Michigan’s Adventure 2026: What to Know Before You Go
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Michigan’s Adventure is Michigan’s largest amusement park and home to more than 60 rides, slides, and attractions. Located just north of Muskegon, the park combines seven roller coasters, family rides, and WildWater Adventure Waterpark into one admission price.
The park offers something for just about everyone, whether you’re chasing thrills on Shivering Timbers, visiting Camp Snoopy with younger kids, or spending a hot summer afternoon floating the lazy river at WildWater Adventure.
We’ve made the drive from our home near Cleveland to Michigan’s Adventure, and it’s an easy weekend getaway if you’re looking to experience a different regional amusement park without traveling across the country.
This guide covers everything you need to know before visiting Michigan’s Adventure, including what’s new for 2026, the park’s roller coasters and attractions, WildWater Adventure, tickets and passes, dining, nearby hotels, and practical tips to help you plan your visit.
What’s New at Michigan’s Adventure in 2026?
Michigan’s Adventure enters the 2026 season under new ownership as part of the Enchanted Parks family. While the park’s rides and attractions remain largely unchanged, the new operator has committed to preserving longtime favorites while making thoughtful improvements to the overall guest experience.
One of the biggest additions for 2026 is Enchanted Experiences, a new series of exclusive events for Season Passholders. These special after-hours events include opportunities like the Sunset Splash Exclusive Event at WildWater Adventure and exclusive ride nights throughout the season.
The park is also celebrating its 70th anniversary with the launch of The 70 Plus Club, which offers complimentary admission on select dates for guests ages 70 and older. Together, these additions mark the beginning of a new chapter for Michigan’s Adventure while honoring its long history as one of Michigan’s favorite family destinations.
What Is Michigan’s Adventure?
Michigan’s Adventure opened in 1956 as Deer Park Funland before evolving into the state’s largest amusement park. Today, the park combines classic wooden roller coasters, family attractions, and WildWater Adventure Waterpark into a single destination that’s especially popular for summer getaways along Michigan’s west coast.
Michigan’s Adventure
4750 Whitehall Road
Muskegon, MI 49445
Michigan’s Adventure opened for the 2026 season on May 22. WildWater Adventure opened on June 13 and operates on a separate schedule throughout the summer. Always check the park calendar before visiting since operating days and hours vary throughout the season.
While thrill rides remain a major draw, Michigan’s Adventure also offers family rides, children’s attractions, live entertainment, and a full-size water park that’s included with admission, making it easy to spend an entire day at the park.
If you enjoy regional amusement parks, Michigan’s Adventure makes a great addition to a Midwest road trip. It’s a different experience than parks like Cedar Point, with a stronger focus on family attractions and an included water park.
Roller Coasters at Michigan’s Adventure
Michigan’s Adventure has seven roller coasters. The collection is not huge, but it includes a solid mix of major thrill rides, classic wooden coasters and smaller options for families.
Major thrill coasters
- Shivering Timbers
- Thunderhawk
- Wolverine Wildcat
- Corkscrew
Family and intermediate coasters
- Mad Mouse
- Woodstock Express
- Zach’s Zoomer
Shivering Timbers is the park’s signature attraction. The wooden coaster covers a full mile during its two-and-a-half-minute ride and is the longest and fastest wooden roller coaster in Michigan. Its out-and-back layout features a long series of hills rather than inversions or complicated elements.
Thunderhawk offers a completely different experience. It is Michigan’s first suspended looping coaster, with riders seated below the track as the train travels through several inversions.
Wolverine Wildcat is another wooden coaster and one of the park’s longtime attractions. Corkscrew provides a shorter steel coaster experience with two inversions, while Mad Mouse packs sharp turns and sudden drops into a compact layout.
Families with younger riders can start with Woodstock Express or Zach’s Zoomer. Both offer a traditional coaster experience without the height, speed or intensity of the park’s larger rides.
Other Attractions Around the Park
Roller coasters may get most of the attention, but Michigan’s Adventure includes plenty of other rides for families and guests who prefer something less intense.
Camp Snoopy is the park’s main children’s area. It includes Woodstock Express, Camp Bus, PEANUTS Trailblazers and other PEANUTS-themed rides. Beagle Scout Acres gives younger kids a shaded play area with climbing structures, small slides and space to move around between rides.
