safari drive through six flags

Six Flags Wild Safari Drive-Thru Adventure: An Interactive Zoo Experience You Won’t Want To Miss

If you ever thought of going on a safari, here’s your chance— in NJ. The wildly popular Six Flags Wild Safari Drive-Thru Adventure in Jackson opens the weekend of April 1 and is teeming with over 1,200 exotic animals from six continents ready to greet you and the whole family. Drive your car down a winding path where African elephants, reticulated giraffes, and red rhinos pass by your window (and maybe even stop traffic) in areas that mimic their natural habitats. Ready to go? Scroll down for all the details for going on a wild adventure at Six Flags Wild Safari—no passport needed. ( Feature Photo Credit: Six Flags Safari )

The zebras show off their stripes during the Six Flags in New Jersey. Photo Credit: Six Flags Safari

All the animals at Six Flags Wild Safari Drive-Thru

Six Flags Wild Safari Drive-Thru Adventure is unique because you never have to leave your car. The drive-thru is separated into 12 sections to show how animals live in distinct natural habitats. You’ll have the opportunity to watch a Roosevelt Elk run in The Americas, see an ostrich peck at your window in Afrikka, or view an African Lion at rest in Kingsland. As you wind around the loop, slow down by Baboon Village. This fan-favorite is where you can watch this rowdy troop jump all over a large metal piece in their exhibit (this metal piece is actually from “Lightning Loops,” a Six Flags Great Adventure rollercoaster that was deconstructed years ago). And not to worry, the baboons are no longer allowed to jump on your car like they were years ago ( whew ).

See animals in their natural habitat from the safety of your vehicle. Photo Credit: Six Flags Safari

Here’s what to know about the Drive-Thru before you go

The Six Flags Wild Safari Park is a total of 4.5 miles of paved road, and the drive-thru timing depends on the animals’ behavior (if they are out and about) and the traffic since you drive through super slowly—but expect it to take at least an hour. To make the experience even better, you can download a guide for all the details on the animals and facts. During the tour, you will see gates with signs that say “checkpost” to guide you to where you are and what you will see. Safari team members are available at many of the gates to help you with anything you might need during your adventure. And the animals can be temperamental (especially in crummy weather), so be prepared that you might not always see specific species. Whether you’re planning to go for the day or even just a quick visit, you’ll want to purchase tickets online and reserve a time and date to go. Tickets start at $24.99 for adults and $19.99 for seniors and children under 48″. 

Six Flags Wild Safari Drive-Thru is only part of the park

If your family is still up for an adventure, New Jersey’s largest and most popular theme park, Six Flags Great Adventure , is right next door with rides, restaurants, and hours of entertainment. Six Flags Great Adventure’s main park has plenty of thrilling and tame rides for all ages and lots of special events planned for 2023. This Spring Break, visit Six Flags in New Jersey for Scream Break from April 8-15 for a frighteningly good time that includes some of the features from Fright Fest, like haunted houses, a scare zone, ghouls, and nighttime rides. If you’re thinking about going this summer, you’ll want to head over to Six Flag’s water park, Hurricane Harbor, and spend the rest of the day sliding and splashing on the lazy river and in the pools—a perfect ending to a day “on safari.” New this year, there will be lots of tamer options for younger kids, including a treehouse splash park and 7 new colorful slides that spin and whirl smaller riders. And good to know if you want to add this to your day— Six Flags Great Adventure and Hurricane Harbor require separate ticket purchases from the Wild Safari Drive-Thru Adventure.

Six Flags Wild Safari Drive-Thru Adventure 1 Six Flags Boulevard Jackson, NJ 08527 (732) 928-2000

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About Author

Melanie Bodner has always had a love for writing, but now she has a new love…being a mom. Before having her kids, Melanie was no stranger to writing or working with children. She wrote for a local newspaper as a reporter and taught English and Dance in a public school. Now Melanie enjoys spending time with her kids, doing yoga, writing and decorating her home. Check out her Instagram @burlapbythebeach.

