Lost Island Theme Park opened in Waterloo, Iowa on June 18, 2022, capping off an estimated $100 million construction project that began in August 2019. Owned by the Bertch family, who have run the adjacent Lost Island Waterpark since 2001, the 90-acre park sits beside a 30-acre lake and quickly became one of the Midwest’s more ambitious regional theme park builds.
This guide covers everything you need before you go: current hours and season pattern, ticket and season pass pricing, parking and bag policy, the full ride lineup including 2025’s Fire Runner coaster, and answers to the questions people search most about Lost Island.
Quick Answer
Lost Island Theme Park is open daily June through August with weekend-only operation in May and September; it charges separate admission from the adjacent Lost Island Waterpark, though combo Island Passes cover both. Parking runs about $10 for standard vehicles, and the park is best known for Fire Runner, its 2025 Rocky Mountain Construction single-rail coaster.
Hours and Season: When Lost Island Is Open
Lost Island Theme Park runs on a classic seasonal amusement-park schedule. The theme park operates daily from roughly Memorial Day weekend through the end of August, then shifts to weekends only in September before closing for the year. Daily hours are typically mid-morning to early evening, with extended Friday and Saturday nights in peak summer for guests who want to ride coasters after dark. The adjoining Adventure Golf and go-karts often keep slightly longer hours than the rides.
Because exact opening and closing times shift by month and can change for weather or special events, don’t rely on a cached hours page. Check the official Lost Island hours and events calendar before you drive out, especially if you’re planning an early-May or late-September visit when the schedule narrows to weekends.
Tickets, Prices, and Season Passes
Lost Island prices tickets in tiers, and buying online in advance is consistently cheaper than paying at the gate. Single-day theme park admission is discounted for online purchases made before the visit and costs more if bought at the gate on arrival; children age 3 and under get in free, and reduced rates are typically available for seniors and military with valid ID.
If you want to experience both the theme park and the waterpark, look at the One-Day Island Pass (single admission to both parks in one day) or the Two-Day Island Pass (one park per day across two consecutive days) — these usually cost less than buying separate single-park tickets. Frequent visitors can buy a season pass, which includes theme park admission for the full season, free parking, and a discounted guest ticket to bring a friend.
Because ticket pricing is updated annually and changes with promotions, treat any specific dollar figure as a starting point rather than gospel. For the current season’s exact prices, always confirm on Lost Island’s official tickets page.
Parking and Bag Policy
Standard vehicle parking runs about $10 per space, with a higher rate for oversized vehicles, RVs, and campers; season pass holders park free. All bags are inspected at the gate, and prohibited items — weapons, alcohol, outside food and drinks, coolers, and glass — must be left in your car or discarded before entry. Empty water bottles are allowed in and can be refilled at stations inside the park, and the gift shops sell sunscreen and other essentials if you forget them.
The Ride Lineup
The park is organized into five themed realms based on classical elements — Tamariki Spirit, Udara Air, Awa Water, Yuta Earth, and Mura Fire — spread across roughly 30 total attractions, including four roller coasters, a Sally Corporation dark ride, and a log flume.
Matugani is an Intamin Accelerator Coaster relocated from Liseberg in Sweden, while Nopuko Air Coaster is a Vekoma Suspended Looping Coaster previously known as Cobra at South Africa’s Ratanga Junction. Lokolo, an SBF/Visa Wacky Worm, rounds out the junior coaster offerings. Beyond the coasters, guests can ride Volkanu: Quest for the Golden Idol, a Sally Corporation dark ride, and Yuta Falls, an Interlink log flume, plus a mix of flat rides, kiddie rides, and interactive games spread across the five realms.
Fire Runner: The Park’s Headliner
Fire Runner, which opened for the 2025 season, is a Rocky Mountain Construction Raptor-model single-rail coaster and Lost Island’s marquee attraction. It stands about 92 feet tall, hits a top speed near 52 mph, runs roughly 1,950 feet of track, and delivers three inversions in about 32 seconds of ride time. It’s widely cited by the coaster enthusiast community as the first single-rail coaster in the Midwest, and its debut drew national attention from the RMC fan base.
Best Time to Visit
Weekday mornings early in the season (June) or after mid-August, once school resumes, tend to bring the shortest lines, especially for Fire Runner and the two looping coasters. Weekends in July are the busiest stretch. If you want to ride after dark, plan around the Friday/Saturday late-night hours that run through peak summer — the lake setting and lighting make the park’s theming stand out after sunset.
A Young Park Still Finding Its Footing
Because Lost Island is so new, its story is still being written. Its debut season in 2022 reportedly ended earlier than planned due to attendance and staffing challenges, along with ride reliability issues — growing pains common to newly opened parks. The addition of Fire Runner in 2025 signaled continued investment in the park’s future, and it remains the most-talked-about reason enthusiasts are adding Waterloo, Iowa to their coaster trip lists.
Lost Island Theme Park visitor guide FAQs
When did Lost Island Theme Park open?
Lost Island Theme Park opened on June 18, 2022, in Waterloo, Iowa, after construction that began in August 2019.
How many roller coasters does Lost Island have?
The park has four roller coasters: Matugani, Nopuko Air Coaster, Lokolo, and the 2025 addition Fire Runner.
What is Fire Runner at Lost Island?
Fire Runner is a Rocky Mountain Construction Raptor single-rail coaster that opened in 2025, reaching about 92 feet tall, roughly 52 mph, with three inversions over about 1,950 feet of track.
What are Lost Island Theme Park’s hours?
The theme park generally runs daily from Memorial Day weekend through August, then weekends only in September, with mid-morning to early-evening hours and extended Friday/Saturday nights in peak summer. Confirm exact times on the official hours and events page before visiting.
How much is parking at Lost Island?
Standard vehicle parking is about $10 per space, with a higher rate for oversized vehicles and campers; season pass holders park free.
Are Lost Island Theme Park and Lost Island Waterpark the same admission?
No, they sell separate single-park tickets, but combo Island Passes let you visit both parks in one day or across two consecutive days for less than buying separate tickets.
Who owns Lost Island Theme Park?
The Bertch family owns Lost Island Theme Park. They have operated the adjacent Lost Island Waterpark since 2001 and built the theme park as a roughly $100 million expansion.
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