- Abandoned amusement parks are scattered across the U.S., each with its own intriguing history and reasons for closure, ranging from poor conditions to economic troubles.
- Many of these parks remain structurally intact for years, with overgrown rides and decaying buildings sometimes used as filming locations.
- While some can be visited via tours or viewed from a distance, like Lake Shawnee Amusement Park in West Virginia or Walt Disney World’s Discovery Island, others are sealed off from the public.
There’s just something about the eeriness of an abandoned amusement park that captivates us. While some are demolished to make way for new developments, others sit in ruin, slowly succumbing to nature and time. They intrigue any enthusiast who wants to know what these parks were like at their peak—and why they closed.
From the whimsical Land of Oz in North Carolina to the graffiti-ridden Lake Dolores Waterpark outside of Los Angeles, here are eight of the most fascinating abandoned amusement parks in the United States. Just be warned: Many of these theme parks are closed to the public, and visiting them could be considered trespassing. We’ve flagged how you can get a lucky glimpse from the outside, though.
Lake Shawnee Amusement Park in West Virginia
Wendy Van/Getty Images
Lake Shawnee Amusement Park in Rock, West Virginia, opened in 1926 on land that was once occupied by the Shawnee Tribe—including a burial ground. Adding to its macabre past, it was also the site of fatal clashes with settlers in the late 1700s. The park was built to entertain local coal-mining families, and featured a Ferris wheel, swimming pool, dance hall, and swing rides. But a series of tragic events, including the deaths of two children, marred the property’s reputation.
Lake Shawnee shut down in 1966, then briefly reopened and closed again in the 1980s due to financial issues. Today, the decaying shells of abandoned rides still stand, and Lake Shawnee offers seasonal guided tours and even overnight stays for brave visitors.
Discovery Island at Walt Disney World in Florida
While Orlando’s Walt Disney World may conjure up images of glossy facades and colorful castles, visitors can also spot a few relics of the resort’s past. Located near Magic Kingdom Park on Bay Lake, Discovery Island was once a lively zoological attraction. The wildlife sanctuary, which operated from 1974 to 1999, was home to an array of animals, such as birds, giant tortoises, and ring-tailed lemurs.
The park closed exactly 25 years after opening, and its animals were relocated to Disney’s Animal Kingdom and zoos around the country. To this day, all of its original buildings remain on the private island, and curious onlookers can get a closer view from boats that sail by.
Ghost Town in the Sky in North Carolina
Carly Caramanna
Wild West-themed amusement park Ghost Town in the Sky opened in 1961 atop Buck Mountain in Maggie Valley, North Carolina. Guests couldn’t just drive up and park at the gates—they had to take either a 3,370-foot-long chairlift or an inclined funicular railway to reach the park. During its heyday, park-goers enjoyed live performances from country music stars, roller coaster rides, and a recreated Old West town.
Poor conditions, mounting operational costs, and a steep decline in tourists finally led to Ghost Town in the Sky’s closure in the early 2000s. Throughout the years, several new owners have attempted to reopen the historic park, but it continues to sit empty atop Buck Mountain. Guests passing through the Smoky Mountains can spot the park’s entrance, funicular, and steel looping roller coaster, Cliff Hanger.
Heritage USA in South Carolina
Carly Caramanna
Heritage USA—the brainchild of television evangelists Jim and Tammy Faye Bakker—opened in Fort Mill, South Carolina, in 1978. The Christian theme park and water park was a bona fide resort complete with on-site accommodations; at its height, it was one of the most-visited parks in the country following Disney World and Disneyland. Plagued with money issues and Jim Bakker’s growing scandals, it closed for good in 1989. While much of the park was cleared for residential construction, its 21-story hotel tower still stands (for now). The park was bought by a ministry in 2004, which operates part of it as a conference and wedding venue.
Nickelodeon Studios in Florida
Carly Caramanna
Nostalgic ’90s kids may remember when Nickelodeon Studios was located at Universal Studios Florida in Orlando. Known for its colorful exterior and orange splatter logo, the fully functioning television studio was part production house and part theme park attraction. Guests could catch a live taping of favorite shows like Family Double Dare, participate in daily studio tours, and get slimed.
Over 2,000 episodes were filmed at the studio, which closed for good in 2005. The property went on to house a residency of the Blue Man Group that ended in 2021, and the building now sits quietly just steps from the theme park. The studio’s Stage 18, which once housed production for the game show Legends of the Hidden Temple, has occasionally been opened up for Universal Studios shows.
Jungle Island in California
Courtesy of Dr. John C. Webb
Once upon a time in Southern California, Knott’s Berry Farm’s second gate was a theme park with a lush tropical setting and peculiar exhibits. Also created by Walter Knott, Jungle Island operated just across the street from Knott’s from 1964 to 1982. The park catered to children with playscapes and relaxation areas.
It was best known for its “woodimal” creatures, carved from tree branches by Illinois landscaper and artist Forrest L. Morrow. The folk artist and his family operated the park until its demise in 1982, after which Knott’s opened a new kid-focused park, Camp Snoopy. Jungle Island has since been repurposed into a private event space named Knott’s Lagoon.
Land of Oz in North Carolina
The “Wizard of Oz”-themed Land of Oz was created as a way to bring year-round tourism to Beech Mountain, a North Carolina ski resort. The park opened in 1970 with great fanfare—Debbie Reynolds and her daughter Carrie Fisher were present for the official ribbon cutting. Inside, guests explored a re-creation of the Yellow Brick Road, met Scarecrow and the gang, and got up close with props and costumes from the film, including Judy Garland’s iconic Dorothy dress. A ski lift was turned into an artificial balloon ride, mimicking the final scene from the movie and offering riders a stunning bird’s-eye view of the surrounding mountains.
Business misfortunes and a 1975 fire ultimately led to the park’s decline, and it was abandoned for several years. Then, former employees reunited in the late 1980s, sparking the public’s interest in reviving the destination. The park isn’t entirely abandoned anymore—since 1993, when Land of Oz held its first Autumn at Oz Festival, people have been able to journey back to the Emerald City for a limited time in the fall.
Lake Dolores Waterpark/Rock-A-Hoola Waterpark in California
Carly Caramanna
If you’re driving along Interstate 15 between Los Angeles and Las Vegas, Rock-A-Hoola Waterpark’s graffiti-covered buildings might catch your eye. When the desert water park opened in 1962, it was called Lake Dolores Waterpark. In 1998, it received a makeover and became Rock-A-Hoola, a retro 1950s-themed water park. It was renovated again into Discovery Waterpark in 2002. But no rebranding could save the floundering park, which closed for good in 2004. Many of the ’50s-inspired buildings and waterslides still stand, faded by the blazing Mojave sun.
Read the full article here