New Prairie, New Province – Exploring the Filming Locations of Netflix’s ‘Little House on the Prairie’ Reboot

Netflix’s reimagined version of ‘Little House on the Prairie’ has finally premiered, and fans are eager to learn about the real-life locations where this pioneer drama was filmed, alongside the Ingalls family’s new journey on screen. Filming commenced in Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada, in July 2025 and concluded by October 2025, marking a significant shift from the sun-drenched California hills that previously represented the fictional Midwest.

This choice of location signifies a notable departure from past adaptations of Laura Ingalls Wilder’s cherished books. The decision was influenced not only by the desire for authenticity but also by the weather conditions. Although the story is set in southeastern Kansas, the reboot was filmed entirely in Manitoba, providing a starkly different visual identity compared to the version many viewers grew up with.

Longtime fans might expect any reboot to return to the original show’s filming sites in Simi Valley, California, but showrunner Rebecca Sonnenshine had different ideas. She attributes the province’s expansive landscapes and tallgrass scenery to achieving the wide-open, untouched prairie look they envisioned. This natural quality was reportedly unattainable on the well-used Hollywood backlots that hosted the original series for nearly a decade.

Geography played a crucial role as well. Manitoba is recognized for its diverse natural landscapes, including rivers, mountains, forests, and notably, prairies—vast, treeless expanses of grass. For a production aiming to capture the isolation and vastness of frontier life, such open horizons were deemed essential.

However, there was a practical tradeoff. Due to the cold, snowy, and wet winter weather extending into spring in Manitoba, Sonnenshine noted that filming couldn’t start until June. This late beginning compressed the production schedule, but the payoff in visual authenticity appears to have been worthwhile for the creative team.

Filming a 19th-century pioneer drama on the actual prairie presented challenges that no soundstage could replicate. Despite the late start, the cast and crew faced significant floods, tornadoes, lightning, and extreme winds, along with ticks and bugs. It felt less like a typical television shoot and more like the very survival story the show aims to portray.

Sonnenshine embraced this parallel rather than avoiding it, describing their experience as akin to what the Ingalls family endured, albeit with modern conveniences. This unique situation allowed the production’s behind-the-scenes reality to mirror its on-screen narrative almost too closely.

Cast members echoed this sentiment while sharing their experiences on set. Actress Rebecca Amzallag, who portrays Lacey in the series, recalled the shoot as a warm and welcoming environment where the cast engaged in games with the children, fostering a camaraderie reminiscent of the community depicted in the story while filming in rural Manitoba. She noted that the location’s isolation contributed to this closeness, as the crew was essentially in the middle of the country on a custom-built set throughout the filming period.

Since no existing structures could represent 1870s Kansas, the production team had to build their world from scratch on the Manitoba prairie. The official filming location is simply noted as Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada, with the surrounding countryside providing the expansive shots that define the series’ visual style.

Costuming played a vital role in grounding that world in reality, with the team sourcing materials both locally and internationally. Costume designer Mitchell Travers gathered numerous vintage pieces from the era while collaborating with leather workers in Winnipeg and across the United States and Canada to create authentic period clothing. This attention to detail extended well beyond wardrobe, impacting nearly every department on set.

Cultural authenticity was also a priority behind the scenes, especially given the story’s setting on Osage land. Osage cultural consultant Julie O’Keefe, who also contributed to ‘Killers of the Flower Moon’, was present on set to guide production design and work on costumes, hair, makeup, and set decoration, utilizing Osage artists whenever possible. The production also reportedly engaged a dedicated Osage language consultant to ensure dialogue accuracy throughout filming.

Netflix has already confirmed that Manitoba will continue to serve as the home base for the Ingalls family’s ongoing story. Filming for season two is scheduled to commence in Winnipeg on June 12th and run through October 30th, ahead of a planned return in 2027. This swift renewal for a freshman series speaks volumes about the confidence Netflix has in the project.

The rapid decision to renew the series, which occurred in March 2026 before its premiere, indicates that executives greenlit more prairie adventures even before a single episode aired. For a show centered around the physical challenges of pioneer life, it seems fitting that its production history is proving to be just as demanding as the story itself.

With ‘Little House on the Prairie’ now streaming and its Manitoba backdrop capturing the attention of fans and critics alike, are you more intrigued by this rugged Canadian prairie setting compared to the sunny California hills of the original series?