Roger Tofte, Founder of Oregon’s Enchanted Forest, Dies at 96

Turner, Oregon – Roger Tofte, the founder of Oregon’s beloved Enchanted Forest theme park, has died at the age of 96. His passing, announced by the park on Friday, February 13, 2026, marks the end of an era for a uniquely Oregonian institution.

Tofte passed away peacefully surrounded by family, leaving behind a legacy that extends through multiple generations of the Tofte family and countless visitors who experienced the magic he created. The park’s statement acknowledged his children, grandchildren, great-grandchildren, and great-great-grandchildren, as well as a wider extended family.

Born in January 1930 in Chippewa Falls, Wisconsin, Tofte moved with his family to Astoria, Oregon, at the age of five. He later settled in Silverton, Oregon, graduating from Silverton High School. His early life included service in the Navy during the Korean War, followed by a career as a draftsman and artist for the Oregon State Highway Department.

However, it was a perceived lack of family-oriented entertainment options in the Salem area that spurred Tofte to embark on his ambitious project. In the 1960s, while raising four young children, he envisioned a fairytale theme park where families could connect and enjoy themselves. Despite limited resources and time, he began construction in 1964, purchasing the initial 20 acres of land off Interstate 5 for $4,000, paid in monthly installments of $50.

The construction of Enchanted Forest was a largely solitary endeavor. Tofte built nearly every structure and fantastical creature himself, often working after hours and on weekends while supplementing his income by repairing watches. His efforts were initially met with skepticism, with friends and colleagues jokingly referring to his project as “Idiot Hill.” Even securing financing proved difficult, with banks hesitant to invest in what appeared to be a fanciful dream.

a single bank took a chance on Tofte and his wife, Mavis Bjorke, providing a $2,000 loan that allowed them to complete the final touches before the park’s grand opening on August 8, 1971. The initial response was modest, with 75 visitors on the first day, but word of mouth quickly spread, drawing a crowd of 1,000 the following Sunday.

Over the subsequent 54 years, Enchanted Forest became a cherished Oregon tradition, attracting generations of families. The park’s success wasn’t without its challenges. In recent years, the Tofte family faced significant hardship, including the loss of a 13-year-old great-grandson and his grandmother in the September 2020 Beachie Creek Fire, and the economic pressures of the COVID-19 pandemic.

The pandemic forced the park to close for months and then operate at reduced capacity, threatening its financial viability. The family responded by launching a fundraising campaign and auctioning off park memorabilia to stay afloat. Further setbacks came with damage sustained during a February 2021 ice storm, delaying the park’s reopening that year.

Despite these difficulties, the Tofte family persevered, aided by strong community support. Enchanted Forest eventually reopened fully in June 2021, and celebrated its 50th anniversary in July 2021. Remarkably, even in his 90s, Roger Tofte remained actively involved in the park’s operations.

The park’s statement emphasized Tofte’s commitment to ensuring a smooth transition of leadership to future generations. “Roger took great care to pass his knowledge, craftsmanship, and vision on to his children and grandchildren, long before his passing, ensuring a thoughtful transition of Enchanted Forest into the hands of the next generations,” the statement read. Today, three generations of the Tofte family continue to work at the park, upholding Roger’s original vision.

A celebration of life for Roger Tofte will be announced at a later date. His passing represents a loss not only for his family but for the state of Oregon, where Enchanted Forest remains a symbol of imagination, family, and enduring craftsmanship.