Knott's Berry Farm

Buena Park · CA

When to go

BestGoodFairPoorClosedCrowds (quiet → packed)March–April bring mild weather and typically Boysenberry Festival programming; October and December add major Halloween and holiday entertainment. · Also: Autumn: separately ticketed Knott’s Scary Farm Halloween nights; late November–early January: Knott’s Merry Farm holiday lights, food and shows.

Day: Tuesday–Thursday during non-holiday school weeks
Time: Be at the turnstiles before opening; use the first 60–90 minutes for major coasters. · Mid-afternoon for lunch, Ghost Town, shows and classic dark rides. · The final 90 minutes before closing can be strong for coasters as families leave.
Avoid: Sustained heavy rain, lightning or high winds can close outdoor rides; also avoid dates when a must-do ride is on the scheduled-closure list.

About 8 hours

A good route

Start
Enter via the Main Entrance and go directly to GhostRider.30 min
Have ticket barcode ready; use the opening window for headline coasters.
+30 min
Boardwalk coasters: Xcelerator and HangTime.60 min
Use single-use lockers where required; loose items are not allowed on ride platforms.
+1 h 30
Ghost Town: Calico Mine Ride, Timber Mountain Log Ride and a walk through the historic-style buildings.90 min
This is the park’s original themed core; schedule it before a late lunch.
+3 h
Lunch in Ghost Town or at Mrs. Knott’s Chicken Dinner Restaurant/California Marketplace.60 min
Try a boysenberry item; outside food is generally prohibited except permitted exceptions.
+4 h
Fiesta Village and Silver Bullet.60 min
Check the day’s show times and fit one in if available.
+5 h
Camp Snoopy family rides, or repeat priority coasters for thrill-focused groups.75 min
Families can use Rider Swap when one adult remains with a non-rider.
+6 h 15
Return to priority rides and Ghost Town for evening atmosphere before close.105 min
Use the last 90 minutes for rerides rather than joining long food queues.

Rides

Ride	Type	Min height
GhostRider Ghost Town · A major wooden coaster and one of Knott’s signature thrill rides.	Coaster · Big thrill	–
Xcelerator Boardwalk · One of the park’s headline high-speed coaster experiences.	Coaster · Big thrill	–
HangTime Boardwalk · A major thrill coaster in the Boardwalk area.	Coaster · Big thrill	–
Silver Bullet Fiesta Village · A headline suspended coaster for thrill-focused visitors.	Coaster · Big thrill	–
Calico Mine Ride Ghost Town · An atmospheric old-school mine adventure central to the park’s Ghost Town character.	Dark ride · Mild	–
Timber Mountain Log Ride Ghost Town · A classic themed log flume with Western scenery and a splashdown.	Water ride · Moderate	–

Height limits not found — check the park's ride page before you go.

How to order the day

Arrive 30–45 minutes before opening; allow 45–75 minutes on Saturdays, holidays, and Scary Farm nights.
Ride GhostRider, Xcelerator, HangTime, and Silver Bullet during the first 60–90 minutes.
Use mid-afternoon for Calico Mine Ride, Timber Mountain Log Ride, Ghost Town, food, and shows.
Return to priority coasters during the final 90 minutes as families leave the park.

Lands

Ghost Town
The original Old West district, with historic-style buildings, GhostRider, Calico Mine Ride and Timber Mountain Log Ride.
Fiesta Village
Mexican-themed village area linking Ghost Town with the park’s central and southern attractions.
Boardwalk
Coaster-heavy boardwalk-style zone, home to HangTime and Xcelerator.
Camp Snoopy
Peanuts-themed children’s area with rides for younger visitors.

Skipping the lines

Fright & Fast Lane
For a separately ticketed Knott’s Scary Farm night, buy it on the official Scary Farm ticket page; it skips regular queues at haunted mazes and selected rides, but does not include event admission.

App: Use the official Knott’s/Six Flags app or digital wallet to keep your ticket barcode ready for entry.

Hours: The park is open year-round except Christmas Day. Exact opening and closing times vary by date and season; summer generally has longer operating days, while Halloween and holiday events can have separate nighttime schedules.

Maps & links

Park mapmedia.qrtiger.com

Good to know

Bring

Government photo ID
Ticket barcode in app or wallet
Refillable or unopened water bottle permitted by policy layers for winter evenings

Food & breaks

Try boysenberry food and Mrs. Knott’s Chicken Dinner Restaurant; they are central to the park’s history.
Eat before peak lunch hours or use mid-afternoon for a quieter meal.
Use lockers rather than carrying food or bulky items onto rides.

Skip it if

Skip if your group dislikes coasters, family rides and Western Americana, or expects Disney-level immersion and many indoor attractions.