⁠Back to the Frontier: Where was the show filmed? Details explored

Back to the Frontier isn’t your typical “let’s fix up a house” show. Joanna and Chip Gaines chose to put down the power tools and see what happens when three modern families have to live as if it’s the 1880s, no electricity, no running water, no phones, nothing. Just simple, old-fashioned survival.

The Halls from Florida, the Lopers from Alabama, and the Hannah-Riggs from Texas signed up for this real-life time machine. To make it work, the crew found a large stretch of countryside that looked authentic, with big skies, suitable weather, and enough space for farming, chores, and maybe some mild panic. They filmed in the summer so there would be plenty of daylight for building, planting, and figuring out how to cook without a microwave.

The show aired on July 10 on Magnolia Network and HBO Max, offering a detailed look at the tough realities of frontier life. It’s not just about hauling water and churnin’ butter; it also shares stories often overlooked by history books, such as the roles of same-sex couples and Black families during westward expansion.

Back to the Frontier filming locations explored

Back to the Frontier production teams chose rural western Canada, about an hour outside Calgary, as the main filming location. The grassy plains offered an ideal backdrop that closely resembled American frontier areas from the 1880s. This region provided the wide open space needed for authentic homesteading activities.

The Canadian location offered practical advantages for the production team. Local regulations and filming permits enabled the extensive construction needed to create period-appropriate structures. The area's summer climate conditions supported outdoor living without modern amenities.

Calgary's proximity provided logistical support while maintaining the remote feeling essential to the show's concept. The production could access necessary resources while keeping families isolated enough to create genuine frontier experiences. This balance proved crucial for both authenticity and safety.

Each family received their own “new” house on Back to the Frontier, but it wasn’t actually new. These frontier-style homes were built just as they would have been in the 1880s, which meant no AC, no lights, and no flushing toilets. Basically, it was like camping but forever.

The set designers went all-in on making everything look and feel authentic. Families slept on rough straw mattresses, sat on old creaking wooden chairs, and cooked with equipment that looked like it came straight from a museum. Even the shelves and storage areas were from the past, with no modern shortcuts.

Building these dwellings wasn't just about hammer and nails. The crew studied traditional building techniques and used as many authentic 19th-century methods as possible. As a result, the residences were more than just for show; they were also sturdy enough to live in. This dedication led to genuinely tough living conditions for participants.

The production built a fully functional general store that served as the community's main marketplace on Back to the Frontier. Gilbert's General Store allowed families to buy special items they couldn't make themselves, including penny candy for kids and alcoholic drinks for adults. The store operated with bartering systems typical of frontier communities.

Merchandise displays showed careful historical research and authentic frontier retail practices. The store's look was so precisely designed that observers said it could inspire modern retail setups. Every detail helped create an immersive historical experience for both visitors and viewers.

The general store promoted trade between families while supplying essential items for survival. This commercial aspect showed how frontier communities relied on cooperation and sharing resources. The bartering system encouraged families to develop a variety of skills and production abilities.

Participants engaged in essential frontier activities such as livestock care and food preservation. Big Shirley the cow required daily milking, which provided families with fresh dairy products and taught them traditional animal husbandry skills. This hands-on experience emphasized the constant work needed for frontier survival. Food preservation became an important skill as families learned canning and pickling techniques.

The production included a beautiful canning cellar where families stored their preserved fruits and vegetables. These preserved foods served both as food supplies and as valuable bartering items at the general store.

Daily household chores on Back to the Frontier followed historical patterns, such as traditional bathing practices, which inspired the saying "don't throw out the baby with the bathwater." Men bathed first, then women, and finally children, all in the same water. These actions showed how frontier households conserved resources while maintaining sanitary standards.

Back to the Frontier’s educational and entertainment value

The Canadian filming location offered a perfect setting for exploring often-overlooked parts of frontier history. The show specifically highlighted opportunities available to same-sex couples and Black families during westward expansion, topics often missing from traditional history lessons.

This remote location in Back to the Frontier allowed families to disconnect from modern technology while reconnecting with essential survival skills. The experience provided viewers with inspiration to reduce screen time and participate in outdoor family activities. The authentic setting encouraged meaningful discussions about resilience, community collaboration, and historical perspectives.

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You can stream Back to the Frontier on Max (formerly HBO Max), or through Hulu with Max, Philo, or as an add-on via platforms like Amazon Channels.

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