Magic Mountain is a coaster park first and foremost, spread over a hilly site in the Santa Clarita Valley about 40 minutes from central Los Angeles. Its selling point is the sheer number of big roller coasters packed onto one hillside.
X2, Twisted Colossus, Tatsu, Goliath, Full Throttle and Superman: Escape from Krypton are the headline rides and hold or have held various world records.
The park climbs a hill, so expect long walks and gradients between ride clusters; a loose plan by area saves backtracking.
Fright Fest in autumn and Holiday in the Park in winter change the park's hours and atmosphere.
Ticket prices, the paid Flash Pass line-skip system, ride closures and seasonal hours all vary. Buy online for the lower price, and check the ride status page the morning of your visit, as major coasters often open late or close for weather and maintenance.
The draw is quantity and intensity of thrill rides. The hilly layout means a lot of walking, so group rides by area.
Summer weekends and event days have long queues for the headline coasters, where the paid pass earns its cost.
It is common for one or two marquee coasters to be down. Confirm before you go if a specific ride is the reason for your trip.
How many roller coasters does it have?
Around 20, among the most of any amusement park in the world.
Is the Flash Pass worth it?
On busy summer and event days, yes. On a quiet weekday the standby lines are usually manageable.
Should I buy tickets in advance?
Yes. Online tickets and memberships are much cheaper than the gate price.
Why might a coaster be closed?
Wind, heat, rain and routine maintenance all close rides. Check the park's live ride status page.
Magic Mountain opened in 1971 and was bought by Six Flags in 1979. It leaned into thrill rides over the following decades to differentiate itself from the nearby Disney and Universal parks.
It is operated by Six Flags Entertainment, and competes on roller coaster count and records rather than theming.
This page is an independent guide for visitors, covering Six Flags.
