The Enchanted Forest — Water Safari (originally known as The Enchanted Forest of the Adirondacks and often called the Enchanted Forest and Water Safari) is an amusement park/water park. It is the largest water park in New York, United States, and is located within Old Forge, in the Adirondack region.

History

The park was opened as The Enchanted Forest of the Adirondacks in 1956 by A. Richard Cohen, a hardware store owner and commissioner for the Adirondack Authority in charge of the development of ski centres on Whiteface and Gore mountains. When opened, it had 35 employees and encompassed 35 acre of swampland. Admission was $1 for adults and 25¢ for children. Over time, the park expanded in size to its present 60 acre. The design for the park, incorporating a large circus tent and a series of houses with themes from children's nursery rhymes and fairy tales, was based upon research by Cohen's daughter and wife, whom he sent to several amusement parks across the country to study how they worked. Concept watercolor paintings for the park were done by Russell Patterson, who also worked on the designs of the several individual fairy tale houses in the park. The only mechanical ride at the park in 1956 was a train, the Enchanted Forest Express, that traveled around the park. However, this changed during the 1960s when more rides were introduced to the park. In 1977, Cohen sold the park to the Noonan family. In 1988, the park's name was changed to Enchanted Forest Water Safari, after a major expansion that added numerous waterslides to the park. Following the success of Wild Waters (two 350 ft waterslides) that had been added in 1984. Leading to opening Raging rapids water slide and the tadpole hole kid's water area in 1986. In 1999 a further expansion titled Adirondack Expedition added 8 more water rides to the park along with another kiddy play area called the Sawmill. In March 2024 the park and an adjacent hotel and campground also owned by the park was sold to Florida based hospitality company Innovative Attraction Management for an undisclosed sum.

Rides and attractions

Water rides Amusement rides

Former rides

Water rides

Calypso's Cove

Adjoining the park is Calypso's Cove, a small amusement park which includes an arcade, go-karts, rock climbing, mini-golf, batting cages, bumper boats, and a zip line.

Campgrounds

Additionally, the park adjoins to campgrounds with classic cabins in Adirondack style, as well as RV accommodations. A pond with row and peddle boats, as well as several rec rooms and shower/restroom facilities are also included.

Other information

In addition to the water and amusement rides, the park also has two daily circus shows (at noon and at 4 pm), a petting zoo, a small museum dedicated to the park, and multiple video game arcades and side show games throughout the park. The park has a no smoking policy, but areas are designated for those who wish to smoke. Dogs on leashes are allowed in the park. The "White Arch" located in the parking lot was brought to Old Forge in 1967 and first placed at the park in 1968. It is one of eleven white arches that was originally used at the 1964 New York World's Fair. The park also has an area in the back dedicated to circus performances such as acrobatics and animal shows.

Incidents