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Key Information

The Wild Safari Drive-Thru Adventure is once again a self-drive attraction at an extra charge (although free to Six Flags Members and Six Flags Great Adventure and Hurricane Harbor New Jersey pass holders). Drivers go on safari through the 350acre park with its 1,200 animals from six continents including elephants, rhinos, tigers, giraffes and lions.  The drive takes between 1 and 3 hours depending on the pace of the driver.

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Wild Safari Drive-Thru to Open at Six Flags Great Adventure

While the theme park and waterpark remain closed, Six Flags Great Adventure is opening its Wild Safari Drive-Thru for guests to enjoy from the comfort of their own cars, complete with an advance reservation system.

The drive-thru safari is something I remember doing with my family when I was a kid, and it’s a great option for families looking for something to do, especially while we wait for things to return somewhat to normal.

Wild Safari Drive-Thru

From 1974 to 2012, the Safari experience at Six Flags Great Adventure was a self-guided tour that allowed guests to drive their own cars through exhibit after exhibit of animals. I can remember the thrill of seeing animals right through my window when I was a kid and even seeing baboons jump on top of cars!

In 2013, the safari was changed to the Safari Off Road Adventure. It became an attraction inside the theme park that guests rode through on an open-air truck with a tour guide, with a stop at Camp Aventura for up-close encounters and a zip line. Some of the animal exhibits, like the baboons, were fenced in for this experience.

Now, with the need for social-distancing, the drive-thru aspect is back, just using the same road and exhibits from the past 7 years. That means this new version of the Wild Safari Drive-Thru won’t have any baboons jumping on cars. That’s probably disappointing for kids and reassuring for the parents. Camp Aventura will not be open as part of the drive-thru safari., but should reopen when the attraction eventually goes back to being the Safari Off Road Adventure.

Wild Safari Drive-Thru Hours and Pricing

Starting May 30, 2020, the Wild Safari Drive-Thru Adventure will operate daily from 9am to 4pm (weather permitting). Reservations will need to be made in advance, and no guests will be allowed to enter without a reservation. The safari takes about an hour to experience and Six Flags says the safari will accommodate thousands of families per day.

Pricing for the Wild Safari Drive-Thru is $17.99 per person for single day tickets. Members and Season Pass Holders are free, plus one $9.99 Bring-A-Friend ticket. Kids aged 2 and under are also free. All guests, regardless of what type of ticket they have, need a reservation to enter.

The procedure will work like this: First, guests will purchase tickets for the Wild Safari Drive-Thru. Then, you’ll go to the reservation system to choose the date and time you want to attend. (You’ll need your ticket #, order #, or season pass/membership # to confirm you purchased tickets.) When your reservation is complete you’ll receive a confirmation. Print that, or show it on your device through your window when you arrive. Printed sheets will probably be easier to scan through the window.

Tickets are available for purchase now. Members and Pass Holders will be able to start making reservations on May 27, 2020.

A Self-Guided Tour

Your self-guided tour of the Wild Safari will slowly cruise along the 5-mile path as it winds through the 350-acre preserve. During the hour-long journey, you will have the opportunity to see 1,200 animals in simulated natural habitats. Some of these animals may cross the road, and at times you’ll have animals within a few feet of your vehicle. But rest assured that predators are fenced off from the road.

The one downside to the self-guided tour is that you won’t have a knowledgeable tour guide to point out the animals, give you facts about them, or answer any questions you may have. The tour guide was one of the highlights of my Safari Off Road Adventure experience at Six Flags Great Adventure last summer. You can brush up on the animals you’ll see and their habitats on the park’s website at  www.sixflags.com/safari . (a passenger could even have this open on a device to reference during your visit.)

Here is a list of some of the animals you can expect to see.

Wild Safari Drive-Thru Animal Guide

The americas.

• Fallow Deer
• Roosevelt Elk
• African Elephants
• White Rhino
• Grant’s Zebra
• Asian Water Buffalo
• Marabou Stork

Wild Plains

• Common Eland
• Ellipsis Waterbuck
• Dama Gazelle
• Scimitar Horned Oryx
• Reticulated Giraffe
• Red Ankole Cattle
• White Bearded Gnu
• Greater Kudu

Serengeti Grassland

• White Tailed Gnu
• African Lions

Black Bear Ridge

• American Black Bear
• European Brown Bear

Conservation Area

Set aside for native species to the NJ area such as birds, foxes, turtles and even the bald eagle.

