Pasadena Civic Center District, East Union Street, Old Pasadena, Pasadena Council District 3, Pasadena, Los Angeles County, California, 91129, United States of America
Historic Washington County Courthouse, 4, South College Avenue, Fayetteville, Washington County, Arkansas, 72701, United States of America
Scene: (Season 3)
113, North Main Street, Bentonville, Benton County, Arkansas, 72712, United States of America
Scene: (Season 3)
Cane Creek State Park Road, Lincoln County, Arkansas, United States of America
Scene: (Season 3)
100, North Kibbe Street, Erath, Vermilion Parish, Louisiana, 70533, United States of America
Scene: (Season 1)
North Commercial Street, Springdale, Washington County, Arkansas, 72764, United States of America
Scene: (Season 3)
35596, Tule River Drive, Springville, Tulare County, California, 93265, United States of America
Decatur County, Kansas, United States of America
JO Pass Trail, Tulare County, California, United States of America
Þingeyjarsveit, Norðurland eystra, Ísland
Each season of True Detective is defined by its landscape – and moves across the map to find it. From the humid Louisiana bayous of the first season to the sun-blasted highways of California, the Ozarks of Arkansas, and finally the frozen dark of an “Alaska” that’s really Iceland.
Where was True Detective filmed?
True Detective was filmed in Louisiana (Season 1), California (Season 2), Arkansas (Season 3) and Iceland (Season 4, as Alaska).
Every True Detective location, explained
1
Season 1 – the Louisiana bayou
The iconic first season shot in the swamps and small towns of Louisiana, around Avoyelles Parish, its flat, humid landscape inseparable from the story.
2
Season 2 – Los Angeles
The second season moved to greater Los Angeles, using LA landmarks including City Hall for its tangle of civic corruption.
3
Season 3 – the Arkansas Ozarks
The third season used the Ozarks of Arkansas, around Faulkner County, for its layered decades-spanning mystery.
4
Season 4 – Iceland as Alaska
“Night Country,” set in the Alaskan polar night, was filmed in Iceland – Reykjavik and Akureyri – for its endless winter dark.
Planning a visit
Each season is its own trip: the Louisiana bayou country of Season 1 is the most atmospheric, while Season 4’s Iceland – Reykjavik and the northern town of Akureyri – delivers genuine Arctic drama.
True Detective Fun Facts
1
'Alaska' is Iceland Season 4’s frozen Alaskan town was filmed in Iceland, around Reykjavik and Akureyri.
2
Each season changes state The anthology relocates every season – Louisiana, California, Arkansas, then Iceland.
3
Season 1's long take The first season featured a celebrated six-minute unbroken tracking shot through a chaotic raid.
4
Louisiana is a character The bayou landscape of Season 1 became as talked-about as the cast.
5
'Time is a flat circle' Rust Cohle’s philosophy became one of TV’s most quoted lines.
Frequently Asked Questions
Where was True Detective: Night Country filmed?
In Iceland – around Reykjavik and Akureyri – standing in for Alaska.
Where was Season 1 filmed?
In the bayous and small towns of Louisiana, around Avoyelles Parish.
Can you visit the locations?
Yes – Louisiana’s bayou country and Iceland’s Reykjavik and Akureyri are all accessible.
Is each season a different place?
Yes – the anthology moves to a new landscape every season.
