Oregon is marking the 40th anniversary of the release of the classic coming-of-age movie Stand by Me, which has been drawing visitors to some of the key locations and sites in the movie for four decades.
British Airways operates a direct flight from London Heathrow to Portland, from where the heart of Stand by Me country lies an easy drive south into the lush Willamette Valley.
Fans should begin in Brownsville, the small town that doubled as the fictional Castle Rock.
Three Historic Oregon Film Trail signs mark key filming locations, creating a self-guided walking tour through cinematic history. Every summer, Brownsville hosts its Stand by Me Day, and on July 25 this year it will feature live music, games, classic cars, homemade pies, a costume contest and multiple screenings of the film.
Beyond Brownsville, visitors can continue their journey just outside Cottage Grove, where the famous red trestle bridge in the movie appears along the Row River Trail, a dramatic crossing etched into the memories of fans of the movie.
Crossed by characters Gordie, Chris, Teddy and Vern, the bridge is also a piece of classic film history, having featured decades earlier in The General.
Visitors can explore the area by foot or by bike along this car-free stretch of the Covered Bridges Scenic Bikeway, a family-friendly route that runs alongside Dorena Lake and links some of Oregon’s most scenic covered bridges. With 20 historic spans, it boasts more than any other county in the American West.
Then venture from the Willamette Valley to the Oregon Coast to see the 100-year-old McCloud River Railroad #25, the iconic locomotive steam engine that chased the boys on the trestle.
Housed at the Oregon Coast Scenic Railroad’s station in the quaint fishing village of Garibaldi, the steam engine makes special guest appearances in the summer months for the Oregon Coastal Excursion, a 90-minute scenic train ride along the Tillamook Bay and coastal estuaries. Onboard narration on this excursion treats passengers to an immersive step back in time, complete with beautiful views.
The trip rounds out with a stop in Astoria, at the northern tip of the Oregon Coast. It was also the backdrop for iconic films such as The Goonies, Kindergarten Cop, Free Willy, Overboard and Short Circuit, which also celebrates its 40th anniversary in 2026.
Festivities are planned for June 6-7 to commemorate the occasion, but the Oregon Film Museum in Astoria offers a year-round glimpse into Oregon’s legendary film appearances.
Visitors can explore filming locations from other movies such as Twilight and One Flew Over the Cuckoo’s Nest.
A spokesperson for Travel Oregon said: “The Oregon Film Trail features signed locations across the state, making it easy to step into familiar and turn a holiday into a movie-moment journey”.