Didgeradoo Pass

• Red Kangaroo

Tigris Asiana

• Bangal Tigers
• Siberian Tigers

Baboon Jungle

• Anubis Baboons

Safari Safety – Know Before You Go

To ensure the safety of guests, Six Flag team members, and animals, the Wild Safari Drive-Thru experience will be contact-free. All tickets will need to be purchased in advance via an online reservation system . Tickets will not be available at the gate, and guests without tickets will not be permitted to enter.

• SLOW – 5 mph speed limit
• Maintain space between your car and others
• Animals always have the right of way
• Remain in your vehicle and on paved roadway at all times
• Windows and sun roofs must remain completely closed
• Convertible tops must be closed
• No pets, including service animals, are permitted inside cars
• Do not feed or touch the animals
• No smoking or littering
• No parking or stopping, other than yielding to animals
• All vehicles will be screened by Six Flags Security prior to entering Wild Safari
• No items are permitted in pickup truck beds or in vehicles with open storage
• Cars, SUVs and consumer pickup trucks only permitted – no buses, RVs, box trucks, commercial vehicles, pickup trucks larger than a consumer pickup allowed
• Plan ahead – no restrooms, food, or gasoline available (only portable toilets at entrance and exit)
• Enter at your own risk

Personally, we’re looking forward to making the drive to the Wild Safari Drive-Thru. It will be great to take a little road trip. In addition to planning how to handle our food and restroom stops, we’re putting together some accessories to bring in the car to enhance the experience. Here are some of our ideas:

• printable animal guide (we’ll share ours once we finish it)
• scavenger hunt
• safari bingo
• booster seats to help little ones see
• camera to take photos
• safari coloring books

You can find more information on the Wild Safari Drive-Thru, including the answers to frequently asked questions, at https://www.sixflags.com/greatadventure/attractions/safari

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Wild Safari Drive Thru - at Six Flags - Opening Weekend

1 Six Flags Blvd, Jackson Township, NJ 08527

Mar 20, 2021. all day

Babies Toddlers (2-4 yrs) Schoolkids (5-7 yrs) Tweens (8-12 yrs) Teens (13-18 yrs) Adults

Wild Safari Drive-Thru Adventure opens March 20, 2021! Reservations are now available. 

Boasting 1,200 animals from six continents including elephants, rhinos, tigers, giraffes and lions, Wild Safari Drive-Thru Adventure takes explorers on an exhilarating, interactive animal adventure.

Our Safari Park is 4.5 miles of paved road. How long the safari lasts depends on how long you take to observe the animals. We suggest allowing at least 1 hour for the drive through experience. This guide is designed to help you learn about and identify animals in each of the different sections. Some gates will have signs saying Checkpost with a number and the name of the section. Those will correspond with the sections outlined in this guide. Most gates will be manned by a safari team member. It may be necessary for them to close gates if the animals are too close. They will open it as soon as it is safe to drive through again. The zebra-striped vehicles are the safari wardens and supervisors. They are the ones caring for the animals and making sure everyone is following the rules. If you need assistance please flag one of them down. Please note: due to traffic or the individual species, not all animals may be seen. 

With COVID-19, safety is a shared responsibility. Our guests must follow a strict set of rules to keep our animals safe, which will be monitored by our Security, Safety, and Animal Care teams along the path.  They include:

SLOW – 5 mph speed limit

All vehicles and passengers in vehicles are required to follow New Jersey state driving laws, including wearing a seat belt at all times while driving through the safari.

