
Oregon's Enchanted Forest: A Nostalgic and Whimsical Escape Nestled in a lush forest setting in Turner, Oregon, the Enchanted Forest theme park offers a unique and charmingly nostalgic experience for visitors of all ages. This family-built and operated park, a beloved Oregon institution since 1971, transports guests to a world of fairy tales, whimsical attractions, and imaginative rides. A Stroll Through Storybook Lane and Beyond The heart of the Enchanted Forest is Storybook Lane, a winding path through a dense forest where classic nursery rhymes and fairy tales come to life with concrete sculptures and miniature houses. Visitors can slide down the Old Lady Who Lived in a Shoe's slide, peek into the Seven Dwarfs' cottage, and navigate the crooked paths of the Crooked Man's house. Beyond Storybook Lane, the park expands into several distinct areas. Tofteville Western Town offers a classic frontier experience, while the Old European Village is home to the mesmerizing Fantasy Fountains, a captivating water and light show synchronized to music. Rides and Attractions: From Gentle to Thrilling The Enchanted Forest boasts a variety of rides that cater to a range of thrill levels. The Ice Mountain Bobsleds, a classic roller coaster, sends riders on a winding journey through a mountain. For a more interactive experience, the Challenge of Mondor is a trackless dark ride where guests use laser blasters to battle mythical creatures. The Big Timber Log Ride provides a refreshing splashdown on warm days. Younger visitors can enjoy a selection of gentler rides, including a carousel and bumper cars. A Unique and Handcrafted Charm What sets the Enchanted Forest apart from larger theme parks is its undeniable handcrafted charm. The park was built by hand by creator Roger Tofte and his family, and this personal touch is evident in every detail, from the quirky character sculptures to the intricate design of the buildings. This gives the park a unique, and at times delightfully quirky, atmosphere that many visitors find endearing. Is it for Everyone? The Enchanted Forest holds a special place in the hearts of those who grew up visiting, with many adults returning to share the nostalgic experience with their own children. While the park is particularly well-suited for families with young children, many adults also appreciate its whimsical and less commercialized feel. However, thrill-seekers accustomed to the high-octane rides of larger amusement parks might find the selection limited. Know Before You Go The park operates on a pay-as-you-go system for rides, in addition to a general admission fee. This can be a budget-friendly option for those who don't intend to go on many rides. It's advisable to check the park's official website for current admission prices and ride ticket costs. In an era of high-tech theme parks, the Enchanted Forest offers a refreshing and authentic experience, rooted in imagination and creativity. It's a place where fairy tales feel real and the simple joys of a day at the park...
Read moreWe went yesterday with a 3yo and a 16yo and had an absolute blast! The roller coaster was closed, but they offered a discounted entry to compensate. Everything is in pretty good repair, the park is clean and tidy, and it’s just as magical as I remember from my own childhood.
We rode the log flume, and please learn from my experience — just buy the $3 poncho so you don’t have to buy a change of clothes afterward! The kiddie rides were also great, my rambunctious 3yo tolerated them fairly well. The operators are really friendly and kind, and even offered for us to let them know if we needed off the kiddie rides early. There is also the suggestion to bring your own food as they’re having trouble keeping their foodservice fully staffed. There were snack stalls open, and picnic tables that were clean and abundant. We are picnic people, so this wasn’t an issue for us, but if you’re traveling it might be hard to pack a picnic in.
The park itself is well-shaded in the forest so it’s great on warm days, but it is built into a hillside and the paths are narrow and steep. I had some trouble navigating our standard-sized stroller on the paths, so I imagine it would be even more difficult for larger strollers and potentially impossible for some mobility devices. Even the provided ramps are rather narrow and steep, and a lot of the attractions have tunnels and halls that are very narrow. I’m borderline plus-sized and had to squeeze through a few places.
My one and only complaint is that if admission is close to $30 per person and not much less for children, having to pay for ride tickets seems excessive. We paid $90 to enter the park and it was an additional $20 for the one ride we all took together, and an average of $3 per ride for even the kiddie rides. I do understand that there are operating costs but it’s just really a lot. It’s verging on major theme park prices without the major theme park experience.
Overall, it was a wonderful day, and we’ll certainly be back. This is a business that’s been a part of PNW culture for generations, and even though our bank account took a bit of a hit for the trip, it’s an honor to support it and bring this magic to the...
Read moreAs a coaster enthusiast looking to exhaust all options for coaster credits in the Oregon area, i had low expectations going into this trip to Enchanted Forest. All I knew was that there was a log flume that counted as a rollercoaster and a few google images that were particularly unflattering (poorly taken photos by guests). To my surprise, this park was the absolute highlight of my trip. It oozes with sincerity and craftsmanship. You can feel the enthusiasm for theme parks that the creator embedded into this place. A truly unique and individual take on a theme park experience. It takes you on a journey that major chains wouldn't. This place takes you through amazingly dark and creepy locations at times. It can be scary for kids. But it is in fact what i appreciate most about this place. It is similar to reading goosebumps as a kid. That stuff was scary. But you wouldn't regret experiencing that fear you had as a child. Its a fond memory. I expect the same is for the kids who experience this place. Don't get me wrong, the majority of the journey is not dark and creepy. I just enjoyed those parts the most!! There is plenty of bright, colorful, whimsical fantasy here as well. Fantasy should definitely include both, so the total experience ends up being very satisfying. The highlight was crawling down the rabit hole. As a 5'10" adult, it was a tight fit. I had to scoot sitting the whole way, but WOW! What a cool part of the park. Everything was well maintained. The staff was very presentable, and its always nice to see some nicely dressed staff walking around with clipboards. Gives it a real authentic theme park vibe which i enjoyed. Every staff member was extremely pleasant to interact with. They deserve a lot of credit. I was very impressed with the ride operations and the rides themselves. I don't want to carry on too long, But this place left an impression on me that I hope others can experience and potentially feel the same way. I live in a hot bed of amazing parks in California, but there is something really special about this place when viewed and recognized for what it is and all that went...
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