Lakeside, CO (Lakeside Amusement Park)
A 1908 amusement park glowing with vintage Art Deco neon on the edge of Denver.
About Lakeside
Lakeside Amusement Park sits in the tiny town of Lakeside in Jefferson County, just off I-70 and Sheridan Boulevard on Denver's northwest edge. Opened in 1908 as White City, it's well over a century old and a time capsule of early and mid-century design.
The park wraps around Lake Rhoda, and that water is the secret for photographers: neon, ride lights and the old Tower of Jewels reflect in the lake at dusk. The 1930s Art Deco buildings and hand-lettered signs make it a favorite for night, street and nostalgic color work, a nice change of pace from mountain landscapes.
The park runs seasonally, roughly from early May through Labor Day, and admission and hours vary by day, so check before you go.
The oldest amusement park in Colorado still operating on its original site, opened in 1908, with a genuinely vintage Tower of Jewels lit up against the Front Range skyline after dark. Neon and incandescent bulbs against a darkening sky, with the mountains still faintly visible behind them, gives you a period-feeling shot that's hard to replicate anywhere else in the metro area.
History
A group led by Denver brewer Adolph Zang founded the town of Lakeside in 1907, partly to place the resort beyond Denver's liquor laws, and the park opened on May 30, 1908, as White City. Its 150-foot Tower of Jewels and thousands of electric bulbs made it a showpiece. Ben Krasner acquired the park in 1935, and architect Richard L. Crowther designed Art Deco additions with lavish neon during a renovation that era.
The wooden Cyclone coaster opened in 1940 and became the park's icon, though it has been out of service in recent seasons. A racing oval, Lakeside Speedway, ran on the grounds from 1938 to 1988. The town itself remains one of Colorado's smallest, with 16 residents in 2020.
Photographing Lakeside
Best light: Blue hour is everything here: arrive before sunset, then shoot as the sky deepens and the neon and ride lights balance against the last glow in the west. Calm evenings give the best reflections in Lake Rhoda.
Shots to look for
- Neon and lit rides reflected in Lake Rhoda at blue hour, wide to normal lens on a tripod where allowed
- The Tower of Jewels at the main entrance against a deep blue sky
- Long exposures of spinning rides turning into light trails, 1-4 seconds
- Close-up details of Art Deco signage, vintage ride cars and peeling paint with a 50mm or short telephoto
- The Cyclone's wooden lattice in silhouette at sunset
Photo tips
- Check park rules on tripods before you bring one; a small table-top tripod or a railing brace is a good backup
- Weekday evenings tend to be calmer than weekends for clean frames
- Gate-only admission is cheaper than an unlimited ride pass if you're just there to shoot; confirm current pricing
- Be considerate photographing families and kids; focus on architecture, light and motion
- Bring a fast prime for handheld night work if tripods are restricted
Know before you go
- Seasonal operation only, with limited days early in the season; confirm hours before driving over
- The Cyclone coaster has been out of service in recent seasons; check whether it's running if it's on your list
- Parking has been free; the park takes cash and cards at the gate
Prints from Lakeside
Every photo is available as a print on metal, canvas, wood or fine art paper.
Frequently asked questions
When is Lakeside Amusement Park open?
It runs seasonally, roughly from the first weekends in May through Labor Day, with weekends only early in the season. Check the park's current schedule before you go.
How old is Lakeside Amusement Park?
It opened on May 30, 1908, originally as White City, and has operated for well over a century.
Is the Cyclone running at Lakeside?
The wooden Cyclone has been out of service in recent seasons. There's been no firm reopening date, so check before you go.
Combine it with
Sloan's Lake Park · Tennyson Street · Clear Creek Trail · Red Rocks Park
More Colorado spots
Crystal, CO (townsite) · Idaho Springs Reservoir · Echo Lake
Sources & further reading: en.wikipedia.org · en.wikipedia.org · kosi101.com. Conditions, fees and rules change; check with the managing agency before you go.