If you’ve got a little thrill-seeker in your crew or a kiddo ready to try their very first coaster, you’re going to want to head straight to Camp Snoopy at Carowinds. This family-friendly section of the park just got even better in 2025 with two brand-new rides, and we got to try them both, multiple times! You can spend the entire day just in this section of the park and not regret the ticket prices.
Here’s why Camp Snoopy is a perfect day trip for families with kids ages 3 and older, what’s new for 2025 (it’s big!), and our best tips to help you make the most of your visit. Don’t worry, we parents loved the rides too. Special thanks to Carowinds and Six Flags Entertainment Corporation for providing tickets for this review! Our review is our honest opinion.
Watch Our Recent Trip to Camp Snoopy at Carowinds!
Why Our Family LOVED Camp Snoopy
I have to be honest… for years I have watched parents at Carowinds while I waited in the coaster lines. I would see them pushing their overloaded carts of toddlers and young kids through the park and wonder how in the world they didn’t feel like they were missing out. Missing the gigacoasters, the blissful feeling of coaster hopping, the carefree fun of Carowinds. But now, I 100% understand.
I am now that mom, pushing a cart with a 6-year-old, a 3-year-old, a backpack full of water bottles and snacks through the park on a sweaty, summer day. Going with the flow of my kids’ moods, wants, and needs, I still think this was the best Carowinds trip I’ve ever had. I have been going to Carowinds since I can even remember, so it was a rite of passage for us to take our kids for the first Carowinds adventure finally, and Camp Snoopy did not disappoint! If you have a mini thrill seeker, this is where you want to go.
Clean and Well Maintained
We were so impressed with how clean, shady, and thoughtfully designed Camp Snoopy is. The entire area has a relaxed “forest retreat” vibe that makes the park feel calm, even with all the excitement going on around you.
Safety was Prioritized
Every ride we went on was well-maintained and featured secure locking mechanisms, which helped us feel confident about safety. The attendants even had to come around after each ride and use a specialized key to unlock the kids’ seatbelts, which made me feel so much better about my 3-year-old not getting off before the ride fully stopped. They were also fine with parents helping their kids in and out of the ride’s seats, so that was great.
The ride attendants went above and beyond, chatting with kids over the microphones and making each experience feel extra special. They would play fun games like Simon Says or have the kids join together and yell “wheeee”, which was nice.
Heights for Riders at Camp Snoopy
Most of the rides are accessible to kids who are at least 38 inches tall, with several options for kids who are 40 inches and up. If you’re bringing a mix of ages, there’s something for everyone. There are signs at the entrance of each ride, but the ride attendants also do a height check before letting your kid on. Most of the rides allow parents to ride with their kids (and some require it if they are under 42”).
Shade and Music
There’s also plenty of shade throughout the area, which is a lifesaver on hot days, along with lots of benches and seating for grown-ups to take a break while the kids explore. There are even rocking chairs throughout the park, so you can sit and watch your kids hop from ride to ride.
One thing I enjoyed was the mellow Peanuts-style background music, light, playful, and just enough to set the tone without being overwhelming. I’m sure my kids didn’t notice this, but it really helped maintain a carefree vibe.
Quick Access to Big Kid Rides
If one parent wants to sneak away for a quick thrill, Afterburn and Thunder Striker are just a short walk from Camp Snoopy. This makes it easy to tag-team the fun. My husband and I did this a couple of times so we could get our coaster craving fix. It made it so that we didn’t feel like we were missing out on the gigacoasters, while also not leaving each other alone for too long.
NEW in 2025: Two Camp Snoopy Rides You’ve Gotta Try
Carowinds added two brand-new attractions to Camp Snoopy this year! Both rides are already now two of our favorite rides throughout the entire park.
Snoopy’s Racing Railway (Opened Spring 2025)
This brand-new coaster, Snoopy’s Racing Railway, was a total hit with our young kids, and we loved them too. It’s smooth from start to finish, with a quick launch, gentle turns, and a surprising mid-ride boost that had our kids cheering. At one point, the ride zips through a building. There, the Peanuts gang is enjoying a picnic, it’s so cute, and the perfect mix of excitement and whimsy.
What really made this coaster stand out? You ride through the station twice! That little surprise made our kids laugh out loud every time. Our 3-year-old, who’s 39” tall, was able to ride, and it was her first coaster ever! She declared it her favorite part of the day, and talked about it to anyone who would listen for days afterwards. Not a bad first coaster memory.
Charlie Brown’s River Raft Blast (Opened July 2025)
If you’re looking for a fun way to cool off, this is it! The Charlie Brown River Rafting ride is calm enough for younger kids but comes with plenty of laughs and splashes. Each raft seats around eight people, four on each side of the raft. We love that they also have a wheelchair-accessible raft that has its own space for an occupant.
