Knott’s Berry Farm Rides & Attractions: Complete Guide for Families
Last updated on September 4, 2026
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Knott’s Berry Farm, Southern California’s oldest theme park, is an iconic destination in Southern California. What began as a fun little ghost town in the 1940s to entertain guests waiting for tables at Mrs. Knott’s chicken dinner restaurant, has morphed over the years into a thrilling theme park.
Today, Knott’s offers a perfect mix of old-school attractions like the Timber Mountain Log Ride and Calico Mine Ride alongside some of the most thrilling roller coasters on the West Coast.
If you are visiting Southern California, you may be tempted to pass it by in favor of Disneyland in nearby Anaheim or Six Flags Magic Mountain in Valencia, but Knott’s Berry Farm is a fun and unique experience you won’t want to miss!
We are Southern California locals and Knott’s Berry Farm Season Pass holders. I’ve visited the park many times over the years, starting back to when my son was a little guy. Actually – I remember coming to Knott’s once with my dad when I was a kid myself!
There have been lots of changes to the park in recent years. Whether you’re chasing adrenaline, planning a family-friendly day out, or revisiting your childhood favorites, this Knott’s Berry Farm rides guide will help you navigate the park and make the most of every minute of your visit to the park.
Knott’s Berry Farm Rides at a Glance
If you are just looking for a quick list of the best rides at Knott’s Berry Farm, here are our top recommendations.
► Best Classic Knott’s Ride: Calico Mine Ride
► Best Rides for a First Visit: Timber Mountain Log Ride and Calico Mine Ride
► Best Thrill Ride: GhostRider
► Best Ride for Families: Knott’s Bear-y Tales: Return to the Fair
► Best Rides for Young Kids: Camp Snoopy attractions
► Best Rides for Teens and Coaster Fans: HangTime, Xcelerator, and GhostRider
► Best Water Ride: Calico River Rapids
Knott’s Berry Farm Overview
Let’s start by getting a lay of the land!
Knott’s Berry Farm is divided into several themed areas, each with its own personality, attractions, and must-ride experiences. Outside the gates, you’ll also find a village of shops and restaurants you can explore, including Mrs. Knott’s Chicken Dinner Restaurant, which has been serving fried chicken since 1934.
Here’s a quick overview before you plan your route through the park:
- Ghost Town – The heart of Knott’s, filled with Old West details, live performers, and classic rides like GhostRider and the Calico Mine Ride.
- Fiesta Village – A beautifully reimagined land celebrating Mexican culture with colorful décor, music, and rides.
- The Boardwalk – The newest section of the park, packed with modern thrills and carnival-style fun, including HangTime, Xcelerator, and Supreme Scream.
- Camp Snoopy – Designed especially for kids, this charming land features gentle rides and character meet-and-greets with Snoopy and the Peanuts gang.
Each area offers its own mix of rides, food, and entertainment, so it’s worth exploring them all.
Knott’s Berry Farm Rides
Ghost Town
Ghost Town is the original section of Knott’s Berry Farm. The first major ride at Knott’s was the Calico Mine Ride in 1960.
You’ll find many of the park’s shows and live entertainment venues in Ghost Town, including the Calico Saloon stage show and Wagon Camp Theatre. It is also home to the Old School House and the Ghost Town Blacksmith.
Over the years new rides have been added, including GhostRider. This rollercoaster is so big it expands outside the park and over the parking area!
GhostRider is widely considered one of the best wooden roller coasters in California and honestly lives up to the hype. It’s fast, intense, and surprisingly smooth for a wooden coaster!
Here are the Ghost Town rides and attractions:
- GhostRider *
- Pony Express *
- Silver Bullet *
- Butterfield Stagecoach
- Calico Mine Ride *
- Calico River Rapids *
- Timber Mountain Log Ride *
* Rides that accept Fast Lane Passes
Fiesta Village
Fiesta Village is a vibrant area that recently completed a complete overhaul. Fiesta Village offers rides, live music, and some great Mexican food.
The reimagined Fiesta Village comes alive both day and night to celebrate the Hispanic influences in Southern California. Enjoy the sounds of Mariachi music, experience performances of the traditional dance Folklorico and be entertained by interactive puppets.
In the evening there’s an immersive nighttime street party, Calle Celebración, spanning the entire village. Be sure to try Fiesta Village’s new restaurant, Casa California, featuring burritos, quesadillas, and tamales, and the Baja Taqueria for fish tacos. It is one of our favorite restaurants now at Knott’s!
Here are the Knott’s Berry Farm rides and attractions inside Fiesta Village:
- Hat Dance
- Jaguar! *
- La Revolución *
- Merry Go Round
- MonteZOOMa: The Forbidden Fortress * (when it opens)
- Sol Spin
- WaveSwinger
* Rides that accept Fast Lane Passes
The Boardwalk
Boardwalk is Knott’s Berry Farm’s newest section of the park. This beach-themed area is home to HangTime, the first dive coaster in California.
The thing I love about Boardwalk is it has an incredible mix of rides for the whole family. I’m talking big coasters for your thrill-seekers as well as some of the best rides for kids who have aged out of Camp Snoopy but not quite ready for the big league of thrill rides.
