Why The Pioneer Woman REFUSES to Film at Home: The Shocking Truth Behind the ‘Lodge’ You Never Knew!

When you tune into The Pioneer Woman, the warm, inviting kitchen where Ree Drummond whips up her famous dishes feels like the heart of her home.

But surprisingly, it’s not her actual house.

Instead, Ree films her show and does much of her food-related work in a separate building known simply as “the lodge.”

The lodge isn’t just a filming location—it’s a multifunctional hub where Ree tests new recipes, writes and photographs for her cookbooks, and even throws lively parties.

It’s a far cry from a sterile studio, described by fans as “lived in” and brimming with personality.

Despite its busyness, Ree admits she sometimes wishes it were more organized, especially when visitors poke around the drawers during public tours.

Yes, you read that right—Ree’s lodge is open to the public! Visitors can tour the space between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m. on scheduled days, with free tickets available at her Mercantile store.

Guests get an intimate peek behind the scenes, asking questions and exploring the nooks and crannies of the lodge, making it a unique destination for fans.

Interestingly, it wasn’t Ree’s idea to open the lodge for tours.

That credit goes to her husband, Ladd Drummond, who saw an opportunity to expand visitors’ experiences beyond the Mercantile and restaurant in rural Pawhuska, Oklahoma.

Though Ree initially worried about the unpaved 18-mile road to the lodge—fearing flat tires and difficult access—Ladd pointed out that fans were already making the trip to their store and eatery.

Opening the lodge was a natural next step.

The lodge sits just two miles from Ree and Ladd’s actual home, which remains a private sanctuary.

Originally built in the 1950s, the lodge was Ladd’s home when he first met Ree.

In 2008, they remodeled it intending to use it as a guest house.

While it didn’t quite become a traditional guest house, it now serves as a home base for the show’s crew, who stay in its four bedrooms during filming.

Beyond lodging, the lodge boasts a test kitchen, prep space, an office, and even a prop room—everything needed to meet the demands of Ree’s booming culinary and business ventures.

This separation from her personal residence is intentional.

Ree explained to Parade magazine that having a dedicated workspace away from her home helps maintain a healthy work-life balance.

“If it had to be at our house, I don’t think we could do any of it because our house is definitely the real world,” she said.

The lodge gives her a place to “close the door” and just be herself—often in yoga pants—without the pressures of home life creeping in.

Fans who have toured the lodge have noticed its down-to-earth vibe.

Despite Ree’s celebrity status, the pantry is stocked with everyday, accessible ingredients—including some generic brands, ramen noodles, and even canned frosting.

This approachability is part of what endears her to viewers, showing that her cooking is grounded in real life, not just TV glamor.

Visitors also appreciate the old-fashioned directions provided to reach the lodge, rather than a GPS address.

It’s a charming nod to the frontier spirit that defines Ree’s brand and lifestyle.

The lodge experience doesn’t end with the tour.

After exploring the filming site, guests can return to the Mercantile’s café for light bites and sweet treats—a perfect way to cap off a day steeped in the Pioneer Woman’s world.

All of this reveals the balancing act Ree Drummond expertly manages between public life and private sanctuary.

By keeping her home off-limits to cameras and fans, she protects her family’s privacy while still inviting the world into her culinary universe through the lodge.

In an age when celebrity chefs often blur the lines between personal and professional lives, Ree’s choice to separate her filming space from her home stands out.

It’s a reminder that even stars need boundaries—and that sometimes, the best way to share your passion is to create a special place just for it.

So next time you watch The Pioneer Woman, remember: the cozy kitchen you see on screen is a carefully crafted space designed to inspire, create, and entertain—while Ree’s real home remains a peaceful refuge, far from the cameras and crowds.