High Chaparral - The place where gun safety goes to die. All in all, a great experience, but with some notable downsides.
The theme park itself is one-of-a-kind in Sweden and Scandinavia. Its theme is centered around the classical idea of the Wild West, with "Indians vs. Cowboys", Pioneers and Settlers, Trappers, Zorro, Mexico and the Civil War all intermingled.
The parking is widespread, but it really needs some kind of pedestrian walkway or sidewalk. Right now, you'll end up walking down the main road with your family while hundreds of distracted drivers are cruising by, desperately looking for a parking spot.
By the entrance you will face a long and winding queue during peak season. The good thing is that this queue is rather fast moving, because of the online booking in advance policy. But if you're here during peak season, this will not be your last queue. Inside the park, you will face queue after queue for most things. Entering the gun store, ordering hamburgers at a restaurant, boarding the paddle-steamer, buying a ticket for the train, etc. We waited for over 40 minutes before having our burgers, and were lucky to get a seat as seating is extremely limited. Bringing your own food will greatly increase your experience. There are even a few grills scattered around the park for you.
The major disappointments were: (1) the unclean bathrooms; (2) the non-existent enforcement or encouragement of pandemic precautions; and (3) the general lack of [drinking] water taps and hand sanitizers.
As for hand sanitizers, there were hand sanitizers in a few locations, but these had been deliberately camouflaged to fit in with the style of the theme park, so they were pretty much invisible to the naked eye. As for drinking water, we found the occasional water tap for dogs, and hidden away behind a fence, a sole lonely water tap presumably for human use.
Age-wise, I would say the park is best suited for kids aged 7-13. It enhances the experience if the kids are already familiar with Zorro, Lucky Luke and the classical tropes of settlers, pioneers, trappers, "indians" and "cowboys". Bring your own food, drink and hand sanitizer would be my advice for parents, and you will have a great time as long as you have fortunate weather.
2022 Update: Hand sanitizers are slightly...
Read moreHigh Chaparral is so much more than a theme park — it’s a living, breathing memory machine. From the moment you step into the dusty streets lined with saloons and old Western facades, you’re transported to the world of cowboys, Native Americans, gold miners, and steam trains. Every little detail — the stagecoach rides, the wooden toys, the smell of smoke from the old steam engine — reminds you of legendary Westerns like The Good, the Bad and the Ugly, Rio Bravo, Mackenna’s Gold, or Dances with Wolves. If you grew up watching shows like Zorro or reading Huckleberry Finn, this place will strike a deep nostalgic chord.
The park brings to life the spirit of American frontier times with a Scandinavian twist — complete with exciting street performances, cowboy duels, and even a spicy Mexican food court that makes you feel like you’ve traveled from Michigan to Mexico City in minutes. It’s a celebration of cultural storytelling and imagination, filled with nods to film legends like Clint Eastwood, Steve McQueen, Charles Bronson, Yul Brynner, and directors like John Ford. Whether you’re a family with kids or a grown-up looking to relive old movie dreams, High Chaparral is a beautifully designed, deeply emotional, and surprisingly...
Read moreHigh Chaparral is often advertised as a park where you don’t need to speak Swedish, but in reality, many of the stories and shows are entirely in Swedish. If you only speak English or another language, it’s hard to follow, and a lot of the experience is lost.
✅ What was good: ✔ Nice Western atmosphere: The park has an authentic feel and brings the Wild West to life. ✔ Beautiful scenery and decorations: The buildings and surroundings are well-designed, adding to the immersive experience.
❌ What could be better: ✖ Language barrier: Many shows and stories are entirely in Swedish, making it difficult to follow if you don’t understand the language. ✖ Price vs. value: The park is quite expensive for what it offers. The admission price is high compared to the overall experience. ✖ No real attractions: Even though High Chaparral is listed as an "amusement park" on Google Maps, there are no real rides or thrilling attractions. ✖ Not ideal for children: My kids didn’t fully enjoy the experience, which was disappointing for a family outing. ✖ Expensive camping: The campsite afterward was also very pricey, making the overall trip even...
Read more