Indiana Beach facts for kids
| Previously known as Ideal Beach; Indiana Beach Amusement Resort | |
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| Location | 5224 East Indiana Beach Blvd, Monticello, Indiana, United States |
|---|---|
| Coordinates | 40°47′N 86°46′W / 40.79°N 86.77°W |
| Status | open |
| Opened | 1926 |
| Owner | IB Parks & Entertainment |
| Slogan | "There's more than corn in Indiana!" (previously: "Where Families Flock For Fun" & "The riviera of the midwest!") |
| Operating season | May through October |
| Area | 10 acres (4.0 ha) |
| Attractions | |
| Total | 43 |
| Roller coasters | 7 |
| Water rides | 4 |
Indiana Beach is a fun amusement park located right on Lake Shafer in Monticello, Indiana. A family called the Spackmans started the park in 1926 and owned it for many years. Today, it is owned and run by IB Parks & Entertainment. It's a great place for families to visit and enjoy rides, water fun, and games!
Contents
Discovering Indiana Beach's Past
Indiana Beach first opened in 1926. It was originally called Ideal Beach. It started as a simple beach by the lake. There was a bath house and a small place to buy snacks.
How the Park Grew Over Time
In 1927, the park added its first exciting ride. From then on, it kept growing bigger and better. In the 1930s and 1940s, the Ideal Beach Ballroom was very popular. Famous bands would play music there. In 1961, a special paddle wheeler boat called the Shafer Queen joined the park. This boat gave rides on the lake for many years. A new Shafer Queen boat took its place in 1973.
Changes in Ownership and a Big Comeback
In 2008, the Spackman family sold Indiana Beach. It was sold again in 2015 to a company called Apex Parks Group.
In February 2020, there was sad news. Indiana Beach announced it would close forever. The owners said they had money problems. They tried hard to find a new owner but could not. Many people were sad about the park closing.
However, good news came in March 2020! The owners said they were talking to new buyers. Local officials in White County even offered money to help a new owner. This was because Indiana Beach brings a lot of visitors and money to the area.
In April 2020, the park announced it would reopen! A businessman from Chicago named Gene Staples bought it. The park officially reopened on June 27, 2020. It has been open and welcoming guests ever since.
Exciting Rides at Indiana Beach
Indiana Beach has many different types of rides for everyone to enjoy. From thrilling roller coasters to fun water slides, there's something for every age.
Thrilling Roller Coasters
Indiana Beach is home to several exciting roller coasters.
| Name | Year Opened | Type | Manufacturer/Model | Fun Facts |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Cornball Express | 2001 | Wooden roller coaster | Custom Coasters International | This coaster shares its support structure with the Hoosier Hurricane. |
| Hoosier Hurricane | 1994 | Wooden roller coaster | Custom Coasters International | It also shares its support structure with the Cornball Express. |
| Lost Coaster of Superstition Mountain | 2002 | Elevator lift wooden coaster | Custom Coasters International | This unique coaster was built where an old mine ride used to be. |
| Steel Hawg | 2008 | El Loco | S&S - Sansei Technologies | It has a very steep drop that goes beyond straight down! |
| Tig'rr Coaster | 1984 | Steel, Jet Star | Schwarzkopf | This is the oldest roller coaster still running at Indiana Beach. |
| All American Triple Loop | 2024 | Steel, Triple Loop Coaster | Schwarzkopf | This coaster has traveled to many places before coming to Indiana Beach. |
| Cyclone | 2022 | Galaxi | Robles Bouso Atracciones | It's located where the park's first Galaxi Roller Coaster once stood. |
Splashing Water Park Attractions
Cool off and have a blast at the water park area!
| Name | Year Opened | Type | Fun Facts |
|---|---|---|---|
| Action river | 1989 | Lazy River | Relax and float along this gentle river. |
| Big Flush Water Coaster | 1998 | Water Coaster | Get ready for a splashy ride! |
| Sandy Beach swimming area | 1926 | Swimming area with a recirculating pool | A classic swimming spot since the park opened. |
| Splash bash water spray pad | 1989 | Splash Pad | A fun area with water sprays and fountains. |
| 5 tube slides | 1989 | 3 enclosed slides, 2 open slides | These slides were repainted in 2016 for a fresh look. |
Other Major Rides to Enjoy
Beyond coasters and water rides, there are many other exciting attractions.