• Maintain space between your car and others
• Animals always have the right of way
• Remain in your vehicle and on paved roadway at all times
• Windows and sun roofs must remain completely closed
• Convertible tops must be closed
• No pets, including service animals, are permitted inside cars
• Do not feed or touch the animals
• No smoking or littering
• No parking or stopping, other than yielding to animals
• All vehicles will be screened by Six Flags Security prior to entering Wild Safari
• No items are permitted in pickup truck beds or in vehicles with open storage
• Only cars, SUVs and consumer pickup trucks are permitted – RVs, box trucks, commercial vehicles or pick-up trucks larger than a consumer pick-up are not allowed.
• Group sales with pre-approved buses must not exceed 45 ft. in length, 9 ft. in width, and 12 ft. in height.  All other buses are not permitted.
• Enter at your own risk

Guests who violate the rules will be escorted from the park without a refund and may be prosecuted

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Drive-thru safari is closing after 2023 at NJ Six Flags

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JACKSON — When the safari opens next season at Six Flags Great Adventure, you'll no longer have the option to drive through yourself.

The theme park has announced that, as a part of an overhaul for its 50th anniversary, the Wild Safari will only be accessible through guided tours come 2024.

The attraction will reopen next year as solely a "Safari Off-Road Adventure." Visitors can view animals from trucks that will be running continuously throughout the day.

" Bringing back the Safari Off-Road Adventure allows us to offer guests a personalized experience with their own tour guide and driver bringing them through our 350-acre safari," a park spokesperson said.

According to the park, the repurposed military-grade vehicles can seat around 30 people each.

Safari pricing for 2024 has not been released yet. Guests who already have a park ticket would be able to take a tour from the park (at Frontier Adventures) at no additional cost, but visitors who want to board a truck from outside the theme park would have to pay a fee.

The drive-through option should still be available for a couple more months in 2023, before the safari closes for the season, according to the Great Adventure website.

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Six Flags “Hotel” Guests Expected to Sleep Outside, Hundreds of Dollars Required

in Six Flags , Theme Parks

If you have ever had the desire to sleep inside of a theme park, we have a solution for you, but there is a catch — you will not be sleeping in a hotel room.

Six Flags Great Adventure, nestled in Jackson Township, New Jersey, has been a staple for thrill-seekers on the East Coast since 1974. Spanning over 350 acres, the park boasts a diverse collection of heart-pounding roller coasters, family-friendly attractions, water rides, live shows, and captivating dining experiences.

Six Flags Great Adventure has consistently ranked among the most popular amusement parks in the world . In 2019, the park welcomed over 2.4 million guests, solidifying its position as a major tourist destination in New Jersey.

Six Flags Great Adventure caters to adrenaline junkies with a staggering twelve roller coasters, including some of the world’s most renowned thrill machines. Kingda Ka, the tallest and second-fastest roller coaster in the world, propels riders 456 feet into the sky at a staggering 128 miles per hour. For those seeking a weightless experience, Zumanjaro Drop Ride plummets riders from a colossal 415 feet, delivering a breathtaking freefall sensation.

Beyond the record-breakers, the park offers a thrilling selection of coasters for all preferences. Nitro, known for its smooth inversions and high speeds, and Green Lantern, featuring a heart-stopping launch and multiple loops, provide exhilarating experiences. For a unique twist, The Joker takes riders on a “fourth-dimensional” adventure, combining inversions with a spinning car that twists independently from the track.

Six Flags Great Adventure caters to families as well. Youngsters can embark on a jungle safari adventure on Jungle Safari Off-Road Adventure, or experience the thrills of miniaturized coasters and classic carnival rides in the Bugs Bunny Land section of the park. The park’s water park, Hurricane Harbor, offers a refreshing respite from the summer heat. Featuring wave pools, splash pads, and thrilling water slides, Hurricane Harbor provides a perfect opportunity for families to cool down and create lasting memories.

Six Flags Great Adventure offers a variety of live shows throughout the day, showcasing talented performers, acrobats, and captivating characters. Dining options abound, from classic amusement park fare like funnel cakes and popcorn to sit-down restaurants offering a wider variety of cuisines. The park also hosts seasonal events throughout the year, including Fright Fest for Halloween and Holiday in the Park for the winter holidays, transforming the park into a festive wonderland with dazzling lights, special shows, and holiday-themed treats.

Six Flags Great Adventure has solidified its place as a premier amusement park destination on the East Coast, so much so that in 2022, the park reported 2.535 million guests. With its record-breaking roller coasters, captivating family attractions, and commitment to providing exceptional guest experiences, Six Flags Great Adventure offers something for everyone. Whether you’re seeking heart-pounding thrills, a day of family fun, or a refreshing escape from the summer heat, Six Flags Great Adventure promises an unforgettable adventure.

