1 / 3Elitch Gardens
📍 Auraria, CO
Elitch Gardens combines a full roller coaster and ride lineup with a separate water park in central Denver. Seasonal events include Fright Fest in fall and Elitch Holidays in winter. Season passes cover both parks.
I love Elitch Gardens. Is it the best theme park? Absolutely not. Is it the best theme park in Colorado? Absolutely. There is a good variety between the water park, rides, and coaster, though, as a coaster junkie, I really wish they had more and get rid of the sidewinder, what even is that? The layout is decent, but you can get a bit lost toward the back where everything starts to look the same. For the most part, the park has a lot of character, though it could have a more consistent vibe as it jumps between eras of Americana from western to 50's to comic book. The food is comically overpriced, as you'd expect, and the tickets aren't exactly cheap either, but it's also not wildly expensive for a theme park. It's such a good way to spend a Saturday if you don't have too much going on or just want to hang out with some friends; that might be my nostalgia talking, though.
🏆 Family Action Verdict
Best for families with kids aged 4 and up who want a full-day theme park experience. The water park adds a distinct second activity that extends the visit. Fright Fest runs family-friendly programming during daylight hours, making it accessible for younger kids.
ℹ️ What to Know Before You Go
💬 What Families Are Saying
View all reviews →14,674 Google reviews
The Vampire Saint
“I love Elitch Gardens. Is it the best theme park? Absolutely not. Is it the best theme park in Colorado? Absolutely. There is a good variety between the water park, rides, and coaster, though, as a coaster junkie, I really wish they had more and get rid of the sidewinder, what even is that? The layout is decent, but you can get a bit lost toward the back where everything starts to look the same. For the most part, the park has a lot of character, though it could have a more consistent vibe as it jumps between eras of Americana from western to 50's to comic book. The food is comically overpriced, as you'd expect, and the tickets aren't exactly cheap either, but it's also not wildly expensive for a theme park. It's such a good way to spend a Saturday if you don't have too much going on or just want to hang out with some friends; that might be my nostalgia talking, though.”
Sawyer Hicks
“I’m glad that they added a park to Colorado but they could do better. Prices are fair but the lack of theming is bad. Also the rides are almost always down you have to plan out your day knowing that you will most likely have to skip or wait for rides to open. Water park is very fun and the food is good!”
Abby Branham
“Incident wuth my child happend with staff, he suffers from mental disabilitiesand can not always interperate approprqite responses.. No call was made to parents, told he was banned for the day, 5 yrs 10yrs and a lifetime. The way staff and security handled the situation was uncalled for. Even after hearing he would be present with adults they were very unprofessional and the. Threaten to ban me for asking questions. I have reached out to corporate because staff are untrained for situations with the public.”
Reviews from Google
Overview
Elitch Gardens at 2000 Elitch Circle in Denver operates a dual-park experience: a traditional theme park with coasters and family rides plus a water park with slides and pools. The venue has run for over 136 years. Seasonal programming adds Fright Fest (September–November) with daytime family and nighttime scare options, and Elitch Holidays (late November–January) with large-scale light displays. Season passes provide unlimited visits to both parks.
