Leavenworth Adventure Park Alpine Coaster Review: Ride or Skip?
Leavenworth Adventure Park is a fun-center with an alpine coaster, rock climbing wall, bungee trampoline, and mining sluice in Leavenworth, Washington.
Sounds like a unique thing to do if you are visiting, but is it worth it?
I visited the adventure park to review it (purely for research lol) and see what it was all about. I’ve been on an actual Bavarian alpine coaster in Germany and had high hopes. Let me share with you what I found.
SPOILER: I don’t think it’s worth it, but I know I’m in the minority. I’ll tell you why…
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Entering Leavenworth Adventure Park
If you are coming in on Hwy 2 from the west, Leavenworth Adventure Park will be the first thing you pass on the right as you come into town.
You’ll see the iron gate fence and the alpine coaster looming up the mountain.
They have a free parking lot with lots of spaces.
As you walk through the front gate, check in with the ticket counter to the left. You’ll receive a paper bracelet, color coded to the activities you booked.
The main attraction is the alpine coaster going up the mountain slope. The rest of the park consists of a climbing rock wall, bungee trampolines, a mining sluice, and a few picnic tables thrown in, all of which really look like they were just added as an after-thought.
Alpine Coaster
About the Alpine Coaster
Let’s start with the Tumwater Twister Alpine Coaster, because let’s face it, this is the real reason you’d come the park.
In case you are unfamiliar, an alpine coaster is a type of roller coaster designed to operate on a track built into the natural terrain of a mountainous area. They use the landscape’s contours and elevation changes to enhance the riding experience. These coasters typically consist of individual cars or sleds that are controlled by the riders, allowing them to control their own speed and braking.
The Leavenworth coaster was actually manufactured in Germany, so I guess it adds to the Bavarian flare. It is 2,700 feet long sitting as high as 35 feet off the ground. There are three 360-degree spiral helix circles on the course and a 234-ft vertical drop.
That’s a lot thrill packed into a short ride!
Rules for the Alpine Coaster
Kids 9 years old and at least 54 inches tall may ride by themselves. Kids 3-8 years old and at least 38 inches tall must have a driver 16+ years old.
For safety, the combined weight of riders cannot be more than 375 pounds (or 330 pounds if it’s wet outside).
The covered wait line starts upstairs in the building and is a little reminiscent of a Disneyland queue, sans nostalgic music and favorite characters.
An instruction video plays on a loop showing depicting what’s expected of you and how to operate your coaster. Coco from Bavarian Walking Tours is your main character.
Loading Up for the Alpine Coaster
Coaster cars are loaded four at a time. You can choose to ride single or double.
Riding double as adults looked pretty cozy; I wouldn’t want to do it unless it was with my S.O. But it’s really more for the kids to ride tandem.
Loading cars is definitely not as efficient as Disneyland. I probably waited about 15-20 minutes to get through 30-ish people.
As you’re getting loaded into the cart, the attendant buckles you in, asks if you have any questions, and then tells you to thumbs up the camera (which is you confirming you are ready and know the risks involved; but you would only know that if you read the rules posted on the wall behind him).
Riding the Alpine Coaster
The first half of the ride chugs you up to the top of the coaster. It’s slow but gives you time to enjoy the view. You’ll see Tumwater Canyon, Icicle Ridge, and Wenatchee River. I saw an eagle flying around, so that was an added scenic perk.
At the top, a lone attendant sits in a shack to keep an eye on riders, or, in my case, tell me how to operate the car because I apparently didn’t watch the video well enough while standing in line.
You have to manually push forward on the brake bars to “GO”. Pull up even slightly and you start slowing down.
The beauty of alpine coasters is that you are in charge of the speed. Go as slow or as fast as you want. Without brakes, the ride can top at 27mph.
The only caveat is needing to stay 80ft behind the rider in front of you. There are signs the whole way that say “80ft”, I guess to help you judge how far 80ft is. But they were useless to me.