Still, the Six Flags brand is looking to be continuously more unique.

Six Flags Entertainment Corporation has recently unveiled its latest venture – Savannah Sunset Resort & Spa – at its expansive Six Flags Great Adventure park in Jackson, New Jersey. Nestled approximately 50 miles east of Philadelphia and 65 miles south of New York City, the new resort signifies a strategic move by Six Flags to capitalize on the growing trend of experiential tourism.

Savannah Sunset boasts 20 luxurious glamping suites, each meticulously designed with a safari motif to complement the park’s existing Wild Safari Adventure. This drive-thru experience allows guests to encounter over 1,000 animals, including elephants, tigers, zebras, and many more. The catch is, you will be glamping, and not staying in a hotel room.

Catering to diverse guest preferences, the resort offers two distinct suite categories: couples and family-style accommodations. Couples suites provide a king-sized bed, a comfortable living area, and a convenient kitchenette. Family suites expand upon this foundation, offering additional sleeping arrangements (at least two beds) alongside the living space and kitchenette. All suites come with exclusive perks, including daily participation in a giraffe feeding experience, complimentary breakfast, and park access to all Six Flags Great Adventure locations.

Per Bloomberg , an additional layer of luxury is woven into the experience through delivery options for “conveniences such as avocado toast and Starbucks chai lattes” for suite guests. A two-night minimum stay is required, with rates starting around $600 per night during the peak summer season. Additionally, for safety reasons, all guests must be at least 5 years old.

While Disney does not offer campsites at Disney’s Animal Kingdom Lodge, the House of Mouse does have a similar safari theme resort where guests can watch animals roam through the Savannah from their bedroom.

This expansion into the hospitality sector represents a strategic move for Six Flags, particularly in light of its upcoming $1.88 billion acquisition by Cedar Fair LP. The relocation of the company’s headquarters from Arlington, Texas to Charlotte, North Carolina further underscores Six Flags’ commitment to growth and diversification.

In an interview with Bloomberg, Six Flags Chief Marketing Officer Edithann Velez Ramey emphasized the company’s desire to cultivate an “experience economy” through unique offerings: “We needed to really deliver things that were special.”

Beyond the luxurious accommodations, Savannah Sunset offers an on-site restaurant featuring decadent meals, along with a spa specializing in unique treatments, including deep-tissue massages incorporating African rungu sticks, according to Bloomberg.

With the launch of Savannah Sunset Resort & Spa, Six Flags positions itself to not only maintain this impressive attendance but also to elevate the guest experience, solidifying its place as a premier destination in the competitive theme park industry.

You can take a look at the new “resort” below:

Considering we recently heard the news that Six Flags New Orleans , which has been closed for years, will become a new theme park without the Six Flags name attached , this news is much more positive, much like the forward direction of Six Flags Qiddiya , the theme park in development in Saudi Arabia which is expected to blow minds in 2025.

Would you go camping at Six Flags Great Adventure? 

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• A Glamping-Style Safari Resort Has Just Opened… in New Jersey

Savannah Sunset Resort and Spa is nestled in Six Flags Great Adventure's 350-acre wilderness park.  

Abby montanez, abby montanez's most recent stories.

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Forget Africa. A new luxury safari resort has just opened in New Jersey . 

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The lodge itself features 20 suites that can sleep anywhere from two to six people depending on the size. Of course, there are tons of safari-esque amenities and experiences for guests to enjoy like close-up animal encounters, daily giraffe feedings, and opportunities to explore the local watering holes. Savannah Sunset will also have an on-site restaurant, Mahaba Grill, and an on-site spa.  

Suites start at $599 per night during the summer season and require a two-night minimum stay. Each reservation includes multi-park admission, private transportation, and daily breakfast. Plus, hotel guests get the bonus perk of bypassing lines for roller coasters and water slides at Six Flags Great Adventure and Hurricane Harbor. If you’re planning a family trip, the resort does have an age restriction. According to Bloomberg, all guests must be at least 5 years old. 

