FAQ
The Trail consists of 15 real filming sites where Hollywood filmed The Shawshank Redemption movie in 1993. It is a self-guided driving tour where you can visit the sites at your leisure. There are 11 sites in Mansfield, 1 site in Ashland, 2 sites in Upper Sandusky, Ohio and 1 site at Sandy Point National Wildlife Refuge in St. Croix, US Virgin Islands.
Yes, this is a self-guided driving tour where you can visit each of the 15 sites at your own leisurely pace. You can start and finish wherever you’d like. If you want to start at the Ohio State Reformatory and follow the Trail so there is no backtracking along the route, we’ve included directions to each site in the brochure. Keep in mind the Trail is not a walking tour. And you would need to fly to St. Croix to see the final scene. Check out all of the filming sites and don’t miss out on all the fun!
Yes! The Historic Ohio State Reformatory offers bus tours to Shawshank filming sites! Visit their website for details- mrps.org/tours
Yes! One of the main filming sites along the Trail is the Ohio State Reformatory. You can always see the outside of the Reformatory through their chain linked fence at anytime when it is closed for tours. The other filming sites can also be seen from the outside if they are not open (Renaissance Theatre, KV Market, Wyandot County Courthouse and Shawshank Woodshop). To book a tour inside the Ohio State Reformatory, please call them directly at 419-522-2644 or visit their website.
We suggest taking 2 days (or more if you include St. Croix) to thoroughly enjoy all of the 15 filming sites. This gives you time to drive to each location, tour, take pictures to post on social media, shop for souvenirs, dine, chat with other Shawshank fans and relive your favorite movie! The total mileage to each site in Ohio is 102.4.
In need of a place to rest after your adventure? Lodging options in Mansfield/Richland County can be found here.
Some of the filming sites have options for food and fun! If you’re in downtown Mansfield, grab Red or Andy’s Prison Break Soda at the Richland Carrousel Park. Get your very own bottle of Reformatory Red Wine from Cypress Hill Winery located below the Hudson and Essex restaurant. Get your Shawshank fix.
The filming sites welcome Shawshank travelers to tour, visit their facility or drive by their location. Please keep in mind that some sites such as The Shawshank Woodshop, do require prior notice to your arrival.
No. This is private property and is currently being used as farmland. Instead of stopping on the road to view where the tree once stood, get the best picture from Malabar Farm’s property across the street where you can safely park your vehicle in the field. You can turn around in the field to get back out on to the road. Please use caution. Check with Malabar’s staff in the Visitors Center if you have questions.
Since the fall of the tree due to high winds on July 29, 2011 and July 22, 2016, the remains of the tree have been removed from the property. As of now, the location will continue to be a filming site on the Trail.
Yes! Pictures are encouraged. Tag us at #ShawshankTrail or #Shawshank30.
It was filmed in Mansfield, Ashland, Upper Sandusky and Butler, Ohio in 1993. The final scene was filmed at Sandy Point National Wildlife Refuge in St. Croix, U.S. Virgin Islands.
Yes! Everyone loves Shawshank and what better way to share the love than to take a family vacation to see the filming sites.
The Shawshank Trail was created by Destination Mansfield (formerly Mansfield/Richland County Convention & Visitors Bureau) for you, The Shawshank Redemption fan! As the popularity of the movie grew and visitors from all around the world began asking for the locations of filming sites, we ‘got busy’ with our first Trail brochure in 2008. We are now in our 14th edition!
Visit DestinationMansfield.com for a list of attractions, dining, shopping, recreation, Wine and Ale Trail, B & O Bike Trail, lodging and more!