BACK TO THE FRONTIER, the new unscripted series from Magnolia Network and Max, brings a unique television experiment to life. Created by Chip and Joanna Gaines, the show follows three American families—the Lopers from Alabama, the Hanna-Riggs from Texas, and the Halls from Florida—as they step back into the year 1883. Over eight weeks, they live entirely off-grid, giving up electricity, phones, plumbing—and modern comforts to experience the daily challenges of 1880s homesteading life.
But where exactly was this historic experiment filmed?
FILMING TOOK PLACE NEAR CALGARY, ALBERTA, CANADA
The filming for Back to the Frontier took place just outside Calgary, Alberta, in the Canadian prairie landscape known for its cinematic beauty and vast open fields. Located about an hour away from the city, the chosen site featured rolling meadows, tall grasses, and a naturally isolated environment—perfect for simulating an 1880s setting with no visual or audible interruptions from modern life.
The location served as both the physical and emotional foundation of the show. With no shortcuts or digital illusions, the cast and crew built an entire 1880s-style homestead village from scratch on this rural site. It included log cabins, outhouses, fencing, farmland, and even a custom-designed trading post named Gilbert’s General Store.
BUILDING GILBERT’S GENERAL STORE
Gilbert’s General Store became a central hub for trading and bartering. Constructed entirely from period materials, it offered penny candies for the kids, whiskey and wine for the adults, and essentials like tools and fabric for homesteading. Families were only allowed to purchase what they could “earn”—a system that highlighted the challenges of resource management.
The shop wasn’t just a building; it was also a symbol of creativity and survival, showing how people on the frontier worked together to stay alive.
WHY CALGARY?
Calgary was picked because it looks a lot like the original American frontier. It had the right look and feel thanks to its flat terrain, lots of sunshine, and rich prairie ecosystem. The production team looked at a number of other U.S. and Canadian locations before choosing this one because it was the most natural and easy to work with.
In an interview with the Seattle Times, Lauren Frasca, Senior Vice President of Content and Strategy for Magnolia Network, stressed how important the location was:
“We wanted a place that could function as a character in itself. The land had to be both beautiful and tough—a place that visually communicated the challenges of 1880s life.”
MAINTAINING HISTORICAL ACCURACY
The “BACK TO THE FRONTIER” team planned every detail to make the experience feel historical. Melissa K. Norris, a fifth-generation homesteader, joined the production as an expert advisor, guiding everything from food preservation techniques to livestock management. The team also brought on Dr. Jacob K. Friefeld, a historian, to ensure the accuracy of the tools, clothing, and structures.
In one instance, a debate broke out on set about whether paper lanterns could be used during a barn dance scene. As shared by Lauren Frasca, Magnolia Network’s Senior Vice President of Content and Strategy, researchers paused production to find 1800s-era journals and advertisements confirming their historical use before proceeding. These efforts highlight the production’s devotion to honoring the time period authentically.
WILDLIFE & SURVIVAL
Even though it was in Alberta, things were not always easy. Grasshoppers were everywhere, and the weather was always changing, making it even more dangerous to stay alive. The people who took part had to deal with both the rules of the 1880s and the natural features of the Canadian wilderness today. Fans loved the show’s cow, Big Shirley, and she became an important part of everyday life. She was very helpful to the families because she gave them fresh milk, and the show’s focus on being self-sufficient was reinforced by her presence.
WHY THIS LOCATION MATTERED
The location just outside of b was chosen so that the producers could create a space that felt both remote and open to the public. The large, open areas made it — possible to build a big set without sacrificing realism. Families found it easier to disconnect from modern life and start living on the frontier because of how far away everything was. From its scenic beauty to its unforgiving conditions, the setting shaped the narrative and the real-life growth of the participants.
WHEN WAS BACK TO THE FRONTIER FILMED?
Filming took place over two months in the summer of 2024—likely starting in July. With up to 100 crew members on-site, the crew worked behind the scenes to ensure a seamless experience for both the cast and viewers.
Joanna Gaines, one of the show’s executive producers, shared her personal experience on social media after visiting the set:
“BACK TO THE FRONTIER is unlike anything we’ve ever created. Chip and I loved visiting these families and left inspired by the risks they took to step back in time. We’re so proud of the bonds they formed, the food they grew, and all the ways they made the frontier feel like home.”
OFFICIAL TRAILER
Stay tuned to netfilming.com for all the latest updates and filming news.
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