Where The Dukes Of Hazzard Was Filmed: The Complete Georgia Location Guide
Have you ever wondered where the Dukes of Hazzard was filmed? That iconic orange Dodge Charger, the winding dirt roads, and the dusty main street of Hazzard County have become etched into television history. For millions of fans, the world of Bo, Luke, Daisy, and Uncle Jesse felt vibrantly real. But the secret to that authenticity wasn't just the actors or the storylines—it was the very ground they drove on. The show’s legendary status is deeply intertwined with its filming locations, primarily in a small Georgia town that transformed into the beloved, fictional Hazzard County. This article is your definitive tour of every significant spot, uncovering the real places behind the fiction and showing you exactly where the Dukes of Hazzard was filmed.
The Heart of Hazzard County: Covington, Georgia
When you ask where the Dukes of Hazzard was filmed, the single most important answer is Covington, Georgia. This charming historic city, located about 35 miles east of Atlanta, served as the primary stand-in for Hazzard County's main hub. For all seven seasons and 145 episodes, Covington’s streets and squares became the backdrop for countless car chases, police confrontations, and family gatherings at the Duke farm.
The Square: Hazzard's Town Center
The Covington Square is the undisputed epicenter of the show’s universe. This picturesque, antebellum-style courthouse square, with its white-columned buildings and old-fashioned lamp posts, was transformed into the bustling, if corrupt, center of Hazzard County. Every viewer recognizes it instantly.
- The Courthouse: The Newton County Courthouse, with its distinctive clock tower, was the Hazzard County Courthouse. It’s where Boss Hogg and Sheriff Rosco P. Coltrane would scheme, where trials were held, and where the Duke boys often found themselves in legal trouble.
- The General Store & Businesses: The storefronts lining the square became the Boar's Nest, Cooter's Garage, the Hazzard County Bank, and other essential businesses. While many facades were dressed for the show, the physical buildings remain. Today, you can still point out the locations where iconic scenes unfolded.
- Practical Tip for Visitors: The square is a living, working historic district. You can walk the same sidewalks, see the courthouse, and often find plaques or markers noting specific filming spots. The best way to experience it is to visit during one of the town’s many festivals, like the "Dukes of Hazzard" Festival held annually in September, which celebrates the show’s legacy with car shows, cast appearances, and tours.
The Duke Farm: A Private Property
The exterior of the Duke family farmhouse was filmed at a real home on Holly Road in Covington. This private residence became one of television’s most famous homes, seen in the opening credits and in countless scenes of the family gathered on the porch. While the house itself is not open to the public and is now a private home (respect the owners' privacy!), its location is a known point of pilgrimage for dedicated fans. The surrounding rural roads and cotton fields of this area provided the quintessential "backroads" look that defined the series.
Beyond Covington: Other Key Georgia Filming Locations
While Covington was the main stage, where the Dukes of Hazzard was filmed extended across a wider swath of Georgia to capture the diverse landscapes needed for the show's constant action.
The Famous Jump Scenes: The "General Lee" Takes Flight
The most legendary sequences in television history—the General Lee jumping over obstacles—were not filmed on a soundstage. They were real stunts performed on specific, carefully chosen roads.
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- The "General Lee" Jump Site: The most famous jump, over a police car in the opening credits and many episodes, was filmed on a now-famous stretch of road called "The Jump Road" or "Dukes Jump Road." Its official name is Georgia State Route 36, near the community of Social Circle, Georgia, just a short drive from Covington. This long, straight, flat stretch of rural highway with a slight incline was perfect for the stunt drivers to build speed and achieve the spectacular jumps. The road is still there, and fans often drive it to imagine the orange Charger soaring overhead.
- Other Jump Locations: The production team used several other backroads in Newton and Walton counties for different jump setups. These roads were chosen for their isolation, lack of traffic, and the specific obstacles that could be placed (like police cars, ditches, or creeks). Identifying every single one is a challenge, as the crew was secretive to protect the stunts, but the area around Covington and Social Circle is the definitive zone.
Cooter's Garage: The Real Thing
Cooter Davenport's garage was a central hangout. For the first few seasons, this was a real, working garage in Covington located on Washington Street. Later, a dedicated set was built on the show's soundstage, but the original exterior shots used this tangible location. The building has changed hands and businesses over the decades, but its structure is recognizable to those who know what to look for.
The Hazzard County Jail
The exterior of the Hazzard County Jail, where Rosco and Boss Hogg would frequently incarcerate the Dukes (only for them to escape), was the Covington Post Office. Its sturdy, institutional look made for a perfect jail facade. It still serves as a post office today, a functioning piece of TV history.
