Roller Coaster Guide to Adventureland Iowa: Every Coaster Ranked
Adventureland Iowa in Altoona, just outside Des Moines, is one of the most underrated coaster stops in the Midwest. The park mixes two classic wooden coasters with a legitimately world-class modern looper, and the lineup is compact enough to ride everything twice in a single day. Here is every coaster in the park, ranked from best to worst, with the practical details you need for each one.
1. The Monster
The Monster is the reason enthusiasts detour to Iowa. This Gerstlauer Infinity Coaster, the first of its kind built in the United States, opened in 2016 and packs a 133 foot lift, a beyond vertical first drop, and five inversions into a footprint you can walk around in two minutes. The negative g stall loop is the star: the train slows as it rolls over, floating you against the restraint while upside down. It is intense, whippy, and rides much bigger than it looks. Our wait tracking shows it posts the longest average line in the park, around 19 minutes.
- Height requirement: 48 inches
- Best seat: front row for the hang over the vertical drop
- Best time to ride: first 30 minutes after opening, then again in the last hour
2. Tornado
The park's signature wooden coaster since 1978. Tornado is a classic curved out-and-back layout with sharp airtime pops over the return run and an old school rattle that adds character rather than pain. It runs noticeably faster on warm evenings.
- Height requirement: 48 inches
- Best seat: back row for the strongest airtime
- Best time to ride: after dark, when it is usually a walk on
3. Outlaw
Outlaw was the second coaster built by Custom Coasters International back in 1993, and it still shows why that company became legendary. It is a low, twisted layout that never climbs high but never stops turning, with quick direction changes and surprising laterals.
- Height requirement: 48 inches
- Best seat: front row so you can read the layout coming at you
- Best time to ride: mid afternoon once the track has warmed up
4. Dragon Slayer
Dragon Slayer opened in 2021 on the footprint of The Dragon, a steel looping coaster that operated at Adventureland from 1990 to 2019. This S&S 4D Free Spin coaster replaced it with cars that rotate independently through inversions. The compact layout trades raw speed for constant flips and unpredictable rotations, and the freely spinning cars make every element feel different each ride. Capacity is modest, so the line builds by late morning.
- Height requirement: 48 inches
- Best seat: any outside seat, left side for the stronger whip
- Best time to ride: right after The Monster at rope drop
5. Phoenix
Phoenix is a Maurer SC 2000 spinning coaster that runs its layout forward only, with cars that rotate freely through the course. It is a genuine step up ride for kids and more fun than adults expect, especially when the spinning catches you off guard. Low hourly capacity means it quietly builds one of the longer waits in the park, averaging around 17 minutes in our data.
- Height requirement: 48 inches
- Best seat: any seat, the spinning car makes every lap different
- Best time to ride: before 11 am or during the dinner lull
6. The Underground
A rare thing: the world's only fully enclosed indoor wooden coaster, mine themed, built in 1996 and reimagined in 2024 with new animatronics, a 9-foot talking skull, 360-degree surround sound, and enhanced lighting. The drops are small but they arrive in total darkness, and the air conditioning makes it the perfect midday reset on a hot July afternoon.
- Height requirement: 42 inches
- Best seat: any, the darkness does the work
- Best time to ride: peak afternoon heat
7. Flying Viking
A junior coaster with a fast little helix and a couple of hops. It exists for kids working up their courage, and it does that job well. Adults should ride once for the credit.
- Height requirement: 36 inches with a companion at least 48 inches tall (48 inches to ride unaccompanied)
- Best seat: back
- Best time to ride: whenever the line is short, typically early
First-timers guide order
- The Monster at rope drop
- Dragon Slayer immediately after
- Phoenix before the family crowd arrives
- Outlaw, then Tornado in the afternoon
- The Underground during peak heat
- Tornado again at night
Enthusiast order
- The Monster front row at open, then back row re-ride
- Dragon Slayer outside seat
- Phoenix and Flying Viking for the credits before lines build
- Outlaw warm afternoon laps
- Tornado back row night rides to close the day
For the minimum heights across every ride in the park, see the height requirements guide.
Thoosie