Amusement Park News

With the longest dueling water coaster in the U.S. as its centerpiece, Athol, Idaho's Silverwood Theme Park has debuted a major new waterpark area called Emerald Forest.

Along with its land-based amusement attractions, the park's new water attractions are focused on coaster action. The almost 4-acre new addition has expanded the park's Boulder Beach waterpark section of Silverwood by some 30%. The expansion cost $15 million.

According to Silverwood's public relations manager Stephanie Sampson, “The decision to expand Boulder Beach was driven by a deep understanding of the importance of creating unforgettable experiences,” she says.  “We wanted to create a space that not only offered thrilling attractions but also immersed our visitors in a world of natural wonder and enchantment.”



The new dueling coaster is called Eagle Hunt, and it is also the first dueling water coaster located on the west coast. Designed by ride manufacturer ProSlide Technology Inc., Eagle Hunt offers 925 feet in length, and is the longest dueling coaster in the U.S. It also has four hills and three speedy flying saucers. Before the bottom splash, a ProSlide Shadow Effect adds to the thrills. The coaster accommodates two riders in each lane any given time. With a minimum heigh requirement of 3'6”, it's billed as a medium intensity ride. Riders race against the clock while water jet propulsion blasts them up the hills. The attraction can accommodate up to 720 riders hourly. The tubes race side by side during the first uphill section of the ride, pass by each other going in opposite directions in the ride's middle section, and race side by side once again at the end of the line to cross the finish line.  

The dual lanes allow riders to race against friends or family members as well as providing the set up for what the park describes as “unique time trials,” in which the riders “slide like an eagle in pursuit of its prey.” The idea is that if you reach the bottom of the slide in a time that's specified, your prey will be considered “caught.” It's a nice thematic touch for a waterpark located in the hills and forests of the Pacific Northwest region. A giant eagle soars above the entrance to the ride, further setting its theme.



Also located in the Emerald Forest is Salmon Run, geared toward younger park guests.  It too is thematically appropriate, featuring sprayers topped with tree designs, and recalling the salmon living in the lakes of Idaho. This attraction features eight different water slides and tunnels of varying lengths from 36 to 82 feet in all. It's open for kids 54”and under. Along with the slides, there's also a splash pad area.The expansive new kid's area joins Boulder Beach's current offerings for that age range, Polliwog Park and Toddler Springs.

“We've spared no expense in an effort to get this expansion to open on time," Sampson relates. She notes that the park promised guests they'd open in 2024, and despite challenges encountered during the building process, they stayed on schedule, accomplishing that goal.

Also located in the Emerald Forest area are new and revamped dining and beverage options. Rapids Grill is a grab and go spot that is designed to accommodate a whopping 1200 guests hourly; at Northern Flights, drinks can also be grabbed to go. Plentiful outdoor seating is located around the dining areas.

Rapids Grill offers a varied menu from a BBQ pulled pork sandwich to Caesar salad, burgers, hot dogs, corn dogs, chicken strips, and sides such as a watermelon cup or potato salad.

At Northern Flights, guests can also partake of a cold brew or beer tasting flights or flights of the venue's slushies. The slushies are available as both alcoholic and non-alcoholic beverages. with names like Boulder Beach, Lynchburg Lemonade, and The Blue Wave. There are fountain sodas and refillable sports bottles available here, too.



The park's general manager, Justin Henry, notes that “Rapid Grills will be built with efficiency, consistency and quality in mind” in order to “create more time for fun.” The kitchen is the largest one in the park.

At the former Granite Grille, now called Sapphire Kitchen, guests can enjoy tropical-themed eats such as Huli Huli pork bowls and both orange and teriyaki chicken bowls.

The expanded waterpark also features new private cabanas, 24 of them in all. Additionally, there are 7 new private “villas,” designed for large parties and able to accommodate as many as 20 guests.

StanCraft Construction Group in Hayden, Idaho was the project contractor for the expansion, while the Silverwood project team led the design along with Architects West Inc., of Coeur d'Alene.

Silverwood's owner and founder Gary Norton has described the cost of the overall project as being considerably more than that of the construction and design of the original Boulder Beach waterpark which opened in 2003. Silverwood Amusement Park itself opened in 1988. The 413-acre park now provides more than 70 rides and attractions.

According to Jordan Carter, Silverwood's director of marketing and entertainment, “I think that the best part of all of this is that we really have included everyone in… planning this expansion. We listened to the feedback of our guests and by adding the food pavilion, a kid slide area, more cabanas, and another slide, we are getting everyone's needs taken care of.”

Sampson adds, “Guests have flocked to our water park each summer for a variety of reasons… [whether] hoping to meet with friends on fun ground, beat the heat or make core memories with their families.”