Coeur d'Alene Theme Park and Water Parks

North Idaho Offers Many Options for Family Vacations

Jul 27, 2009 Kathleen Curry

The area around Coeur d'Alene, Idaho, has the Northwest's largest theme park as well as three large water parks.

Coeur d’Alene, Idaho, which is located just about 40 miles from Spokane across the Washington/Idaho border, offers a number of options for those planning a vacation for a family. Coeur d’Alene can cover those interested in outdoor activities, but beyond that, this area of North Idaho has a surprisingly large theme park to go along with three water parks.

Silverwood and Boulder Beach

As one drives through the greenery and forest landscape on the 15-minute trip from Coeur d’Alene up to Athol, Idaho, it seems hard to believe that the Northwest’s biggest theme park could be located out in what seems to be a largely forested place. However, as one drives along highway 95, all of the sudden a large wooden roller coaster comes in to view. Suddenly it’s easy to see why Silverwood can claim to have over 65 rides, shows and attractions.

The park is open on weekends during May, open every day from June 1 through Labor Day, and then open weekends through Halloween. A couple of the rides have been imported from other parks, most notably the “Corkscrew,” which was brought north from Knott’s Berry Farm in Southern California. Besides the “Timber Terror” wooden roller-coaster, there is also the “Tremors” coaster which goes underground four times, and the new “Aftershock,” a 191-foot tall structure which takes riders forwards and backwards at speeds of up to 65 miles-per-hour.

In addition to the thrill rides, Silverwood also has rides for young children as well as magic and ice shows. The main area of the park is built to resemble the streets of a Victorian-era mining town. The park has become so popular in the Northwest that about half of its visitors come from Seattle.

Admission to Silverwood also brings admission to Boulder Beach Water Park, which is located in one portion of the larger Silverwood Park. This outdoor water park has two wave pools, a 650-foot slide in a raft that can hold up to six people, as well as private cabanas.

Triple Play and Raptor Reef

Silverwood works with the closest hotel in the area, the Holiday Inn Express, to offer ticket and accommodation packages. The hotel is located about 10 miles south in Hayden, Idaho, which is just north of Coeur d’Alene. While proximity to Silverwood is one reason to stay at this hotel, another is that a family can enjoy both a fun park and water park without ever having to leave the hotel. Guests at the Inn can simply walk the kids through a causeway and have entry into Triple Play Family Fun Park and Raptor Reef Indoor Water Park.

Triple Play has go-kart racing, water boats and miniature golf outdoors, as well as indoor miniature golf, laser tag, bowling and arcade games. Raptor Reef has a wave pool and hot tubs as well as some exciting slides. There are also areas for youngsters, who will enjoy the life-size Raptor statutes. Since part of Triple Play and all of Raptor Reef are indoors, both attractions are open 365 days a year. Accommodations at the hotel range from single rooms to family suites and all include a hot breakfast.

Silver Rapids at Silver Mountain

Families that want to combine their water park experience with outdoor activities can head from Coeur d’Alene down I-90 to Kellogg, Idaho, to stay at Silver Mountain Resort. The resort offers a variety of outdoor activities in winter and summer, but an added bonus is that guests of the resort get an automatic admission into the Silver Rapids Water Park that was designed exclusively for guest use. The park is indoors and thus open whether guests are at Silver Mountain to ski in the winter or mountain bike in the summer.

The park is set at a perfect indoor temperature for summer or winter. The highlight of the park is the “Flowrider,” the only one in the area, which gives the feeling of riding on a wave using a boogie board or small surf board. Those who want to kick back and relax can grab a tube and ride on the lazy river which circles through the complex.

Silverwood Theme Park and Boulder Beach Water Park

27843 N. Hwy 95

Athol, ID 83801

208-683-3400

Triple Play and Raptor Reef and Holiday Inn Express

877-770-PLAY

800-720-4207

175 West Orchard Hayden, Idaho 83835

Silver Rapids Water Park at Silver Mountain Resort

610 Bunker Avenue Kellogg, Idaho 83837

888-284-7790

From a theme park to a family fun center to three different water parks, Coeur d’Alene and the surrounding area of North Idaho offers a wide variety of options for every member of the family.

The copyright of the article Coeur d'Alene Theme Park and Water Parks in NW U.S./Alaska Travel is owned by Kathleen Curry. Permission to republish Coeur d'Alene Theme Park and Water Parks in print or online must be granted by the author in writing.