1. Six Flags New Orleans, Louisiana
Reason: Left in ruins by Hurricane Katrina
This park was devastated by Hurricane Katrina in 2005, and it has been decaying ever since. Floodwaters submerged it for weeks, leaving rusting roller coasters and graffiti-covered structures. Visiting this once-thriving park now feels like stepping into a ghost town, with nature creeping in and reclaiming everything. The eerie, silent remains of the rides and buildings, plus the overgrown vegetation, make it a place that will haunt your imagination.
2. Adventure Park, California
Reason: Unresolved financial issues and urban decay
This park was once a staple of Southern California’s entertainment scene, but due to poor management and financial struggles, it closed its doors in the 1990s. The remnants of its attractions still stand, rotting away in the shadow of urban sprawl. The rusted rides and empty walkways feel unsettlingly abandoned, like something out of a forgotten dream.
3. Wonderland Amusement Park, Texas
Reason: Fire and mismanagement
This park, which once boasted a collection of rides and games, suffered a devastating fire in 1983 that destroyed much of the area. Though it continued operating for years, it eventually closed due to poor management and lack of funds. The site now consists of crumbling remnants of carnival rides and a once-bustling funhouse, leaving behind an unsettling feeling of nostalgia for a time long past.
4. Magic Forest, New York
Reason: Vandalism and neglect
Magic Forest was once a fairy tale-themed amusement park, but years of neglect led to its closing in 1995. The park fell victim to vandalism, with broken-down rides and litter scattered throughout. What’s most disturbing is the remnants of its quirky mascot characters, now damaged and decaying, which only add to the sense of ghostliness in the park.
5. Holy Land USA, Connecticut
Reason: Decline in visitor interest and upkeep
This religious-themed park was built in the 1950s as a tribute to biblical sites, but by the mid-1980s, it had become a shadow of its former self. Overgrown trees and crumbling statues now populate the park, and the eerie remnants of religious displays give the site a strange and unsettling atmosphere. What was once a place of pilgrimage has transformed into a decaying relic of religious fervor.
6. The Land of Oz, North Carolina
Reason: Financial issues and changes in ownership
Situated atop Beech Mountain, this park was inspired by the Wizard of Oz and was a popular tourist attraction in the 1970s. After closing in the late 1980s, the park was left to decay, and its structures fell apart. The yellow brick road, although faded and overgrown, still leads to the ghostly remnants of the Emerald City, making it a creepy journey for any visitor daring to venture up.
7. Gomer’s Amusement Park, Florida
Reason: Overrun by nature and abandoned in the 1960s
Gomer’s Amusement Park, which opened in the 1950s, closed in the 1960s after a series of ownership changes. Nature took over quickly, with vines and trees overtaking the rides and buildings. The twisted and rusted remains of its once-popular rides make it feel as though it’s been trapped in time, left to decay in the swamps of Florida.
8. Fantasy Island, New York
Reason: Declining popularity and high operating costs
Though the park operated for decades, Fantasy Island faced increasing competition from larger theme parks. By 2008, it closed its doors for good. Today, the rusting rides and decaying buildings are reminders of the park’s heyday. The atmosphere feels heavy with nostalgia, but it’s unsettling to witness the faded remnants of the park’s fun and fantasy.
9. Southport Park, Indiana
Reason: Declining attendance and lack of funding
Southport Park once thrilled visitors with its beautiful views and fun attractions, but by the 1970s, it was losing money and was abandoned. What remains now are empty foundations, a few decaying amusement rides, and a general sense of unease that comes from such a desolate location. The atmosphere is eerily quiet, as if the sounds of the past have completely disappeared.
10. Crystal Beach Amusement Park, New York
Reason: Financial troubles and suburban expansion
Crystal Beach had been a popular destination for many years, but after it closed in 1989, the property was sold and turned into condos. Many of the old rides were dismantled, but there are still remnants of the park left behind, hidden amongst new developments. The empty spots where once lively rides stood now feel hollow and haunted.
11. Lake Shawnee Amusement Park, West Virginia
Reason: Tragic accidents and spiritual unrest
This park, which opened in the 1920s, became infamous after multiple accidents and deaths on the rides. The site is believed to be built on land once occupied by a Native American burial ground, leading some to believe the park is haunted. Visitors have reported strange sightings, and the abandoned rides, especially the old Ferris wheel, add to the park’s creepy atmosphere.
12. The Carousel, Michigan
Reason: Lack of funds for preservation
Once home to the famous carousel, this amusement park was abandoned in the 1970s after a lack of funding led to its decline. Today, the decaying carousel sits in a neglected, overgrown field, with broken-down machinery scattered around. The haunting stillness of the site makes it one of Michigan’s creepiest forgotten places.
13. Dogpatch USA, Arkansas
Reason: Financial struggles and lack of maintenance
Dogpatch USA was once a charming family-oriented park based on the “Lil’ Abner” comic strip, but it fell into disrepair after years of financial trouble. When it closed in 1993, the attractions were left to rot. Today, the park’s dilapidated cabins and rusting attractions are an unsettling reminder of its former glory. The spooky vibe is amplified by the fact that many of the buildings have been stripped of their signage, leaving nothing but abandoned, crumbling shells behind.
14. Willard Asylum Amusement Park, New York
Reason: Closed after the asylum’s closure
What’s most chilling about this park is its association with the nearby Willard Asylum. The park was built as a distraction for patients but was abandoned after the asylum itself closed in the 1990s. The eerie proximity to the now-defunct asylum, along with the decaying structures, makes the park feel like a haunted relic of a grim past.
