Where Was the “Stranger Things” Waterfall in the Finale Filmed? It's Haifoss in Iceland

Where was the stunning waterfall scene in “Stranger Things” filmed? We’ll tell you all about it and how you can visit this filming location yourself.

Haifoss in Iceland can be seen in the series finale of “Stranger Things.”

If you just finished watching the “Stranger Things” series finale and found yourself wondering where that stunning waterfall scene with Eleven was filmed, you're not alone. That breathtaking location is actually Háifoss in Iceland — one of the country's most spectacular and tallest waterfalls.

While I have yet to see this confirmed anywhere, I immediately clocked this location because I’ve seen it with my own eyes. I pulled up the pictures I had taken and compared them to scene and immediately knew I was correct.

Warning: There are some spoilers in this post so don’t read it if you haven’t watched the whole finale yet.

“Stranger Things” Filming Locations: A Quick Recap

Throughout its five-season run, “Stranger Things” has primarily been filmed in Georgia, with the fictional town of Hawkins brought to life in and around Atlanta. Downtown Jackson doubled as Hawkins, the Creel House was filmed at the historic Claremont House in Rome, and most interior scenes were shot at EUE Screen Gems Studios in Atlanta.

Previous seasons also ventured to New Mexico for the California scenes in Season 4, and even to Lithuania for the Russian prison sequences. But the series finale took viewers somewhere completely new and unexpected.

Is the “Stranger Things” Finale Filmed in Iceland?

Yes! The waterfall scene featuring Eleven in the series finale was filmed at Háifoss in Iceland. While most of the final season was shot in Georgia like the rest of the series, production quietly traveled to Iceland to capture this pivotal closing scene. 

Rumors circulated in late 2024 that Millie Bobby Brown had filmed additional scenes in Iceland after principal photography wrapped, and those rumors turned out to be true. The waterfall you see in the finale is the real Háifoss, though it appears that the production added CGI to alter the background landscape. It’s very remote in real life, and in the scene there is a town visible in the distance beyond the rim. 

I immediately knew where the waterfalls were because I’ve been there myself and stood in almost exactly the same spot that El stands in while she’s looking at the scene.

This spot where I’m sitting is very close to the place where El would have stood to get the angle we see in the show!

What to Know About Háifoss Waterfall

Háifoss (pronounced "HIGH-foss"), which translates to "high waterfall,” is one of Iceland's tallest waterfalls at 400 feet. Located in the Þjórsárdalur Valley in South Iceland, it's fed by the Fossá river and cascades down ancient cliffs.

What makes this location even more spectacular is that there's actually a second waterfall called Granni ("neighbor" in Icelandic) right beside Háifoss. The pair of waterfalls plunging into the deep gorge creates an absolutely stunning panoramic view — which is probably why the Duffer Brothers chose this location for Eleven's final scene. 

The waterfall connects beautifully to dialogue from earlier in Season 5, where Mike talks about escaping to "some far-off land" with three waterfalls. Standing at Háifoss, you can actually see multiple waterfalls trickling around the main two, making it the perfect visual callback to that conversation.

Did They Use CGI on the Iceland Waterfall?

While the waterfall itself is completely real and the scene seems to have been filmed on location in Iceland, the production may have used CGI to superimpose a different backdrop behind the falls. This may have been done to create a more dreamlike or ambiguous quality to the scene, since they add a town instead of the remote and barren landscape.

The waterfall you see is definitely Háifoss (I’ve stood there looking at it myself), but the surrounding landscape may look a little different from what you'd experience if you visited in person. This kind of blending of real locations with digital effects has been common throughout “Stranger Things,” especially for scenes involving the Upside Down.

Can You Visit the “Stranger Things” Waterfall in Iceland?

Absolutely! Háifoss is accessible to visitors, though you'll need to plan accordingly. The waterfall is located about 2 hours from Reykjavik and requires driving on gravel roads. You'll need a 4x4 vehicle to reach the parking area, as the final stretch of road is quite rough with potholes.

From the parking lot, it's a short walk to the viewing platform where you can see both Háifoss and Granni waterfalls in all their glory and stand near the edge like El did. If you're feeling adventurous, there's also a hiking trail down to the base of the falls, though it's steep and challenging.

The best time to visit is during summer (June through September) when the roads are most accessible and the weather is more predictable, but I went in early October and it was still great. Just remember that Icelandic weather can change quickly, so bring layers and waterproof gear.

Why Iceland for the Stranger Things Finale?

The choice to film Eleven's final scene in Iceland makes perfect sense thematically. Throughout the series, she's been searching for a place to belong, somewhere safe from danger and pursuit. Iceland's otherworldly landscapes — with their dramatic waterfalls, volcanic terrain, and remote beauty — create the perfect visual metaphor for that "far-off land" Mike promised her.

If you're planning a trip to Iceland and want to visit this iconic Stranger Things location, Háifoss should definitely be on your itinerary, along with these other incredible Iceland waterfalls.