Abigail Montanez is a staff writer at Robb Report. She has worked in both print and digital publishing for over half a decade, covering everything from real estate, entertainment, dining, travel to…

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Six Flags opens its first luxury hotel, which features daily giraffe feedings at safari-themed park

Giraffe encounters on an elevated walkway. The roar of nearby lions from a private veranda. Early morning game drives with elephants and rhinos. These experiences, typically reserved for safaris across the vast African continent, will soon be found at an amusement park in New Jersey, which also offers access to the world’s tallest roller coaster.

Six Flags Entertainment Corp.  is venturing into luxury hospitality, with a 20-room safari hotel slated to open on June 14. Located just 15 miles from New York City, inside the safari park at Six Flags Great Adventure, the  Savannah Sunset Resort & Spa  will perch guests above Ankole cattle, wildebeests and black bears that roam the property’s 350-acre African-themed expanse.

The company’s first foray into luxury hotels comes amid its planned  $1.88 billion acquisition  by  Cedar Fair LP , which owns 17 theme parks and 11 hotels, including Carowinds outside Charlotte and Cedar Point in Sandusky, Ohio. 

Stays at Savannah Sunset begin at $599 per night during the summer season—with a two-night minimum—which puts it within range of some of Walt Disney World’s most high-end hotels. Here, that will include modern conveniences such as avocado toast and Starbucks chai lattes delivered to your canvas tent for breakfast, as well as tickets to Six Flags’ parks.

That adds to the attractions already bringing thrill-seekers to this corner of New Jersey, where Six Flags operates 510 acres filled with 14 hair-raising roller coasters, the Hurricane Harbor water park and the aforementioned Wild Safari Adventure. At the latter, guests are taken on 45-minute game drives to see 1,200 animals from six continents. While Six Flags does not release data for visitation to its individual parks, research from AECOM tracking attendance at global attractions shows that the New Jersey complex welcomed a record 3.5 million guests in 2019; in 2022, the most recent year for which AECOM data are available, that number was more than 2.1 million. 

The new hotel is a way to leverage the existing safari park for longer and more expensive stays, which in turn would drive spending in the rest of the parks. While the suites are modeled after the camps in, say, Botswana’s Okavango Delta or  Tanzania’s Serengeti , the layouts feature kitchenettes and Keurig coffee machines to cater to American families.

“We needed to really deliver things that were special,” says Edithann Velez Ramey, chief marketing officer at Six Flags.

A Company in Transition

Six Flags’ expansion into hotels comes at a critical time. This year  a survey of 3,491 US-based travelers  by Bloomberg Intelligence showed that more than half planned to visit theme parks for trips of at least three days, the second-most-popular vacation choice, after all-inclusive resorts. 

Courting visitors for multiple days is an advantage that such companies as  Walt Disney Co.  and  Comcast Corp. ’s Universal have long held over Six Flags, which has historically been focused almost exclusively on day guests. The gap has only widened, as Universal Orlando Resort readies a trio of new hotels around the 2025 debut of its Epic Universe theme park, and Disney continues to refurbish and launch new accommodations for its loyal Disney Vacation Club members.

Until now, Six Flags has operated just one hotel:  Great Escape Lodge , with 200 Adirondack-themed rooms surrounding an indoor water park in Queensbury, New York. Rooms start around $340 per night during prime summer weekends. 

The decision to experiment with luxury lodging was spurred by Chief Executive Officer Selim Bassoul, who took the helm in late 2021. It’s his most ambitious move as he shepherds the company ahead of its merger. (The close is expected to take place by the end of June, though some analysts and antitrust experts anticipate regulatory delays.) 

Marketing chief Ramey says the glamping concept was part of a strategy that encourages higher spending. The question Bassoul was asking, she says, is “How do we do things that allow us to elevate the price—and, by extension, revenues and profit?” 

In lieu of competing with Florida’s destination parks by building more attractions, Six Flags is using its proximity to the New York metro area as an advantage. Offering safari-like accommodations without a trip to the airport is unique, but as a one-off hotel, it’s a big idea that speaks to Six Flags’ current performance gaps. According to research by Bloomberg Intelligence, the company’s cash generation dropped in 2023 as per-person park spending decreased to $64 from $66, all while attendance remained lower than expected. Across all its 27 parks nationwide, Six Flags saw 22.2 million visitors last year—still far shy of 2019’s 32.8 million. 