The course is so windy that it’s hard to see what’s coming around the corner, let alone time to figure the distance between 80ft. As I was flying I just Peter Panned it: faith, hope, and pixie dust-trusted I didn’t turn the ride into a bumper alpine coaster.
I wanted to maximize the thrill of my ride, so I refrained from applying any brakes and let ‘er rip. I’m glad I did, cuz it was definitely a thrill.
Some of those curves jerked me around and the tight turns were giving g-force vibes.
The ride will automatically slow you down in some spots; safety is key after all. But it didn’t deter the experience at all.
I didn’t get to savor much of the view coming down as I was so focused on keeping my 80ft distance (which I never saw the car in front of me btw) and the speed was very distracting.
However, if you decided to take it slower, you would def get a better sense of the scenery and see Leavenworth town down below.
💁♀️ Tab’s Trip Tip: On the flip side, if you get stuck behind a slow rider when you wanted to go fast, ask the attendants for a re-ride.
The ride quickly came to an end and I pulled into the “station”. I will admit, my knees were shaking afterwards from the exciting white-knuckliness of the ride.
The whole ride from start to finish was probably about 2-3 minutes.
❄️ A note about winter rides: if you are visiting Leavenworth during Christmas, they have night rides from 4pm-7pm in the dark, with nothing but the headlight on the sled to light the way, so that sounds extra exciting. They also have a windshields up so it’s not as cold.
Is the Apine Coaster Worth It?
There is no doubt that I had a blast going down the alpine coaster and could ride it multiple times.
However, I am one to weigh the value of experiences.
Was the Leavenworth coaster price of $20 worth it for a 2-minute ride? I say no.
For a family of 4 you’re looking at $80 (plus tax) for everyone to ride down once. Yes, memories are made and you can’t put a price on family time, but you can get more bang for your buck doing other things.
Sorry…I can’t justify it.
However, if money is no object then I say that the alpine coaster is most definitely worth the experience. Great views and thrilling fun.
But what about the other activities at the park? I’ll confess, I did not do them, but I saw them and have thoughts about it.
🌞 Check out other things to do in Leavenworth during the summer here!
Rock Climbing Wall
The Leavenworth Adventure Park features a 27-foot Alpine Ascent Climbing Wall with four different lanes:
- Easy
- Intermediate
- Advanced
- or Most Challenging (dun, dun, dun!)
Each lane also has two routes for climbers to take to keep it interesting.
Climbers are secured in a harness attached to an auto belay cable system to ensure a safe ascent and descent along the wall. Do note that, regardless of weight and height, the suitability of harnesses may vary based on different body types.
For safety, climbers must weigh between 22-309 pounds. Kids from 3 years old are allowed to climb as long as they are at least 38 inches tall.
When I was there, it was only kids climbing the walls, no adults, so it def felt more like busy playground instead of an adventurous climbing activity.
For $12pp you only get two tries to go up and down the wall. If you fall after a step or two, that counts as a try.
Worth it? Compared to a $15-20 daypass at a rock wall gym…probably not worth it.
Bungee Trampoline
The Bavarian Bungee Bounce Trampoline (say that 10x fast!) allows jumpers to reach up to 20 feet in the air, which, when I think about it, is only 7 feet short of the rock wall, so it must include the height of the trampoline as well. That’s pretty high and sounds kinda fun.
Four trampolines are arranged in a circle and are outfitted with a secure safety harness, firmly tethered by a duo of cables. For safety, bouncers must weigh between 40-200 pounds.
Kids 6 years old and at least 40 inches tall are allowed to jump.
During the summer, Leavenworth can get extremely hot. If the bungee trampoline exceed 100 degrees, the attraction may be temporarily shut down (which was the case when I was there). Can’t have a burnt foot lawsuit!
For $12pp you get 2 minutes of bouncing time.
Worth it? Compared to around $20 for a 60-minute ticket to a trampoline park…again, probably not.
