Silverwood Theme Park

State: Idaho. Type: amusement and water park near Athol in Kootenai County, northern Idaho, about 47 miles from Spokane, Washington. Opened June 20, 1988, founded by Gary Norton on the former Henley Aerodrome site. Spans about 413 acres with more than 70 rides, slides, shows and attractions, including several roller coasters and the included Boulder Beach Water Park (opened 2003). Described as the northernmost major theme park in the United States. Operating season runs roughly May through late October. Address: 27843 US-95, Athol, ID 83801.

Silverwood Theme Park is the largest amusement park in the Inland Northwest and, by its own description, the northernmost major theme park in the United States, set on about 413 acres of forested land near the small town of Athol in northern Idaho. It opened in 1988, the creation of founder Gary Norton, who had bought the former Henley Aerodrome property earlier in the decade, and it grew over the following decades from a modest Victorian-themed attraction into a full-scale park with more than 70 rides, shows and attractions. The lineup includes multiple roller coasters, among them wooden and steel rides and a looping coaster, alongside family rides, live entertainment, a narrow-gauge steam train, restaurants and gardens. In 2003 the park added Boulder Beach Water Park, whose wave pool, slides and lazy river are included with regular admission, making Silverwood a combined dry-and-wet destination. Each fall the park transforms for Scarywood, a Halloween haunt event running on October evenings. Roughly 47 miles from Spokane, Washington, and set amid the lakes and forests of the Idaho Panhandle, Silverwood is a leading family draw for the wider region during its warm-season operating window.

Silverwood is located near Athol in Kootenai County, in the northern Idaho Panhandle, at 27843 US-95, Athol, ID 83801, directly on U.S. Highway 95. It sits about 47 miles from Spokane, Washington, amid the forests and lake country of northern Idaho, and covers approximately 413 acres. The setting places it within easy reach of the Coeur d'Alene area and other Panhandle recreation.

The park is in northern Idaho's Panhandle, which has warm, relatively dry summers and cold, snowy winters, which is why Silverwood operates seasonally rather than year-round. Peak summer days are typically warm and pleasant, well suited to both the rides and Boulder Beach's water attractions, though afternoons can get hot and occasional summer thunderstorms are possible. Spring and fall operating days can be cooler, so visitors early or late in the season should bring layers. Water-park areas are most enjoyable during the warmest midsummer weeks.

The park operates roughly from May through late October, and the warmest summer weeks, especially July and August, are ideal for combining the rides with Boulder Beach Water Park. Weekdays during summer generally see smaller crowds than weekends. Visitors specifically wanting the Halloween Scarywood event should come on its October evening dates, while those who prefer milder crowds and cooler weather may choose the shoulder ends of the season. Always check the park's operational calendar, since operating days vary by month.

Silverwood traces back to founder Gary Norton, who acquired the former Henley Aerodrome property in 1981 and developed it into a theme park that opened on June 20, 1988. The park began with a Victorian mining-town theme and expanded steadily over the years, adding roller coasters and other attractions to reach its present total of more than 70 rides, shows and attractions across roughly 413 acres. A major addition came in 2003 with Boulder Beach Water Park, folded into standard admission. From 2001 to 2021 the park used the cartoon cat Garfield as an official mascot for its theming. In 2009 it launched Scarywood, an after-dark Halloween haunt event held on October evenings. The park operated for decades under Norton's ownership; in 2026 it was acquired by Herschend Family Entertainment, a large family-entertainment operator.

Visitors ride the park's collection of roller coasters and family attractions, take in live shows and entertainment, and ride the narrow-gauge steam train that circles part of the property. Boulder Beach Water Park, included with admission, adds a wave pool, water slides and a lazy river for cooling off on hot days. The park also offers restaurants, snack stands and landscaped gardens, plus seasonal special events, most notably the Scarywood Halloween haunt on October evenings. Families can mix thrill rides, gentler kiddie attractions and the water park across a full day.

Signature attractions include the park's roller coasters, among them a looping coaster and wooden and steel rides, along with numerous family and children's rides. The included Boulder Beach Water Park, with its wave pool, slides and lazy river, is a highlight in warm weather. The narrow-gauge steam train, live-entertainment venues, restaurants and gardens round out the park. In fall, the Scarywood haunt event reworks the park for Halloween season.

