From Storybook Forest to Water Safari: The History of an Old Forge Landmark

GO EXPLORE NY | ADIRONDACK HISTORY

OLD FORGE, N.Y. — Long before towering waterslides and wave pools filled the summer skyline of Old Forge, one of the Adirondacks’ most recognizable family attractions began as a magical forest of nursery-rhyme houses, fairy-tale characters and live entertainment.

Enchanted Forest Water Safari opened on July 7, 1956, as the Enchanted Forest of the Adirondacks. Three local businessmen—A. Richard Cohen, Joseph Uzdavinis and Donald Rice purchased 80 acres of swampland north of Old Forge and began developing the property into a storybook-themed roadside attraction.

The partners reportedly paid $250,000 for the land and construction of the original park. Renowned illustrator and designer Russell Patterson helped create its distinctive look, including themed buildings inspired by classic fairy tales and nursery rhymes.

A Magical Beginning in the Adirondacks

The original Enchanted Forest opened with 35 employees and welcomed visitors into a world filled with attractions such as Sleeping Beauty’s house, the Crooked House, Peter Pumpkin Eater, Little Bo Peep, Cinderella’s house, Goldilocks and the Three Bears, and Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs.

Guests could also explore Captain Kidd’s Pirate Ship, watch performances in the park’s large circus tent and ride the Enchanted Forest Express—the park’s only mechanical ride during its inaugural season.

Admission was just $1 for adults and 25 cents for children. Approximately 140,000 people visited during the park’s first year, helping establish Enchanted Forest as one of the region’s leading family destinations.

A Piece of the World’s Fair Comes to Old Forge

One of the park’s most recognizable landmarks arrived during the 1960s.

The large white arch located near the front parking area was transported to Old Forge after being used as an entrance marker during the 1964–1965 New York World’s Fair. It was installed at Enchanted Forest in 1968 and has remained an iconic part of the property for generations.

A New Family and a New Direction

In 1977, 26-year-old Timothy J. Noonan and his family purchased Enchanted Forest and began a long period of expansion and modernization.

Traditional amusement rides were added under a section known as “A Step Beyond,” while the Noonans continued preserving many of the park’s original storybook attractions.

The park’s future changed dramatically in 1984 with the opening of Wild Waters, a pair of 350-foot waterslides. The attraction proved popular and helped move Enchanted Forest toward the water-park experience visitors recognize today.

Additional water attractions followed, including Raging Rapids and the Tadpole Hole children’s area. In 1988, following a major expansion, the park officially adopted the name Enchanted Forest Water Safari.

Becoming New York’s Largest Water Theme Park

Throughout the 1990s and 2000s, Water Safari continued growing with new family rides, pools, slides and themed areas.

Major additions included the Amazon family tube ride, the Tidal Wave Pool and the Adirondack Expedition area, which incorporated elements of regional logging and Adirondack history.

What began as a modest fairy-tale attraction eventually developed into a major resort destination offering more than 50 rides, shows and attractions. The larger Water Safari Resort also grew to include Calypso’s Cove, Old Forge Camping Resort and Water’s Edge Inn.

A New Chapter Begins

After 46 years of stewardship by the Noonan family, Water Safari Resort was sold in March 2024 to Florida-based Innovative Attraction Management.

The acquisition included Enchanted Forest Water Safari, Calypso’s Cove, Old Forge Camping Resort and Water’s Edge Inn. The company said it planned to preserve the resort’s traditions while investing in infrastructure, attractions and the overall guest experience.

Nearly Seven Decades of Adirondack Memories

For generations of families, Enchanted Forest Water Safari has been more than an amusement park. It has become part of the Adirondack summer experience a place where parents return with their children and grandchildren to revisit attractions they first experienced years earlier.

Although waterslides and modern rides now dominate much of the park, pieces of its original storybook heritage remain, connecting today’s visitors with the attraction that opened in the Adirondack woods in 1956.

From a collection of fairy-tale houses and a single train ride to New York’s largest water theme park, Enchanted Forest Water Safari continues to stand as one of Old Forge’s most enduring tourism landmarks.