Summary
Overview
While not an enormous park, Magic Springs offers a good assortment of rides and attractions, including major roller coasters. It also features typical park favorites such as a log flume ride, bumper cars, spinning thrill rides, a carousel, and several kiddie rides.
One of Magic Springs’ intriguing features is its concert series. The shows at the park’s Timberwood Amphitheater, which include country, pop, classic rock, tween, and other national acts, are included in admission. Reserved seats are available for a nominal fee.
Roller Coasters and Featured Attractions
There are five coasters to brave at Magic Springs:
- The headliner is X-Coaster, which features one giant loop. It ascends a 151-foot vertical lift hill before accelerating over 65 mph, delivering a thrilling experience with potent 5Gs.
- The Gauntlet is a suspended looping coaster that ascends 109 feet and hits about 50 mph, including five inversions.
- Arkansas Twister is a wooden coaster that climbs 95 feet, drops 92 feet, and races along at 50 mph.
- Big Bad John, the bigger mine train coaster, features a 41-foot drop and a top speed of 37 mph.
- With a height requirement of only 36 inches, the Diamond Mine Coaster is considerably tamer than Big Bad John.
Other thrilling rides include the drop tower ride, Brain Drain, the shoot-the-chutes splashdown ride, Plummet Summit, and the extreme spinning ride, The Hawk. For an additional charge, guests can enjoy Sky Shark, a bungee-style SkyCoaster.
Water Park
General admission to Magic Springs includes access to the adjacent Crystal Falls water park. While the water park may be relatively small and lacks marquee attractions, it does offer Boogie Blast, a FlowRider surfing attraction, along with the Seven Falls Slide Tower which includes a bowl slide.
Additional highlights at Crystal Falls comprise a wave pool, body slides, tube slides, the Rapid Falls Raceway mat racing slides, and the Kodiak Canyon Adventure River. Younger visitors will enjoy Splash Island, an interactive water play structure featuring a tipping bucket, Bubble-Up pool, and the Bear Cub Bend activity area.
What’s to Eat?
The premier eatery at Magic Springs is Trejos in the Park, a full-service Mexican restaurant. Other places serve pizza, hot dogs, burgers, salads, and sandwiches. Sweet treats include ice cream, slushes, funnel cakes, and pineapple Dole Whips. The park also offers a selection of beers.
Admission Info, Location, and Hours
Reduced rates are available for children (under 48 inches) and seniors (55 and older). Group passes and season passes for Magic Springs are available. Advance tickets can be purchased online at the park’s website, often at a discount.
Magic Springs is located in Hot Springs, Arkansas, at 1701 E. Grand Avenue.
From Little Rock: Take US-70W to US-70 BR W and exit towards the park.
From Fayetteville: Merge onto I-40E and take the AR-7 exit, then follow to US-70 BR. Turn left onto Gorge Rd, then left onto E. Grand Ave. to reach Magic Springs.
The park operates from late April/early May through late September and offers its Halloween event, Magic Screams, throughout October. For actual operating days and hours, visit the park’s website.
