“Who we are and who we need to be to survive are two very different things.” – Bellamy
The TV series The 100 pulled viewers into a world filled with danger, struggle, and hope. It showed how people face harsh choices when survival is at stake.
The show’s mix of drama, emotion, and mystery kept fans hooked for seasons. But what really brought this story to life were the beautiful, wild settings on screen.
The locations used in The 100 play a big role in setting its tone and mood.
This blog looks at where the show was filmed and how these real places helped shape its post-apocalyptic world.
About The 100
The 100 was developed by Jason Rothenberg and is based on the young adult book series by Kass Morgan. The show follows a group of teens sent to a ruined Earth after a nuclear disaster.
Led by Clarke Griffin (Eliza Taylor), they must work together to survive in a world filled with danger, loss, and tough choices.
In this sci-fi drama, the last of humanity lives on a space station called the Ark. With supplies running out, 100 young prisoners are sent to Earth to see if it’s safe again.
Once there, they discover that Earth isn’t empty; there are survivors known as Grounders, living in harsh and violent conditions.
As the seasons unfold, the group faces new enemies, tests of loyalty, and hard lessons about survival.
Blending action, emotion, and mystery, The 100 became one of the most popular post-apocalyptic shows on TV, running for seven seasons and 100 episodes.
Where is The 100 Filmed: Main Location
Most of The 100 was filmed in and around Vancouver, British Columbia, one of North America’s top filming centers. The city’s balance of modern production facilities and nearby wilderness made it an ideal base for the series.
Vancouver offered everything the production needed:
- Varied landscapes: Forests, rivers, and mountains all within a short drive.
- Mild weather: Allowed year-round outdoor filming.
- Experienced crews: British Columbia’s strong film industry supported large-scale production.
- Cost benefits: Tax incentives and local support helped sustain the show through seven seasons.
These elements combined to make every sequence in The 100 feel grounded and believable, lending an authentic atmosphere to the show’s survival-driven narrative.
Key Filming Locations
While Vancouver served as the central base for production, the show used a variety of specific spots across British Columbia. Together, these real-world places helped bring the story’s themes of survival to life on screen.
1. Lower Seymour Conservation Reserve (North Vancouver)
Image Source: Wander Vancouver
This reserve became the heart of The 100’s Earth scenes. The forest clearing where the first 100 people landed and set up camp was filmed here.
Its tall evergreens, gravel paths, and misty light created a haunting but beautiful setting.
Many of the show’s key outdoor scenes, from first discoveries to battles, were filmed here. It’s also been used in other sci-fi shows like The X-Files and Stargate SG-1.
2. Lynn Canyon Park
Image Source: Destinationless Travel
Located near Lower Seymour, Lynn Canyon Park is known for its suspension bridge, deep forest, and rushing waterfalls.
The production used this area for scenes where the characters explored unknown parts of Earth.
The natural sound of running water and echoing cliffs added tension to chase sequences and emotional moments.
3. Spur 7 Beach, Lower Seymour Reserve
Image Source: MovieMaps
This riverside area was used during Season 1 when Clarke, Finn, and Wells searched for medicinal plants to save Jasper.
The beach’s quiet setting and reflective water made it ideal for filming close, character-focused moments.
Because Spur 7 Beach sits deep inside the reserve, the crew could shoot without background noise from the city, giving these scenes a peaceful, isolated feel
4. Annacis Island Wastewater Treatment Plant
Image Source: ConstructConnect Canada
One of the most famous indoor filming sites, this industrial plant stood in for Mount Weather in Season 2.
Its tunnels and concrete corridors gave the story a real underground feel. Clarke’s tense meetings with the Mountain Men and her daring escape were filmed here.
Because it’s a working facility, you can’t take tours, but the area around the island gives a clear sense of its scale.
5. Vancouver Film Studios
Image Source: Where Filmed
Not every part of The 100 was filmed outdoors. The Ark, the main space station where humanity begins, was built entirely inside Vancouver Film Studios.
The large soundstages allowed full control of lighting, sound, and effects to create believable space interiors.
Many later bunker and control-room scenes were also filmed here, combining practical sets with digital effects.
6. Coquitlam and Aldergrove
Image Source: AllTrails
The wide fields and forests of Coquitlam and Aldergrove became home to outdoor battle scenes and larger camps such as Arkadia.
Their mix of flat farmland and wooded edges gave the show a flexible landscape for building sets.
