Enchanted Forest Turns 55: A Guide to Oregon’s Beloved Theme Park
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For generations of Pacific Northwest families, Enchanted Forest has been a beloved destination for family fun. Tucked into the hills of Turner, Oregon, about an hour south of Vancouver, this one-of-a-kind theme park is celebrating 55 years in business.
With its storybook charm, handmade attractions and nostalgic atmosphere, Enchanted Forest remains a place where imagination comes to life.
A Storied History
Enchanted Forest is a rare treasure in today’s entertainment world: a family-owned theme park built from one man’s dream.
“Enchanted Forest was created by a single man, my father Roger Tofte, who spent seven years building the original section, Storybook Lane, by hand before opening it to the public in 1971,” said Susan Vaslev, co-manager and artistic director of Enchanted Forest. “That personal vision and craftsmanship is still at the heart of everything in the park.”
Tofte passed away earlier this year, on Feb. 13, 2026, with his family by his side. “He was 96 and lived a full, rich life,” said Vaslev. “He had a very gentle, beautiful passing with me and my 2 sisters by his side. He and my mother were very good at passing all of their knowledge to us throughout their lives. Both 2nd and 3rd generations are committed to carrying on my parents’ legacy.”
Today, the park is still owned and operated by Vaslev and her sisters, Mary and Lori. Vaslev helps oversee day-to-day operations while also guiding the artistic details that preserve the park’s original spirit.
“The park began with a small walk-through Storybook Lane trail,” said Vaslev. “Over the years we’ve added an Old West town, a haunted house, an English Village, a water-light show, 10 rides, gift shops, restaurants and live entertainment. What’s stayed the same is the handmade, artistic feel of the park and our mission to create a place full of charm and imagination.”
Planning Your Visit
Enchanted Forest is located at 8462 Enchanted Way SE in Turner, Oregon, about 62 miles south of Vancouver, and seven miles south of Salem, Oregon. Parking is free.
Tickets are available online at enchantedforest.com or at the gate.
Current regular admission rates are:
- $31 adults
- $28 children ages 3 to 12
- $28 seniors ages 62 and older
- Free for children 2 and younger (ride tickets required for rides)
Ride tickets cost $1 each and may be purchased online or inside the park. Most rides require three to five tickets.
One insider tip: discounted admission tickets are released online in limited quantities two weeks in advance.
“It’s a great way for families to plan ahead and save a little,” said Vaslev.
The park typically opens in late March for spring break, operates weekends in spring, then daily during summer beginning June 13 through Labor Day. In September they are open on weekends only through Sept. 27, 2026.
Most days run from 10:30 a.m. to 5 p.m., with some summer weekends open until 6 p.m.
Storybook Lane
The visit begins with one of the park’s most iconic experiences: a walk up Storybook Lane.
Guests enter through a castle, complete with a dungeon hidden below. There are many hidden gems like this as you walk through the park. Once through the castle, classic nursery rhymes and fairy tales come to life.
Visit Hansel and Gretel’s house, see the infamous Humpty Dumpty and Mary Had a Little Lamb. These are all wonderful photo opportunities for kids and families.
One standout favorite is the rabbit hole near Alice in Wonderland, where children can crawl through and pop out beside the Mad Hatter’s Tea Party. Parents can also go through but may need to go on their hands and knees.
There is a maze next to Alice in Wonderland where kids and adults can also walk through. We saw many visitors going through it repeatedly and children giggling as they went through the maze.
After Snow White’s cottage, guests can explore the Seven Dwarf’s Mine, which is a dark cave where guests will see gems, small waterfalls and be greeted by the dwarfs mining at the end of the stroll.
At the top of the hill sits the famous witch’s head, a longtime park landmark that hides a slide inside. The area ends with another fan favorite: the giant Shoe Slide. Kids love racing down, and adults can ride, too.
Walking through Storybook Lane feels like stepping inside a handmade fairy tale, with charming details around every corner.
Tofteville Western Town
Next, guests can head into Tofteville Western Town, where old-time storefronts, rustic displays and family attractions await.
At the entrance of Western Town, walk through fun window displays of old western characters. There’s a barbecue spot to grab some food, too, and a museum filled with Enchanted Forest history and a gift shop. The museum is especially worth visiting for longtime fans. Inside are vintage photos, historical displays and original artwork from the park’s early years.
Western Town also has a haunted house for guests to visit for 4 tickets each – but only if your party is not easily scared!