Mining Sluice
Now, the most value you’ll get with your money at Leavenworth Adventure Park is probably going to be the Gems of the Enchantments mining sluice.
You’re given a bag of rough to sift through water that flows from the small water tower canal. Use a colorful descriptive card to identify the name, country of origin, and interesting information for over 15 stones and gems you’ll find sifting through your pile of dirt.
Best part is, you get to take home the treasures you find.
So for $8 a bag, I’d say this is the best valued experience at the park.
Learn about Leavenworth Adventure Park’s mascot Ludwig, the iconic Bavarian lion, here!
🖍️ Coloring page included 🖍️
Snack Café
Outside food and drinks are not allowed in the park. However, if you’re desperate, they have a small food counter to purchase a few things.
They have bottled drinks, snack packs, a case of warm pretzels, and some fresh food from the local grocery store Dan’s Market. Surprisingly they have cans of beer too.
I would recommend taking your food to the picnic tables outside as their is zero ambience in the dining area; almost summer camp dining room-like.
Leavenworth Adventure Park Reviews
Here are some reviews of other park customers.
Google Reviews average a 4/5 ⭐ rating:
“The scenic view was amazing going up and the ride was great, but I wish it could of lasted a little longer than 1 minute. The ride can have a lot of upgrades including adding more drops, turns and scenery entertainment. For 20 dollars per 1 customer and ride, and less than a minute when all they are trying to do is rush you, is not worth it. “
“We had a great experience on the Alpine Coaster in Leavenworth! The price of $20 dollars seems reasonable, especially considering the amount of fun we had. The staff was nice and contributed to your positive experience. The view from the coaster was breathtaking, allowing you to enjoy the beautiful scenery of the surrounding area. Overall, a fantastic adventure! recommend for family with kids good times.“
“This coaster is great! I definitely recommend buying your tickets on-line because it will sell out. However I don’t recommend purchasing 2 rides! The wait is very long and if you purchase a second ride, you have to get off after the first ride and get back in line for the second! Long lines!!.“
Yelp Reviews average a 2.5/5 ⭐ rating:
“Yes, it is a fun ride. After coming to Leavenworth for years and tried to everything it has to offer, we welcome this new thrilling fun. The ride can come down fast but that’s the fun part. We got the 10am reservation and arrived couple minutes before and the line was pretty long and we had to wait 45 mins. It’s no fun under the hot sun for anyone.“
“I didn’t catch his name, but the gentleman who was working the bungee up until 4pm was ABSOLUTELY AMAZING. He took the time to make sure my special needs daughter had a blast. He was the absolute poster image for patient and understanding even though I could tell he was tired, and overheating. He made her trip to Leavenworth absolutely perfect!“
“So the premise of this place is cool. The coaster is actually pretty awesome, but everything else about it is not up to par yet. Customer service is dismal, took a week to get a response via my reschedule email. Trying to call them results in no answer, and full voicemail, which was infuriating. I had to engage on Facebook Messenger and Instagram DM…which still took a week to get a response. The issues kept coming when we arrived at the location…the line to get in was long, even though we had a reservation and come to find it was because no one completed the waivers. They don’t offer any platform to do the waiver at the counter, they require you to do it on your cell phone, where there is no service. The wifi was awful as well. The line for the coaster was also a disaster. Not a lot of thought went into how they were going to make the line work. The only reason I am giving them 2 stars is because the coaster was actually cool when you get on it. Definitely not worth the current price.“
Leavenworth Adventure Park Tickets
All the activities have timed entry and must be booked ahead of time (except for the mining sluice). The alpine coaster tends to sell out on weekends, so booking ahead of time is highly recommended.
However, you can take your chances with a walk-in. Starting at noon you can go ask them about any availability times for coaster tickets that day.
Make sure to sign the waiver ahead of time to speed up checking in.
Prices for Park Activities
Here’s the breakdown on prices at the park.