The crew used these areas in later seasons to film large-scale action sequences, explosions, and group scenes involving multiple tribes.
7. Riverview Hospital (Coquitlam)
Image Source: Wikipedia
This historic hospital, known for its eerie appearance, was used for interior scenes in several episodes.
Its worn walls and dim lighting helped create the unsettling mood of labs, cells, and underground spaces.
Riverview has been featured in many other Vancouver-based productions, but its role in The 100 stood out for how naturally it fit into the story’s darker tone.
8. Widgeon Creek and Reifel Bird Sanctuary
Image Source: Vancouver Trails
Used for quiet, reflective moments, these waterways gave the show some of its most peaceful imagery.
Characters are often shown resting or traveling along calm rivers here, offering a break from the chaos of survival.
The smooth water, surrounding trees, and morning mist made these shots visually striking and emotional.
9. Private Farmland and Quarries
Image Source: Wikimedia Commons
Some episodes required large open areas for camps, fortresses, or battlefields.
The team rented private farmland in Aldergrove, such as Blieberger Farms in Langley, and used gravel pits and quarries nearby to stage large-scale outdoor sets.
These flexible spaces gave the show room for big action scenes while staying close to the production base.
10. Downtown Vancouver and City Edges
Image Source: MovieMaps
While most of The 100 was filmed in wild environments, a few city-edge shots were filmed around Downtown Vancouver and in industrial zones such as Oceanic Plaza and the Coal Harbour Seawall.
These areas were used for brief moments, showing human-made ruins or hidden facilities.
The mix of nature and man-made structures helped remind viewers that this was once a modern world now reclaimed by nature.
Timeline of Filming
Filming for The 100 followed a steady schedule across its seven seasons. The table below outlines when and where each season was filmed:
| Season | Filming Dates | Main Area |
|---|---|---|
| Pilot | Early 2013 | Vancouver, BC |
| Season 1 | Aug 2013 – Jan 2014 | North Vancouver |
| Season 2 | Jul 2014 – Jan 2015 | Annacis Island, BC |
| Season 3 | Jul 2015 – Feb 2016 | Vancouver Area |
| Season 4 | Aug 2016 – Jan 2017 | North Vancouver |
| Season 5 | Aug 2017 – Jan 2018 | Coquitlam / Aldergrove |
| Season 6 | Aug 2018 – Feb 2019 | Vancouver Studios |
| Season 7 | Aug 2019 – Mar 2020 | Vancouver & Surroundings |
This timeline highlights how consistently The 100 relied on British Columbia’s diverse landscapes throughout its run.
How to Visit The 100 Filming Locations
Many of The 100 filming locations are open to the public:
- Lower Seymour Conservation Reserve: Open year-round with scenic walking and biking trails.
- Lynn Canyon Park: Free to visit; best enjoyed in spring and early fall when the waterfalls are strongest.
- Coquitlam Trails: Several hiking paths featured in the show are publicly accessible.
- Fan Tours: Some local guides in Vancouver offer TV-themed tours, including spots from The 100, Supernatural, and The Flash.
Industrial sites like Annacis Island and Vancouver Film Studios are not open for public tours, but many exterior filming areas nearby can be viewed safely.
Tip: Always check weather and trail conditions before visiting forested areas, many paths can be slippery after rain.
The Lasting Impact of The 100’s Locations
The show’s success has made Vancouver and its wilderness a top destination for TV fans and production crews.
Vancouver now draws visitors eager to see where key scenes were shot, joining the city’s long list of famous TV productions like Supernatural, The Flash, and Arrow.
Beyond tourism, The 100 demonstrated how a single region can evoke multiple worlds, from untouched forests to futuristic structures.
Its haunting, authentic look has set new standards for how real settings bolster strong visual storytelling.
The natural beauty and cinematic versatility of British Columbia are now central to the region’s reputation as a global TV hotspot.
Wrapping Up
The world of The 100 is not just imagined, it’s rooted in real places that fans can explore today.
The forests and mountains of British Columbia continue to inspire, empowering every scene with visual magic and emotional depth.
Vancouver’s scenery is more than a backdrop; it’s part of the heart and legacy of the story.
For those moved by The 100, British Columbia offers a living connection; walk these trails and stand where Clarke, Bellamy, and the others once did, and experience the post-apocalyptic wonder for yourself.