Guests can also try their luck and pan for treasure. For 2 tickets, guests get a chance to fill a sifting plate full of sand. The sand is then placed through a sifter and visitors can keep all the treasure left behind. This is especially fun for younger children who will be thrilled to keep the small gemstones in the sand.
Also in Western Town, the Comedy Theatre has entertained guests since 1973. The productions are written and directed by Vaslev.
Olde European Village
Olde European Village offers cobblestone-style charm and is one of the prettiest areas of the park.
Upon entering Olde European Village, guests feel like they are stepping back in time. This area has an observation area to watch park-goes on the Ice Mountain roller coaster, plus a fun Pinocchio’s Playroom to walk through and discover. It’s also home to Challenge of Mondor, which is an interactive ride.
The Jolly Roger Inn has their famous light show where guests can sit and watch while enjoying a meal. Face painting is also offered in Olde European Village.
Be sure to check out the Gathering Hall to watch Possibly Irish, a popular pub and festival Irish band that performs family-friendly music most afternoons. Between rides, good and entertainment, Olde European Village has a lot to offer to guests.
Families should also look down as they walk. Engraved bricks throughout the area are part of the park’s Buy a Brick fundraiser launched in 2020 to help the park during the pandemic.
More than 8,000 supporters helped keep Enchanted Forest going through donations and brick purchases during 2020 and 2021, a testament to how much the park means to the community.
Rides
Enchanted Forest blends walk-through attractions with classic family rides. Most rides are family-friendly, with many allowing adults to ride alongside children.
The first ride guests will see as they walk up the hill past Western Town is the carousel, which is always a hit for the younger kids. In this area guests can ride bumper boats, bumper cars, a train, the frog hopper and Ferris wheel. Almost all of these except for the bumper boats can also hold adults, so guests can enjoy the rides with their children. All these kid rides are 3 tickets per person, except for bumper cars, which is 4 tickets per person.
The Big Timber Log Ride is another favorite, which is located along the path as guests walk away from the little kid rides. On this ride, guests may get wet, so it’s a good idea to bring a poncho or buy one at the gift shop. Kids over 40” can ride this one with an adult. There’s also a log ride observation area, where guests can watch your party or other park-goers as they go down the log ride and splash down. This ride is 5 tickets per person.
Ice Mountain Bobsled Roller Coaster is also 5 tickets and children above 34” can ride. This was the first ride opened at Enchanted Forest back in 1983, and each car is enclosed.
Across from Ice Mountain, guests will see Challenge of Mondor. This ride is an interactive target-shooting adventure that keeps guests’ scores while battling different creatures on the ride. This one is 5 tickets and children over 34” can ride.
What to Know Before You Go
- Strollers can be pushed through much of the park, though some caves and tunnels are too narrow.
- There are slides, caves and hidden pathways throughout the park, so be sure to walk around and see what’s just around the corner to discover.
- Bathrooms are conveniently located around the grounds. Some family restrooms are available.
- Families are welcome to bring their own picnic food.
“The park is built on a hillside and offers a mix of attractions: walk-through villages, rides for all ages, shows, restaurants and plenty of places to explore,” said Vaslev
There are many fun little nooks and crannies to discover at Enchanted Forest. The caves near Challenge of Mondor had kids exploring them and discovering secret exits. There are many fun slides built into the park where kids can slide down and explore around the area.
Food Options
Enchanted Forest offers several casual dining choices.
Jolly Roger Inn
Pizza, snacks and indoor seating near the fountain light show.
Gretel’s Grill
Chicken strips, corn dogs, fries and picnic-area seating.
Ma’s and Pa’s BBQ
Pulled pork sandwiches and barbecue favorites in Western Town.
The Ice Cream Parlour and Mary’s Coffee Cottage are also available.Keep in mind that some food stands may not be open daily, so bringing snacks is a smart idea.
Enchanted Forest welcomes guests to bring their own food. We noticed some families set up a whole picnic, blanket included, in the picnic area near the entrance at the park.
What to Bring
To make the most of the visit, pack:
- Comfortable walking shoes
- Layers for changing weather
- Snacks or picnic lunch
- Stroller for little ones (optional)
- Poncho or change of clothes for the log ride
Looking to the Future
After 55 years, Enchanted Forest continues to thrive by staying true to what made it special in the first place.
One of the park’s proudest honors, said Vaslev, was being named Best Family-Owned Amusement Park in the U.S. by Newsweek.
“Our goal has always been to provide a place where families can make magical memories in a safe, beautiful environment,” said Vaslev. “That mission hasn’t changed — it’s what has guided us for 55 years.”
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