Other popular attractions around the park include:
- Adventure Falls
- Carousel
- Dodgem
- Flying Trapeze
- Giant Gondola Wheel
- Grand Rapids
- Lakeside Gliders
- Logger’s Run
- Scrambler
- Sea Dragon
- Thunderbolt
- Tilt-A-Whirl
- Timbertown Railway
Timbertown Railway is more useful than the average amusement park train. You can ride between Grand Rapids Junction and the area near Shivering Timbers, making it a convenient way to cross part of the park while getting a break from walking. Staying onboard for a full loop also gives you views of Thunderhawk and Shivering Timbers.
Grand Rapids is a circular raft ride that sends groups through rapids and waterfalls. Logger’s Run and Adventure Falls offer two more ways to cool off without entering WildWater Adventure.
Michigan’s Adventure has also expanded its entertainment beyond the rides for its anniversary season. The 2026 schedule includes water stunts, live music, interactive comedy and family shows at several locations around the park.
WildWater Adventure
WildWater Adventure is included with regular Michigan’s Adventure admission when the water park is operating. You do not need to purchase a separate water park ticket.
The water park includes three wave pools, a lazy river, body slides, tube slides and play areas for younger children. Major attractions include:
- Funnel of Fear
- Mammoth River
- Mine Shaft
- Cyclone Zone
- Beach Party
- Boogie Beach
- Commotion Ocean
- Half Pint Paradise
- Lagoon
- Paradise Plunge
- Snake Pit
- Slidewinders
- Tidal Wave
- Tropical Twist
- Wild Slide
Funnel of Fear sends a group raft through an enclosed tunnel before dropping it into a large funnel. Mammoth River is another group raft ride, while Mine Shaft offers enclosed body slides. Half Pint Paradise gives younger children a smaller play area designed for their size.
Do not treat WildWater Adventure as a quick stop between roller coasters. Changing clothes, storing belongings and moving through the water park takes time. Set aside a dedicated block of your day, especially if your family plans to use the wave pools, lazy river and several slides.
Lockers are available inside WildWater Adventure. Your rental remains accessible until the amusement park closes, but lockers cannot be transferred between different locker locations.
Tickets, Passes and Fast Lane
Michigan’s Adventure offers both date-specific and any-day tickets. Purchasing online before your visit is usually less expensive than buying admission at the gate.
Regular admission includes both Michigan’s Adventure and WildWater Adventure when the water park is open. Children ages 2 and younger receive free admission.
Michigan’s Adventure is now part of Enchanted Parks, and its season pass program has changed for 2026.
The new Hero and Legend passes include unlimited admission to all eight Enchanted Parks properties:
- Diggerland USA
- Great Escape
- Michigan’s Adventure
- Schlitterbahn Galveston
- Six Flags St. Louis
- Valleyfair
- Water Safari
- Worlds of Fun
Both passes include free general parking, while additional benefits vary by pass level and may include discounts, Bring-A-Friend tickets, and single-use Fast Lane benefits.
If you purchased your season pass through Six Flags before April 6, 2026, most of your original admission benefits remain in effect. However, the transition to Enchanted Parks introduced several important exceptions, particularly regarding dining plans and reciprocal park access. Before visiting another park, review your original pass benefits to confirm exactly what is included.
Fast Lane is available as an optional add-on for participating attractions. It provides access to a separate, typically shorter queue but does not eliminate every wait or include park admission.
Dining at Michigan’s Adventure
Michigan’s Adventure has a good mix of quick-service restaurants, snack stands, and quick grab-and-go options spread throughout the park.
Some of the more popular dining locations include:
- Coasters: Crispy chicken sandwiches, upgraded chicken tenders, fries, and other quick-service favorites.
- Timbertown Grill: The new Wildcat Dog topped with chili, cheese, bacon, and onions, plus Italian sausage sandwiches, mini corn dogs, and tater tots.
- Wagon Wheel Pizza: Detroit-style pizza and the new Oven Roasted Chicken Bacon Ranch Sub.
- Pizza Paradise: Detroit-style pizza.
