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For years, my husband and I had been curious about the train we kept spotting from the 605 freeway. Now that we have a daughter, we finally had the perfect excuse to check it out! If you’re looking for a fun, budget-friendly activity for kids in Long Beach, here’s everything you need to know about El Dorado Frontier, plus some train-themed board books to keep the adventure going at home.
Getting to El Dorado Frontier
El Dorado Frontier is located inside El Dorado East Regional Park in Long Beach. There’s only one entrance, and you’ll need to pay a parking fee to get in:
• $8 on weekends
• A few dollars cheaper on weekdays
💡 Important tip: The park does not accept cash, so be sure to bring a debit or credit card.
Since it was the weekend, we waited in line to enter the park—it’s a popular spot! Once inside, you’ll need to drive a bit to reach El Dorado Frontier. I recommend using Google Maps or checking a map beforehand, as there weren’t many signs pointing the way. The drive takes about five minutes and offers a scenic view of the park, including a beautiful lake I never knew existed!
Arriving at El Dorado Frontier
Once you reach the parking lot, you’ll spot the entrance to El Dorado Frontier, a Western-themed attraction featuring a train ride and other family-friendly activities.
🎟️ Admission & Ticket Prices
• Entry Fee: $5 per person (Free for kids under 13!)
• Train Ride & Attractions: Requires a ticket bundle
• Ticket Bundle: $25 for 10 tickets
Since my daughter is only 8 months old, we only rode the train, so we still have 7 tickets left, which are valid until the end of the year—a great bonus if we want to return!
Riding the Train & Exploring the Frontier
The El Dorado Frontier train ride is about 10 minutes long and takes passengers on a relaxing ride through the park. Along the way, you can see the freeway, trees, and a scenic lake. The train is small, so my daughter and I shared a seat while I held her.
🚂 One fun surprise? The train moves at a steady pace, but at one point, the conductor speeds up just a little for fun before returning to a slower speed. My daughter loved this moment, and it added a bit of excitement to the ride!
👀 What I wish was different: I originally thought the train would go around the entire park, but it doesn’t. That would have been an amazing experience! However, it’s still a fun ride for young kids, especially since children under 12 ride for free.
Train-Themed Board Books for Kids
If your little one loves trains, here are three fun board books to keep the excitement going at home!
1. Freight Train by Donald Crews
A simple, colorful book that introduces kids to different types of train cars. It’s perfect for helping little ones recognize what they saw during the ride.
2. Chugga Chugga Choo Choo by Kevin Lewis
A lively, rhyming book that mimics the chugging sounds of a train. If your child loved the sounds of the El Dorado Frontier train, this book will be a hit!
3. Steam Train, Dream Train by Sherri Duskey Rinker
A beautifully illustrated bedtime story about a train and its unique cargo—great for winding down after a fun day at the park.
Is El Dorado Frontier Worth It?
If you’re already spending the day at El Dorado Park, visiting El Dorado Frontier is a great low-cost activity for families—especially if you have young kids who love trains!
💡 Things to consider:
✅ Great for young kids (under 12 ride free!)
✅ Not crowded – easy to enjoy at a relaxed pace
✅ Affordable – $5 entry and flexible ticket bundle
❌ Small attraction – you can experience everything in about an hour
Final Tip:
Since you’re already paying for parking, I recommend bringing lunch and exploring more of El Dorado Park after your visit. The park is huge, with picnic areas, trails, and even dog-friendly spaces.
🐾 It’s also a great spot to bring your dog! We saw many people enjoying the park with their pups.
🚂 Have you ever visited El Dorado Frontier? Do your kids love train rides? Let me know in the comments! And don’t forget to check out these train books for toddlers to continue the adventure at home.
