Magic Springs
Water park or attraction in the United States
Last updated August 31, 2026
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Overview
Magic Springs and Crystal Falls, commonly called Magic Springs, is an amusement park and water park in Hot Springs, Arkansas, approximately 50 miles from Little Rock. The attraction operates as a combined destination: Magic Springs provides roller coasters, thrill rides, family rides, and children's attractions, while Crystal Falls supplies the water-park component included with general admission. The site also contains the Timberwood Amphitheater, a 5,000-seat outdoor concert venue used for seasonal entertainment. The park originated as Magic Springs Family Fun Park and opened on July 22, 1978. Its early management was associated with Leisure and Recreation Concepts and Dallas businessman Michael Jenkins. Financial difficulties later affected the operation, with investors carrying substantial debt before the property was sold in the 1980s to a group led by businessman Melvyn Bell. Further financial problems eventually led to a 1995 closure. Belgian company Fitraco acquired the amusement park at a foreclosure auction that year, after which Ed Hart of Themeparks LLC became involved in efforts to revive the property. Magic Springs and Crystal Falls reopened on May 27, 2000, following voter approval in Hot Springs of a bond issue that helped provide financing for the redevelopment. Attendance exceeded 362,500 in the first year after reopening, although it declined in 2001 and 2002. The park pursued expansion rather than retrenchment, adding attractions and entertainment offerings. Attendance recovered above 291,000 in 2003, when the Timberwood Amphitheater debuted, and exceeded 400,000 in 2004 after the addition of The Gauntlet and an expanded concert program. The attraction has experienced several changes in ownership and operating arrangements. In 2004, its owners agreed to sell the property to CNL Income Properties while leasing it back so that the existing operators could continue managing it. PARC Management assumed management responsibilities in 2008. That arrangement ended in 2010, followed by a new operating agreement with Amusement Management Partners in 2011. In late 2016, CNL sold a portfolio of theme-park properties, including Magic Springs, to EPR Properties. Premier Parks, LLC assumed operating responsibilities, and the attraction was identified as Magic Springs Theme and Water Park. The park's current identity is built around a broad regional leisure proposition rather than a single signature ride. Its attractions include multiple roller coasters, family and children's rides, water slides, wave and activity pools, a lazy-river-style attraction, and interactive water-play areas. The seasonal calendar also includes Saturday concerts, school-oriented Education In Motion programming, and the October Magic Screams Halloween event. The Arkansas destination has received tourism, lifeguarding, accessibility, landscaping, and community-service recognition, although the available reference material does not establish a complete current operating schedule or a full contemporary attraction inventory.
History
Magic Springs began as Magic Springs Family Fun Park and opened to the public on July 22, 1978, in Hot Springs, Arkansas. The original operation was managed by Leisure and Recreation Concepts, a company headed by Dallas businessman Michael Jenkins. During the following years, the park's investors accumulated substantial debt. In the 1980s, ownership passed to a group led by businessman Melvyn Bell, but financial difficulties continued and the park eventually closed in 1995. Fitraco, a Belgian company, bought the property at a foreclosure auction in 1995. Fitraco approached Ed Hart of Themeparks LLC about the possibility of restoring the attraction. The revival required public and private support. Hot Springs voters approved a bond issue that helped provide financing, and the attraction reopened on May 27, 2000, under the name Magic Springs and Crystal Falls. Its first year exceeded expectations, with attendance reported at more than 362,500. Attendance fell to approximately 272,000 in 2001 and about 254,000 in 2002, but management continued adding attractions and entertainment rather than reducing the park's offer. The strategy produced a recovery. Attendance rose above 291,000 in 2003, the year the Timberwood Amphitheater opened, and passed 400,000 in 2004 after The Gauntlet was introduced and concert programming was expanded. Crystal Falls also developed into a substantial water-park component, with attractions such as Crystal Lagoon, Rapid Falls Raceway, Boogie Blast, and Splash Island added during the 2000s and early 2010s. Ownership and management were separated through a series of real-estate and operating agreements. In 2004, the owners agreed to sell the attraction to CNL Income Properties and lease it back, allowing the former operators to continue managing the park. PARC Management took over management in June 2008. The CNL-PARC arrangement ended in November 2010, and Amusement Management Partners was announced as the new operating partner in January 2011. In late 2016, CNL sold a collection of theme-park properties, including Magic Springs, to EPR Properties, a Kansas City-based real-estate investment trust. Premier Parks, LLC assumed management responsibilities, and the park became known as Magic Springs Theme and Water Park. The attraction has remained a seasonal regional destination. Its operating model combines amusement rides, a water park included with admission, a concert venue, and recurring events. Crystal Falls generally operates through the warmer months, while entertainment programming includes concerts during the operating season, Education In Motion school-group days, and the October Magic Screams Halloween festival. The park has also received recognition related to tourism, lifeguarding, accessibility, landscaping, and community service. The available reference material does not provide a verified current executive roster, current attendance figures, or a complete list of all attractions still operating.
