Six Flags New England offers world-class theme park thrills in Agawam, Massachusetts, with 12 roller coasters, Hurricane Harbor water park, and over 100 attractions across 235 acres, making it New England's premier family entertainment destination. While the park doesn't offer on-site RV camping, nearby Northampton/Springfield KOA (27 miles away) and Sodom Mountain Campground (14 miles) provide full-hookup sites perfect for families, with Springfield RV rentals and Hartford campervan options offering convenient access to the park that welcomed approximately 2 million visitors in 2024, making planning essential for peak summer weekends.
As the oldest of the Six Flags theme parks, Six Flags New England in Agawam, Massachusetts, is a historic wonderland that's been delighting visitors since 1870 (originally as Gallup's Grove, later Riverside Park). Across 235 acres, the park offers over 100 rides, shows, and attractions with something for everyone—from toddlers enjoying Thomas Town to thrill-seekers conquering the legendary Superman ride, which has consistently ranked among America's top steel roller coasters since it opened.
You'll be in store for limitless excitement during your RV trip to Six Flags, from 12 world-class roller coasters, including the historic Thunderbolt (operating since 1941) to the mind-bending Joker 4D free-fly coaster that flips riders head over heels. The park is home to New England's largest water park, Hurricane Harbor, featuring a massive 500,000-gallon wave pool, thrilling water slides including the drop-hatch Bonzai Pipelines, and family-friendly Splash Island. There's no shortage of entertainment with four dedicated kids' areas (Kidzopolis, Looney Tunes Movie Town, Whistlestop Park, and Wiggles World), live shows, and dining options ranging from classic theme park fare to sit-down restaurants.
Summer is the peak season for RVers and families since Massachusetts weather typically reaches comfortable 75-85°F temperatures perfect for both coasters and water park fun. Spring weekends (May through early June) and fall (September-October) offer mild weather with lighter crowds and shorter wait times for major attractions. The park transforms during Halloween season for Fright Fest, New England's largest haunt event featuring scare zones, haunted mazes (additional fee), and special nighttime entertainment—making autumn an ideal time for RV trips without the summer heat.
Six Flags New England operates seasonally from late April through October, with extended hours during summer and special holiday events. Winter operations are limited to select holiday weekends. Advanced ticket purchases online provide the best value, with season passes, memberships, and multi-day tickets offering significant savings over single-day admission. Premium passes include perks like free parking (a major savings for RVers), priority ride access, and in-park discounts.
Add-On Options:
You can access Six Flags New England via major highways from across the Northeast, making it easy to spot from miles away thanks to towering roller coasters visible against the skyline. The park is located at 1623 Main Street (Route 159) in Agawam, Massachusetts, on the west side of the Connecticut River.
From Boston/Eastern Massachusetts: Take I-90 West (Massachusetts Turnpike) to Exit 8 (Palmer). Follow I-291 West, then merge onto I-91 South. Take Exit 3 (Route 57/Agawam), turn right onto Route 57, then left onto Main Street/Route 159. The park entrance is approximately 1 mile on the right. Total distance: 90 miles, approximately 1.5 hours.
From the New York City Metro Area: Take I-91 North through Connecticut into Massachusetts. Take Exit 3 (Route 57/Agawam), turn left onto Route 57, then left onto Main Street/Route 159. Park entrance on the right. Total distance: 135 miles, approximately 2.5 hours.
From Hartford, Connecticut: Take I-91 North to Exit 3 (Route 57/Agawam), turn left onto Route 57, then left onto Main Street/Route 159. Total distance: 30 miles, approximately 30-40 minutes.
Important Notes: Keep cash on hand for Massachusetts Turnpike tolls. Stay on the west side of the Connecticut River as you approach the park. Main Street/Route 159 provides easy RV access with wide lanes, though traffic can be heavy on summer weekends.
Springfield Base Camp: Springfield offers the closest major city access at just 15 minutes from Six Flags. Springfield provides full grocery shopping, RV supplies, fuel stations, and attractions like the MGM Springfield casino, the Basketball Hall of Fame, and the Dr. Seuss National Memorial Sculpture Garden.
Hartford Regional Hub: Hartford serves as an excellent starting point, 30 minutes south, offering Connecticut's largest RV rental marketplace, interstate highway access (I-91 and I-84), and opportunities to combine Six Flags with Hartford attractions like the Mark Twain House, Wadsworth Atheneum, and Connecticut Science Center.
Six Flags New England offers ample parking for RVs and large vehicles in the main parking lot, though spaces are standard car-sized without special RV sections. The parking lot uses numbered rows (remember your number!) to help visitors locate their vehicle at day's end.
