Thirty-two years ago, in June of 1988, audiences were introduced to a comedy that perfectly blended family vacation mishaps with the comedic genius of two legendary actors. The Great Outdoors brought together Dan Aykroyd, fresh from hits like Trading Places and Ghostbusters, and the beloved John Candy, known for his roles in Splash, Brewster’s Millions, Spaceballs, and Planes, Trains, and Automobiles. This film, set against the backdrop of a scenic lake vacation, has become a timeless favorite.
Promotional poster for The Great Outdoors movie featuring Dan Aykroyd and John Candy
While The Great Outdoors is set in Pechoggin, Wisconsin, on the fictional Lake Potowotominimac, the movie magic happened in California’s Central Valley at the picturesque Bass Lake. In October 1987, this mountain resort town became a Hollywood hotspot for six weeks of filming. Bass Lake, despite its stunning beauty, had only briefly hosted productions like Carnival Boat, Leave Her to Heaven, and Hiawatha before. The Great Outdoors marked a significant moment, bringing major star power and a large-scale production to this idyllic location for the first time.
A scenic view of Bass Lake, California, the real-life filming location for The Great Outdoors, showing the lake and surrounding trees
The heart of The Great Outdoors revolves around Chet Ripley, played by the incomparable John Candy. Chet envisions a peaceful summer vacation at a lakeside resort with his family. However, his plans for tranquility are hilariously derailed by the unexpected arrival of his brother-in-law, Roman Craig, portrayed by Dan Aykroyd, along with his family. What ensues is a cascade of comedic chaos – arguments, sibling rivalry, and vacation disasters – turning Chet’s dream getaway into a laugh-riot. But behind the on-screen mayhem, the atmosphere on set was surprisingly harmonious.
To celebrate the 32nd anniversary of The Great Outdoors and its lasting impact on Bass Lake, we delve behind the scenes of this comedy classic. Our guides are two individuals who witnessed the filming firsthand: Rhonda Salisbury, CEO of Visit Yosemite/Madera County, who was then the Executive Secretary at The Pines Resort in Bass Lake, and Steve Welch, former Operations Manager and General Manager of The Pines Resort during the filming era. Their insights offer a unique glimpse into the making of The Great Outdoors and the experiences of working with John Candy and Dan Aykroyd.
Dan Aykroyd and Rhonda Salisbury pictured together during the filming of The Great Outdoors at Bass Lake
Despite their on-screen comedic clashes, John Candy and Dan Aykroyd were reportedly incredibly professional and affable on set. Rhonda Salisbury fondly recalls meeting both stars: “They both were great! Very nice and appreciative. I even rode the merry-go-round with John Candy and, I believe, his young son.” John Candy’s larger-than-life personality extended beyond the screen. Rhonda recounts a humorous anecdote about his bodyguards stocking up on groceries: “One funny thing was when I went into the Pines Market and John Candy’s bodyguards were there shopping—one had a basket full of all kinds of meats, one had junk food and sides and one had beer, sodas, water and booze…they rented one of the vacation homes on the lake and were having a great time.” This playful off-screen demeanor mirrored the warmth and humor John Candy brought to his roles, making him a beloved figure both on and off camera.
Steve Welch also shares his initial star-struck encounter with the comedic duo: “I met both a few days before filming began as the director, Howard Duetch, had asked to get into the Pines Bar one morning to rehearse a scene. I opened the bar and shortly afterward in walked Dan and John. They introduced themselves and sat down at the bar…They were casual and relaxed and remained that way for the duration of the shooting. I must say, since they were two of my comedy idols, I surprisingly found myself being a bit star-struck.” This relaxed atmosphere contributed to the positive experience of filming The Great Outdoors at Bass Lake.
