Elitch Gardens is Denver’s 65-acre theme and water park, and one of the oldest continuously operating amusement parks in the United States, with roots stretching back to 1890. It’s also a park whose future has been in the news almost as much as its rides, thanks to a long-planned redevelopment of the land it sits on.
This guide covers everything a visitor actually needs: current hours and ticket basics, the full ride and coaster lineup, parking and bag-policy essentials, and a clear answer to the question a lot of people are searching — is Elitch Gardens actually closing?
Quick Answer
Elitch Gardens is open and operating for its 2026 season at 2000 Elitch Circle in Denver’s Central Platte Valley, typically running 10:30 a.m. to somewhere between 6 p.m. and 9 p.m. depending on the day, from spring through Fright Fest and holiday events in the fall and winter. Single-day tickets, season/Gold Passes, and parking are all sold separately through the official Elitch Gardens website. Despite years of talk about the River Mile redevelopment project taking over the site, no closure date has been announced and the park is running as usual.
A Denver Landmark: From 1890 Zoo-Garden to the Platte Valley
Elitch Gardens was founded in 1890 by John and Mary Elitch on Denver’s northwest side, opening as a combination zoo, botanic garden, and amusement park — a format that was unusual even for its era and helped make it a genuine Denver institution for more than a century. The original site hosted rides, a theater, and gardens that Denverites visited for generations.
In 1995, after outgrowing its original grounds, the park relocated to a new site in the Central Platte Valley near downtown Denver, reopening there on May 27, 1995, as Elitch Gardens Theme and Water Park. It has occupied that riverside site ever since, marking well over 130 seasons of operation. The only full-season closure in the park’s history came in 2020, when it shut down entirely due to the COVID-19 pandemic before resuming normal operations the following year.
Is Elitch Gardens Closing? The River Mile Question
Elitch Gardens sits on land that’s also the site of The River Mile, a large mixed-use redevelopment plan for the Central Platte Valley that has been discussed for years and would eventually replace the park with housing, offices, and green space. That long-term plan is the reason you’ll see recurring headlines asking whether the park is shutting down.
As of the 2026 season, Elitch Gardens remains open and is not closing. Kroenke Sports & Entertainment (KSE) became the sole owner of the River Mile property in 2025 and has stated its intent to keep the park operating at its current location, with no site development plans, permits, or public timetable filed for redeveloping the parcel the park sits on. In short: a future move or closure is a real long-term possibility given the redevelopment plans, but there is no announced date, and the park is investing in new seasonal events and programming for now rather than winding down.
The Ride Lineup: Six Coasters and More
Elitch Gardens runs roughly 54 total rides and attractions, anchored by a six-coaster lineup that mixes wood, steel, and family-friendly options. The signature ride is Twister III: Storm Chaser, a wooden coaster and the park’s most iconic attraction, alongside Mind Eraser, an inverted steel coaster that sends riders through inversions with their feet dangling below the track.
The rest of the coaster roster includes Sidewinder, a steel shuttle coaster that launches riders backward and forward through a boomerang-style layout; Boomerang, a classic looping shuttle coaster; Half Pipe, a swinging family coaster; and Blazin’ Buckaroo, a gentle kids’ coaster designed for younger riders. Beyond coasters, the park’s ride mix spans flat rides, spinning attractions, a Ferris wheel, and kids’ areas, making it a full-day park for mixed-age groups rather than a coaster-only destination.
Island Kingdom Water Park
Admission to Elitch Gardens includes access to Island Kingdom, the park’s adjoining water park, during its operating season (generally Memorial Day weekend through Labor Day, with hours that run daily from late morning to early evening). Island Kingdom features water slides, a wave pool, and a lazy river alongside the theme park’s dry rides, so a single ticket covers both sides of the park on days when the water park is open.