Each seat has its own water shooter. Riders can aim at playful Peanuts character displays or squirt back at park guests who are armed with water cannons just outside the perimeter of the ride. Yes, you will get wet, and it’s awesome. Our whole group left the ride soaked and laughing. My husband and I are so glad to have a water ride again at Carowinds after Rip Roaring Rapids left the park in 2019.
Other Camp Snoopy Rides We Had A Blast Riding
Camp Snoopy is full of rides that let kids test their courage or just enjoy something sweet and simple. Each ride is unique and pretty neat to watch how they work.
Woodstock Express was a big hit with our older kids. It has a classic wooden coaster feel with a bit of a modern twist. It has just the right amount of bounce and swoop. She was most excited that she “floated off her seat a little” when they were going down the hills.
Flying Ace Balloon Race is a hot air balloon ride that lifts you into the sky and spins you around. This is a thrill for most kids, but maybe not for those prone to motion sickness. My kids loved this. Me, not so much (only because I don’t do well with spinning rides, but I will say it was smooth).
The PEANUTS™ Pirates adventure pirate ship ride surprised us with its speed. It gives just enough of a rush to be exciting but still totally kid-friendly. My husband rode with my youngest on this one to make her feel more secure.
Snoopy VS Red Baron was another favorite; it’s adorable, and a great option when your little one needs a calmer experience. The plane’s lever lets them go up and down, and that sense of control made my oldest feel powerful for a few minutes.
We also loved Beagle Scout Acres, the treehouse play area, which looks like a giant, shaded climbing structure with room for kids to explore and parents to sit comfortably nearby. There were two sections, one for ages 5 – 12 and another for younger kids, with hill slides and obstacles.
And of course, Wilderness Run delivered loads of smiles with just-right hills and curves. This is a small roller coaster toward the back of the park. There’s a great shady viewing spot near the first drop, perfect for snapping photos or just enjoying the happy screams. This was the ride that our kids couldn’t get enough of. They felt like big kids because they could ride it themselves, so they would just hop right back in line after each go.
We rode several other rides at Camp Snoopy, but you’ll just have to visit and ride them yourself! All of them were a hit with our kids, plus they have carnival games and meet-and-greet opportunities with the Peanuts characters throughout the day. We met Sally and got a quick wave from Charlie Brown in between ride hopping.
Smart Tips for Visiting Camp Snoopy
Planning ahead makes a big difference at Carowinds, especially in the heat of summer! Here’s what worked well for our family:
- Bring a stroller, especially if you’ve got kids under 6. The Carowinds rental stroller was roomy and smooth, and I couldn’t recommend it enough. We easily push a 3- and 6-year-old, plus our backpack, without breaking a sweat (and yes, it was hot). Strollers can be rented at Guest Services. It is located at the North Gate to the left, right when you enter. Strollers are around $23 per day to rent. You can just park them at the entrance of each ride, we had no issues doing that.
- Pack empty reusable water bottles, because there are filling stations and fountains all over the park. We also brought along our misting fans, which quickly became the MVPs of our day, great for cooling off between rides.
- Bring a towel, especially for the rafting ride. It’s a welcome splash in the heat, but some kids might want to dry off after.
- If you can swing it, go on a weekday. Wait times were significantly shorter, and we got to ride our favorites more than once with hardly any waiting. Plus, it helped that my husband could sneak away from a giga coaster or two and get back within 15-20 minutes tops.
- To save money on meals, you can pack a picnic and eat in your car, or purchase the Carowinds dining pass and enjoy multiple meals and snacks with access to indoor AC spots, a huge bonus when it’s 90+ degrees outside.
- Opt for an afternoon to closing time trip. We stayed right up until closing, and it cooled off a lot after 6 pm, so we had over 3 hours of a summer breeze and amplified shade.
- During the summer, bring swimsuits. That way, you can spend part of the day at Carowinds waterpark, Carolina Harbor, to give everyone a break from the sun.
- If you plan to visit more than once in a season, opt for a season pass. Plus, if you purchase a Gold or Prestige pass, you can get a free Pre-K Pass for the season for kids 3-5 years old.
Carowinds Quick Info
🎟️ Ticket Prices: GA- $40+ (purchasing the day of seems to increase prices by $5 per ticket)
🚗 Parking: $30 – $40 per regular vehicle (you can pre-purchase or purchase at the gate)
🕐 Operating Times: Hours vary—check the Carowinds calendar before your visit.
🎃 Halloween Events: Camp Snoopy transforms from September – October into Tricks and Treats. There are Halloween-themed games and decorations throughout the park. Scarowinds is happening at the same time, and it is excellent for older kids!
Have you been to Camp Snoopy? What was your family’s favorite ride? Tell us in the comments!
Camp Snoopy at Carowinds is an adventure for the entire family! New rides, fun character interactions, and super-friendly attendants make Camp Snoopy worth the ticket price.
Read our guide to the Top 10 Things You Need to Know Before Visiting Carowinds and find out all of the epic rides you’ll find at the best theme park in the Carolinas!