1. The Enchanted Forest – Ellicott City, Maryland
Once a magical fairytale theme park, The Enchanted Forest opened in 1955 and welcomed generations of children with its storybook-inspired attractions. There were gingerbread houses, a dragon slide, and Humpty Dumpty perched high on a wall. It wasn’t about thrill rides, but about imagination, and for a while, that was enough. Families flocked here in the ’50s and ’60s for picnics, birthday parties, and to stroll through fairy tales brought to life shares Wikipedia.
But by the ’80s, bigger, flashier parks stole the spotlight. The original location shut down in 1989, and the property was eventually turned into a strip mall. Thankfully, some pieces were saved and moved to a farm nearby called Clark’s Elioak Farm, where visitors can still see remnants of the old magic. Still, it’s not quite the same as wandering through the original enchanted woods adds Reddit.
2. Dogpatch USA – Marble Falls, Arkansas
Dogpatch USA was based on the Li’l Abner comic strip, which already feels like a vintage time capsule. This quirky Ozarks theme park opened in 1968 with a hillbilly theme that was, to put it kindly, very of its time. Guests could pan for gold, visit a trout pond, and even ride a funicular. For a while, it did pretty well, especially with fans of the comic shares TheTravel.
By the ’90s, though, the park had seen better days. Attendance dropped, maintenance lagged, and the gates closed for good in 1993. The land passed through multiple hands, and for years it just sat there, slowly being reclaimed by nature. Recently, there was talk of restoring it, but for now, it’s just a faded memory tucked into the trees adds Arkansas Money & Politics.
3. Holy Land USA – Waterbury, Connecticut
This one was truly unique. Holy Land USA opened in the ’50s as a Bible-themed park with miniature replicas of famous holy sites like Bethlehem and Jerusalem. It was the dream of John Greco, a devout Catholic who wanted to bring the Bible to life. People came by the busload in the ’60s and ’70s to walk its winding paths and take in the reverent atmosphere.
After Greco passed away in 1986, the park fell into disrepair. Vandalism and decay took over, and it became more of a local curiosity than a spiritual destination. Despite a few attempts to clean it up and relaunch it, the park has never returned to its former glory. These days, the cross still lights up at night, but Holy Land is mostly a haunting shell of its past.
4. The Land of Oz – Beech Mountain, North Carolina
Yes, there was once an entire theme park dedicated to The Wizard of Oz, and it was high up in the Blue Ridge Mountains. The Land of Oz opened in 1970 and allowed visitors to walk the yellow brick road, meet Dorothy, and even see a tornado simulation. At its peak, it drew in 400,000 guests a year, and for fans of the movie, it was pure magic.
But a combination of bad management, a devastating fire, and harsh winters led to its closure in 1980. It’s not entirely gone, though, as parts of the park reopen for special events a few times a year. Still, the full experience is long gone, and what’s left feels more like a dream you’re only half remembering. It’s a strange, nostalgic stop for those lucky enough to catch it open.
5. Miracle Strip Amusement Park – Panama City Beach, Florida
For kids growing up in the South, Miracle Strip was the place to be. It opened in 1963 and had all the classic rides, from a wooden roller coaster called the Starliner to a haunted castle and tilt-a-whirl. Located right across from the beach, it was a sun-soaked slice of Americana. Families would spend entire days here, and it had that charming boardwalk feel.
But competition from bigger parks and changing vacation habits hit hard. It closed in 2004, and though some rides were relocated or restored briefly, the revival didn’t last. Today, the old site is a shopping center, and most tourists have no idea what once stood there. For longtime locals, though, Miracle Strip was unforgettable.
6. Six Flags New Orleans – New Orleans, Louisiana
This one is perhaps the most haunting of them all. Six Flags New Orleans was built in 2000 and was still relatively new when Hurricane Katrina hit in 2005. The storm left the entire park submerged under water, and it never reopened. Nature and time quickly took over, turning it into an eerie, post-apocalyptic landscape.
The rusting roller coasters and crumbling signs became popular with urban explorers and photographers. Despite a few rumored redevelopment plans, nothing has materialized. The site remains off-limits but continues to captivate imaginations. It’s a strange reminder of how fast things can change.
7. Ghost Town in the Sky – Maggie Valley, North Carolina
Perched high above Maggie Valley, Ghost Town in the Sky was a Western-themed amusement park that first opened in 1961. You’d take a chairlift up the mountain and step back in time to the Old West, complete with saloons, gunfights, and train rides. It was a hit during its heyday and drew in thousands of visitors every year.