- 2024
Arkansas Twister era ended
[1]The reference material identifies the wooden Arkansas Twister as operating from 1992 through 2024 and records its removal on February 6, 2024.
- 2016
EPR Properties acquired the property portfolio
[1]EPR Properties purchased the CNL theme-park portfolio that included Magic Springs, with Premier Parks becoming the operator.
- 2012
Splash Island opened
[1]The water park added Splash Island, a large interactive water-play area.
- 2010
Boogie Blast opened
[1]Magic Springs added Boogie Blast, a FlowRider-style simulated surfing attraction.
- 2008
Rapid Falls Raceway opened
[1]The water park introduced a seven-lane side-by-side racing-slide attraction.
- 2007
Crystal Lagoon opened
[1]The water park added Crystal Lagoon, a complex incorporating tube slides, body slides, and an activity pool.
- 2004
The Gauntlet was added
[1]The park added The Gauntlet and expanded its concert series.
- 2003
Timberwood Amphitheater debuted
[1]A 5,000-seat concert venue opened at the park.
- 2000
Magic Springs and Crystal Falls reopened
[1]The redeveloped attraction reopened on May 27 with public financing support approved by Hot Springs voters.
- 1995
Park closed and entered foreclosure-related ownership transition
[1]The park closed, and Fitraco acquired the amusement property at a foreclosure auction.
Products and positioning
A regional family-entertainment destination that combines a traditional amusement park, a water park, seasonal events, and live concerts in one admission-based attraction.
Amusement park · 1978
Magic Springs
The amusement-park section contains roller coasters, thrill rides, family attractions, and children's rides. Its offer is designed for mixed-age groups, with larger coasters and thrill rides complemented by lower-intensity attractions. The park's ride inventory has changed over time as older attractions were removed, relocated, or replaced.
Water park · 2000
Crystal Falls
Crystal Falls is the water-park portion of the destination and is included with park admission. Its documented attractions include wave and activity pools, tube and body slides, racing slides, an adventure river, children's play areas, splash zones, and an indoor-style flow-riding simulator. The water park is primarily seasonal, operating most extensively during the warmer months.
Live entertainment venue · 2003
Timberwood Amphitheater
Timberwood Amphitheater is a 5,000-seat outdoor concert venue introduced in 2003. It supports the park's seasonal entertainment strategy, with recurring concerts during the operating season and a mix of reserved and lawn seating.
Seasonal event
Magic Screams
Magic Screams is the park's October Halloween event. During the festival, the amusement park is redecorated and programmed around a horror and fright theme, extending the attraction's seasonal calendar beyond its standard summer emphasis.
Educational program
Education In Motion
Education In Motion is a school-group program that connects visits to the park with classroom lessons. It positions the attraction as an educational field-trip destination as well as a recreational venue.
Marketing campaigns
- 2003Concert-venue expansion
Arkansas · United States
The opening of Timberwood Amphitheater expanded the park's positioning from a rides-and-water attraction into a broader live-entertainment destination.
Outcome. Attendance rose above 291,000 in 2003 and the concert program became a recurring part of the operating season.
- 2000Reopening and regional destination relaunch
Arkansas · United States
The 2000 reopening repositioned the former Magic Springs attraction as a combined amusement and water-park destination called Magic Springs and Crystal Falls.
Outcome. Attendance exceeded 362,500 in the first year, according to the reference material.
- Magic Screams Halloween festival
Arkansas · United States
The annual October festival transforms the park with Halloween-themed entertainment and frightening decorations.
Brand decisions
2016
Transfer from CNL Properties to EPR PropertiesM&ABackground
CNL sold a bundle of theme-park properties as part of a broader portfolio transaction.
Action taken
EPR Properties acquired the portfolio containing Magic Springs, while Premier Parks assumed management responsibilities.
Aftermath
The park was identified as Magic Springs Theme and Water Park under the new ownership and operating structure.
2004
Sale to CNL Income Properties with leasebackM&ABackground
The operating owners agreed to transfer the attraction to a property owner while preserving operational continuity.
Action taken
CNL Income Properties acquired the attraction and leased it back to the former owners, who continued to manage it.
Aftermath
The arrangement preceded later changes in management, including the appointments of PARC Management and Amusement Management Partners.
2003
Launch of Timberwood AmphitheaterProduct launchBackground
Management sought to broaden the park's seasonal appeal beyond rides and water attractions.
Action taken
A 5,000-seat concert venue was opened and used for recurring live entertainment.
Aftermath
The park reported attendance above 291,000 in 2003 and more than 400,000 in 2004 after further entertainment and ride expansion.
2000
Reopen as a combined amusement and water parkStrategyBackground
After the 1995 closure and subsequent ownership changes, the attraction required a redevelopment plan capable of attracting regional visitors.
Action taken
The property reopened as Magic Springs and Crystal Falls, combining amusement rides with a water-park component.
Aftermath
The first year exceeded 362,500 visitors, followed by attendance declines in 2001 and 2002 before later recovery.
Sources2 sources
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