Arnolds Park Review | One of America's Most Remote Theme Parks

[@g.willykers]

The amusement park isn’t the main draw of the area, West Lake Okoboji is! Come stay a week in an area resort, then check out all of the great dining, biking trails, excursion boats, great fishing, nice swimming beaches, great shopping, and much more!

[@holdensutter6257]

Fun fact: In the 90s Arnold’s Park almost went under due to low attendance and poor upkeep. It was going to be sold to real estate developers, but thanks to the donations from generations of folks who grew up with the park, they were able to keep the land and restore it! I’ve visited every year since I was born (mom’s family is from the area) and I’ve loved seeing it grow and flourish since that dark period. It’s still a pretty modest park all things considered, but they’ve added to it and improved parts and the results speak for themselves! Their new outdoor concert venue on the lakeside is also among my favorite venues I’ve ever been to.

[@StamfordBridge]

Remote is right. I thought it might be a relatively quick side stop on a road trip from Adventureland to Valleyfair, but I was shocked by how long it took me, across empty rural roads, to get to Arnold’s Park. In the end I’m glad I took the time, though. If anyone goes, I recommend taking an hour to include a lake cruise, which leaves from the dock right there at the park.

[@clevelandcbi]

I give the same recommendation for Indiana Beach, complete with taking the paddleboat ride.

[@chipdale490]

Major 'Grease' vibes here. 😂

[@StamfordBridge]

@@clevelandcbi Yeah. I took a boat ride around the lake at IB, too. Best views of the park for sure.

[@kurtisokc]

The location is fairly remote but the area is actually well known in Iowa and surrounding states as a summer tourist destination.

[@DBVDerailed]

I grew up in Okoboji and the Legend absolutely was my first coaster ever. 🙂 Some of my fondest memories are 4th of Julys in the park, standing in the loop, and watching them shoot off fireworks from out on the water. It’s always so cool/surreal to see coaster channels that I follow now, strolling through my home town. Appreciate the review!

[@nfcoasterferg]

That weird ride was an Octopus, a very common traveling carnival ride for the small carnivals that travel the plains states. They are getting more and more rare as they age but they are so fun. Each ride is unique. And if you get a good spin the ride can be very wild, similar to a Tilt-A-Whirl

[@alexhulinsky7954]

I've seen it called the spider too.

[@Empty_Robot]

I loved this place growing up. When I think of amusement parks, I think of Arnolds Park.

[@drdewott9154]

This just looks like a very nice local amusement park with a lot of historic charm. And while they for sure get forgotten in the big coaster debates and what not, they're very much still vital and great places, whether its just for the charm or having a local place where people in the area can still try out some amusement rides and games, or simply to have a more affordable option.

[@sovoho]

You guys are the best coaster channel out there, keep up the amazing work!

[@cedarflags]

I could spend a week there and not be bored. The entire lakeside area, including the shops and the rides, make this one of my favorite parks ever. I managed to tackle this and MOA in a day so it's possible, just hard.

[@kurtisokc]

I was born and raised about 15 miles from Arnold’s Park so when you called the location the “middle of nowhere” that hit home. 😅 You’re not wrong though. It’s not a “destination park” and doesn’t try to be. It is a pleasant distraction for locals and people who go there to experience the lakes. Although it’s been decades since I’ve been there this video brought back fond childhood memories.

[@richardkuyper300]

My first job at the age of 15 was running that kiddie roller coaster in 1963. Had to fib about my age and pretend to be 16. 😁 Worked in the area every summer through high school school and community college. Good times.

[@christianortiz-v1l]

I am still laughing very hard from Sarah's reaction to the Roll-O-Plane

[@TIMDCLEMENTS-LEVIN]

I can't remember the name of the ride you indicated you'd never heard of, but they were a STAPLE at every carnival from the 60's through the 80's. There was one at FunPier in Wildwood, NJ, one at Wild Waves/Enchanted Village in WA state. I LOVE that ride, as you never knew where you were at any given moment, and the multiple aspects of lifting & spinning were sometimes smooth and sometimes, you spun like crazy. GREAT ride.

[@TIMDCLEMENTS-LEVIN]

I remembered the name - The OCTOPUS!

[@Tommygunn776]

Reminds me of this park in Michigan, Cedar Valley's Wild Frontier Fun Park. Same thing, it's in the middle of nowhere, is made up of old refurbished carnival rides, and is in a beautiful area.

[@AidenS.435]

As an Iowan who lives in Arnold’s park, I can confirm that it is very old, but it is so fun!