Silverwood sits directly on U.S. Highway 95 near Athol, about 47 miles from Spokane, Washington, making it an easy drive from Spokane and from the Coeur d'Alene area of northern Idaho. Most visitors arrive by car and use the park's on-site parking. The nearest major commercial airport is Spokane International Airport in Washington; from there, travelers typically rent a car for the drive to the park. Confirm current parking details and any fees on the park's website before visiting.

The park operates seasonally, roughly May through late October, and daily operating hours and open days vary by month, so Silverwood directs visitors to its online operational calendar for exact schedules. During portions of the season the park runs primarily on weekends before shifting to more days in peak summer, and Scarywood runs on October evenings. Check the park's official calendar for the specific date you plan to visit.

As of research, single-day tickets purchased online were listed at about $75 for ages 8-64 and about $48 for children ages 3-7 and guests 65 and older, with tickets costing roughly $10 more if bought at the gate; children under 3 are generally free. Admission includes both the theme park and Boulder Beach Water Park. Season passes, group rates and special-event tickets are offered separately. Because pricing changes, confirm current rates on the park's official ticket page before purchasing.

Silverwood is a full-day destination; most visitors plan an entire day to ride the coasters, see shows, ride the train and spend time at Boulder Beach Water Park. Families wanting a more relaxed pace, or those visiting on a hot day who want extended water-park time, sometimes plan two days or use a multi-day ticket option.

The park is set in a rural area near Athol, so most overnight visitors stay in the broader northern Idaho region, with a range of hotels, motels, resorts, cabins and vacation rentals concentrated around the Coeur d'Alene area to the south and other Panhandle communities. Campgrounds and RV facilities are also available in the surrounding lake country. Check current options and distances when booking, since lodging is spread across the region rather than immediately adjacent to the park.

Inside the park, Silverwood offers its own restaurants and snack stands as part of the visit. Off-site dining near Athol is limited given the rural setting, so many visitors eat within the park or in the larger towns of the region, particularly the Coeur d'Alene area to the south, which has a full range of restaurants. Plan meals around the park day, as immediate off-site options near the entrance are sparse.

The northern Idaho Panhandle around Silverwood offers lake-and-forest recreation, including nearby Farragut State Park on Lake Pend Oreille and the resort city of Coeur d'Alene on its namesake lake to the south. The broader region, including Sandpoint and Lake Pend Oreille to the north, makes Silverwood an easy add-on to a wider Panhandle trip.

The nearest major commercial airport is Spokane International Airport in Washington, about an hour's drive west of the park; from there most visitors rent a car. There is no passenger rail or significant public transit to the park's rural location, so a personal or rental vehicle is essential, and Silverwood provides on-site parking.

Follow all posted ride restrictions; roller coasters and thrill rides carry height, health and age requirements, so check signage before queuing, especially with children. At Boulder Beach, supervise children closely around water, heed lifeguards and posted rules, and use life vests where provided for weaker swimmers. In summer heat, drink plenty of water, wear sunscreen and take breaks in the shade. Wear secure footwear and keep track of your group and meeting points in the large park. For any emergency on-site, alert park staff or dial 911.

Bring sunscreen, a hat, sunglasses and a refillable water bottle for hot summer days, plus a swimsuit, towel and water shoes for Boulder Beach. A change of clothes and a small bag or locker items for wet gear are handy, as are comfortable walking shoes for the dry rides. Early- and late-season visitors should pack a light layer for cooler weather, and a portable charger helps for a full day out.

Buy tickets online in advance to save money over gate prices and time at entry, and check the park's operational calendar for your date, since open days and hours vary by month across the May-to-late-October season. Arrive near opening to get ahead of crowds on popular coasters, and plan Boulder Beach for the warmest part of the day. Bring swim gear so you can use the included water park, and consider a weekday visit in summer for shorter lines. If visiting in October, check Scarywood dates and note it is an after-dark, more intense event.

For any emergency, dial 911, the nationwide emergency number in the United States, or alert park staff on-site. For non-emergency questions about visiting, Silverwood's customer service line, as listed on its official site, is 208-683-3400.

Silverwood Theme Park - https://www.silverwoodthemepark.com

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This section is being updated and will be available shortly.

This section is being updated and will be available shortly.