Silverwood Theme Park — Attraction in Hayden

Despite my initial reservations, I ended up having a great time at this theme park. I usually detest theme parks because they involve standing in long lines all day in the hot sun. Surprisingly, the lines here were pretty short. We attended on a Saturday in late May. Average line length was probably 10 min. on the short end, 30 min. on the long end. (I was just a chaperone on a student band trip, so kind of an adult in the background. As such, rides weren't my main priority but rather survival.)

I found the following attractions enjoyable:

The train ride. It follows an amusing loop through mining locations and wildlife, etc., but the fun part is the on-train character hosts who not only narrate the tour but engage in some "off-script" shooting contests and shenanigans.

The magic show. I was expecting a cheesy kids magic show. Was blown away by the level of magic here. It felt like something you might see in Las Vegas, with people and objects disappearing/reappearing in ways that mesmerized me. It was just as entertaining for adults as children, with the added bonus of being in a cool, dark theatre.

Our large group (120 band students) performed on a lawn and had lunch in pavilions by the chuckwagon. The pavilions worked well, but the concert lawn was removed from the main park attractions and isolated from the rest of the park, weirdly enough. As such, guests likely don't see/enjoy the performers, just parents. I would recommend having band concerts play in the entry way where people pool up before the gates open (nothing else to do there but enjoy the show) or somewhere closer to attractions so that passing guests can enjoy the music and so that band performers can feel more seen. How about near some of the eatery places, so that park guests sitting down to eat can enjoy some music.

Additionally, the parents have to sit on an open lawn, baking in the sun, to watch. How about including an awning there? I swear I nearly died in the sun trying to record my daughter playing the saxophone.

Finally, just a comment on Mainstreet USA, which is like a Disneyland clone here. It's fine to look to the past (e.g., 1890-1910) and reflect fondly about a time when life was simpler and more wholesome/enjoyable, but recognize that this nostalgia is a psychological delusion. The selective history ignores the racial segregation, immigrant exploitation, suppression of female votes/voices, emerging industrial revolution that changed cities into squalid factories, and other hardships of the time.

It's common for each generation to look nostalgically at the past, and it was the same for people of this same 1890-1910 time period, who romanticized the country life and quiet gardens in contrast to emerging factory lives. These little towns lack economic strength to survive; they all become economically stagnate and depressed over time. The never-ending ragtime music is wearingly cliche. Scott Joplin is played non-stop on all speakers from dawn to dusk here. How about mixing up the music a bit more?

In the train station near the train ride, there's a newspaper you can read. I hoped that it might be a real newspaper with events from the time. Sadly, it was just hidden advertisements for the candy store and ice cream shop, with some references to sasquatch citings. I recommend that Silverwood take a more balanced view of history and provide a replica of an actual newspaper of the time. Sure, escapism and imagining a fictitious town is fun for a moment, but most people prefer to pepper in their amusement with a more...

I love this park!! Just went for my 9th or 10th trip and I always go for multiple days. Last time I went was July of 2021 when Stunt Pilot was very new and this 2025 trip was better in every way from my previous one. My main go to rides are always Roller Coasters so let's start there

I got 48 rides on their current 5 coasters, Stunt Pilot got the most as it's my favorite ride at the park... Tremors which got the Seismic upgrade this year I got 15 rides. Both of these coasters have 2 trains so even though I strongly suggest these as MUST RIDE, I would go ride their other 3 coasters first maybe as they get bigger lines espically Timber Terror which will get the same upgrade that Tremors recieved in the next 5 years (I'm guessing) So it'll have 2 trains at some point. Aftershock their most intense ride was not too long of a wait. about 10 minutes and corkscrew which just turned 50 this year is running well for it's age. I do wish Silverwood could add some padding to that train. It's not that comfy Aftershock and Corkscrew were both Relocated, Corkscrew from Knotts berry farm in 1990 and Aftershock from Six Flags Great America in 2008. I love that they didn't let these 2 rides just be demolished. Instead they got saved and were both given 2nd chances and aftershock is very Reliable given it's clones around the world are being demolished.

I go on the train ride everytime I come, it's one of the best train rides in the world. leaves every hour on the hour. it takes you around the property and you get a show half way thru. (they have a sign that shows which show you're going to get)

This trip was the first time I saw the magic show which is on main street and is a must watch. I was very impressed how amazing it was and they bring an audience member or 2 up to the stage as well.

Boulder Beach Waterpark is great to spend the day in. They got a BUNCH of slides around the waterpark, includes a speedy slide area called Velocity Peak where it's just you and the waterslide going 55MPH, A Lazy River and 2 Wave Pools. They did a big expansion last year and gave it a Dual Water Coaster called Eagle Hunt, Salmon Run which is a bunch of kiddie slides, cabannas to rent and a Rapids Grilled food place

Food is great for the price you pay for and the Employees were all friendly and espically the staff running Tremors and Stunt Pilot were pumping them trains out super quick

Overall I'd easily recommend Silverwood and I will for sure be back when Timber Terror gets the Tremors upgrade or when a new Coaster gets added or they Relocate another ride. (I do know Six Flags America is closing so maybe they save a Coaster there. Like maybe Jokers Jinx as that is a Launch Coaster and having a launch coaster is a great next coaster idea...

TLDR tips: Bring snacks and a water bottle bring 2 pairs of shoes, water shoes and a comfy pair that can get wet or have water shoes on hand for amusement side. sunscreen!! Sun shirts, sun protection!! -bring buddies or kids -store your stuff in the water park lockers

My partner and I made the trek out here on Monday 8/26. The park was alright, many of the thrilling rides were closed down while we were there which was a bit of a bummer. The line for one of the water rides was insanely long and it was not shaded, it also does not have anywhere to leave your stuff so anything you have on you goes on the ride with you (be warned, you will get very wet). We cut our time on the amusement side short due to the lack of rides we were interested in and the long lines. We went over to the water park side where we had stored our stuff at the beginning of the day (highly reccomend these lockers for this reason) you cannot exit this side of the park without street clothes and carrying all of your stuff all day does not sound ideal. The lazy river was packed, even for a monday. Lots of kids and adults but the swim up bar is kind of cool. Drinks are weak but tasty, probably because consuming alcohol and swimming is a safety issue. We rented a tube for 10$ and floated through the sea of screaming children, lifeguards constantly blowing their whistles, and occasional quiet music. I understand the whistle blowing and the kids having a good time, but would not mind the music being audible (doesn't need to be loud) throughout the loop. It would also be wonderful if they had adults only days/hours (maybe they do?). The cost of 10$ for the tube is a bit high, but with the many children around I can also see frequent damage being done to the tubes to drive up this price. Lockers being 10$ /day is completely reasonable.

If I were to go again, I would bring more people and maybe kiddos. I would also bring a second pair of more comfortable shoes. We brought snacks and water bottles which I would do again, food and drink are pricey here so I appreciate being able to bring a small cooler. You can also leave the park to grab lunch from your car, not sure about leaving the lot though. I would also reccomend sun protection clothing and hats that can be secured with a strap. We applied sunscreen every 2 hours and still managed to burn (we are very pale).

Would I do it again? Under the right circumstances with more people and maybe kids. Probably closer to off season when it is less crowded, the long-term lines on some of the rides really did make it so we did not want to ride some of the less...