The happiest place just south of Salem off I-5 opens for the 2015 season on Friday, March 20.
The Enchanted Forest (8462 Enchanted Way SE, Turner, OR 97392) is a gem of an amusement park. The Storybook Trail was created by Roger Tofte and opened in 1971. Countless children and parents every year since then have been entertained and amused. It’s still run by Roger Tofte and his family.
My several childhood pilgrimages to the Enchanted Forest left me with fond but vague memories of fanciful colorful concrete characters and delightfully goofy architecture. So to refresh my memory in 2010 I dragged my lovely wife Heather down I-5 from Portland for her birthday – we had a magical day. After the visit Heather declared:
If you live in Oregon and you haven’t been to Enchanted Forest, you need to go. If you haven’t been in a long time, go back. And if you have kids, Enchanted Forest will rock their world. You’d be a total ass not to bring your kids here as soon as possible.
The park opens Friday at 10 AM, and rides open at 10:30. Make sure to check the park schedule on the website; closing time varies and the park isn’t open seven days a week until mid-May. Ticket prices vary with age and ride options. There are food vendors but the Enchanted Forest welcomes picnics (no BBQs or alcohol though).
Protips:
- The Enchanted Forest really is in a forest – on hot summer days it’s delightfully cool.
- Young kids don’t know they’re not at Disneyland – save thousands of dollars on your next vacation!
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