Lagoon
Head for the mountains. Lagoon Park in northern Utah is backed by the Wasatch Mountains, making your stay even better. The perfect RV trip for the whole crew.
Event information
What’s better than going to an amusement park? How about camping in the park? Yeah! What if you could bring your furbaby? Yep, you can do that too at Lagoon! And having the backdrop of the Wasatch Mountain Range is the icing on the cake. Speaking of cake, funnel cake is abundant at the park, which is a carnival favorite. The park has a wide variety from meals to snacks and sweets to drinks.
Lagoon Park opened its gates in 1886 and is one of the oldest amusement parks in the world. However, it was called Lake Park back then and was built on the shores of the Great Salt Lake.
With over 50 rides and 10 roller coasters, the park has five sections. The X-Venture Zone has the extreme rides for the major thrill-seekers. Kiddie Land is for the little ones with fun rides and easy games. Lagoon-A-Beach is a water park with water rides and slides. Pioneer Village is like a living museum, showing visitors the history of Utah. Finally, the Midway has most of the rides, food, and carnival games.
Cannibal is the largest ride at the park. The unique tower is over 200 feet tall and has a 116-degree inverted dive with a top speed of 70 miles per hour. Visitors also enjoy live entertainment at the Carousel Theater with talented dancers, musicians, and even magic shows.
In the 50s and 60s, the park even had Johnny Cash, the Rolling Stones, and The Doors perform on their stage. At the end of the day, you can just walk a short way to your RV at the Lagoon Campground where you can rest and then get back up and do it all again.
Tickets
Similar to other parks, grab your Lagoon Park tickets online, and you might get a big discount. In recent years, a general admission ticket was just under $70. Those who camp on site may get a discount as well, with tickets under $60 in recent years. Buying four or more tickets can also get you a discount. If you plan on visiting the park more than once a year, get a season passport for $139, and it will pay for itself after two visits. Camping and parking are not included in the price.
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Transportation
Driving
Only 17 miles from Salt Lake City, Lagoon Park in Northern Utah can be easily reached by I-15 or US-89 from the north, south, or west. Coming in from the east will likely include I-80 or I-84 as you come around the Wasatch Mountains. Stop in Salt Lake City while you are in town where you can visit the Great Salt Lake State Park or the Jordan River OHV State Recreation Area. Liberty Park is the city’s largest park and boasts a lake with two islands.
Parking areas
Finding a spot to park the rig should not be a problem at Lagoon Park because they have plenty of spaces for oversized vehicles, and most RVers use the campground. Although you will pay a few dollars more for oversized vehicle parking, it is nice to know that it is available if you need it. The lot opens 30 minutes before the park opens so you can get there early and get a good spot if desired.
Public Transportation
Since most RVers tend to camp on site, public transportation may only be an issue if you want to go somewhere and don’t want to drive the rig. However, if you are staying off-site, one of the best choices is Farmington’s Lagoon/Station Park shuttle. Not only does it take riders to the park from many areas in town, but it is also free. You can’t beat free. Amtrak and the Utah Transit Authority TRAX, FrontRunner, or S-Line can also get you around the Davis County area.
Where to stay
Onsite
If you have ever dreamed of living at the carnival, how about camping at one? Book one of the 200 campsites that can accommodate RVs up to 60 feet long. With full hookups or water and electric, you can cook indoors or out at the camp if you want to save money or want to enjoy a fireside meal. The park rides loom over the campground so you will wake up to the sounds and smells of the carnival coming to life in the morning. Your furbaby is also welcome, and the kids will love the hiking and biking trails.
Nearby
If your camping setup is too big for the Lagoon Campground or you just don’t want to be that close to the action, the Salt Lake City KOA has 190 sites that can handle rigs up to 80 feet long with full hookups. Located on the banks of Jordan River, the park even has a recreation center, two pet parks, Wi-Fi, cable, and a hot tub. The kiddos will love the playground, pool, and snack bar. Just 17 miles down I-15, you can get to Lagoon Park in less than 30 minutes. And with over a dozen other campgrounds in the area, you can pick whatever works best for you.
