There’s a new adventure taking shape at Six Flags Great America, and it’s set to bring a big dose of family fun to the park in 2027.
The Gurnee, Illinois theme park has announced Camp Timber Trail, a new woodsy-themed area that will combine rides, interactive play, outdoor exploration and plenty of opportunities for families to make new memories together.
The project will feature nine attractions and experiences, including three brand-new attractions, four existing rides receiving new themes and two classic Six Flags Great America attractions. The headline attraction will be Sky Hawk, a new suspended family coaster that Six Flags says will be the longest, tallest and fastest suspended family coaster in the Midwest. The coaster will take riders soaring through the treetops, combining the excitement of a coaster with views across the area’s woodland setting.
For families looking for something a little more adventurous without stepping up to one of the park’s larger thrill coasters, Sky Hawk could become one of the most anticipated additions for 2027.
More New Adventures for Younger Guests
Sky Hawk won’t be the only new experience. Trail Trotters will take guests on an animal-themed wilderness adventure designed around exploration and discovery. Meanwhile, Forest Grove Play Park will give younger visitors a new place to climb, explore and play. The outdoor play area will incorporate nature-inspired elements to fit with the overall Camp Timber Trail theme. Together, the new attractions are designed to make the area a destination where multiple generations can find something to enjoy.
Familiar Rides Are Getting a New Look
One of the more interesting parts of Camp Timber Trail is that the new area isn’t being built entirely from scratch. Several existing attractions will be given new names, themes and stories.
Here’s what’s changing:
- Sprocket Rockets will become Chirp Chaser, sending young riders on a bird-themed family coaster adventure.
- Crazy Bus will become Wilderness Wagon, giving the attraction a rustic outdoor makeover.
- Yahoo River will become Creek Cruiser, with a new wilderness-inspired identity.
- Buzzy Beez will become Bee Boppin’, retaining the family-friendly attraction while receiving new theming.
Two longtime park favorites will also become part of Camp Timber Trail: Little Dipper and Logger’s Run.
That combination of new attractions and familiar favorites should make the area particularly interesting for longtime Great America visitors. Guests will be able to experience something new while still finding pieces of the park’s history within the new land.
More Than Just Rides
Six Flags says Camp Timber Trail will extend beyond the attractions themselves. The area will include themed food and treats, shopping and merchandise, along with environmental storytelling and additional details intended to make the woodland setting feel more immersive. That broader approach could help Camp Timber Trail feel more like a complete themed area rather than simply a collection of renamed and newly added rides.
Part of a Bigger Transformation at Great America
Camp Timber Trail is also being positioned as the beginning of a larger transformation at Six Flags Great America. According to the park, guests can expect additional improvements over the next three to five years, including work on landscaping, walkways, guest amenities, facilities and the overall appearance of the 300-acre property. That makes the 2027 project particularly noteworthy. While Camp Timber Trail is the centerpiece of the announcement, it appears to be just the first step in a much broader effort to refresh the guest experience throughout the park.
Camp Timber Trail Opens in 2027
Six Flags Great America hasn’t yet announced every detail about the 2027 opening, but Camp Timber Trail is already shaping up to be one of the park’s most significant family-focused additions in years. With a new suspended family coaster, a dedicated play area, a new exploration attraction, reimagined rides, and two classic attractions, there should be plenty for families and longtime park fans to look forward to. And if Six Flags follows through on its plans for additional improvements across the park, 2027 could mark the beginning of a particularly exciting new chapter for Six Flags Great America.
Clint Gamache is the owner of ThrillGeek. He started ThrillGeek to share his love of theme/amusement parks and pop culture with the world. You can find him at Halloween Horror Nights. Also, be sure to follow him on Twitter/X, Instagram @iamcg83