Boardwalk is also home to Knott’s Bear-y Tales: Return to the Fair. This re-imagined dark ride (originally from the 70s and 80s) is a 4-D attraction that takes you on an adventure to the County Fair. Armed with “boysenberry blasters,” you’ll help recapture stolen pies from Crafty Coyote and his mischievous gang. Originally designed by legendary Disney Imagineer Rolly Crump, this updated version blends nostalgia with new technology to create a fun, interactive family experience.
It’s a fantastic ride for families, especially if you’re traveling with kids who might not be ready for the park’s bigger coasters.
Here are all the Boardwalk rides and attractions:
- Coast Rider *
- Xcelerator *
- Hangtime *
- Knott’s Bear-y Tale: Return to the Fair *
- Pacific Scrambler
- Sky Cabin
- Supreme Scream *
- Surfside Gliders
- Wheeler Dealer Bumper Cars
* Rides that accept Fast Lane Passes
Camp Snoopy
If you are visiting Knott’s with young kids, Camp Snoopy is where you want to be! What’s unique about this area is that some of the rides only allow little kids under a certain height to ride – so no parents or older siblings allowed.
My son’s very first solo ride when he was a toddler was at Camp Snoopy, so that gives Knott’s a special place in my heart. (He’s now older with his own Season Pass!)
You’ll also find a show and meet & greets with Peanuts characters in the Camp Snoopy area.
Here are the Camp Snoopy rides and attractions:
- Camp Bus
- Charlie Brown’s Kite Flyer
- Grand Sierra Railroad
- High Sierra Ferris Wheel
- Huff & Puff
- Linus Launcher
- Pig Pen’s Mud Buggies
- Rapid River Run
- Rocky Mountain Trucking Co.
- Sierra Sidewinder *
- Timberline Twister
- Woodstock’s Airmail
* Rides that accept Fast Lane Passes
What’s New at Knott’s Berry Farm for 2026
Over the last several years, Knott’s Berry Farm has undergone a series of refurbishments, including the reimagined Montezooma’s Revenge, now called MonteZOOMa: The Forbidden Fortress, which will be reopening later this year.
MonteZOOMa: The Forbidden Fortress will feature immersive story elements, randomized launch sequence, and an enhanced ride experience. While the coaster re-imagination is still in progress (and the ride is currently closed for the refurbishment), the rest of Fiesta Village is now open with its refreshed look and new dining and retail locations.
New restaurants include Casa California, Papas Mexicana, and Cantina Del Sur, plus Fiesta Mercado which is inspired by California’s Mexican heritage culture.
Top Tip: Because part of the renovation involves construction zones, walking paths in Fiesta Village may be somewhat restricted or rerouted, and some rides or shops may be temporarily closed or altered in access. (For example, at one point walking path from Boardwalk into Fiesta Village was narrowed due to construction.) Keep this in mind and check the app for current operational status of Knott’s Berry Farm rides in this area.
Additionally, Knott’s Soak City Water Park and Knott’s Hotel also received a refresh in 2026.
If you haven’t visited Knott’s in the last few years, come with fresh eyes. The theming in Fiesta Village (and other areas) has been significantly upgraded. And if you’re a coaster fan, watch for reopening announcements of MonteZOOMa.
► Check out these 10 best hotels near Knott’s Berry Farm to help plan your vacation.
Knott’s Berry Farm Events & Seasons
One of the things I love most about Knott’s is that different seasons really transform the whole park experience. So visiting during the holiday season is very different let’s say from visiting in the springtime.
Throughout the year, Knott’s Berry Farm celebrates different seasons of fun throughout the park. In the spring, you can enjoy Peanuts’ Celebration and Knott’s Boysenberry Festival. In the summer, there is Ghost Town Alive! and Knott’s Summer Nights.
In the fall, check out Knott’s Scary Farm, the largest Halloween experience in Southern California. The fully transformed theme park features haunted mazes and attractions, shows and monsters lurking around every corner.
But don’t let that scare you off if you’re not into that kind of thing! Knott’s Berry Farm becomes Knott’s Spooky Farm on Thursdays through Sundays during the same time of year. This daytime event has family-friendly activities like trick-or-treating, themed decor, and spooky surprises for kids.
And of course, my absolute favorite time of year at Knott’s Berry Farm is their holiday celebration Knott’s Merry Farm. You’ll love the holiday decor, activities for the family, special food offerings, and lots of festive entertainment.
Final Thoughts: Knott’s Berry Farm Rides & Attractions
When it comes to rides, Knott’s Berry Farm offers a compelling mix of classic charm, world-class thrills, and updated thematic detail – all wrapped in a package that often feels more relaxed (and budget-friendly) compared to larger theme parks in Southern California.
With the recent refurbishment of Fiesta Village and infrastructure improvements, the park is leaning into its heritage while also giving guests the best possible experience.
If you’re planning a visit, go with a plan but leave some flexibility for spur-of-the-moment fun. Whether you’re there for the big coasters or a fun family day, Knott’s delivers.
And if you haven’t visited in the last couple of years, you’ll likely notice quite a few upgrades. So get ready to be surprised and have fun!
- 8039 Beach Blvd., Buena Park
- knotts.com
Read these articles for more help planning your Southern California vacation:
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