Fallout – Cortlandt Quarry

The Cortlandt Quarry, also known as Verplanck Quarry, served as a striking real-world stand-in for a post-apocalyptic flooded town in the Amazon Prime Video series Fallout. Located on the Hudson River near the small hamlet of Verplanck in New York, this abandoned quarry features a vivid turquoise lake formed by natural spring water flooding the site. The location’s eerie, submerged structures and heavy machinery perfectly evoke the irradiated wastelands of the Fallout universe, blending industrial decay with unnatural beauty. This spot captured a pivotal scene involving a monstrous creature, highlighting the series’ commitment to practical filming over extensive green screen work.

The Scene

In episode four, “The Head,” of Fallout, the Cortlandt Quarry depicts a haunting flooded town on the Hudson River, where a massive gulper monster—modeled after the endangered axolotl amphibian—emerges from the depths. The sequence follows characters navigating the treacherous waters amid submerged buildings and rusted machinery, building tension as the beast attacks. The turquoise hues of the water contrast sharply with the desolate surroundings, amplifying the horror of this mutated creature in the post-nuclear world. This moment underscores the series’ blend of practical effects and real locations to immerse viewers in the game’s lore.

The Real Filming Location

Cortlandt Quarry, situated at 299 9th St, Verplanck, NY 10596, USA, is an abandoned mining site near the Hudson River in Westchester County, New York. Once used for extracting trap rock, it filled with natural spring water over decades, creating a deep, vibrant blue-green lake surrounded by sheer cliffs, derelict equipment, and partially submerged ruins. The quarry’s remote position close to the hamlet of Verplanck made it ideal for filming without urban interference. Its coordinates, approximately 41.259419, -73.963942, place it amid the Hudson Valley’s rugged terrain, accessible yet isolated.

Why This Location Was Chosen

Production teams selected Cortlandt Quarry for its authentic post-apocalyptic aesthetic, with the flooded pit naturally mimicking a irradiated wasteland complete with eerie turquoise waters and overgrown decay. Sources indicate the site’s real flooded state from spring water required minimal set construction, allowing for dynamic water-based action with the gulper monster. Its proximity to New York filming hubs facilitated logistics, while the dramatic visuals aligned with Fallout‘s video game inspirations of mutated environments. Local press and filming databases note it was chosen over studios to leverage practical effects for heightened realism in the scene.

Visiting the Location

Cortlandt Quarry remains private property and is not officially open to the public, restricting access to prevent accidents in the deep, unstable waters and sheer drops. Fans have reported viewing it from nearby roads or the Hudson River by boat, but trespassing is prohibited and risky due to submerged hazards. The surrounding Verplanck area offers Hudson River views via public paths, with the hamlet providing basic amenities like eateries. For safety, check local regulations; no guided tours exist, and drone footage is popular among enthusiasts. Coordinates 41.259419, -73.963942 aid GPS spotting from afar.