Animal House was filmed in Oregon, mostly on and around the University of Oregon campus in Eugene, with extra stops in Cottage Grove and Dexter. John Landis's 1978 comedy follows the Delta Tau Chi misfits at a fictional 1962 college, and this guide covers all 17 filming locations, the scene shot at each, and how to see them. Exact pins are in the Go On Set app. Here are the stops, starting with the best-known.
In this guide
- Where was the Homecoming Parade filmed?
- Where was Bluto's zit scene filmed?
- Where was Delta House?
- Where was Omega House?
- Where was Dean Wormer's office filmed?
- Where was the Emil Faber statue?
- Where was Dexter Lake Club filmed?
- Where was the Rainbow Motel filmed?
- Where were the ROTC drills filmed?
- Where was Flounder's ROTC uniform inspection filmed?
- Where was Emily Dickinson College filmed?
- Where was the Tri Pi sorority house?
- Where was the dorm in the opening credits?
- Where was the Hendricks Hall campus walk filmed?
- Where was the walk to fraternity row filmed?
- Where was Mayor DePasto's house?
- Where was the romantic overlook filmed?
- How should you plan an Animal House locations visit?
- Quick answers about Animal House filming locations
Homecoming Parade
The finale was shot in downtown Cottage Grove, which stood in for Faber College Town. The area is a National Historic District, and many of its brick buildings were designed by architect John Hunzicker over a century ago. That made it a ready-made small-town parade route for 1962.
This is the biggest set piece in the film. Bluto (John Belushi) swings from a rooftop on a parade banner and rides off with Mandy Pepperidge (Mary Louise Weller). Niedermeyer (Mark Metcalf) is carted away on a runaway float, and the Delta House "Deathmobile" heads for the grandstand where Mayor DePasto (Cesare Danova) and Dean Wormer (John Vernon) are standing. Kevin Bacon, Sarah Holcomb and Douglas Kenney appear in the chaos too. Downtown is an ordinary working district, so you can walk the historic blocks freely.
Bluto's zit scene at the Fishbowl
The cafeteria showdown was shot in the "Fishbowl" at the Erb Memorial Union (EMU) on the University of Oregon campus in Eugene, a glass-walled café at the centre of student life. The EMU Fishbowl is still a place where students grab coffee and study between classes.
Bluto stands up and announces he will show how a zit works. Otter (Tim Matheson) watches with a knowing smile as the Omega House table gets what is coming, and Bluto finishes by squirting mashed potatoes across it. It is still a working campus café, so you can go in during open hours.
Delta House
The fraternity house itself is gone. Delta House stood in Eugene and was demolished shortly after filming. A parking lot now occupies the spot, though the neighbouring building survives.
Two scenes were shot here. Boone (Peter Riegert) and Pinto (Tom Hulce) walk past Omega House and notice Delta House being dismantled as the administration kicks them out. Later, Flounder (Stephen Furst) shows off his brother's loaned car, and Otter, Boone, D-Day (Bruce McGill) and Pinto start planning the road trip. There is nothing left of the house to see, so this is a stop for fans who want the geography.
Omega House
The snooty rival fraternity was filmed at the Alpha Sigma Phi house at the University of Oregon in Eugene. In 2021 the chapter separated from the university and became the first independent fraternity in Eugene. It is still an active fraternity.
Niedermeyer taunts Boone and Pinto as they pass after Dean Wormer suspends Delta House. Later, Pinto and Flounder decide they do not belong with the Omega crowd and leave for Delta House next door. It is a private residence, so view it from the public side.
Dean Wormer's office
Johnson Hall is the University of Oregon's administration building, a neoclassical landmark on the National Register of Historic Places. In the film it is both the administration building and Dean Wormer's office.
This stop has the most scenes. Bluto and D-Day help Flounder sneak a horse into Wormer's office, and Bluto checks the entrance is clear first. Inside, Wormer plots against Delta House, while the Deathmobile disguised as a float speeds off to its entrance. Pinto and Flounder also cross the quad here, with Flounder checking his zipper. You can see the exterior from campus paths.
Emil Faber statue
The founder's statue with the motto "Knowledge is Good" appears near the University of Oregon Library (Knight Library) in Eugene. The library was built between 1935 and 1937 and is the largest on the main campus.
Pinto and Flounder pass the statue on their way to fraternity row. The statue was placed on site only for the movie, so it is not at the real location. You will find the library and nothing else.
Dexter Lake Club
Dexter Lake Club is in the small town of Dexter, east of Eugene in Lane County. It opened in 1949 as a café, bar and live music venue, and its large neon sign tops a high roofline. Dexter sits near Dexter Reservoir, also called Dexter Lake.
