Setting out to discover (or rediscover) some of Colorado’s most iconic theme park attractions this summer? Buckle up: You’re in for a wild ride.
From Lakeside Amusement Park’s neon-lit nostalgia to animatronic dinos roaring in a dim cave at Water World plus mountain-top thrills that come with stunning views that will take your breath away, here are seven of the state’s most iconic theme park attractions, ranked according to our research and subjectivity.
No. 7: Mind Eraser at Elitch Gardens Theme and Water Park
Elitch Gardens has several contenders for uniquely Colorado rides. Take the 100-foot-tall, multicolored Ferris Wheel that lights up Denver’s skyline. Or how about the Tower of Doom that ascends 200 feet in the air, showing off panoramic views of the Mile High City before its abrupt plunge? There’s also the Kaleidoscope, which was created in collaboration with Meow Wolf.
But the most iconic is the Mind Eraser, the turquoise and cherry red rollercoaster with double corkscrews that made its debut in 1997. It rips along at 50 miles per hour (which is faster than traffic moves on nearby Interestate 25 during rush hour) with riders’ legs and feet dangling as they zip through dives and twists.
Pricing: On-sale tickets online start at $34.99. Kids 2 and under are free. 2000 Elitch Circle, Denver; elitchgardens.com
No. 6: Centennial Basin at Water World
OK, so I have a water park bias (that’s why there are two Water World rides on this list). But hear me out: Centennial Basin, with its blue, red and yellow colors, was designed to resemble the Colorado state flag. The two-person tube ride zips down an enclosed tunnel before swirling around in a large open bowl, then dropping down for a final splash. It’s one of the newer rides at Water World and is next to Roaring Forks, a two-lane water coaster where racing is encouraged.
Pricing: Day tickets start at $34.99 for children (under 47 inches), $39.99 for general admission and $14.99 for seniors 60 and older if you purchase online. Walk-up tickets at the gate are $44.99 for children, $54.99 for general admission and $14.99 for seniors. 8801 N. Pecos St., Federal Heights; waterworldcolorado.com
No. 5: Forest Flyer Alpine Coaster at Vail’s Epic Discovery
Alpine coasters are all the rage in Colorado and a fun way to enjoy ski resorts in the summer. These sled-style coasters feature hand brakes so really it’s a choose-your-own adventure: Zoom down the mountain as fast you can or take a slow and scenic ride, enjoying the crisp mountain air.
The Forest Flyer at Vail’s Epic Discovery has some 3,500 feet of track and features 360-degree loops that glide through the trees. When you factor in the ascent, the ride lasts about seven minutes. As the captain of your coaster, you can get up to 25 miles per hour on the tracks.
Vail’s mountain top adventure center is located at the top of the Eagle Bahn Gondola in Lionshead and also has a rock climbing wall and bungee trampoline.
Pricing: Forest Flyer tickets start at $35, but you’ll need a scenic gondola lift ticket, too, which starts at $55 for adults. Kids 12 and under ride free with an adult purchase of a Scenic Ride Ticket. Or, an adventure pass purchased online starts at $142 and includes three rides on the Forest Flyer Mountain Coaster and unlimited uses on all other activities and includes the gondola lift ticket. 520 E. Lionshead Circle; vail.com
No. 4: Defiance at Glenwood Caverns Adventure Park
Park-goers arrive and depart Glenwood Caverns Adventure Park via a scenic gondola, which gives this mountaintop park instant Colorado cred. Up top, the park feels like a mining-town-meets-theme-park. The crown jewel is Defiance, an eight-seat roller coaster that opened last year. Located at an elevation of 7,132 feet, it’s the highest looping roller coaster in the United States. As for its 110-foot freefall? It’s the steepest in the Western United States. And the views? They’re harder to quantify, but are guaranteed to be dramatic.
Roller coaster riders who can keep their eyes open during the 58-second thrill are treated to views of the Colorado and Roaring Fork Rivers, Mount Sopris, Glenwood Canyon — and, for a brief moment, can see the beautiful landscapes from an upside-down perspective. For a longer ride at the park, hop on the Alpine Coaster that races down 3,400 feet of track and comes with stunning views, fresh mountain air, and zips along fields of wildflowers.