Even Hollywood stars seek entertainment beyond the set, and John Candy was no exception. Rhonda recalls a funny incident involving a major boxing event: “Another funny thing was when John Candy’s bodyguard came up to the office because John wanted to see the Mike Tyson fight. We really didn’t have much cable or satellite in those times, so I had to find the fight in Fresno. So they all hopped into the limo and went to Fresno to see the fight.” This illustrates the down-to-earth nature of even major movie stars like John Candy, seeking out simple pleasures during their downtime.
Ducey’s Bass Lake Lodge and Bar & Grill, a local landmark, played the role of Wally and Juanita’s Perk’s Pine Lodge in The Great Outdoors. This popular spot, renowned for its stunning lake views and welcoming atmosphere, became a central location for many scenes between Chet and Roman. Interestingly, shortly after filming wrapped, the original Ducey’s was tragically destroyed in a kitchen fire. However, it was rebuilt and reopened in 1991, becoming a nostalgic landmark for fans of the movie. The Great Outdoors inadvertently serves as a cinematic time capsule, capturing the charm of the original Ducey’s. Rhonda fondly remembers the original lodge: “I spent my 21st birthday at old Ducey’s. It’s when I fell in love with Bass Lake and moved to the mountains. It’s still so fun to see the movie and Ducey’s as I remember it. Brings back wonderful memories. We all miss it so much!”
A still from The Great Outdoors movie showing Dan Aykroyd, Stephanie Faracy, John Candy, and Annette Bening inside Ducey's Bar at Bass Lake
Filmmaking often fosters a unique sense of camaraderie, and the production of The Great Outdoors was no different. The residents of Bass Lake embraced the movie crew, creating a supportive and collaborative environment. Rhonda vividly describes the community involvement: “So many of us were extras (I think I made $50 a day), and we all hung out and watched them make the movie; quite a bit was filmed at the lake. Plus, I got to hang out with some of the crew who rented places around the lake…they were fun!” This local participation added to the authentic feel of the movie and created lasting memories for the community.
Unlike some location shoots that face local resistance, The Great Outdoors was met with open arms in Bass Lake. Rhonda explains, “the people were so much more laid back at the time, that there were no disagreements or outside interference in the filmmaking process, and it went off without a hitch.” This positive reception ensured a smooth production and provided economic benefits to the town during the typically slow winter season. Rhonda proudly states, “It had a huge impact on the local economy in the middle of our very slow winter season. I don’t remember the numbers, but you can say that it was an excellent year for Bass Lake!”
A picturesque view of Ducey's Bar and Grill and The Pines Resort at Bass Lake, showcasing the scenic beauty of the location
For Steve Welch and his family, The Great Outdoors became a personal affair. “My two kids, a 12-year-old boy and an 8-year-old girl at the time, both worked on the picture. My daughter was in the finished movie briefly in two scenes but my son’s scenes were cut, so even to this day, it surfaces as a subject of sibling rivalry.” Even the child actors in the movie, including Dan Aykroyd’s twin daughters and John Candy’s children in the film, integrated into the local community. Steve recalls, “The filming continued over the Halloween holiday and Dan Aykroyd’s twin girls and John Candy’s boys, in the movie, were invited to the local elementary school’s costume party and all had a great time. You can imagine the local kids were impressed with these young actors.”
Steve Welch pictured with Dan Aykroyd and John Candy, alongside Brian Wilkinson, the marketing director for The Pines Resort
The positive impact of The Great Outdoors on Bass Lake extended beyond its star cast, thanks to the creative force behind it: John Hughes. Known for writing and producing iconic 80s teen films like Sixteen Candles, The Breakfast Club, Weird Science, and Ferris Bueller’s Day Off, and having directed John Candy in Planes, Trains, and Automobiles, Hughes brought his signature comedic style to The Great Outdoors. He later achieved even greater success with Home Alone. Despite his blockbuster success, Hughes was known for his reserved and low-key personality, preferring to work outside the Hollywood spotlight. Rhonda remembers seeing him at Ducey’s during filming, noting his unassuming presence. This quiet demeanor would characterize his later career, as he adopted the pen name Edmond Dantés.