- Walking Tacos: Chicken or beef walking tacos located near Thunderhawk.
- The Dive-In: Cheese curds and the returning Sidewinder Fries inside WildWater Adventure.
- Lakeside Beer Garden: Beer, cocktails, and a relaxing place to take a break near the lake.
Michigan’s Adventure no longer sells all-day or season dining plans through Enchanted Parks. Guests who previously purchased Six Flags dining plans were offered several transition options, while souvenir drink programs remain available.
Outside Food Policy
Michigan’s Adventure generally does not allow outside food or beverages inside the park.
Exceptions are made for baby food and guests with documented dietary or medical needs. Guests bringing approved food items should stop at the Group Sales Office near the entrance to have them checked before entering.
If you prefer to bring your own lunch, you may leave the park, eat at your vehicle, and return afterward. Be sure to ask about the current re-entry procedure before exiting.
Seasonal Events
Michigan’s Adventure celebrates its 70th anniversary in 2026 with a season of live entertainment, special events, anniversary offerings, and family activities.
Throughout the season, guests can enjoy a lineup of live entertainment that includes:
- Jet Pack Water Spectacular
- Dockside Vibes with Johnny Breeze
- Timbertown Live
- Udder Nonsense: Barnyard Storytime
- The Funland Farm Radio Hour
- PEANUTS Meet and Greets
The anniversary celebration also includes new food offerings, retro-inspired merchandise, returning experiences at Funland Farm, and extended Friday and Saturday operating hours throughout July.
Additional special events throughout the season include National Zach Day, YMCA Day, Performance in the Park, Fourth of July festivities, and the 70 Plus Club, which offers free admission on select weekdays for guests born in 1956 or earlier.
Check the park calendar before your visit since event dates and entertainment schedules vary throughout the season.
Where to Stay Near Michigan’s Adventure
Michigan’s Adventure does not have an on-site hotel, but you’ll find several good lodging options within a short drive of the park.
Some of the closest hotels include:
- Shoreline Inn & Conference Center
- Delta Hotels by Marriott Muskegon Downtown
- Fairfield Inn & Suites Muskegon Norton Shores
- Hampton Inn Muskegon
- Comfort Inn Whitehall
- Weathervane Inn
- Holiday Inn Grand Haven Spring Lake
- Baymont by Wyndham Grand Haven
Most of these hotels are within 15 to 25 minutes of the park, making them convenient options if you’re planning to spend a full day enjoying both Michigan’s Adventure and WildWater Adventure.
Tips for Visiting Michigan’s Adventure
Michigan’s Adventure is easy to navigate, but a little planning can help you experience more rides, spend less time backtracking, and make the most of both parks.
- Ride Shivering Timbers early. It’s the park’s signature coaster and often develops one of the longest waits. Ride it shortly after opening, then come back later if you want another ride.
- Set aside dedicated time for WildWater Adventure. Rather than bouncing between the amusement park and water park several times, spend the morning riding coasters and the hottest part of the afternoon cooling off on the slides and in the wave pools.
- Check both operating schedules. WildWater Adventure often opens later and closes earlier than the amusement park. Review both schedules before arriving so you can plan your day accordingly.
- Pack for both parks. If you plan to visit WildWater Adventure, bring a swimsuit, sunscreen, water shoes, and a change of clothes. A waterproof phone pouch also comes in handy.
- Use the last hour for repeat rides. As some guests begin to leave for the day, wait times on several attractions often shorten, making it a great time to ride your favorites again.
- Head to your top attractions early. On shorter operating days, getting those out of the way first gives you more flexibility to enjoy the rest of the park.
Plan Your Michigan’s Adventure Visit
Michigan’s Adventure offers a fun combination of roller coasters, family attractions, live entertainment, and a full water park, making it one of Michigan’s best summer destinations.
WildWater Adventure adds tremendous value to the price of admission, but it also makes planning your day a little more important. Setting aside dedicated time for both parks will help you enjoy more attractions without feeling rushed.
Before you visit, check the operating calendar, water park hours, entertainment schedule, and any ride updates. A little planning ahead will help you spend less time figuring out logistics and more time enjoying everything Michigan’s Adventure and WildWater Adventure have to offer.
