Last weekend, I traveled to rural Indiana to visit a park that has intrigued me ever since I saw a picture of it in a roller coaster picture book as a child.
That park? Indiana Beach in Monticello, Indiana, located between Chicago and Indianapolis.
The park has a rich history dating back to the 1920s, and that history is apparent when walk up and down the park’s signature boardwalk.
The buildings, rides and infrastructure exude raw, authentic Americana that you can’t create overnight from scratch with billions of dollars (yes, I’m looking at you, Disney).
Indiana Beach’s mascot “IB Crow” welcomes guests as they enter the park. General parking is free, so immediately the park put a smile on my face (and wallet).
The weather was nice, and it was a Saturday. Yes, the park was crowded. But I think that added even more to the boardwalk ambiance.
Unfortunately, the Hoosier Hurricane was closed, which was unfortunate, as I was really looking forward to riding it.
At least I was able to admire the coaster’s waterside layout from various points in the park.
While Indiana Beach isn’t flawless, it is a very picturesque park.
Hoosier Hurricane was closed, but I wouldn’t leave without getting a wooden coaster fix. One of the park’s other two wooden coasters, Cornball Express, was the sleeper hit of the day.
The twisting first drop provides a nice view of the back section of the park. I recommend riding in the back seat for maximum airtime.
The Wabash Cannonball train weaves in and out of the Cornball Express and Hoosier Hurricane support structures.
The Kiddyland area is situated between the Cornball Express and Hoosier Hurricane coasters.
Another Kiddyland angle: Hoosier Hurricane’s station is on the left. Cornball Express’ first drop is on the right.
The Rocky’s Rapids log flume is a great way too cool off if you’re not keen on visiting the water park.
The park offers nearly every classical amusement park flat ride…at least all the good ones, anyway.
The Kiddyland area is shaded by wooden coaster track and supports, which isn’t a bad thing in my book, especially on a hot day.
The Tig’rr Coaster is fun…and extremely loud.
Its mess of steel track and supports makes it impossible to follow the course with your eyes. But you’ll certainly be able to see (and hear) the four-person car as it careens through the tight turns and helices.
The Shafer Swings ride offers magnificent views of the park and water. And I really liked the waterfall coming from the ride platform.
Perhaps the best view of Indiana Beach is seen from the park’s scenic Skyride attraction.
It wouldn’t be an amusement park without a classic Tilt-A-Whirl ride.
If you’re looking for a great view of the water, look no further than SkyCoaster.
But I wasn’t here for SkyCoaster. Or Steel Hawg. Perhaps the attraction I was most excited about was the Lost Coaster of Superstition Mountain — a classic dark-ride-turned-wooden-coaster-contraption.
The outdoor section of the coaster resembles a kiddie-sized wooden coaster.
I’ve watched onride videos of this bizarre coaster. But they do the ride no justice. And there’s really no way to adequately describe the strange layout and themed elements of the ride.
It’s a ride you have to experience for yourself.
The queue for Lost Coaster can be seen at the bottom of the above picture. The coaster’s one-train operation (and awkward seating arrangement) resulted in slow dispatches, along with the sporadic downtime.
Another boardwalk staple: the ferris wheel.
The Double Shot is yet another way to see the park from the air, although you won’t have much time to admire the view.
The Ideal Beach water park is an “ideal” place to cool off on a hot day.
The park’s “swimming hole” is about as natural as they come.
If you look closely, you can still see the sign for Galaxi, a coaster that was removed in 2013.
But I didn’t want to focus on a lost coaster credit. I had one last coaster to conquer.
Opened in 2008, Steel Hawg, an S&S “El Loco” model brings a new element of thrill to this family-oriented park.
The twisted mass of steel stands 96 feet tall and features an 111-degree drop (yes, beyond vertical).
The first drop is relatively intense…calmed only by the brake that prolongs the first part of the plunge.
The coaster didn’t blow my mind, but it did pack some interesting elements. I think it’s a good fit for Indiana Beach, although I wish they could have built it closer to the water.
Spotted: test dummies hanging out under Steel Hawg. Why not?
The restraints aren’t too comfortable. I think a lap bar-only system would improve the ride experience drastically.
Regardless, it’s a must-ride at the park.
Indiana Beach may not be the best amusement park in America, but it offers a unique, authentic boardwalk experience that is unfortunately harder and harder to come by these days.
If you’re ever within a few hours of the park, I highly recommend taking the time to visit.
To learn more about Indiana Beach, visit the park’s website.
Our family has quite a few Indiana Beach memories, especially the time about 10 years ago when my husband and daughter got caught in a heavy downpour while on the Skyride. Sad to see the Galaxi is gone – it was the first roller coaster I ever rode!