[@clevelandcbi]

TRUST ME when I say Indiana Beach feels the same way. You're questioning if it's even real driving corn-filled back roads, and then BOOM!!! 🤣🤣🤣🤣

[@brabblemaster401]

Ah the Iowa Great Lakes. Get to the area every year at the cabin and its a blast just hanging in town on July 4th. While the park is nothing to brag about it just has that old time feel you cant get anywhere else, and the town makes the stay worth it.

[@coaster365]

1. Once again, nailed a review, perfect summation of this park. Really fun place to have a great time for a few hours. 2. Not to beat a dead horse but, wonder why 1989 was on your mind there bud? 🤔😄

[@CoasterStudios]

I need to get Taylor Swift outta my head

[@alexandramcginnis8872]

I wouldn’t call it the “middle of no where”. To Iowans, Okoboji is consider the tourist part of Iowa. They are nick name the “Iowa Great Lakes”. Best water in Iowa (which is very sad, water quality in Iowa is bad) But outside of the summer, it is a ghost town for sure.

[@radioboy75]

Ghost town? Compared to the summer maybe, but there are over 11,000 permanent residents of the Iowa Great Lakes area. I mean, it's not NYC, but it's not a literal ghost town either.

[@hbomb168]

I used to go to a summer camp every year in the area and we would always take an evening trip to Arnold's Park. I loved the Legend roller coaster and the go carts. The Queen II boat is really cool too.

[@timahtoo]

That flat ride is known as a octopus here in the u.k and it’s the only ride that made me throw up 😅

[@cbr9nmr]

Don't forget one of the few Rock-O-Planes as well.

[@Velvetzienz]

I’ve lived in Omaha my whole life but we used to go to Arnold’s park every year it’s great

[@alantrotter2077]

I drove down when I visited ValleyFair. You drive through the middle of no where and all of a sudden you drive into what feels like a college or resort town on a lake. People were drinking, shopping once I got to the park and I basically got the credits (ride the woodie a few times) and left. It was a very interesting park to visit to o say the least. Not somewhere where I see myself going back so I pretty much agree with your review.

[@Noahtendo42]

Growing up, my grandma used to take me there all the time and it was so fun would definitely visit there again

[@billchief397]

This is a gem....along with the park there are tons of unique shops...and the lake make sure you take a full day. I need to get back. For rides they are hokey...but the octopus was a spinning fun time and the roll o plane is a classic. Good family park must see in summer.

[@rachelmalfoy2819]

So fun to go to when visiting Okoboji, we’re about 3 hours away

[@davidmiranda6355]

I was working there in 2023 and it was such a nice experience,and I can’t believe that I miss the park so much!!!, I miss to ride the roller coaster for free, spend time with my friends and go to eat a burrito loco at Giliberto’s when the shifts have ended 😍😍😍🤣

[@serayebennett9114]

what type of job u did there?

[@davidmiranda6355]

@@serayebennett9114 ride opperator

[@thetraveler3739]

Los Pueblo’s just down the road from giliberto’s has so much better food in my opinion.

[@YzzanhsGaming]

This is my home town!! I worked here during the summers of 2020-2021. A really special place to live, that’s for sure :)

[@psykodo2161]

I live 5 minutes from Arnold’s park, it’s kinda cool having friends who don’t live around here come down and it’s had some of the best fishing lakes I’ve personally ever seen

[@onelooongboi5838]

I was born in Minnesota. I’ve been to Arnold’s park so many times. Sooo many times. The fun house is so interesting. Not sure how it works but it’s crazy. Like gravity works differently there 😂

[@grantgold6336]

As someone who lives in Iowa, I wish this was closer.

[@gregorymoore2877]

As someone who lives in Texas, I also wish this was closer.

[@ColeRenken13]

I live in Lake Park in Arnold Park. It’s only 15 minutes away from me so it’s so cool seeing Arnold Park in a KZbin video.

[@radioboy75]

Good perspective for/from someone outside the area. I would agree with most of your points. However, Arnolds Park is not exactly a destination park for most people. The LAKES -- seven lakes in a chain, five of which are on the same level and you can boat between, plus several others in the immediate area -- those are the main attraction. Arnolds Park is something you might do while you visit the lakes. Maybe a half day or a day. Valleyfair this is not. But if you're going to vacation in the Iowa Great Lakes area, Arnolds Park is a "must see." Don't miss the Queen II excursion boat, which is also somehow connected to Arnolds Park. Also, it may be remote for most people, but obviously, to some people, this is their closest amusement park . . .

[@phreakwars]

Grew up in the area. Arnolds Park was my very first coaster ride. My aunt and uncle used to work for the park and let us in all the time to ride for free. I've been there so many times that I rarely ever go these days because it's been so overdone in my life. Myself, like many other natives around the area see the water/water sports/winter games/fishing as more of an attraction. Guarantee most of us having our favorite fishing spots somewhere where the regular tourists never visit or know about.

