Elitch Gardens Theme Park 🇺🇸

Located in Denver, Colorado, near downtown in the Platte River valley, Elitch Gardens Theme & Water Park—colloquially called Elitch's—offers an exciting destination for fun-seekers. Operating seasonally from April through October, this long-standing amusement park features a variety of thrilling roller coasters, family rides, and kid-friendly attractions, alongside the 20-acre Island Kingdom Family Water Park. When you visit, you can experience adrenaline-pumping coasters like the inverted Mind Eraser, the Sidewinder, Boomerang: Coast to Coaster, and the rare Half Pipe coaster.

You can also brave the 220-foot Tower of Doom freefall ride or challenge your friends at Ghost Blasters, an interactive dark ride set inside a haunted mansion. For family entertainment, check out the 700-seat Trocadero Theater, live shows, or seasonal summer concerts. During October, the park transforms with haunted houses, a Trick or Treat Trail, and the annual FrightFest event.

If you visit in the summer, water park admission is included with your ticket, giving you access to tube slides, body slides, a family raft ride, a half-pipe water feature, a water playground, and a lazy river. Elitch Gardens provides a classic, memorable amusement park experience in the heart of Colorado.

What to see at Elitch Gardens Theme Park

• Ride coasters like Mind Eraser, Half Pipe, Sidewinder, and Boomerang
• Drop 220 feet on the thrill-inducing Tower of Doom freefall ride
• Explore the 20-acre Island Kingdom Family Water Park during summer
• Compete for high scores shooting ghosts inside the Ghost Blasters dark ride
• Enjoy live shows and summer concerts at the 700-seat Trocadero Theater

Visiting tips

Take the Regional Transportation District light rail directly to the Ball Arena–Elitch Gardens station located right next to the park entrance.

How long: Full day · Best time: Summer

How to get there & what’s nearby

Elitch Gardens Theme Park is easy to reach on Denver’s public transport, and pairs naturally with Denver Art Museum and Denver Zoo. For where to stay, the weather and full itineraries, see our Denver travel guide.