Where is Sullivan’s Crossing set? All about the fictional town from the series

Sullivan’s Crossing is set in a fictional countryside town in Nova Scotia, Canada. While the town itself doesn’t exist, the show was filmed in various real locations across Nova Scotia to create its scenic mountain backdrop.

Based on Robyn Carr’s book series (she also wrote Virgin River), the story follows neurosurgeon Maggie Sullivan as she returns to her hometown after facing personal and career setbacks.

Though the setting is imaginary, the forests, lakes, and coastline used in filming help create a realistic and emotional atmosphere. These natural features, however, aren’t all found in one real place.

Instead, a variety of filming sites throughout Nova Scotia are utilized to generate the perception of Sullivan’s Crossing. Certain scenes are shot in Timberlea, a countryside region close to Halifax, while additional ones are recorded in locations such as Shubie Park, Windsor, and Fisherman’s Cove. These sites come together to create the unique ambiance of the fictional town

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Sullivan’s Crossing is based on a fictional location

Maggie reconnects with local residents at a gathering in Sullivan’s Crossing’s wooded campsite. (Image via Netflix)

The town of Sullivan’s Crossing is not a real place. It was developed as the backdrop for Robyn Carr’s popular book series, which was subsequently turned into a TV series.

As reported by Variety on August 25, 2022, showrunner Roma Roth selected Nova Scotia as the location to differentiate the series from Virgin River, which is similarly inspired by Carr’s writing. Roth mentioned,

"To ensure the show would feel distinctive from her other adaptation, I decided to set it in Nova Scotia for Nova Scotia."

While the series depicts Sullivan’s Crossing as one location, it was shot in various places throughout Nova Scotia.

Timberlea is part of the Halifax Regional Municipality and covers about 6.72 square kilometers. The Nine Mile River played a key role in the area’s early development, supporting sawmills and lodging. Today, trails like the Bluff Trail and the Beechville-Lakeside-Timberlea (BLT) Trail offer outdoor recreation. Once a semi-rural area, Timberlea has grown into a suburban neighborhood with easy access to Halifax.

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Where Sullivan’s Crossing was filmed in Nova Scotia

A courtroom moment as Maggie faces legal troubles from her past in Boston. (Image via Netflix)

Sullivan’s Crossing was filmed in and around Halifax, Nova Scotia. Key locations include Beaver Bank Road, the former site of the Harold T. Barrett Fun Forest Camp. This location served as the main filming site for the Sullivan’s Crossing campground. The surrounding areas, including lakes and forest trails, helped establish the visual tone of the show.

Other locations used include Shubie Park in Dartmouth, which appears as the trails and picnic areas in the series. Fisherman’s Cove, a restored 200-year-old fishing village near Halifax, was used for scenes depicting fictional Timberlake’s downtown. Oakfield Provincial Park and Lawrencetown Beach also appear in the show, adding to the visual consistency of the setting.

In an interview with Decider on October 5, 2023, actor Chad Michael Murray described filming in Nova Scotia as peaceful and immersive. He said,

“We’re out on the water, we’re on the lake [in] nature, and you’re just one with the world.”

His co-star Scott Patterson echoed the sentiment, noting that the surroundings reflect the warmth and welcoming nature portrayed in the series.

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How production created Sullivan’s Crossing from multiple towns

Chad Michael Murray as Cal at the campground during an evening scene. (Image via Prime)

The production crew created various custom sets to enhance the town’s look. Among these were medical facilities and general stores. The Harold T. Barrett camp served to symbolize the campground owned by Maggie’s father. The Great Trail and Fairbanks Centre in Shubie Park were utilized to film numerous community scenes.

Drone imagery of seaside spots such as Peggy’s Cove was utilized as transitional visuals during the series. These images link the imaginary town to the actual geography of Nova Scotia. Additional sites, such as Agricola Street in Halifax and Eastern Passage, were also recorded to broaden the range of the fictional town of Timberlake.

In reality, hurricanes frequently occur in Nova Scotia. Season 2 features a plotline centered around a hurricane, reflecting actual occurrences such as Hurricane Lee, which struck the area in September 2023. The performance utilizes oil lamps and various practical instruments to illustrate power failures, accurately mirroring local circumstances.

Sullivan’s Crossing is an imaginary location inspired by actual sites throughout Nova Scotia. Even though the town is fictional, the places featured in the series are real and enhance the story's authenticity. Set against the steady backdrop of Nova Scotia, the imaginative realm of Sullivan’s Crossing is brought to life through thoughtful location choices and intricate set design.