One of the most enduringly popular scenes in The Great Outdoors is the closing dance sequence at Ducey’s, set to Wilson Pickett’s “Land of 1000 Dances.” This wild and joyful scene, featuring the main cast and local extras, perfectly encapsulates the film’s comedic spirit. Rhonda fondly remembers filming the scene: “The dance scene at Ducey’s bar was so much fun. Dan Aykroyd was hilarious as was Annette Bening. We had so many locals and extras dancing around…it was a blast and the cast really interacted with the locals.”
Another notable aspect of The Great Outdoors is that it marked the film debut of Annette Bening. Prior to this, Bening was primarily a stage actress. She went on to achieve a highly acclaimed career in dramatic films like The Grifters, American Beauty, and Being Julia. Rhonda speaks highly of Bening, and it’s interesting to note that one of her later films, Captain Marvel, also filmed in another Central Valley lake town, Shaver Lake.
Despite the comedic chaos depicted in The Great Outdoors, the filming process at Bass Lake was safe and enjoyable. Rhonda humorously recalls one of her experiences as an extra: “I was an extra in a couple of scenes wearing shorts and no sleeves in the middle of winter…it was freezing but so much fun. I did get cut out of the scenes though.” She also shares a funny behind-the-scenes detail: “One more fun thing was when I went to my extra assignment in the Ducey’s parking area. They brought in fake trees so that when Roman’s family arrived and opened the car doors they all hit trees. The trees were only, maybe, 10 feet tall so it was funny watching the scene with the short trees.”
A behind-the-scenes photo from The Great Outdoors set, featuring John Candy, Rudi Schulte (resort owner), Steve Welch, and Dan Aykroyd
The famous water skiing scene featuring John Candy was carefully orchestrated with stunt doubles and specially built boats. Steve explains, “Friends of mine built the boat used in that scene, actually two identical boats. If you recall one slid off the trailer at the marina launch ramp…A stunt person skier did most of the skiing. I watched a little of that from shore.” Similarly, the bear wrestling scene used a trained bear named Bart the Bear. Steve also reveals a deleted scene involving a mechanical fish that was ultimately cut from the final movie. And contrary to appearances, John Candy did not consume the massive Old 96’er steak on location; the interior cabin scenes were filmed on a set at Universal Studios.
Scott Blevens and Dwight Samuels who built the boats used in the water ski scenes for The Great Outdoors movie
Steve had the unique opportunity to view the “dailies” – raw footage from the day’s filming – at the local movie theater. He also shares a trivia tidbit: “The original script had a working title of Big Country, but during the filming it was changed to The Great Outdoors, since Tom Hanks’ movie Big was due to come out about the same time.”
An autographed photograph from The Great Outdoors, signed by John Candy and Dan Aykroyd
Upon its release, The Great Outdoors premiered in Bass Lake to enthusiastic locals. While not an immediate box office sensation, it has grown into a beloved cult classic. Its enduring popularity is evident every summer, and the film is frequently broadcast on television. The legacy of The Great Outdoors continues, with plans for a remake starring Kevin Hart announced in 2017.
Bass Lake’s cinematic history extends beyond The Great Outdoors, with films like Meatballs 4, Mouse Hunt, and The Giant of Thunder Mountain also utilizing the location. However, The Great Outdoors remains the most iconic, deeply intertwined with the identity of Bass Lake. Visitors constantly seek out locations from the movie, and locals still fondly reminisce about the filming. Rhonda confirms, “We still get calls like where was the Perks Pine Lodge, or where did the carnival take place?”
The enduring appeal of The Great Outdoors lies in its perfect blend of John Hughes’ storytelling, the comedic brilliance of John Candy and Dan Aykroyd, and the captivating setting of Bass Lake. This combination has cemented its place as a timeless comedy classic, ensuring that both the movie and Bass Lake continue to be cherished for years to come.
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