Hershey Park is one of a few amusement parks in the Midwest that are open for business despite air quality concerns across the region. Much of Pennsylvania, Michigan, Illinois, Ohio, and parts of the Northeast are blanketed by smoke from the wildfires in Canada.
Is it safe? Is it worth it?
Health officials advise sensitive groups to avoid outdoor activity while healthy individuals are encouraged to consider the same. These hazardous wildfire conditions create potential risks for patrons and employees alike, but free will exists for the former and not the latter.
Canadian wildfires bring smoke and poor air quality to U.S. amusement parks.
More than 850 wildfires are actively burning across Canada in this current moment. At least 30 of them started within the last 48 hours. A majority of the burns are out of control. There is some rain in the forecast over the next few days, which might help to contain some of the flames, but there is no clear end in sight.
Meanwhile, upper-level winds are carrying thick plums of smoke to the south. It crossed over the border in to the United States and hovered over most of the Midwest on Thursday. It swung more to the east on Friday. The smoke is then trapped near the surface by lingering high-pressure systems.
NASA provides a great visual of how the smoke is moving from the fires. As you can see, it is at its thickest over Pennsylvania, Michigan, Illinois and Ohio. The conditions are so bad that a massive amount of smoke is visible from space.
This leaves local businesses with a decision. Especially those that are outdoors. More specifically, amusement parks.
Cedar Point, Michigan’s Adventure, Great America, Kings Island, Kennywood, Waldameer, Indiana Beach, Holiday World, Darien Lake, Dorney Park and Hershey Park are all in the line of fire — literally. Only some of them decided to close.
Hershey Park is open for business!
Kennywood and Great America decided to close. The latter issued the following statement:
“The health and safety of our guests and team members is always a top priority. Due to current air quality conditions and guidance from weather and safety experts, we have made the decision to close the park today. We appreciate our guests’ understanding and patience, and will continue to monitor conditions as we plan to reopen tomorrow as scheduled.”
Michigan’s Adventure and Waldameer also decided to close for air quality concerns. Everywhere else, as far as I can tell, remains open. Cedar Point looked like the apocalypse on Thursday. It looks slightly better today but there is still a reddish hue from the smoke.
Hershey Park offered guests an opportunity to reschedule but chose to remain open. The park also provided its employees with increased breaks and face coverings.
Hersheypark will remain open as scheduled today. Guests who purchased dated tickets and would prefer to visit on a different day should reach out to our Guest Experience team via the Contact Us form on https://t.co/n0vSmPskqj for accommodations.
— Hersheypark (@Hersheypark) July 17, 2026
However, the air quality remains extremely poor. One patron said it smells like a “gross bonfire.” You can see the haze in the sky.
As of this writing, the current air quality at Hershey Park is listed at 205 AQI. It is “Very Unhealthy.”
At that level of air quality, the airways may become inflamed. Symptoms like chest pain, irritated throats and shortness of breath are fairly common. Health officials urge individuals to “move exercise and other strenuous activities indoors and reduce time outside.”
Does riding a rollercoaster fall into that category? I’m not sure. Hershey Park and a few other amusement parks are leaving that decision to you!