06/07/2026
This is a post that I’ve been hanging onto because I really want to get it right. It will be long, because I will present it with historical fact, as well as with my feelings. I want to show it some respect. It’s earned it.
🌲 This is the Enchanted Forest. 🏰
It resides on the highway near Revelstoke BC, where it has stood for over 60 years, untouched by wildfire, flood, or famine.
I remember being a kid and driving past it, begging my parents to stop, but we never did. Now that I’ve been there, I kind of understand why. (I was a fearful kid. The place is sorta creepy. I might not have enjoyed it back then. That doesn’t mean your kid won’t, but I’ve heard it compared to a fever dream, and that description is apt.) I digress, my point is that it has been a desirable experience for kids for a long, long time. It opened in 1960 and has achieved astounding success since the beginning.
The figures are made of concrete, sculpted by hand mostly by Doris Needham, an incredible feat of love. They are absolutely bizarre, recreations of old nursery rhymes that may or may not have aged well, you can decide how they make you feel. (The statues have aged beautifully, it’s the subject matter that might make you cringe.)
There are 350 of them, I have chosen to show you only a few because they really do need to be discovered one by one.
A newer addition to the park is the SkyTrek adventure park, built high above the crowds. This is a separate feature and will cost you a bit of extra change, but it looks like great fun. Zip lines and that kinda stuff. Super cool.
It is a hike!! If you obey the signs directing traffic, it is a full 2 kilometre nature walk with hills and bugs and sunshine. Take water and a snack, wear good shoes and a hat. You will be traversing over the mountain, across wetland boardwalks and through forests with 800 year old trees! It’s actually kind of incredible. The forest is not typical of the area at all, it is much more like those you’ll find closer to the coast. It is awe inspiring and breathtaking and magical.
It has a vibe. The energy is strong and strange. It took me a couple of days to process it and shake it off. If you or your child is sensitive, an empath or medium, please ward against the onslaught. It’s not negative. It’s… umm… magical. Weird. Very weird.
You don’t need kids to go. I went with Mr. Bells, he took me because I always wanted to go. My inner child is absolutely fulfilled. You should go. I definitely recommend it. It’s not Disney, though.
(I think they need to offer adults-only, guided night tours. I would absolutely go for that!) Your imagination will run wild. But have an open mind and be kind because this is the art of a child. (Literally, old Doris made them as recreations of children’s art.) You will find only 2 animatronic machines in the entire park, and nothing that was 3D printed.
* Edited to add: This is where I met the tiny mouse that came to me to say hello. Call me crazy, I don’t care. I believe in energy and I believe I was rewarded for my open heart and childish wonderment. Should you choose to scoff and ridicule, make sure your shoes are tied. You could come out with skinned knees. I’m not joking. There is witchcraft present and children amok!*
This is Canadian small business. A legacy. It has a rich history, longevity that is rare. Something to be celebrated and appreciated. It is wonderful.
And it’ll only cost you $16 each.
I’ll leave you a clicky thing 🔗 in the comments in case you want to learn more about it.
Have you been?