Getting around
For safety reasons, Lagoon Park doesn’t allow any kind of wheeled vehicles in the park such as skateboards, bikes, or wheeled shoes. Wheelchairs and strollers are welcome but must be used responsibly. Visitors to the park should plan on doing a lot of walking between rides, so be sure to wear comfortable shoes. The parking lot is not a far walk to the entrance and if you are camping on site, you just have to walk a short way through the private entrance to the camp.
What to pack
Clothing
Depending on what month you plan to visit Lagoon Park, what you pack may vary. The temperatures change drastically from month to month in Utah and while it is only in the 70s in May, you may see temps over 100 in July and August. Most visitors wear t-shirts and shorts, but it can get chilly when the sun goes down. Pack a jacket or sweater just in case, and don’t forget to pack comfortable shoes.
Gear
Unlike most amusement parks, Lagoon Park does allow visitors to bring coolers with food and drinks. They even allow you to bring in alcohol. However, remember that you will be lugging this around with you all day, and you cannot bring a cooler on a ride with you. If it is small enough, you can put it in one of the lockers the park has for rent. However, you will have to keep going back to get what you want out of it. You might prefer to just bring what you need like your keys, wallet, and phone, which can all fit in a pocket or fanny pack.
Health & Safety
Bring along a bottle of water and some sunscreen because it can get pretty hot at the park during the day, especially during the summer. A trial-sized bottle of sunscreen that can fit in your pocket would be ideal. Sunglasses and a hat will also come in handy, but these will have to be removed on some of the rides. Many visitors bring a small first-aid kit as well, which can come in handy if needed.
Where to eat
Cooking
Lagoon Park has a strict no-grill rule due to the dry air and high winds that are common in this part of Utah. But you can use a camp stove or cook indoors on your stove, and the park offers utility hookups. If you are staying at a nearby campground, their policy on BBQ pits may be different, but make sure you check with an employee before firing up the grill.
Restaurants
Right outside the park on Main Street, visitors can find a Mexican restaurant and a coffee shop with a full menu. However, across the interstate is where the majority of the restaurants can be found. From sushi to a martini bar and pizza to BBQ, there are a plethora of choices in a compact area just under two miles away. You’ll even find a Greek restaurant and Baja-style eatery. Davis County, Utah is full of great places to eat.
Vendors
Visitors to Lagoon Park will find the most food choices in the Midway area. Whether you want a full meal or just something to snack on, the Midway has over a dozen eateries for guests. The South End also has some food kiosks and ice creameries to grab a bite.
The North Area has a variety of food as well, including some famous fast-food favorites. Grab some snacks in Pioneer Village where you can watch history come alive. The Old Mill Grill is a favorite with many visitors for the full-service restaurant. Be sure to stop at one of the many souvenir shops to find the perfect items to remember your trip.
Safety
Security
For security reasons, certain areas of Lagoon Park are monitored and under surveillance using audio and video equipment. You will also be subject to search and have to go through a metal detector at the gate. Don’t bring any of the items prohibited by the Guest Policies. If you need security for any reason, you can find them at one of the first-aid stations or just ask one of the park employees.
Weather
Farmington, Utah weather varies quite a bit, and while it may only be in the 50s for the highs when the park opens in March, the temps can reach 100 in July. You may even see some snow in March, but it is not likely. Rain is possible during the spring and fall months, but the summer months are typically dry. Plan according to what month you will be visiting and download a weather app to stay up to date on the local forecast.
Medical
Lagoon Park has professional medical personnel on staff and available during business hours, including licensed paramedics. Visitors can find first-aid stations near the front gate by the lockers and in Lagoon-A-Beach by Bongo’s Bay. If you need to be transferred to a medical facility, the park can do that for you, or you can have someone in your party drive you. The nearest hospital is about two miles away in Farmington.
