A lot of changes have taken place at Silverwood Theme Park since its grand opening in 1988, but this summer promises even more – and they are going to be BIG. With 35 years of family entertainment under its belt, the Idaho theme park is currently undergoing one of its largest additions to date which includes an exciting dueling water coaster. Here’s why this is really big news: “Eagle Hunt” will be the first dueling water coaster on the west coast. Not only that, but it will also be longest one in the U.S. too!
The invention of the water coaster isn’t new (the Schlitterbahn waterpark in New Braunfels, Texas built the first one), but there aren’t very many of them around. They are sort of a mashup of a traditional waterslide and a roller coaster where riders won’t only travel downhill. They will be “blasted” up hills as well!
At the top of the “eagle’s nest”, riders will choose one of two identical lanes and board a small inflatable raft which they will race throughout the attraction. The ride consists of 925 feet of slide with four hills, three “flying saucers” (that help to navigate the turns), a stretch of track where riders will pass by their competition and a section that will feature a shadow special effect that is said to give one a sense that they are flying through the trees (if one were flying in a raft wearing a swimsuit). Sorry to ruin the illusion.
Though Eagle Hunt is expected to be the most popular attraction in the park for 2024, it has been designed to handle large crowds. The park estimates that it will be possible for up to 720 people to enjoy this “race” each hour! This is about twice the amount of people who ride the park’s other two large slides, Avalanche Mountain and Ricochet Rapids. And with the addition of Eagle Hunt, shorter wait times are expected throughout Boulder Beach as well, which is welcome news for regular visitors.
Eagle’s Nest is just part of the 3.86 acres addition that will now be known as the “Emerald Forest”. The $15 million expansion also includes “Salmon Run”, a new splash pad with eight new mini slides for mini riders. It will be a colorful new area with each slide color-coordinated (or at least inspired by) the colors of the type of fish that it represents. It’s also a nod to the lakes that reside in Idaho.
All of this new excitement will no doubt stir up some hunger and Silverwood has that covered too. In addition to all of the other food and drink offerings within Boulder Beach, the Emerald Forest will also be home to Rapids Grill which promises to serve guests “whitewater fast”. How fast is that? They say it could be up to 1,200 guests per hour. A new beverage bar known as Northern Flights is also being built.
Finally, the Emerald Forest will also features 32 new private cabanas that seat up to six people each and an additional seven that allow room for up to 20 people which will be great for large families or small youth groups.
Located in Athol, Idaho, Silverwood Theme Park boasts of five roller coasters (including its newest, Stunt Pilot which opened in 2021), a handful of other thrill rides and many more family-friendly attractions. The park is also very proud of its growing roster of live entertainment including Nick Norton’s magic show, “Phantasm”; the “Marvin the Moose Show” and a variety show that take place at the High Moon Saloon and two different shows that take place aboard the Silverwood Central Railway. Each of them includes Sasquatch sightings!
The theme park half of Silverwood opens on May 4, 2024, while Boulder Beach opens for the season beginning on June 1, 2024. Tickets include admission to both areas of the park. No official date has been announced for the opening of the Emerald Forest area as of yet, but soon. Very soon.
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