Planning Your Visit: Hours, Tickets & Parking
Elitch Gardens’ operating calendar runs primarily from spring through the fall, with the theme park open on a rotating schedule of days and the water park layered in during peak summer. Opening time is consistently around 10:30 a.m., but closing times vary by date — shorter days run into the early evening while peak summer weekends stay open later into the night. Because the schedule changes week to week, always check the official park hours calendar before you go rather than relying on a fixed time.
Tickets are sold in several tiers through the official site: single-day online tickets (cheaper than buying at the gate), discounted weekday tickets, and season-long options like the Gold Pass for repeat visitors. Pricing changes by season and promotion, so the official Elitch Gardens ticket page is the most reliable source for current prices rather than any third-party listing. Parking is a separate flat daily fee paid on-site or in advance online, with the parking lot located immediately adjacent to the park entrance in the Central Platte Valley.
The park’s address is 2000 Elitch Circle, Denver, CO 80204, just northwest of downtown Denver and easily reached from I-25. Beyond driving, the park is accessible via Denver’s light rail system, which stops within walking distance of the entrance — a popular alternative to paying for parking.
Bag Policy, Season Passes & Special Events
Elitch Gardens uses metal-detecting screening at the main gate, so bags and purses may be inspected on entry; oversized bags and coolers are generally restricted, and the current size limits and prohibited-item list are posted on the park’s official FAQ page. Guests planning to bring bags should check that page before arriving to avoid delays at the gate.
Outside the core May-through-October season, Elitch Gardens runs seasonal events that extend its calendar: Fright Fest brings Halloween-themed entertainment and haunted attractions in the fall, typically with midday-to-evening hours, while Elitch Holidays turns the park into a lights-and-holiday-market event running evenings from late November into early January. Season and Gold Pass holders generally get admission to these events as part of their pass, making them worth considering for anyone visiting more than once a year.
Who Owns and Runs Elitch Gardens Today
KSE Radio Ventures, an entity tied to Kroenke Sports & Entertainment, owns the Elitch Gardens property, while Premier Parks has operated the park’s day-to-day business since 2015. KSE’s 2025 acquisition of full ownership of the surrounding River Mile land reinforced its stated commitment to keep Elitch Gardens open at its current site for the foreseeable future, even as the broader redevelopment plan remains unscheduled.
Elitch Gardens FAQs
When did Elitch Gardens open?
Elitch Gardens originally opened in 1890 northwest of downtown Denver as a combined zoo, garden, and amusement park. It relocated to its current site in the Central Platte Valley and reopened there on May 27, 1995.
Is Elitch Gardens closing?
Not currently. The park sits on land tied to the long-term River Mile redevelopment plan, but owner KSE has said it intends to keep operating Elitch Gardens at its current site, and no closure date or relocation timetable has been announced.
What are Elitch Gardens’ hours?
The park typically opens around 10:30 a.m., with closing times that vary by date from early evening to later at night during peak summer. Because the schedule changes daily, check the official park hours calendar before visiting.
How much are Elitch Gardens tickets?
Elitch Gardens sells single-day online tickets, discounted weekday tickets, and season passes like the Gold Pass, with online prices generally cheaper than buying at the gate. Because pricing changes by season and promotion, check the official ticket page for current rates.
Does Elitch Gardens have parking, and what does it cost?
Yes, there’s a parking lot adjacent to the entrance with a flat daily fee, payable on-site or in advance online. Many visitors also reach the park via Denver’s light rail to skip parking entirely.
What is the most famous ride at Elitch Gardens?
Twister III: Storm Chaser, a wooden roller coaster, is the park’s signature ride, alongside the inverted steel coaster Mind Eraser.
Who owns and operates Elitch Gardens?
KSE Radio Ventures owns the property, while Premier Parks has operated the park’s day-to-day business since 2015.
Is the water park included with theme park admission?
Yes. A single Elitch Gardens ticket includes Island Kingdom water park on days when it’s open, generally from Memorial Day weekend through Labor Day.
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