Pricing: Summer Funday tickets are $64 for kids (ages 3-12) and $69 for adults (ages 13 and up) and includes the gondola ride, attractions and cave tours. Children under age 3 are free. 51000 Two Rivers Plaza Road, Glenwood Springs;.glenwoodcaverns.com
No. 3: Skycoaster at Royal Gorge Bridge and Park
Somehow the scariest ride in Colorado is also one of the most scenic, which creates an interesting cocktail of emotions. Secured in a harness, the Skycoaster hoists riders up a 100-foot tower and then catapults them Superman-style across the Royal Gorge. If you can forget for a moment that you’re dangling 1,200 feet above the Arkansas River, the views are quite stunning: towering rock walls with the rambling river striping the bottom of the canyon.
The Skycoaster tops out at speeds of 50 miles per hour and is a good warmup for skydivers or bungee jumpers. Riders can fly solo, in a pair or as part of a trio. As many as 20,000 people ride the Skycoaster each year at the Royal Gorge Bridge and Park.
Pricing: Admission tickets are $27 for children (ages 3-11) and $32 for adults (ages 12 and up). Children 2 and younger are free. The Skycoaster is an “extra pay” ride. One rider is $38; two riders are $66 and three riders are $87. 4218 County Road 3A, Cañon City; royalgorgebridge.com
No. 2: Voyage to the Center of the Earth at Water World
In an era of high-tech water rollercoasters and surf simulators that can churn out waves (Water World has both), the Voyage to the Center of the Earth and its cast of animatronic dinosaurs remains a top attraction at the 70-acre water park in Federal Heights.
Referred to lovingly as the “dinosaur ride” by locals, the tube attraction made its debut in 1993. It was built by Sally Industries in Canada and cost $380,000, says Joann Cortez, spokeswoman for Water World. The ride takes guests through a simulated underground cave that’s filled with animated prehistoric sea and flying creatures, dinosaurs, and a giant T-Rex. There are also drops and splashes in store.
Pricing: Day tickets start at $34.99 for children (under 47 inches), $39.99 for general admission and $14.99 for seniors 60 and older if you purchase online. Walk-up tickets at the gate are $44.99 for children, $54.99 for general admission and $14.99 for seniors.
8801 N. Pecos St., Federal Heights; waterworldcolorado.com
No. 1: The Wild Chipmunk at Lakeside Amusement Park
On a recent night in June, a friend and I shelled out $20 apiece for all-you-can-ride wristbands at Lakeside, a time capsule that basks in neon lights. I climbed into “Alvin,” a red and blue cart lined in padding and outfitted with handrails but absent restraints. The cart creaked up the tracks toward the Wild Chipmunk’s vintage sign that you can spot glowing above Sheridan Boulevard, several of its warm white bulbs burned out.
My introduction to The Wild Chipmunk was way back during an end-of-the-year field trip in elementary school. I remember feeling as though the cart was going to careen right off the track and launch toward the lake right before it made a last-millisecond sharp turn and continued on a series of tight S curves. Decades later, I’ll tell you what: The Wild Chipmunk gets you every single time with those hairpin turns.
The Wild Chipmunk has a knack for making Coloradans wax nostalgic and is also a draw for coaster lovers in search of mouse tracks (i.e., flat tracks with tight turns built for single cars).
A note to fellow amusement park enthusiasts: Lakeside’s Cyclone wooden roller coaster wasn’t open for the season yet during my visit, but a ride operator told me they were aiming for mid-July. If you’re going for just a few rides, you’re probably better off paying the $5 admission to the park and buying separate ride tickets.
Pricing: Unlimited ride wristbands are $20 for adults and $15 for children under 48 inches on Monday, Wednesday, Thursday and Friday (the park is closed Tuesday) and $30 for adults and $25 for children under 48 inches on Saturday and Sunday. Or you can purchase a $5 admission to the park and individual ride tickets. Rides end up costing between 50 cents and $3. 4601 Sheridan Boulevard, Lakeside; lakesideamusementpark.com