What to Expect From a Six Flags Safari Stay

Savannah Sunset Resort & Spa is loaded with intriguing features and amenities—and also a heavy handful of contradictions. 

Nowhere else in the Northeast can you find rooms outfitted with genuine, handcrafted African wood furniture and vast savannah views. Daily giraffe feedings, made available exclusively to hotel guests, are the kind of thing some people associate with a bucket-list trip to Nairobi. An on-site restaurant, Mahaba Grill, will serve breakfast and dinner. Entrees, such as lobster ravioli or slow-roasted short rib, cost from $25 to $40. An on-site spa offers deep-tissue massages with a wooden African rungu stick. 

Each stay includes park admission, private transportation to the parks and expedited skip-the-line access on roller coasters and waterslides. Guests at Disney’s $300-a-night  Animal Kingdom Lodge , which claims the largest African wine list outside the continent and provides in-room views of animals roaming nearby, have to pay extra for such perks.

But there are significant challenges. Savannah Sunset requires all guests to be age 5 or older—a serious caveat for families with animal-loving preschoolers—and a restriction that’s almost impossible to find anywhere online. 

Six Flags also has to build this new business without the help of its most core demographic: Most of its guests are local and arrive with season passes in hand, which means they don’t need a hotel. 

This location is also the only Six Flag theme park that includes a safari park, so it’s unclear if this strategy can expand. 

And then there’s the issue that Savannah Sunset’s most senior staff have little experience with luxury hotels. In charge is Elizabeth Bransky-Cannata, who most recently served as traveling interim general manager for Holiday Inn Club Vacations locations. 

She’ll need to establish the hotel as a must-visit locale quickly, given its short seasonality. Six Flags Great Adventure is only open daily in summer (meaning, until Labor Day), and the hotel will be open only on select dates in the offseason. That’s a logistical issue that neither Disney nor Universal, which benefit from sunny Florida weather year-round, has to contend with at their resorts. 

Despite those caveats, Six Flags still sees enormous opportunity. 

“It’s one of our biggest, largest properties, so we knew we wanted to invest,” says Ramey. “And we’re thrilled that it’s happening in New Jersey.” 

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Home / Blog / 6-Day Idaho Road Trip + Scenic Drives

6-Day Idaho Road Trip + Scenic Drives

Posted November 9, 2021 in Blog Posts

Outdoor recreation in the Sawtooth Mountains and elsewhere in the state is making Idaho a popular destination. Experience it yourself with this 6-day road trip or choose a scenic drive through mountains, farmland, and vineyards.

When To Go Summer is peak season in most of the state, including Coeur d’Alene, the Sawtooths, and Island Park in southeast Idaho. Wintertime brings tons of snow to the mountains, making Idaho’s mountain resorts like Sun Valley, McCall, and Kellogg, popular destinations for skiers and snowboarders. Spring and fall are also good times to visit the mountain resort towns for biking, fishing, and hiking: The streets are less crowded, and room rates are lower.

Idaho Road Trip Itinerary

DAY 1 Upon arrival in Boise, stretch your legs with a stroll or a bike ride along the Boise River, before heading to the State Capitol (700 W. Jefferson St.) and Basque Block for a few local history lessons. After checking out the city, enjoy some wine and Basque pub fare before having a cocktail and calling it a night.

DAY 2 After breakfast in Boise, get in the car and drive 35 miles (56 kilometers) west to the Sunny Slope area of Caldwell. This is the beating heart of Idaho’s wine country, the Snake River Valley, where you will find about a dozen wineries with tasting rooms. Head back to Boise for dinner and to spend the night.

DAY 3 From Boise, head north along Highway 55 for 2.5 hours until you reach Ponderosa State Park. Check into your reserved cabin and spend the rest of the day hiking and biking around the wooded park that juts out on a 1,000-acre (404-hectare) peninsula into Payette Lake.