[@jimroscovius]

My family saw Weird Al at the Arnold's Park amphitheater and we had fun at the park. Iowa's Great Lakes are there - there's more than one lake.

[@CisForCoasters]

Yes, I've been there. I love little parks like this, so laid back and easy to take young kids. I just don't understand how you missed the bug house? It's the quirkiest ride there and possibly the quirkiest ride I've been on.

[@sandyg9228]

The Bug House is really unique. The name is misleading. It has nothing to do with bugs but will leave you dizzy and completely disoriented.

[@mitchellries256]

I went here once in 2003, but I don't remember much from it except from riding Legend multiple times. Maybe I should return sometime soon just for old times sake. I just need a reason for driving all the way out there.

[@VestedUTuber]

I actually would say this is a low-key bucket-list park. Mainly because of its historic nature. I wouldn't necessarily say it's one to specifically travel to, but if you're going to one of the surrounding towns, do it. And you'd be surprised about the various reasons why people would be in that general area. Rochester, MN is home to Mayo Clinic, one of the top-rated medical centers in the world.

[@gregorymoore2877]

Brief stop... looks like a destination place to me. I'd spend at least a full day there.

[@ccubsfan94]

As an Iowan, that works in Minnesota, I still haven't been here. Landed at the airport on the north side of the lake, but not here.

[@fabiansierra7622]

This park gives beginner Roller Coaster Tycoon career mode

[@JerkyPuck]

One of those unique flat Spider rides can be seen at the end of the movie Grease when they have a carnival. That’s the only other place I’ve seen one.

[@ccw2613]

That ride you didn't recognize is the original monster ride. Arnold's Park is not in the middle of nowhere though. If you live in the Midwest the Okoboji area of Iowa is a big tourist area for camping, boating, etc. it's the equivalent of going up north.

[@planetcoasterboycj7274]

I could see that tilting spinning ride as being the type of ride to where you would want to get one of your big fat friends to ride with you just so you could see how fast you can make it spin lol.

[@bubblegaminglol]

3:27 there’s a somewhat similar ride (lower capacity) at a kids park that’s 20 minutes from me. Funny enough it’s the park’s newest edition, opening last year.

[@finnyork4152]

As coming from someone who has gone to that park every year, this park is one of the best amusement parks out there

[@overlookers]

The mystery flat is probably a very early Eyerly Spider. As in it's the older Octopus design with twin cars. It might even a prototype. This park has almost all of Eyerly's flats, they even a Bulgy the Whale.

[@davidtarantino5328]

Its not a prototype...it is an Eyerly Octopus with twin cars, an option that Eyerly offered for their Octopus rides. There were many produced with this option actually.

[@vazatimo3000]

Howdy @Coaster Studios I will visit sir. Its a great park for its size.

[@donnyeisenbacher6896]

I worked there early 90's at the age of 14.. Different times, good times.

[@peacefulthrillseeker]

I enjoyed the Drone Shots very much 👏🚁🎢💯

[@Josh_Stuchbery]

It's interesting that this place seems so busy despite its location.

[@alexandramcginnis8872]

It’s the PERFECT location. What he failed to mention is that the park is located in Iowa’s “Great Lakes” region. Often called “Okoboji” in total. It’s a major tourist spot for Iowans during the summer for the Lakee. And they are very good lakes!

[@LA-gt3xr]

What are the odds! Just missed y’all. Got a clip of me riding legend lol. Happened twice in a span of two days…

[@k9feces]

Never heard of this place, looks great

[@rorygranados4746]

OMG THANK YOU FOR VISITING MY HOME THEME PARK (i mean sorta, i live in worthington minnesota)

[@GregSterler-wp8sw]

The lakes ain’t in the middle of nowhere. Also, there’s other thing to do in the area, in the fall we have the clay county fair, it’s twenty minutes from the lakes and brings in 300,000 people a year. To the north is Jackson mn which brings in people with the Jackson nationals

[@devinflint5554]

It's "remote," but it's also on the West Lake Okoboji which is a huge vacation destination.

[@davidtarantino5328]

I am hoping you are joking about that "mystery" flat ride. It is an Eyerly Octopus with twin cars, an option that Eyerly offered for their Octopus rides. There were many produced with this option actually.

[@gregorymoore2877]

Me: "Is this Heaven?" Ride Attendant: "No. It's Iowa." Me: "Wow. I could've sworn this was Heaven." 😉

[@bubbasan]

The park is part of what makes up "Okoboji" as a whole. Coming to town just for the amusement park will leave you underwhelmed. Come back and hang out for a week and see if your opinion changes.

