The Gunsmoke Film Set Still Stands Near Kanab Utah

Do you remember the TV show Gunsmoke? For twenty years, Americans tuned in to see Matt Dillon, Festus, Miss Kitty, and Doc dealing with the trials and tribulations of life in the Wild West in Dodge City, Kansas. The show ran from 1955 to 1975, and was so popular that when CBS tried to cancel it in 1967, public outcry convinced the network to change its mind. Though the show was set in Kansas, much of it was actually filmed right here in Kanab, Utah and the abandoned film set is still standing.

Gunsmoke was a popular radio series in the early 1950s, and became a television show in 1955.

CBS Television/Public Domain/Wikimedia Its cast included James Arness as Matt Dillon, Ken Curtis as Festus, Amanda Blake as Miss Kitty, and Milburn Stone as Doc. That’s a lot of celebrity power in one show!

The beloved characters of the show lived in Dodge City, Kansas, but many scenes from the show were actually filmed just three miles from Kanab, Utah.

Visit Southern Utah/Facebook The red-rock cliffs and sage brush hills were the perfect setting to depict the Wild West. This photo was taken several years ago.

The show ran for 635 episodes, from 1955 to 1975, which was an amazing run for that time in television.

Robert_Ford/iStock via Getty Images The ruins of the set are located in Johnson Canyon, though over the years they’ve deteriorated considerably.

The buildings where was Gunsmoke filmed are located on private property.

Photo courtesy of Deena Snyder And because of their condition, it’s dangerous to get too close. If you want to see them, you’ll have to do so from the other side of the fence. But you can take in the beautiful Utah landscape while you’re there as well.

Even as they slowly rot and collapse, these old buildings are fascinating to see.

Photo courtesy of Deena Snyder They really are a big part of Utah history.

If you use a little bit of imagination…

Photo courtesy of Deena Snyder … you can almost hear Matt Dillon telling the bad guys to get out of town!

Though time is slowly erasing the set of Gunsmoke, we’re proud that Utah had a big part of its legacy.

Photo courtesy of Deena Snyder As abandoned places in Utah go, this is one of the more popular to visit.

While you definitely should not get close to this film set, it’s fun to see photos of it, and if you have a camera with a decent zoom lens (or a pair of binoculars), you can see it from the fence. Have you seen this abandoned “town?” We’d love to see your photos in the comments section below!

CBS Television/Public Domain/Wikimedia

Its cast included James Arness as Matt Dillon, Ken Curtis as Festus, Amanda Blake as Miss Kitty, and Milburn Stone as Doc. That’s a lot of celebrity power in one show!

Visit Southern Utah/Facebook

The red-rock cliffs and sage brush hills were the perfect setting to depict the Wild West. This photo was taken several years ago.

Robert_Ford/iStock via Getty Images

The ruins of the set are located in Johnson Canyon, though over the years they’ve deteriorated considerably.

Photo courtesy of Deena Snyder

And because of their condition, it’s dangerous to get too close. If you want to see them, you’ll have to do so from the other side of the fence. But you can take in the beautiful Utah landscape while you’re there as well.

They really are a big part of Utah history.

… you can almost hear Matt Dillon telling the bad guys to get out of town!

As abandoned places in Utah go, this is one of the more popular to visit.

Many of the photos in this article were used with permission from photographer Deena Snyder, who submitted them to our Utah Nature Lovers Group. If you enjoy seeing and photographing Utah’s beautiful outdoor spaces, join our Facebook Group!

If you’re interested in film history, check out these places that were the backdrop for numerous movies in Utah!

Are you looking for other fun things to do in Utah? Then check out this video:

OnlyInYourState may earn compensation through affiliate links in this article.

Address: Kanab, UT 84741, USA

The OIYS Visitor Center

Out and About in Utah January 30, 2023 Lysa Allman-Baldwin Where are there other abandoned places in Utah?

Frisco – Located near Milford, the town was named after the San Francisco Mountains when it was established in 1875. Latuda – Latuda is a former coal mining town that was founded in 1914 and is reportedly haunted by ghosts to this day. The Tintic Standard Reduction Mill – Located near Genola, the ruined remnants of this mill which opened in 1029 are etched into a hill almost like a castle.

Learn more about other abandoned places in Utah. What are some places for weekend trips in Utah?

Moab – One of the most beautiful places in the state, Moab offers a wealth of hiking and biking trails in places like the popular Arches National Park. Midway Hot Springs – Located in Midway, the springs are found in what is called The Homestead Crater, an underground geothermal hot spring situated in a 55-foot limestone dome. Salt Lake City – As Utah’s capital city, there is plenty to see, do, and enjoy from music to art, dining, recreational activities, and more.

Read more about wonderful weekend trips in Utah options. What are some fun family activities in Utah?

Bear Lake – A popular vacation spot, recreational activity opportunities here include the beach, an adventure park, boating, swimming, and more. Soldier Hollow – In the winter, Soldier Hollow is the perfect place to take the family for an exciting holiday sleigh ride. Hogle Zoo – In addition to the wide array of animals that make their home at the Hogle Zoo, there is also a carousel, train, and Elephant Encounter exhibit, among other highlights.

Learn more about other fun family activities in Utah.

The OIYS Visitor Center

Out and About in Utah

January 30, 2023

Lysa Allman-Baldwin

Where are there other abandoned places in Utah?

Learn more about other abandoned places in Utah. What are some places for weekend trips in Utah?

Read more about wonderful weekend trips in Utah options. What are some fun family activities in Utah?

Learn more about other fun family activities in Utah.

The OIYS Visitor Center

Frisco – Located near Milford, the town was named after the San Francisco Mountains when it was established in 1875.
Latuda – Latuda is a former coal mining town that was founded in 1914 and is reportedly haunted by ghosts to this day.
The Tintic Standard Reduction Mill – Located near Genola, the ruined remnants of this mill which opened in 1029 are etched into a hill almost like a castle.

Learn more about other abandoned places in Utah.

What are some places for weekend trips in Utah?

Moab – One of the most beautiful places in the state, Moab offers a wealth of hiking and biking trails in places like the popular Arches National Park.
Midway Hot Springs – Located in Midway, the springs are found in what is called The Homestead Crater, an underground geothermal hot spring situated in a 55-foot limestone dome.
Salt Lake City – As Utah’s capital city, there is plenty to see, do, and enjoy from music to art, dining, recreational activities, and more.

Read more about wonderful weekend trips in Utah options.

What are some fun family activities in Utah?

Bear Lake – A popular vacation spot, recreational activity opportunities here include the beach, an adventure park, boating, swimming, and more.
Soldier Hollow – In the winter, Soldier Hollow is the perfect place to take the family for an exciting holiday sleigh ride.
Hogle Zoo – In addition to the wide array of animals that make their home at the Hogle Zoo, there is also a carousel, train, and Elephant Encounter exhibit, among other highlights.

Learn more about other fun family activities in Utah.