The much-anticipated film adaptation of Delia Owens’ sweeping 2018 novel has finally arrived in theaters. Directed by Olivia Newman, and written by Lucy Alibar of Beasts of the Southern Wild fame, Where the Crawdads Sing stars Daisy Edgar-Jones as headstrong Kya, who lives alone in the isolated North Carolina marshlands where she is ostracized by her community as the town’s “Marsh Girl.” With two timelines intertwining, it’s an emotionally powerful tale of a young woman and the nature that surrounds her.

While the film takes place in fictional Barkley Cove, much of the scenery was filmed in Louisiana. Specifically, in Houma and the surrounding area. The city’s downtown area was completely transformed for the shoot, with real-life shops being given vintage facades and classic cars lined up to drive through the streets. Locals like Tina Parfait say that it was amazing to see the beautiful downtown area transform into Barkley Cove overnight.

Outside of the city, scenes were also filmed at Fontainebleau State Park in Mandeville and Fairview-Riverside State Park in Madisonville. The area’s vast wetlands were perfect for the movie’s mystical setting, with moss-covered trees and an abundance of natural wildlife. For example, some scenes were filmed along the forested trail at Fontainebleau, which is dotted with water oaks and sweet gums, as well as dog fennel and yaupon. You can even camp in a safari-style tent there if you want to experience the marshes for yourself. For more information on the movie, check out the official website or watch the trailer below.