[@RedditHorrors777]

Fun fact the wild mouse is from joyland in Lubbock tx my old hometown

[@HuddyBuddyQuest]

No actually I live in a town right next to Arnold Park. It is in the town Okoboji, so it is not in the middle of nowhere.

[@curri189]

I'm sure it's great for the locals! And obviously some extreme enthusiasts.

[@Nightwatcher8_]

Ahh great memories of this place especially the go karts I think is in or just right next to it

[@GregSterler-wp8sw]

Hey, I know you. Also not to remote

[@ScottyMania313]

Great Review!

[@TestingTesting-tl7pz]

Y’all went to the most remote amusement park in the country plus 30+ countries and you still haven’t gone to Cliffs Amusement Park in Albuquerque, NM!

[@CoasterStudios]

Cliff’s is on our to do list! It’ll happen one day!

[@Ianwww7]

Bro Iowa has the best water/theme parks. Near Waterloo in Iowa is the lost island water and theme park. It’s very fun and huge. If going to Iowa go to lost island

[@longboardcat98]

The ride at 3:30 looks to be basically the same as monster at ValleyFair

[@urbex_coasters]

Legond is a new coaster at this point. Being that they replaced all the wood all at once and even the footers are new, it's hard to argue the coaster that's there today is the same coaster that was painted white that preceeded it.

[@drdewott9154]

Well its very much a Ship of Theseus or Triggers broom situation. If youve replaced all the parts on a thing is it still the same thing.

[@urbex_coasters]

@@drdewott9154 In the ship of theseous debate, it's through the natural cycle of maintainance that it inevitably happens. Not say, burn the whole ship and build a replica that intentionally doesn't reuse any of the original. In the case of Legond, you had a demolished empty plot filled in with a replica. This Legond is as much its predecessor as Green Bay's Zippin Pippin is Memphis's Zippin Pippin.

[@Camerenyoo9]

All the rides you’ve been on, and you’ve never ridden a classic octopus spinner? 😂

[@CoasterStudios]

That’s not a regular Octopus. I’ve done an Octopus before.

[@GuyT-z7o]

I think that’s an American Eyerly Aircraft Company 16 arm / 2 car octopus 🤙

[@DonusDoo]

If you get a place down there it is very enjoyable and also there’s a lot of people who have a place there and they live in Sioux Falls I’m one of them

[@wayne_jkl]

@3:27 That's an old-school Octopus!

[@meatyninja_1391]

Arnold's park is so fun ive been there

[@mickeysm64]

I've been there quite a few times.

[@risingtide7244]

And it somehow is like 10 minutes away from my cousins, my other cousins, and my grandparents

[@donnieabercrombie9624]

That’s an “MONSTER/OCTOPUS”!

[@coasternut3091]

So how does this compare to Lake Winnepesaukah?

[@CancelHappiness]

Love your reviews but hope we get a vlog.

[@CoasterStudios]

We will be filming one this upcoming week! Since its the off season and most parks are closed, we haven't been able to do as much as we normally do- but we have some upcoming trips planned that should result in some fun vlogs!

[@CancelHappiness]

@@CoasterStudios sweet. Thanks!

[@MaxMediaUSA]

I went here every summer during the 1990s.

[@guitardude1587]

What is the difference between a theme park and an amusement park?

[@maxhagenauer24]

This park gives Little Ammerika vibes.

[@cindyrichards1118]

The log flum came from wildwood nj cool huh

[@ВишняФортуна]

My fav place ❤️

[@alexandramcginnis559]

I don't think remote is the best word. Just very local. Okoboji is fairly well known in Iowa. It is the vacation spot of Iowa. Hell, I'm in Okoboji right now for a conference. I feel like a remote amusement park wouldn't be in a resort town.

[@Mecat900]

My school won a trim here one time

[@CG842yt]

I’ve been here it’s really fun

[@maxhagenauer24]

Place this in Illinois and it will be just as much in the middle of nowhere.

[@Isaacgames789]

I go to Okoboji every few years

[@BLINX-FN]

Man’s really said it was in the middle of nowhere when it’s really in the middle of everywhere all those Big cities have a decently short drive to the park and in Okoboji there are lots of resorts to stay during the night bro doesn’t know what he’s talking about💀💀

[@CoasterStudios]

its in the north west corner of Iowa...there's not much there. Its a far drive from those cities you mentioned. Its objectively not in a convenient location.

[@GregSterler-wp8sw]

Can’t you just fly in on a smaller plane, there is an airport at the lakes where Harrison ford used to land at

[@Bloxyriftzz]

Yo I live there!

[@halloween-9]

i went there 5weks

[@askjeevescosby2928]

ITS NOT A TUMAH

[@rabooey]

Dang that Arnolds Park Amusement Park for having a monopoly on amusement parks.