Parking Fees & Tips:
Transportation Options: Many RVers choose to leave their rig at the campground and drive a tow vehicle or use ride-sharing services to the park, avoiding parking challenges and allowing flexibility for late-night departures. The park is approximately 30 minutes from Northampton/Springfield KOA, making multiple visits practical for extended stays.
Limited public transportation serves Six Flags New England directly. Amtrak serves Springfield's Union Station (10 miles from the park) with connections to Boston, New York City, and cities along the Northeast Corridor. Peter Pan Bus Lines also serves Springfield from major Northeast cities. From Springfield, a taxi, ride-sharing, or rental car is required to reach the park—plan transportation in advance, as public transit options don't extend to Agawam.
Although Six Flags New England does not have a campground on-site, the park does partner up with a campground nearby. The Sodom Mountain Campground in Southwick is just 14 miles to the west and has over 200 campsites with utilities, a pool, mini-golf, a game room, and more. In conjunction with Six Flags, Sodom Mountain also offers special prices on tickets to the park.
For those RVers with extra-large rigs, the Northampton / Springfield KOA just 27 miles to the north has 122 campsites with utilities, many that can handle rigs up to 90 feet long. Visitors to the Northampton / Springfield KOA will also enjoy a snack bar, fishing pond, swimming pool, an arcade, and even a camp store and laundry room. If you would rather camp in a more natural and secluded area, Granville State Forest has 22 primitive sites 27 miles away, and Tolland State Forest has 93 primitive campsites in the woods about 30 miles away.
Visitors to the park get a free ride to the gate on the trolley that picks up at several spots in the parking lot. If you need a wheelchair or stroller, you are welcome to bring your own. However, Six Flags New England does have strollers, wheelchairs, and electronic convenience vehicles (ECVs) for rent at the Main Street Rental Center. An ID is needed to rent one of these items, and they are first-come, first-served.
Six Flags New England is a big place, so comfortable walking shoes are a must. Although it may seem like a good idea to wear flip flops to the park in the summer, they do not provide much cushion, and they can fly off during some of the wilder rides. Pack typical summer attire like tees and shorts but bring long pants and a jacket anyway. It can get chilly in the evenings.
Since the parking lot is so far from the gate, many visitors bring a backpack or bag and store it in a locker. You’ll find lockers at the Hurricane Harbor entrance, in Rockville, and at the main park gate. This is only a good idea if you need to bring things like extra clothes, bathing suits, or other large items. Otherwise, use your pockets or a fanny pack to carry your keys, wallet, and phone.
Although it may not be extremely hot, the sun can still be a present consideration, so it is best to wear sunscreen, a hat, and sunglasses. Guests often bring a small bottle of sunscreen to carry in their pockets to reapply later. A small first-aid kit with bandages and aspirin can also fit in your pocket and can come in handy.
RVers staying at a park with utilities and water can cook indoors or outside on the grill that is typically provided. However, some primitive sites do not offer these options, and it is good to be prepared with your own portable grill or camp stove. They don’t take up much room and can add to the experience if you wish to cook outside. Take a trip to the store before heading to the park to stock up on the essentials that you need.
Finding a restaurant to take the family to is as easy as driving up MA-159, also known as Main Street. The first one on the way is a family diner only less than a mile away, and then there is a pizzeria about a mile further. Keep heading up Main Street where a deli, Chinese cuisine, and a Turkish restaurant will appear in the next few miles. For a quick meal, hit up one of the drive-thrus and head back to the park for more fun.
The park features 30+ dining locations ranging from quick-service counters to sit-down restaurants. Popular options include Johnny Rockets (burgers), Primo's Pizzeria, Chickie & Pete's (famous crab fries), and Texas BBQ Company. Dining plans provide excellent value for families planning full-day visits.
Pack smart and light so you won’t be held up long at the gate. Everyone has to go through the security gate and pass through the metal detector before heading into the park. Some of the items you don’t want to bring include food or drinks, weapons, drugs, or glass. A more detailed list of prohibited items can be found on the park’s website.
Massachusetts is far enough north that it does not get super hot in the summer. However, the highs from June through August typically range in the 80s while the lows are usually in the 60s. During the spring and fall, the weather can get downright cold with highs only in the 60s and lows down to the 30s. It has even been known to snow a bit in early April.
Be sure to let the park know if you get cut, scraped, or bumped on any of the rides or just walking around the park. Head to one of the first-aid stations in the park to get checked out before continuing with your journey. Look for these in Hurricane Harbor by the Red Schooner and in Rockville across from Adventure River. EMTs and paramedics are on staff during park hours to help or to transport guests to a hospital nearby, if needed.