Northwest Amusement Parks
A Thrill-Seekers Guide to Theme Parks in Oregon and Idaho
Visitors in search of adventure and fun in the Northwest, enjoy the amusement of the Enchanted Forest, Thrillville U.S.A. and Silverwood.
Enchanted Forest and Thrillville U.S.A.
Located just south of Salem, Oregon, along Interstate 5, the Enchanted Forest theme park is a destination for fun and adventure. The park consists of fantasy lands to explore and exciting rides for all ages. The handcrafted Storybook Lane, incorporates the themes of Alice in Wonderland, Humpty Dumpty, and many additional childhood stories and tales. Try walking through the Crooked Man’s House or slide down the home of the Old Lady Who Lived in a Shoe. Beware of entering the Haunted House, where witches and goblins dwell.
Other areas of the park include an English Village, Western Town and Summer Comedy Theatre. At the English Village, children can enter Pinnocchio’s playhouse or stop at Ye Old World Village. Many exhibits include animatronics, used to make the village come alive! Water also comes alive, as the Fantasy Fountains Water-Light Show treats visitors to a 15-minute performance of music, color and dancing water. With 359 water jets, be amazed at this spectacular show. Try your luck at the shooting gallery or pan for gold at Western Town. In this area of the park, visitors can explore Fort Fearless and the underground tunnels.
Perhaps the most thrilling part of the Enchanted Forest is the amusement rides. The Big Timber Log Ride is the biggest log ride in the Northwest, ending in a huge 40-foot drop, giving participants a cool splash of water. Other rides include the Ice Mountain Bobsleds, with twisting turns and views of the entire park or Mondor’s Challenge, the newest park ride, where visitors take a magical adventure and fight dragons.
Just next door to the Enchanted Forest, is Thrillville U.S.A. As its name states, this amusement park is packed with excitement and thrills. Visitors can ride The Ripper, the park’s prominent roller coaster. The park offers all the usual favorites such as Tilt-A-Whirl and the Oct-O-Pus. Visitors cool off by riding down the 2 giant spiral water slides, reaching lengths of 350 feet of twists and turns.
Silverwood
The largest theme park in the Northwest, Silverwood, is located in Idaho, just north of Coeur d’Alene. The park theme relates to the region’s mining history, created by its designer as a “transportation-inspired museum and theme park.” The park consists of 65 rides and attractions, ranging from roller coasters and amusement rides to water slides and wave pools. At Coaster Alley, ride on the park’s two wooden coasters, Tremors and Timber Terror, screaming and shrieking your way up and down and around on the ride. Visitors to Boulder Beach are sure to find a way to cool off from the hot Northwest summer sun in two large wave pools or Polliwog Park, a water park for kids. Thrill seekers can take a ride down Velocity Peak, where sliders reach speeds up to 55 mph! Avalanche Mountain is the park’s newest and biggest slide, measuring 650 feet in length. The rides and slides at Silverwood are sure to fulfill many adventure-seekers aspirations!
Most theme parks in the Northwest are open from May until October, when the weather is warm, if not hot. Make sure to wear protective clothing or sunscreen, when exposed to the sun for long periods of time. Make sure to follow the park’s safety guidelines and rules.
