietnam' scenes, where Gump first meets both Bubba (Mykelti Williamson) and Lieutenant Dan (Gary Sinise), were filmed on Fripp Island and Hunting Island State Park, off the Beaufort coast of South Carolina.

Where is the Forrest Gump bench now? ›

The bench that Hanks/Forrest sat on was actually a movie prop that has since been placed in the Savannah History Museum. But the location of the bench for the movie in Chippewa Square is still a popular spot for photographs.

Where is the bus stop in Forrest Gump? ›

While my family and I were in Savannah we had to visit Chippewa Square, the place where the famous Forrest Gump bus stop scene was filmed! The square was beautiful. Over the summer, there was lots of construction but it did not affect this square.

What birth defect did Forrest Gump have? ›

Summary. Forrest Gump likely falls on the Autism Spectrum, with his unique narration immersing audiences in his world. Gump's focus on tasks and social awkwardness are characteristic of ASD, creating relatable experiences for many.

What illness did Jenny have in Forrest Gump? ›

Jenny's death in Forrest Gump is left ambiguous, but it is widely accepted that she likely died from HIV/AIDS due to the setting and her lifestyle. The scrapped sequel to Forrest Gump revealed that Jenny died from late-stage HIV, which would have been passed on to their son, Forrest Jr.

Did Bubba have autism? ›

Bubba, a Southern Black man with Autism-spectrum disorder, appears in the most substantially fleshed out historical event in Forrest Gump: the Vietnam War.

What part of Forrest Gump was filmed at Biltmore? ›

During one scene where Forrest Gump is running across America, he was actually running along the road which leads to The Inn on Biltmore Estate® and Antler Hill Village & Winery!

Was Hunger Games filmed in North Carolina? ›

Most of The Hunger Games filming locations are in the western half of North Carolina, between Charlotte and Asheville. According to author Suzanne Collins, Katniss Everdeen's home, District 12, was the poorest, smallest District and was aptly filmed in what was once Appalachia.

Did Forrest Gump run on the Blue Ridge Parkway? ›

Although most of the film is set in Alabama, filming took place mainly in and around Beaufort, South Carolina, as well as parts of coastal Virginia and North Carolina, including a running shot on the Blue Ridge Parkway near Grandfather Mountain where a part of the road subsequently became known as "Forrest Gump Curve".

What movie was filmed in Charlotte, NC? ›

Talladega Nights: The Ballad of Ricky Bobby

Charlotte Motor Speedway – which was known as Lowe's Motor Speedway at the time of filming – plays a vital role in this quotable Will Ferrell comedy.

Top Articles
Latest Posts
Article information

Author: Dean Jakubowski Ret

Last Updated:

Views: 6181

Rating: 5 / 5 (50 voted)

Reviews: 89% of readers found this page helpful

Author information

Name: Dean Jakubowski Ret

Birthday: 1996-05-10

Address: Apt. 425 4346 Santiago Islands, Shariside, AK 38830-1874

Phone: +96313309894162

Job: Legacy Sales Designer

Hobby: Baseball, Wood carving, Candle making, Jigsaw puzzles, Lacemaking, Parkour, Drawing

Introduction: My name is Dean Jakubowski Ret, I am a enthusiastic, friendly, homely, handsome, zealous, brainy, elegant person who loves writing and wants to share my knowledge and understanding with you.