Amusement Park News

Silverwood Theme Park and Water Park in North Idaho will be sold to Atlanta-based Herschend Family Entertainment Corporation. The two parties signed an exclusive term sheet and begun due diligence before finalizing the sale.

As of November 12, the sales price remains undisclosed. Silverwood CEO Paul Norton previously noted that Herschend had made an offer in 2023, explaining that they “thought we had the best park they had seen” and were willing to pay a premium. Norton declined that offer at the time, citing his family's long history with the park.

“Silverwood has been our family's life's work for more than three decades,” Norton said in a press release. “When the time came to pass the torch, Herschend was the only choice. They share our values, our long-term approach, and our belief that parks like this are built by people with heart.”

Silverwood features more than 70 rides and attractions, including seven roller coasters and the Boulder Beach water park. It draws roughly 500,000 visitors each year and is the largest theme park in the Pacific Northwest. The park sits about five hours from Seattle and roughly an hour from Spokane.

Among its iconic attractions is Aftershock, an inverted steel boomerang coaster that reaches 65 miles per hour and climbs to 191 feet. Built by Vekoma, it originally operated at Six Flags Great America in Gurnee, Illinois, where it was known as Déjà Vu. It is currently the only Vekoma giant boomerang coaster operating in the United States.

Silverwood is also known for its wooden coasters: Timber Terror, an 85-foot-tall, 2,700-foot-long ride, and Tremors, a classic coaster that includes four underground tunnels. The first tunnel passes beneath the ride's gift shop. Park founder Gary Norton developed Tremors following the success of Timber Terror, and it was constructed in-house with final design work by Custom Coasters International.

Another signature attraction is Corkscrew, acquired from Knott's Berry Farm. The ride is considered the first modern inverting coaster. Its double helix is the centerpiece of a layout that launches riders straight to a height of 70 feet before plunging them through the twin corkscrews.

Over the years, Silverwood has expanded its dining and water attractions at Boulder Beach. In 2024, the park added the Emerald Forest area, increasing its footprint by four acres. Emerald Forest includes Eagle Hunt, a dueling water coaster described by the park as the longest water coaster in the United States and the first dueling version in the western U.S.

Herschend is well positioned to take over Silverwood. The company operates more than 40 family entertainment brands across North America, including Dollywood Parks & Resorts, Silver Dollar City, Kentucky Kingdom, and the Harlem Globetrotters.

CEO Andrew Wexler described the sale as “more than a business transaction; it's the continuation of a legacy.” He added, “We are honored that the Norton family has trusted us to carry their vision forward and excited to welcome the Silverwood hosts and guests to Herschend.”

Founded in 1988 by Gary Norton, Silverwood has been part of the Norton family for three generations. When the park opened, it featured a small selection of carnival-style rides and a steam-powered train offering a 30-minute loop through the surrounding landscape. Timber Terror arrived in 1996 as the park's first major ride. In 2003, Boulder Beach opened at a cost of $15 million and quickly became a regional summer highlight.

Today, the park's 1915-era steam train still runs alongside its coasters and thrill rides. Boulder Beach now includes a lazy river, wave pools, water slides, food and beverage options, and landscaped courtyards that showcase the beauty of the Idaho panhandle. Silverwood employs 120 full-time staff and hires about 1,600 seasonal workers each year.

Herschend continues to grow through acquisitions. In early 2025, the company purchased several parks from Palace Entertainment, including Pittsburgh's Kennywood, Adventureland in Altoona, Iowa, Dutch Wonderland in Lancaster, Pennsylvania, and Lake Compounce near Hartford, Connecticut. These properties and other attractions were previously owned by Parques Reunidos, which continues to operate parks outside the United States.

Herschend remains the world's largest family-held themed attractions company. Its origins date back 75 years to the discovery of an Ozark Mountain cave that the family opened to visitors. Today, the company's properties include theme parks, water parks, resorts, and immersive experiences. Its guiding ethos centers on welcoming guests warmly and making a positive impact on local communities.