| Name | Year Opened | Type | Fun Facts |
|---|---|---|---|
| Air Crow | 2004 | Larson International Flying Scooters | Soar through the air on this classic ride. |
| Antique Autos | 1960s | Antique car ride | Drive your own old-fashioned car. |
| Den of Lost Thieves | 1998 | Sally Corporation Shooting dark ride | A fun dark ride where you can shoot targets. |
| Dodgem | 1960s | Bumper cars | Bump and crash with your friends! |
| Double Shot | 1998 | S&S Power Double Shot tower ride | Get launched up high and then dropped down fast! |
| Falling Star | 1990 | Chance Rides Falling Star | This ride has moved to different spots in the park over the years. |
| Flying Bobs | 2020 | Allan Herschell Company Alpine Bobs | This ride used to be at Coney Island in Ohio. |
| Giant Gondola Wheel | 1989 | Chance Rides Ferris wheel | Enjoy great views from the top of this Ferris wheel. |
| Music Express | 2011 | Mack Rides Music Express | A fast-spinning ride with fun music. |
| Nao de China | TBD | Weber Traumboot | This ride came from another park that closed in 2019. |
| Paratrooper | 1970s | Frank Hrubetz Paratrooper | Spin around high in the air like a paratrooper. |
| Rockin' Tug | 2014 | Zamperla Tugboat Spining Ride | A boat-themed ride that rocks and spins. |
| Rocky's Rapids | 1986 | Arrow Dynamics Log flume | This log flume ride was moved from another park that closed in 1983. |
| Scrambler | 1960s | Eli Bridge Company Scrambler | A classic ride that spins you in different directions. |
| Sea Dragon | Chance Rides Pirate ship | Swing back and forth on this large pirate ship. | |
| Sea Warrior | 2021 | Klaus (SDC) Polyp | This ride has been at several different parks over the years. |
| Shafer Queen | 1961 | Paddle Wheel Riverboat | The original boat was replaced by a newer one in 1973. |
| Skyride | 1960s | Chairlift | Take a relaxing ride above the park. |
| Spackman Express | Chance Rides C. P. Huntington Miniature Train Ride | This train ride travels along a big part of the park. | |
| Tilt-A-Whirl | Sellner Tilt-A-Whirl | A spinning ride that tilts and whirls you around. | |
| Water Swings | 1992 | Chance Rides Yo-Yo | Swing high over the water on this fun ride. |
Other Fun Attractions
- Cap'n Crow's Bumper Boats
- Dr. Frankenstein's Haunted Castle – A spooky walk-through adventure
- SkyCoaster
Fun for Little Ones at Kiddieland
Kiddieland has rides specially designed for younger visitors.
- Beach Buggies
- Boardwalk Balloons
- Boogie Boats
- Crazy Carp
- Leap Frog
- Little Eli Wheel
- Mini Motors
- Rocky's Roundup
- Rockin' Tug
- Wild Wagons
Rides That Are No Longer Here
Over the years, some rides have left Indiana Beach.
- Bullet
- Chaos
- Flying Bobs (Chance TM)
- Grand Carousel
- Dragon Wagon (roller coaster) (2014–2018)
- Galaxi (roller coaster) (1971–2013)
- Growler – Spinning Family Ride
- Mystery Mansion
- Pumpkin Ferris Wheel
- Skydiver
- Splash Battle (2006–2015)
- Superstition Mountain Mine Ride
- Trabant
- Twister
- Viper
- Zugspitz
Past Attractions
- Adventure Point
- Boat Tag
Games and Arcades
Test your skills and win prizes at the park's games!
- Fascination
- Gallery of Ghouls – A fun shooting gallery game
- Skee Ball
- Video Arcade
Places to Stay at Indiana Beach
If you want to stay longer, Indiana Beach has many options. You can find hotel rooms, motel rooms, and cabins. They have different prices and sizes for families. There are also campgrounds called Indiana Beach/Monticello KOA. These campgrounds have about 1,000 spots for camping.
