When Rocky Balboa trained in the freezing Siberian wilderness for his epic showdown with Ivan Drago, the rugged log cabin and snow-covered mountains made it look like he was deep in the Russian countryside. But here’s the kicker—it wasn’t Russia at all.
If you’ve ever asked, “Did they film Rocky 4 in Russia?” or “Was Rocky 4 really filmed in Russia?”—the answer is no. The “Siberian” training location was actually in right here in the good ol’ USA, in Jackson Hole, Wyoming.
The Real Location: Wyoming, Not Russia
Back in 1985, Sylvester Stallone and his crew scouted filming spots for Rocky IV. They landed in Mormon Row, a historic area in Jackson Hole, Wyoming, known for its old wooden barns and breathtaking mountain scenery.
This spot worked perfectly as a stand-in for the remote, icy terrain of Siberia, where Rocky pushes himself through extreme winter training—chopping wood, running through snow, and climbing a towering mountain to prepare for his Christmas Day fight.
The Cabin Wasn’t Even Real
That rustic log cabin where Rocky, Paulie, Duke, and later Adrian stayed? It was built specifically for the movie and doesn’t exist anymore. While Mormon Row still has original homesteads from the 1890s, the Rocky IV cabin was only temporary. Once filming wrapped, it was taken down.
However, you can still visit Mormon Row today and spot some of the same buildings seen in the famous training montage—like the old barns Rocky jogs past during his runs.
Brutal Filming Conditions—Just Like Russia
Even though Wyoming doubled for Russia, the cast and crew didn’t get off easy. Temperatures dropped to -20°F with wind chill, making filming as brutal as Rocky’s training itself.
- Equipment froze, forcing delays.
- Transportation nearly stopped due to deep snow.
- Paulie’s fall into the snow? That wasn’t acting—Burt Young really went down in knee-deep snow for real!
Rocky’s leather bomber jacket became more than just a style statement—it was a necessity in the unforgiving cold. While Stallone battled the elements on screen, the crew fought just as hard behind the scenes just to keep the cameras rolling.
To add to the authenticity, about 40 Jackson Hole locals were hired as extras, appearing in the background as Russian villagers.
Why Wyoming?
You might be wondering why Stallone didn’t just film in actual Russia. In 1985, tensions were still high between the U.S. and the Soviet Union, making on-location filming difficult. Instead, filmmakers chose Wyoming for its untouched landscapes and extreme winter weather—giving it a perfect Siberian feel.
Visit the Real “Russia” from Rocky IV
If you’re a die-hard Rocky fan, visiting Mormon Row in Grand Teton National Park is a must. While the cabin is gone, the historic area remains, letting you step right into one of the most iconic training montages in film history.
Rocky may have trained in “Russia,” but in reality? He was conquering the wilds of Wyoming.
