For 50 years, guests have been delighted by the Knott’s Berry Farm flume ride, the Timber Mountain Log Ride. To celebrate its historic anniversary, I’m sharing 5 fun facts about the Log Ride.
As a Berry Blogger, I receive complimentary admission to Knott’s Berry Farm. This post may contain affiliate links.
Combining nostalgia with new thrills, Knott’s Berry Farm has been a big part of theme park history for almost 100 years. The Calico Ghost Town filled many of our childhoods with western adventures, and still stands as a testament to family fun in Buena Park, California.
As the park has grown, new thrill rides have been added like HangTime.
But one family-friendly thrill has withstood the test of time, transporting riders through an exposive lumber town before plummeting to a watery end. The Timber Mountain Log Ride is a Knott’s Berry Farm classic!
Timber Mountain Log Ride History
On July 11, 1969, the Timber Mountain Log Ride opened to the public at Knott’s Berry Farm. One of the first flume rides in the U.S., the theme and finale drop were credited as first of its kind.
The ride was designed by theme park pioneer Bud Hurlbut. In 2013, the ride underwent significant restorations with new audio-animatronics created by Garner Holt.
5 Fun Facts about the Timber Mountain Log Ride
1.The Log Ride was christened with a bottle of Boysenberry Juice.
Champagne is so overdone! On July 11, 1969, the Log Ride’s opening day, Cordelia Knott christened the new ride with a bottle of boysenberry juice.
2. The Duke was one of the first riders.
One of the first riders was movie star and friend of Walter Knott, John Wayne.
3. The ride is 8 stories tall!
The 330-foot long mountain takes riders through a 19th-century lumber camp. But watch out! The ride is booming! The 42-foot drop in the finale scene takes you from 8 stories high to a big splash in seconds!
4. The Log Ride reaches 30 miles per hour.
No wonder all of our drop photos feature gleeful shrieks. The Timber Mountain Log Ride is FAST! Pony Express, for reference, hits 38 mph. The Log Ride meanders through the the mountain at times at speeds that are quite leisurely. But beware!
Note: The Log Ride is actually her favorite ride, and she hams it up for the picture. Big splash, big laughs!
Height Requirement: Because of the big fun, the Log Ride requires riders to be 36 inches tall with an supervising companion, or 46 inches tall to ride alone.
5. The Timber Mountain Log Ride is turning 50!
After 50 years of splash-worthy adventure, the Timber Mountain Log Ride is turning the big 5-0! To celebrate, the Log Ride will be debuting two new animatronics.
Guests who join in on the fun on July 11 will receive commemorative buttons to make the momentous occasion, while supplies last.
Exclusive Timber Mountain Log Ride merchandise including t-shirts, pins, and one-of-a-kind artwork created by artist Jeff Delgado will be available July 10-14th at the booth located near the ride.
If you’re looking for discounted tickets on Southern California theme parks, like Knott’s Berry Farm or Disneyland, check out Get Away Today. Use code CC10 for $10 off packages.
The Timber Mountain Log Ride is one of our family’s favorite rides at Knott’s. Share your favorites in the comments!
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I’m a wimp, so I wouldn’t go on that. It’s the drop. But my daughter would LOVE it. She’s all about drops.
I am a chicken, so I would watch my hubby and kids from the ground…but they really love these kinds of rides.
oh my gosh i dont know if i could do this myself but i know my husband and kids would freak out over it 🙂 ha they love this type of stuff! thanks for sharing such a great time!
I would love to experience this with my family this summer. It looks like such a fun time.
I love looking at pictures of people going over the edge. I never buy them but they sure make me laugh.
I have always wanted to go to Knott’s Berry’s Farm. This looks like a blast.
The log ride at Knott’s Berry Farm was my favorite ride! I haven’t been there since I was a teenager, I’m glad to know it is still awesome!
One of the things that I love about Knott’s is they maintain so much of the nostalgia. A lot of the park will be as you remember it from your teenaged years.
Those pretty good and interesting facts about it. Honored to know that the Duke is the first goers. This is so fun.
I think I will enjoy this kind of ride. I will definitely try this out with my husband!
My stomach is doing flips just thinking about it! 8 story’s high! I would have a hard time willingly going on that ride! lol
It’s tall, but so much fun!
We usually love the log ride at most parks. We have come across a few that seemed more dangerous or more thrilling than others but in the end, they are all our favorites.
I love water flume rides. I’ve never been to Knottsbury Farm but I’ve always wanted to. Maybe it’s finally time.
Eight stories tall?! Wow! No wonder it looks like such a blast! This log ride is definitely something my family would love.
I know my husband and son will have a blast with that, but I’m such a scaredy cat so I’ll just enjoy myself watching and taking photos of them. 🙂
They’ll love it, Lynndee! But there’s so much to see and do at Knott’s, you’ll have a great time too.
My kids love a log ride like this at the amusement parks we visit. To be honest, it’s one of my favorite types of rides too!
I love the water rides. We will be going to Great America soon and they have something quite similar.
Have a great time at Great America. That one is still on my bucket list.
Wow! This looks like so much fun! Can’t wait to go here. My son will surely love this.
This ride looks like so much fun! Can’t wait to check it out!
It’s a blast! Hope you get a chance to ride soon!
How fun! We’ve been looking for family activities to do in the area. Should be nice to check this out.