DAY 4 Get up early and drive 1 hour (48 miles/77 kilometers) to Riggins for a day of rafting on the Salmon River, world-famous for its wild rapids. Expect to get a little wet along the way, but the river professionals who work this stretch of the river are good at keeping the rafts upright. Or you could book a trip on a wooden dory with Wapiti River Guides .

After shooting the tube all day, head to a restaurant in Riggins for dinner (an elk burger, perhaps?) and a few microbrews.

DAY 5 After breakfast, travel north on U.S. 95, until you come to the Clearwater River near Lewiston, about 2 hours and 110 miles (177 kilometers) from Riggins. Here you’ll find the interpretive center for the Nez Perce National Historic Park , an excellent spot for a picnic and to soak in some of Idaho’s Native American history.

Next, continue heading north on U.S. 95 for 2 hours (116 miles/186 kilometers) until you reach the shores of Coeur d’Alene Lake, where you’ll be spending the night.

DAY 6 Spend the day in Coeur d’Alene frolicking in the lake and relaxing on a lawn chair at City Beach. Nearby, Sherman Avenue has a multitude of cool shops and art galleries to peruse, with a few strategically placed ice cream shops along the way.

Watch the fiery sunset on Tubbs Hill, a nature preserve with scenic hiking trails next to Coeur d’Alene Resort. Your drive back to Boise the next day will take 7 hours (380 miles/611 kilometers).

Scenic Drives in Idaho

Snake River Canyon Scenic Byway

The Snake River Canyon Scenic Byway winds its way through 53 miles (85 kilometers) of bountiful agricultural land, ranging from near the Oregon border to Walter’s Ferry in the Owyhee hinterlands. Parma is the western starting point for the byway. From this spot, the route meanders southeast along the Snake River on a series of well-marked rural roads, passing by family-run farms, fruit orchards, and vineyards.

You’ll go through the winery district of Sunny Slope before ascending onto a sagebrush-dotted bench that skirts the river canyon, where Map Rock near Walter’s Ferry shows ancient petroglyphs. Up here, dormant cinder cones punctuate the landscape, and the deep-canyon rim—long ago carved out by the Bonneville Flood—offers dramatic views of the Owyhee Mountains. Besides cattle, bison, and sheep, also expect to see abundant wildlife, like deer, coyotes, badgers, and red-tailed hawks, along this spectacular drive.

Ponderosa Pine Scenic Byway

Hwy. 21 Spectacular mountain vistas and vast meadows awash in wildflowers combine to make this stretch of pavement, along Highway 21 east of Boise to Sawtooth and Stanley Lakes, one of the most beautiful drives in Idaho. Several angler access roads branch off the highway and lead down to meandering Valley Creek, while other spur roads lead south off the highway to campgrounds at the foot of the Sawtooths.

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Always a homecoming

Six River Loop .

This long day ride follows six rivers in turn: the Palouse River, the St. Maries River, the St. Joe River, the Clark Fork River, the Lochsa River and the Clearwater River.

*Please note: The motorcycle rally that gave us this route advises that the 15 miles from the Idaho-Montana border down to St. Regis is well maintained compacted gravel. The road is easily managed on a street bike but do not take this route if you dislike gravel roads or are unsure of your riding skills on gravel.

Out and Back to the Idaho-Montana state line

If you want to take the Idaho portions of this loop but don't like gravel roads, then stop to admire the view from the top of the Bitterroots at the state line - where the pavement ends and the gravel begins. Retrace the route back to Moscow from there.

You can also look at the St. Maries-Plummer return from the White Pine Scenic Loop route for other options on the return to Moscow from St. Maries.

Points of Interest

Lolo Pass Visitor Center

The US Forest Service maintains a visitor center here with area information.

Just past the Lolo Pass there is a highway sign that cautions of "Winding Road Next 77 miles". This is a favorite photo opportunity for many riders/travelers. Eastbound, there is a similar sign just east of Lowell.

The maps, directions and notes above are for information only. No representation is made or warranty given as to their content, road conditions or route usability or expeditiousness. User assumes all risks arising from the use of this information. Best Western Plus University Inn assumes no responsibility for any loss or delay resulting from such use.