Otter calms a panicking Flounder over a dent in his brother's car as the group walks in. Later they return with their new dates, delighted to find Otis Day and the Knights, the band from the toga party, playing. It is a venue open to the public, so check opening times.
Rainbow Motel
The ambush scene was shot at the Relax Inn in Cottage Grove, which plays the Rainbow Motel. It is a modest roadside motel that still takes guests.
Otter arrives believing a note from Mandy Pepperidge has invited him. Five Omega House members are waiting behind the door to ambush him. Treat it as a working motel and keep to the exterior unless you are staying.
ROTC drills at the Turf Field
The Reserve Officers' Training Corps (ROTC) drills were shot in the northwest corner of what is now the Turf Field and Track at the University of Oregon. The area has been heavily redeveloped since filming.
Pinto and Flounder stumble through drills while Niedermeyer barks orders and arrives on horseback. Expect modern facilities rather than the 1978 look.
Flounder's ROTC uniform inspection
A second ROTC scene took place in a field area elsewhere on the University of Oregon campus. The American English Institute building is visible in the background.
Niedermeyer reprimands Flounder for his disheveled uniform and lack of military decorum. The field is open campus ground.
Emily Dickinson College
Gerlinger Hall on the University of Oregon campus was the first Women's Building on campus, built as part of the Women's Memorial Quadrangle. In the film it becomes Emily Dickinson College, an all-women's school.
Otter, Boone, Pinto and Flounder arrive at the start of the road trip to collect Otter's supposed fiancé, Fawn Liebowitz. She is not there, but they leave with dates for everyone. The exterior is easy to see from campus.
Tri Pi sorority house
Richardson Hall is on the Bushnell University campus in Eugene, not at the University of Oregon. It stands in for the Pi Pi Pi Sorority (Tri Pi) and now houses the Admissions and Financial Aid offices.
Greg Marmalard (James Daughton) drives Mandy Pepperidge home after their date. She gets out after a few words and he watches her go inside. It is an administration building on a small private campus, so stay outside.
Carson Hall opening credits
Carson Hall plays itself, a five-story residence hall at the heart of the University of Oregon campus. During the opening credits, Larry Kroger and Kent Dorfman leave it for pledge night at the fraternities. Students live here, so it is exterior only.
Hendricks Hall campus walk
Hendricks Hall was built as a women's dormitory and now houses the Department of Women and Gender Studies. It appears in the background as Katy (Karen Allen), Boone and Pinto cross campus, talking about finding Larry a girl. The building is clearly visible from the paths.
Jordan Schnitzer Museum of Art
The Jordan Schnitzer Museum of Art was designed by Ellis F. Lawrence as part of the Memorial Quadrangle. Pinto and Flounder walk past the historic campus buildings on their way to fraternity row. The museum has a focus on Asian and Pacific Northwest art, so you can combine the walk with a gallery visit.
Mayor DePasto's house
Mayor DePasto's house is in Eugene's Amazon Neighborhood, a compact residential area south of the city centre. After the toga party, Pinto returns the Mayor's daughter home as quickly and quietly as he can. It is a private home, so a drive-by is as far as you should go.
Romantic overlook above Faber College
Skinner Butte Park was established in 1914 and runs along the Willamette River just north of downtown Eugene. Greg Marmalard and Mandy Pepperidge, a Faber College cheerleader, park here for a romantic evening above the campus and valley. The park is public, with lawns, trails and views from Skinner Butte.
How to plan the visit
- Most stops cluster on the University of Oregon campus in Eugene, so you can walk many in one visit. Skinner Butte Park and the Amazon Neighborhood are separate short trips within the city.
- Richardson Hall is at Bushnell University, also in Eugene.
- Cottage Grove has two stops, the downtown parade route and the Rainbow Motel, and Dexter Lake Club is a separate trip to Dexter.
- Respect residents and staff. Omega House, Mayor DePasto's house and the residence halls are lived in, so view them from public paths and do not approach doors.
- Delta House no longer exists, so skip it if you want something to see.
- Exact map pins are in the Go On Set app.
Quick answers
Where was Animal House filmed?
Mostly in Eugene, Oregon, with other stops in Cottage Grove and Dexter. The campus scenes were shot at the University of Oregon and Bushnell University.
How many Animal House filming locations are there?
There are 17: 14 in Eugene, two in Cottage Grove and one in Dexter.
Where was the Homecoming Parade filmed?
In downtown Cottage Grove, a National Historic District. Bluto's rooftop swing and the Deathmobile's entrance were shot there.
Can you visit the Animal House locations?
Many campus exteriors, Skinner Butte Park and downtown Cottage Grove are public. The fraternity house and Mayor DePasto's house are private, and Delta House has been demolished.