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 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: 52 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 double out and back 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: 46 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 very first 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: 46 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
Opened in 2021, Dragon Slayer is a modern steel wing style coaster where riders sit off to the sides of the track. The compact layout trades raw speed for constant flips and near miss moments, and the outside seating makes every transition feel exaggerated. 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 family boomerang that runs its layout forward, then repeats the whole thing backward. It is a genuine step up ride for kids and more fun than adults expect, especially the backward half. Low hourly capacity means it quietly builds one of the longer waits in the park, averaging around 17 minutes in our data.
- Height requirement: 42 inches
- Best seat: back row, which becomes the front on the reverse run
- Best time to ride: before 11 am or during the dinner lull
6. The Underground
A rare thing: an indoor coaster and dark ride hybrid, mine themed, built in 1996. 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: 36 inches with an adult
- 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: 40 inches
- Best seat: back
- Best time to ride: whenever the line is short, typically early
First-timer 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