Six Flags Darien Lake
Pack the family in the rig and head to Darien near Buffalo, NY to enjoy rides, games, and food at Six Flags Darien Lake. They even have a huge campground onsite for your RVing crew.
Event information
Six Flags Darien Lake near Buffalo, New York is a favorite among the Six Flags Theme Parks. They have a dozen thrill rides for those who enjoy the extreme heights and speeds of the coasters and other wild rides. The Ride of Steel is the tallest and fastest roller coaster in the state, Red Hawk will let you know how it feels to fly, and Skyscreamer, well… it will make you scream. The Slingshot will launch you 300 feet in the air at 80 miles per hour strapped inside a metal ball. Like a slingshot.
The waterpark is a park of its own with eight unique rides such as the Swirl City Slide Complex, Rip Curl Racer, and Brain Drain. Or you can just float down a slow current in the Floatation Station. Crocodile Isle is a 600,000-gallon pool with waves and all kinds of other activities. Try the Big Kahuna, which is a tubing experience taking you on a curvy and wavy trip down a giant slide. And if you were wondering what it feels like to be inside a tornado, they have that too! Aptly named the Tornado. You’ll be blown away by this one!
For the kiddos, there are 10 special rides just for them. However, a few have height minimums for safety. Wally’s Weather Balloons is a fun way to feel like you are flying. Tree Stump Turnpike lets your kids drive monster trucks on a mini-adventure. Raccoon Rally is a kid-sized bumper car ride. And the Darien Lake Railway is a train that takes you and your kids on a nice trip around the track.
And you cannot enjoy Six Flags without seeing some of their fabulous shows! If you enjoy magic, check out the Master of Illusion Aaron Radatz. Or see if you can really be hypnotized by a professional hypnotist. The Back Stage Variety Show is a vaudeville group of dancing and humor that the whole family can enjoy while you give your legs a break from walking.
If you want to do it all again in the morning, Darien Lake is part of the park now and offers over a thousand RV campsites with utilities and other amenities.
Tickets
Tickets for Six Flags Darien Lake typically went for about $60 for adults and $40 for kids under four feet tall in past years. However, this is if you buy them at the park. If you order them online in advance, you may be able to get them at a discount. If you plan on visiting more than once or plan to visit other Six Flags Theme Parks (21 in the United States), a season pass is often the same price as the one-day pass when you purchase them ahead of time.
Explore Six Flags Darien Lake RV Rentals
Transportation
Driving
Just like other theme parks, you will see Six Flags Darien Lake way before you get there. The huge rides, flashing lights, and line of cars will tip you off way before your exit to get off the highway. Your route might bring you along NY-20 or I-90 to connect with NY-77 near Darien Center. Because the park can be crowded, the best times to visit are during the weekdays, and always come early in the day if you can.
Parking areas
If you do not plan to camp at Six Flags Darien Lake, don’t worry, there are still plenty of spots to park in the lot. However, there is a fee to park as well as to get in, so camping is a better deal, and you don’t have to worry about parking because you can walk to the park. There are also several parking lots in the neighborhood, including one that provides overnight parking about 15 miles to the west just off of NY-33.
Public Transportation
Closer to Buffalo, the Niagara Frontier Transportation Authority (NFTA) does have public bus service. However, you will likely have to call a taxi or use a rideshare app to get the rest of the way to Darien Lake. Depending on how your route forms, you could ride a bike to meet up with other members of your group. The park has lockers you can rent to keep your bike while you enjoy the park.
Where to stay
Onsite
Six Flags Darien Lake has over a thousand campsites with over 800 as RV campsites. Sites have campfire rings, picnic tables, water and electric, and restrooms with hot showers. They also include park admission and an early ride time before the park opens to the public.
Onsite pull-through sites can accommodate any size RV with full hookups and a concrete patio. Some sites can take rigs up to 30 feet long and have full hookups. Pop-ups and tents can stay in the standard sites that have water and electricity. Your furbaby is welcome but they are not allowed at the hotel and in some areas.