Coaster Ride 1x:
- Ages 13+ – $20
- Ages 7-12 – $17
- Ages 3-6 – $5
Coaster Ride 2x:
- Ages 13+ – $36
- Ages 7-12 – $30
- Ages 3-6 – $10
Climbing Wall:
- All Ages – $12
Bungee Trampoline:
- All Ages – $12
Mining Sluice:
- All Ages – $8
As you can see, these aren’t the cheapest activities, especially if you think of going to a state fair and paying about $5 per ride. So, are these prices worth it?…
Where is the Leavenworth Adventure Park?
Address: 9342 Icicle Rd, Leavenworth, WA 98826
Leavenworth Adventure Park is located on the west side of Leavenworth. It’s the first thing on the right as you’re coming in on Hwy 2 from the west.
If you are coming in from the east, you’ll see the alpine coaster looming at the end of the main drag of Hwy 2 through town.
It’s surprisingly visible pretty far down, which is kinda’ve an eyesore in my opinion. But, taking into consideration that alpine coasters are a German experience, perhaps it makes the town more authentic. I don’t know.
It’s less than a mile from the Leavenworth town square, so it is totally walkable along the wide sidewalks down Hwy 2.
There is a free parking lot and street parking at the attraction as well.
🚶 Check out Bavarian Walking Tours in Leavenworth – History, Wine, and Beer!
FAQs
How much is the Alpine Coaster at Leavenworth?
The Alpine coaster has different prices based on age and how many times you go down.
One ride down the coaster for ages 13+ costs $20.
How long is the Alpine Coaster in Leavenworth?
The alpine coaster in Leavenworth is 2,700ft long and takes 2-3minutes to ride.
Are they building a roller coaster in Leavenworth?
Technically, they have built an alpine coaster in Leavenworth, not a roller coaster. An alpine coaster allows the rider control over the speed of the cart, while a roller coaster does not.
🚗 Driving to Leavenworth is a long road trip, no matter where you’re coming from.
Pass the time and get to know your carmates with these activities:
Trivia Questions for Road Trips
Road Trip Conversations Starters
Is Leavenworth Adventure Park Worth It?
So the big question is: Is Leavenworth Adventure Park worth it?
Personally, I have to say: No.
For the price point of everything and how short each experience is, I cannot see how the park is worth spending your money on.
I am not denying that the alpine coaster was a blast. I just don’t think it was $20 worth of blasting.
I recommend tube floating down the Wenatchee River instead to get more bang for your buck!
But value is in the eye of the beholder. Perhaps you have never experienced anything like this, never been to a theme park, or never had a fun adrenaline rush. So it could be that the price is worth it for you. Who am I to tell you otherwise?
I will say that I appreciate the company striving to bring unique, family-friendly activities to Leavenworth. So I can’t fault them for that!
Shoot me a message and tell me if you agree or disagree with me. I’d love to hear your perspective!
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🚗 Is it safe to rent a car in Washington?
YES — It’s totally safe to drive in Washington. And unless you are planning to just stay in Seattle, renting a car is pretty much a necessity! Beware of tolls whether crossing bridges or driving in HOV lanes. I recommend Discover Cars as they have some of the best prices around.
📞 Will my phone work in Washington?
YES — All major cell providers work in Washington. However, be prepared for some dead spots in the more remote parts like in the middle of the cascades.
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For Washington hotels, Booking.com is amazing because you can often reserve your room with no money down. If you are looking at Airbnbs for a more home-like stay, don’t forget to check VRBO for potentially better prices and options.
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I recommend looking at Skyscanner for finding cheap flights. Pro Tip: check if flying into Everett is cheaper than flying into Seattle.
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NO — If you are a US citizen, you do not need a passport as Washington is part of the United States. If you are from out of the country, the same passport and visa requirements are the same as entering anywhere in the United States from your country.
🧳What should I pack to Washington?
Layers! Layers! Layers! Weather can get finnicky, so prepare for both rain and sunny warm days. Wear comfortable walking shoes that can go from city strolls to mountain hiking.
