Camden Park (amusement park) facts for kids
This happy clown has greeted visitors to Camden Park for several decades.
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| Location | Huntington, West Virginia, U.S. |
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| Coordinates | 38°23′51″N 82°31′50″W / 38.39750°N 82.53056°W |
| Opened | 1903 |
| Owner | Boylin Family |
| Slogan | First in Fun Since 1903! |
| Operating season | May - October |
| Area | 26 acres (110,000 m2) |
| Attractions | |
| Total | 25 Operating |
| Roller coasters | 4 |
| Water rides | 2 |
| Website | Camden Park |
Camden Park is a fun amusement park located near Huntington, West Virginia. It started way back in 1903 as a simple picnic spot. It's one of the oldest parks around, and it's West Virginia's only amusement park!
Camden Park is special because it was built where trolley riders used to switch lines. Soon after opening, it added a carousel and other cool attractions. Today, the park has more than 25 rides and attractions. This includes a classic wooden roller coaster called the Big Dipper.
The park has changed a lot over the years. It once had a swimming pool, a roller skating rink, and even a small zoo! Now, Camden Park hosts many events. You can enjoy live music concerts, "Children's Festival," and "Halloween Spooktacular." The park is usually open from late May to early August. It also opens on select days in September and October.
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History of Camden Park
Camden Park began as a picnic area in 1903. It was created by the Ohio Valley Electric Railway company. The park was named after a former senator, Johnson N. Camden. It was a popular stop for people traveling by trolley between different cities.
The very first amusement park ride, a carousel, was built around 1903. This is why the park celebrates its founding from that year. Around 1912, the park added its first roller coaster. It was a big hit with a tall hill and fun dips!
A man named Eustace Via bought Camden Park in 1916. He added many new rides and attractions. After World War II, the park was sold to new owners. They decided the old roller coaster wasn't safe anymore. So, they took it down in 1957.
In 1958, a brand new wooden roller coaster opened. It was called the Big Dipper. The park is now owned by the Boylin family. They continue to operate the park and its many classic rides. These include the carousel, The Whip, Tilt-A-Whirl, Paratrooper, and Scrambler.
The park also has a miniature railway and a spooky Haunted House ride. You can also enjoy swan-shaped pedal boats and miniature golf. In the middle of the park, there's an Indian mound. It was once a picnic area and is now covered with trees.
Exciting Rides and Attractions
- Big Dipper - This is Camden Park's most famous ride! It's a classic wooden roller coaster built in 1958. It replaced an older coaster. The Big Dipper has cool Century Flyer cars with working headlights. It has a figure-eight track design. Riders go down a big dip and through a dark tunnel. It's one of only three roller coasters like it still working today!
- Lil' Dipper - This is a smaller wooden roller coaster. It was built in 1961. It's perfect for those who want a taste of coaster fun!
- Paratrooper - This classic ride has ten cars. Each car can hold two adults or three kids. The cars swing up and down as they go in a circle. It feels like you're floating under a giant parachute!
- Carousel - This beautiful merry-go-round has horses that go up and down. It also has stationary seats. The park's current carousel has been spinning for over 100 years!
- Log Flume - Get ready to get wet! This ride has log-shaped cars that float down a winding channel. You'll go up two hills and then splash down fast. It's a popular ride on hot summer days.
- Haunted House - This spooky ride is inspired by ghost stories. You'll go through dark, winding paths. Watch out for sudden lights, noises, and animated monsters! It's one of the last rides of its kind left in the U.S.
- Slingshot - This is Camden Park's newest roller coaster. It opened in 2016. It's a figure-eight coaster with cars that spin around!
- Camden Princess - This is a fun boat ride that rocks and spins. It's a Zamperla Rockin' Tug ride.
- Miniature Train - Hop aboard this small train! It looks like an old steam locomotive. The train takes you on a ride around the park. You'll even go through a covered bridge!
- Kite Flyer - On this ride, you lie flat on your stomach. It feels like you're hang-gliding through the air!
- Tilt-A-Whirl - This classic ride has seven cars. They spin and tilt in all directions. Sometimes you'll be pushed against the back of your seat!
- Flying Scooters - This ride has vehicles suspended from arms. They swing around a center post.
- Skyliner - Take a ride on this chairlift! It gives you an amazing view of the whole park from above. You can see the miniature golf course and more.
- Swan Lake - Enjoy a peaceful paddleboat ride on the water. The boats are shaped like giant swans!
- The Rattler - Riders are suspended and swing and spin at the same time.
- The Whip - This is a classic flat ride. It whips you around corners! Camden Park has one of the few left in existence.
- West Virginia Adventure Golf - Play a round of 18-hole miniature golf! The course has cool West Virginia themes. You'll see a grist mill, a covered bridge, and even a shootout scene!
- Mound Builder Pavilion - This is a covered picnic area and stage. Live music performances are often held here. It's named after the park's historic Indian mound.
Fun Rides for Younger Kids
- Junior Whip - A smaller version of The Whip ride. It's perfect for younger children.
- Dune Buggies - Kids can drive these miniature cars. They follow a set track for a fun ride.
- Skyfighter - A children's airplane ride. Kids can pretend to fly their own planes!
- Handcars - These are hand-powered sleds. Kids can push themselves along a winding track.
- Boat ride - A miniature boat ride for little ones. The two-seater boats look like they're floating on water.
- Pony Carts - A small carousel-style ride with pony carts. It's great for very young children.
- Umbrella Car Ride - A flat, carousel-style ride. It features miniature cars, trucks, and motorcycles.
Past Rides and Attractions
- Bull's Eye - This was a spinning ride that moved in diagonal directions. It was replaced by the Slingshot ride.
- Camden Park Zoo - The park once had a small zoo. It was removed in the early 1970s.
- Caterpillar - A classic ride from the 1950s. The cars followed a wavy circular track.
- Dodgem Cars - These were traditional bumper cars from the 1940s. They were damaged in a fire in 2013.
- Enterprise - This was a fast, looping ride that looked like a Ferris wheel. It closed in 1993 due to a mechanical issue.
- Fun Slide - A tall, multi-lane slide. Riders would climb stairs and slide down on a burlap mat.
- Hot Cat - This ride was like a train on a wavy track. Half of it was in a dark shed. It was removed in 2012.
- Hurricane - A classic Hurricane ride with spinning cars. It was replaced by the Kite Flyer.
- Roller Coaster - Camden Park's very first wooden roller coaster. It was taken down in 1957 to make way for the Big Dipper.
- Skydiver - A "looping Ferris wheel" ride. It opened in 2001 and closed in 2009.
- Spider - This ride had eight arms, each with spinning cars. It was located near the park's midway. It was closed and removed after an incident in 2011.
- Tip-Top - A flat ride with tub-like cars that would spin.
- Thunderbolt Express - This was a shuttle roller coaster. It operated from 1988 to 1999. It was later taken apart.
- Yo-Yo - A classic swing ride. Riders were suspended on long chains from a spinning top.