Nearby
Just a half-mile from Six Flags, Cherry Hill Campground has primitive RV and tent sites, cabins, and lean-tos. The length limit for rigs is 37 feet, so if your RV is larger than that, head to Darien Lake State Park, which is just five miles to the southwest. They have 142 campsites that can accommodate RVs up to 45 feet in length with 30-amp electric and plenty of amenities. Also, the Medina / Wildwood Lake KOA just 30 miles to the north has more than 300 sites that can accommodate RVs up to 80 feet long.
Getting around
Six Flags Darien Lake is large, but they do not have a shuttle or tram service, unfortunately. Make sure you pack some comfortable walking shoes. They do have wheelchair, wagon, and ECV rentals on a first-come, first-served basis. The park suggests that you choose the attractions you want to visit furthest from the entrance or exit and then hit them all on the way back. Of course, if you are camping, you will be coming from the other end, so plan accordingly.
What to pack
Clothing
Six Flags Darien Lake is open from May until October, so what you need to pack depends on when you plan your visit. In May, the highs are typically in the upper 60s with temps dropping into the 40s at night. So, you will want to bring a jacket or hoodie with you. June through September are all pretty warm so pack light clothes for those days, although it still gets a bit chilly in the evenings. October is cold so pack for the lower temperatures, especially if you plan to attend any of the evening events toward Halloween.
Gear
Guests can only have food and beverages from outside at the picnic area in the parking lot. However, a small cooler up to 12 inches is allowed for soft drinks and water, but no alcohol and no glass. You can bring a small backpack or purse, but it will be searched, so do not pack anything from the prohibited list. Some of these include drugs, weapons, glass, and alcohol.
Health & Safety
Whatever kind of bag you bring, be sure to pack some sunscreen with a hefty SPF. Even when it is not hot outside, the sun can still damage your skin, so this is very important. Make sure you have bug spray, any medication you need, water, and maybe a first-aid kit for emergencies. However, they do sell bandages, aspirin, and other minor aid products at the park. Wear sunglasses and a hat, which can also help protect you from the sun.
Where to eat
Cooking
Darien Lake campground offers you several options for cooking while you are there. Since you may have utilities, you can cook indoors if you prefer. However, many people tend to cook out on the campfire grill to enjoy the outdoors as much as possible. You can still bring your own campfire grill or BBQ pit if you prefer. The camp store may have just about anything needed, but other stores may be as close as Alden.
Restaurants
If you don’t want to eat with such a large crowd, head into Batavia, Akron, or Oakfield for a meal or two. Look for a unique log cabin restaurant eight miles to the northwest where you can see a waterfall while you dine. You’ll also find fine-dining restaurants, family diners, saloon eatery, and a pizza parlor within a 25-minute drive. If you would rather hit the drive-thru, there are plenty of those around as well.
Vendors
You may get hungry often when you are at the park due to all of the amazing smells coming from the dozens of restaurants and food kiosks. Whether you are into burgers and fries, pizza, or hot dogs, you can find them in several spots. And if you are looking for something a bit different, check out the beaver bites or pulled pork sandwiches. Grab some goodies at one of the candy shops or buy some souvenirs for the folks back home at one of the many unique shops in the park.
Safety
Security
Park security roams throughout the park to keep things in line and just in case you need them. In addition, there is a metal detecting system at the gates, so make sure you are prepared for that as you approach the front of the line. Remove your phone and keys before you get up there and do not bring anything from the no-no list.
Weather
Weather in this part of New York can be difficult to determine ahead of time. It is best to download a weather app for the local forecast while visiting Six Flags Darien Lake. Expect 60s for highs and 40s for lows in May or highs in the 80s and lows in the 60s for June through August. However, temperatures are never as hot as many places in the summertime. Enjoy the weather while enjoying the park.
Medical
Six Flags Darien Lake has certified paramedics for guests visiting the park as well as those staying at the campground. There is a medical office right between the Viper and the Security Office. The water park also has a first-aid station at Hook’s Lagoon. There are also several hospitals within a 10-minute drive of the park.
