Elitch Gardens Theme and Water Park is a 63 acres amusement park in the heart of Denver, Colorado. It opened in 1890 when John and Mary Elitch converted their farm into a zoological park and a cool green oasis. It’s the state’s only amusement park with a water and theme park. Elitch Gardens has thrills and fun spots for everyone and is a perfect recreational destination to create lifelong memories.
Elitch Gardens Theme Park Rides
Elitch Gardens Theme Park has rides for kids, adults, and thrill seekers. The rides have height and weight regulations for safety reasons, and visitors need to find out from management about them before riding.
Kids’ Rides
Ballon Race: This ride rotates on an axle and has hot air balloon-like baskets that kids sit on as it spins. Kids under 36 inches in height need supervision while using it, and hand-held babies are not allowed on this ride.
Al’s Big Rig Trucking Co: On this ride, kids are carried on miniature trucks at KiddieLand Amusement Facility. Kids have to be 36 inches and over to ride this.
Blazin’ Buckaroo: This is a 360-foot steel ride family rollercoaster, parents and children ride together, and it hits a top speed of 15 miles per hour.
Ding Dong Dock: Here, kids play sailors and captain kiddie boats that move in a circular course. Kids allowed here are not taller than 54 inches.
E.G., Express: Kids go on fun and adventure rides around KiddieLand on this miniature train. Riders need to be 54 inches and below to ride the train.
Jumping Jack: This miniature ride goes up and down, giving the young kids on it a dose of pint-sized adrenaline rush. Riders must be between 36 and 54 inches tall to ride on this mini Tower of Doom.
KidSpin: On this kids’ version of Tea Cups, children control how fast they are spun around. Riders on KidSpin must be between 36 and 54 inches tall.
Mouse House: These are children’s bumper cars, and kids are in the driver’s seat, evading bumps. Participants must be between 36 and 54 inches tall.
Rockin’ Tug: On this tugboat, children of all ages and adults go on simulated sea-faring rides mimicking gentle ocean wave movements.
Sunflower Swings: On this high-flying swing is a miniature version of the huge Star Flyer where kids are spun around. Riders are required to be 36 and 54 inches tall.
Elitch Gardens’ Water Park Activities
Elitch Gardens Water Park has slides for children, adults, and adrenaline junkies. From Saturday of Memorial Day weekend to Labor Day, visitors with tickets to the theme park enter the water park for free.
Thrill Slides
While visiting Elitch Gardens, depending on their audacity, visitors can try out the following slides:
Gangplanks: These are two continuous and spiral river run tube slides that slide all the way to the water. Riders are required to be at least 48 inches tall. A single rider cannot be over 250 pounds in weight, and double riders cannot exceed 400 pounds.
Cannonball Falls: These are two enclosed aqua tube slides kids get a kick out of rides. A single rider cannot be over 250 pounds in weight, and double riders cannot exceed 400 pounds. Riders are required to be at least 48 inches tall.
SlideZilla: This six-story curved slide is suited for families. On this slide, four riders are spun about in a 24-foot bowl, “swallowed” and “spit out” into a 57 feet drop and taken up into a four-story-high tornado wave, and eventually slide into a final splash.
Mega Wedgie (Ultimate): Visitors slide at high speed on this 62-foot high slide. Riders must be at least 52 inches tall and not exceed 250 pounds in weight.
Mega Wedgie (Epic): This 65-foot high slide offers a speedy, high thrill and free-fall slide. Riders must be at least 52 inches tall and not exceed 250 pounds in weight.
Mega Wedgie (Colossal): This is a 62-foot enclosed aqua tube corkscrew speed slide. Riders must be at least 52 inches tall and not exceed 250 pounds in weight.
RipQurl: This is a two-rider capacity adrenaline-inducing tubing bowl. Riders must be at least 52 inches tall, and two riders must not exceed 400 pounds in weight.
Family Slides
Elitch Gardens has slides suited for riding by families with children:
Commotion Ocean: Colorado is landlocked. However, this slide simulates an ocean experience with a giant wave that can be body surfed or relaxed on. Nonswimmers and visitors under 48 inches tall have to wear life jackets.
Barefootin’ Bay S.S. Sea Witch: This has six children’s slides mounted on a Pirate Ship and safely end at a zero-depth landing. It also has sprayers, mini slides, and a big tipping bucket and is ideal for family fun. Only one rider at a time is allowed on the slide, and children must be supervised when sliding.
Splashdown: This is a spiral 75-foot family ride. Riders 36 to 42 inches tall must be supervised, but those over 42 inches can ride alone. Combined riders’ weight must not be over 700 pounds.
Castaway Creek: This action “river” has geysers, water bubbles, and waterfalls. To get into this “river,” non-swimmers and visitors less than 42 inches tall require a life jacket, and those below 36 inches require supervision. Hand-held infants are not allowed on the slide.
Cabanas
Elitch Gardens Water Park has five cabana types by the water spots for visitors to book to stay while on vacation. These are:
- Poolside Cabanas
- City View Cabanas
- Riverside Cabanas
- Under The Boardwalk Cabanas
- Beachside Cabanas for Two
Other Things To Do At Elitch Gardens
Elitch Gardens Theme and Water Park has other places to see, things to do, events to attend, and games to play, and Dive Movie Spots.
Shopping
- Attitudes-Fashion Store
- Carousel Candy-Sweets and Treats
- Colorado Store-Gear and Apparel
- Face Painting
- Goofy Faces Caricatures
- Island Kingdom Surf Shop
- Kid’s Corner-Toys and kids’ apparel
- Meow Wolf’s Kaleidoscope
- Miss Mary’s Sweet Shoppe-Candy
- Raft Rentals-Life Jackets
- Rapid Ride Passes
- Sugarush Bros. Candy Shop
- Tennyson Street Emporium
Wining and Dining
- Rustler’s Food Court
- Island Breeze Cafe
- Basil & Tomato Pizza
- Beer & Pretzels
- Big Burgers & Beer
- City Pop Gourmet Popcorn
- Dippin’ Dots
- Fanny’s Funnel Cakes
- Fresh Cut Fries
- Island Breeze Bar
- J.M. Mulvihills Bar & Grill
- Kona Ice
- Oskar Blues Beer Wagon
- Macho Nachos & Beer
- Miss Amy’s Funnel Cakes
- Pepsi Oasis
- Simply Nuts
- Scooped Cookie Dough Bar
- Outlaw Lemonade
- Surfside Beach Bar
- The Saloon
- Tot’s Spot
- Turkey Leg Kiosk
- Mountain Grove Picnic Pavilions
- The Creamery & Beanery
How To Visit Elitch Gardens
Elitch Gardens Theme and Water Park visiting hours are from 10:30 am to 7 pm or at times to 9 pm. Before visiting, an events calendar on the website can help visitors know the open days to visit. One-day tickets cost from $34:99 to $240 for family packages, and seasonal passes are available on the park’s website.
