A quaint and quirky theme park sits just off Interstate 5 in Salem, Oregon. Walking through the entrance gates of the Enchanted Forest is like stepping back in time.
Most people who grew up in Oregon visited Enchanted Forest at one point or another during their childhood. My parents took me and my siblings there each year. Nowadays, I bring my own kids every summer.
In spite of the pandemic, the theme park is open for the Summer 2020 season with new safety rules in effect.
Three Sections of Enchanted Forest
You’ll start your adventure in Storybook Lane, which is the original section of the park. Guests follow a shady path encountering fairy tale favorites like Humpty Dumpty, Little Red Riding Hood and Jack and Jill. One of our family favorites is walking through the Crooked House. My kids also love the Shoe Slide, themed after the Old Lady Who Lived in a Shoe. Kids sit on burlap sacks and cruise down a bumpy slide. The witch of the Witch’s Castle is an Oregon icon. Kids walk through her mouth and slide out of her hair.
There are two other sections of the theme park. There’s the Tofteville Western Town that features shops and carnival games.
The highlight of the Old European Village is an indoor water show. The Fantasy Fountains light up and splash about to music.
Lots of Kid Friendly Attractions
At Enchanted Forest, there are several kid friendly rides like a carousel, bumper cars, bumper boats, a tiny train, a ferris wheel and a frog hopper. You’ll find them concentrated in one area of the theme park.
Bigger Kid Rides, Too
There are a few bigger kid attractions here, too. One of the more popular ones is the Big Timber Log Ride. Guests board a log which floats through an old logging mill, culminating in a 40-foot drop. You’ll get wet on this ride! Ponchos are available.
Then there’s the Ice Mountain Bobsled Roller Coaster. Guests board Ice Mountain Bobsleds, or enclosed cars. Each car holds a couple of people. The ride follows a 1,600 feet track with turns, drops and hops. It’s a kid friendly coaster.
The Challenge of Mondor is a newer ride. Guests go on a wizard’s quest to fight mythical creatures. You’ll ride in a 4-person car and use a laser gun to shoot at the beasts.
There’s the Haunted House, too, which has three floors of frights.
History of Enchanted Forest
Construction began on the theme park in 1964. A father of four, who wished there was more to do with his kids in his hometown, created and built the park. We’ve all been there, right? Well, Roger Tofte took it to the next level. He spent seven years building the theme park by hand. The park opened it in 1971 and it’s been operating ever since. Today Enchanted Forest is run by Roger’s kids. On opening day, admission was just a dollar for adults and 50 cents for kids.
Cost of Admission & Rides
Today, admission costs $14.50 for those 14 and older. It’s $13 for kids ages 3-12 and Seniors. Kids ages 2 and under are free.
If you want to ride the attractions, you’ll need to purchase ride tickets (or an all-day ride bracelet). Ride tickets cost $1 apiece. Each ride requires 2-4 tickets.
Food Available
Although some food is available, you’re allowed to bring your own picnic. You’ll find picnic tables and benches throughout Enchanted Forest.
Getting to Enchanted Forest
Enchanted Forest is located on Interstate 5, 7 miles south of Salem. You’ll take Exit 248 to get there.
Changes due to COVID-19
Due to COVID-19, attendance is limited to just 10 percent. The park currently allows a maximum of 200 guests at any time.
Tickets must be purchased in advance. You’ll select a day and time to visit. Only 10 people are allowed in at a time. Your ticket allows you to wander the park for three hours.
Upon arrival, theme park workers will check your temperature. Anyone with temperatures of over 100.4, will be denied entry.
Some attractions are temporarily closed.
The park requires that guests wear masks, maintain 6’ of distance between other groups and make use of the hand sanitizing stations around the park.
During our visit, we saw workers cleaning attractions between each guests. We also observed workers cleaning high-touch areas like handrails.