But financial struggles and aging infrastructure led to its downfall. The park closed and reopened several times over the decades, never quite finding stable footing. Parts of it still stand, slowly falling apart in the mountain air. Ghost Town is aptly named now, with its wooden sidewalks and silent buildings stuck in another era.
8. Prehistoric Forest – Onsted, Michigan
This roadside attraction was a dinosaur lover’s dream back in the day. Opened in the 1960s, Prehistoric Forest featured life-sized dinosaur statues, a safari train, and a volcano you could walk through. Families traveling along U.S. Route 12 often pulled over for a stretch and a bit of Stone Age fun.
But as bigger, flashier parks came along, this little gem couldn’t keep up. It closed in 1999, and though the dinosaurs still stand, they’re now cracked and overgrown. Some folks still stop to peek through the trees and snap photos of the old beasts. It’s oddly beautiful in its own crumbling way.
9. Heritage USA – Fort Mill, South Carolina
Created by televangelists Jim and Tammy Faye Bakker, Heritage USA was part religious retreat, part theme park. Opened in 1978, it featured a water park, shopping, a hotel, and a massive 500-room “upper room” for prayer. At its peak, it drew over six million visitors a year, making it one of the most visited attractions in the U.S.
But scandal and financial mismanagement brought it all crashing down in the late ’80s. The park was abandoned, and many of its structures were left to rot. While some parts have been redeveloped, much of the original site remains eerily still. It’s a reminder of just how quickly fame and fortune can fade.
10. Santa’s Village – Dundee, Illinois
Before Christmas-themed parks became trendy, there was Santa’s Village in Illinois. Opened in 1959, this winter wonderland ran during the summer months and let kids meet Santa, ride reindeer-themed rides, and see live animals. It was charmingly low-tech and totally magical to young visitors.
It struggled financially and closed in 2006, but locals weren’t ready to let it go. After a few years and lots of effort, it reopened under a new name, Santa’s Village Azoosment Park. Still, much of the original charm was lost in the transition. That old-school Christmas spirit is hard to recreate.
11. Freedomland U.S.A. – Bronx, New York
Freedomland was like a history book brought to life. Opened in 1960, this short-lived park was designed to be the East Coast answer to Disneyland, with sections dedicated to different eras in American history. You could pan for gold, witness the Chicago Fire, or experience a Civil War battle reenactment.
Unfortunately, the park was plagued with financial issues from the start and only lasted until 1964. The land was later used to build Co-op City, one of the largest housing developments in the world. Today, there’s little to show that a theme park ever stood there. But for those who went, it was an unforgettable flash in the pan.
12. Lake Dolores Waterpark – Newberry Springs, California
In the middle of the Mojave Desert, Lake Dolores was an oasis of water slides and splash zones. It opened in the 1960s and was later rebranded as Rock-A-Hoola in the ’90s. For road trippers heading to Vegas or L.A., it was the perfect pit stop. With its retro signage and looping slides, it had a kitschy charm.
But lawsuits, droughts, and changing ownership left it floundering. It finally shut down for good in the early 2000s. Since then, it’s become a popular site for graffiti artists and thrill-seekers looking to explore abandoned places. The silence of the desert only adds to its surreal vibe.
13. River Country – Orlando, Florida
River Country was Disney’s first water park, and when it opened in 1976, it felt like a rustic summer camp. Set on Bay Lake near Magic Kingdom, it featured a sandy-bottom lake, water slides, and a good old-fashioned swimming hole. It was charming, laid-back, and full of that vintage Disney magic.
But over time, it started to feel outdated compared to Disney’s newer parks. It quietly closed in 2001 and was officially declared defunct in 2005. For years, it just sat there, overgrown and strangely quiet. In 2018, Disney began building a new resort on the site, but for many fans, River Country will always be a nostalgic favorite.
14. Marineland of the Pacific – Rancho Palos Verdes, California
Perched on a cliffside overlooking the Pacific, Marineland was once a rival to SeaWorld. It opened in 1954 and featured dolphin shows, an enormous tank for orcas, and ocean views that couldn’t be beat. For decades, it was a beloved field trip destination and family outing spot.
But in 1987, SeaWorld bought it and shut it down almost immediately, relocating the animals to San Diego. Locals were heartbroken, and many still feel the sting of its sudden closure. The land is now home to a resort, but memories of the old marine park linger. There was something special about watching sea life with the waves crashing behind you.