Where Is ‘Virgin River’ Filmed? Plus, 8 Other Burning Questions Answered

Season four of Virgin River is about to premiere on Netflix, and something tells us it's going to dominate the streaming service’s list of most-watched TV shows. (Step aside, Stranger Things.) While we patiently await our reunion with Mel, Jack and the rest of the gang, we admit, we've still got a few burning questions. For example, will there be a fifth season? Where is Virgin River filmed? And finally, why is it called “Virgin River”?

Keep scrolling for answers to the eight most commonly asked Virgin River questions.

Contrary to popular belief, Virgin River was mainly filmed in Vancouver, Canada—not in America. The crew also set up basecamp in several nearby destinations, including Snug Cove, New Westminster, Squamish, Agassiz and Port Coquitlam.

Based on the best-selling book series by Robyn Carr, Virgin River tells the story of Melinda “Mel” Monroe, a nurse practitioner who takes a job in the remote California town (Virgin River) to get a fresh start on life. As she adjusts to small-town living, she soon learns that her past secrets can only stay buried for so long.

Unfortunately, the town is fictional, but it’s not totally made up. The Virgin River is a tributary of the Colorado River, which runs through Utah, Nevada and Arizona. While it’s not a real California town (like on the show), the series was inspired by the real-life river.

The real Virgin River is about 162 miles long, making it no walk in the park. The tributary was designated as Utah’s first wild and scenic river in 2009, so it’s a pretty big deal.

The Virgin River is named after Thomas Virgin, who founded the water source in 1926. Although he originally called it “Adams River” after then-president John Quincy Adams, it was later given its current name by mapmaker John C. Fremont.

Virgin River season four, which has 12 hour-long episodes, will hit the streaming service on July 20. Netflix confirmed the news back in May and even released an official trailer and first look photos.

Netflix announced that production wrapped on December 7, 2021. On their official Instagram account, they shared footage of the cast clapping and wrote, "Hope and the ladies….It’s a wrap for all on S4!!"

It sure will. Netflix hasn’t released an official premiere date for the follow-up season, but it's safe to say that the main cast, including Martin Henderson and Alexandra Breckenridge, will return.

If you’ve already watched all ten episodes of Virgin River on Netflix, you’re probably experiencing withdrawal. To hold you over until a likely season three, we highly recommend starting another feel-good show like Sweet Magnolias, Hart of Dixie or Gilmore Girls.