The Boar's Nest: Inside and Out
The infamous Boar's Nest bar had two key locations. The exterior was a building on the Covington Square, while the interior scenes were shot on a soundstage. The exterior building, which has housed various businesses over the years, is another must-see for fans tracing the square's transformations.
Behind the Scenes: How the Magic Was Made
Understanding where the Dukes of Hazzard was filmed isn't just about geography; it's about the ingenuity of a low-budget production creating a legendary world.
The "Georgia" Look
The producers chose Georgia specifically for its versatile landscapes. Within a 30-mile radius of Covington, they had:
- Urban Squares: For the town scenes.
- Rural Farmland: For the Duke home and surrounding countryside.
- Forested Areas: For chase scenes through the woods.
- Flat, Straight Highways: For the signature jumps.
This proximity allowed the small production crew to film efficiently, often completing multiple locations in a single day.
The Stunt Work: Real Cars, Real Risks
The show’s most enduring appeal is its spectacular, practical car stunts. There was no CGI in the 1970s and 80s. Every jump, spin, and crash was performed with real Dodge Chargers. Where the Dukes of Hazzard was filmed directly influenced the stunts. The jump roads had to be meticulously measured for speed and ramp angle. The crew would often film multiple takes from different angles on the same stretch of road, creating the illusion of longer chases. The fact that they used dozens of identical "General Lee" cars (some for jumps, some for close-ups, some for crashes) is a testament to the physical demands placed on these locations.
The Legacy Lives On: Visiting the Filming Locations Today
The show ended in 1985, but its cultural footprint has only grown. Where the Dukes of Hazzard was filmed has become a significant tourist draw for Covington and Newton County.
A Thriving Fan Pilgrimage
Covington has fully embraced its identity as Hazzard County. You can:
- Take a guided tour that points out all the key square locations, the former garage, and drives you to the jump road.
- Visit the Newton County Historic Courthouse and museum, which often displays memorabilia.
- Dine at local restaurants adorned with Dukes memorabilia.
- Shop for souvenirs, from replica "General Lee" model cars to t-shirts.
The town’s economy sees a tangible boost from this tourism, proving the show's lasting power.
The "General Lee" Itself
While the original cars are scattered in museums and private collections, a few authentic and replica General Lees make appearances at events in Georgia. The Dukes of Hazzard Museum (which has had various locations over the years, sometimes in Covington) has been a repository for artifacts. Fans can often see these iconic cars at the annual festival or at the Talladega Superspeedway Museum in Alabama, which has a famous General Lee on display.
Preserving the History
Efforts to preserve the physical locations are community-driven. The jump road on SR-36 is a public road, and while it's not an official historic site, its fame is maintained by fan visits and oral history. The square is a protected historic district, ensuring that the buildings that played Hazzard County retain their character. This organic preservation is a key part of where the Dukes of Hazzard was filmed—the places are still there, used by a community that honors its unique place in pop culture history.
Answering Your Top Questions
Q: Can I still drive on the famous jump road?
A: Yes! Georgia State Route 36 near Social Circle is a public highway. You can drive it, but please do so safely and respect local traffic laws. There are no official pull-offs, so use caution if you stop to take photos.
Q: Are the interior sets (like the Duke farm interior) available to see?
A: The original soundstage sets were dismantled after production. Some props and smaller set pieces are in private collections or occasional museum exhibits. The focus for visitors is the exterior locations in Covington.
Q: What's the best time to visit?
A: The annual Dukes of Hazzard Festival in September is the ultimate experience, with tours, car shows, and cast members. For a quieter visit, spring or fall offer pleasant weather for walking the square and exploring.
Q: Did they film anywhere else besides Georgia?
A: The vast majority of filming, estimated at 95%+, was in and around Covington, Georgia. A very small number of second-unit shots or stock footage might have been captured elsewhere, but for all practical purposes, Georgia is Hazzard County.
Conclusion: More Than Just a Backdrop
So, where the Dukes of Hazzard was filmed? The answer is a love letter to a specific place and time. It was filmed in the historic squares and backroads of Covington, Georgia, and its surrounding countryside. This location did more than provide a picture; it provided a character. The dusty roads, the friendly small-town square, and the lush Georgia pines became as integral to the story as Bo and Luke themselves. They created a world that felt authentic, lived-in, and ripe for adventure.
Today, visiting these locations is more than a sightseeing trip; it’s a journey into television history. It’s standing on the square where Boss Hogg plotted, driving the road where the General Lee flew, and feeling the tangible legacy of a show that celebrated rebellion, family, and the simple joy of a well-executed jump. The next time you hear the theme song or see that orange Charger, you’ll know exactly where that magic was born—right here in Georgia, where the Dukes of Hazzard was filmed, and where its spirit continues to ride strong.
