1. Lake Shawnee Amusement Park, West Virginia
Built on land tied to violent Native American conflicts and later tragedies, Lake Shawnee is often called one of the most haunted parks in the country. Locals whisper about ghostly children swinging on the rusted playground and eerie laughter that still echoes after dark. The park shut down in the ’60s following multiple deaths, including drownings and accidents on rides. Its broken Ferris wheel and swings remain like frozen snapshots of the past.
Even though the park is abandoned, people claim to see figures darting between the rides or feel cold spots that make their skin crawl. Paranormal investigators often flock there, recording unexplained voices and orbs of light. Locals who grew up nearby say they still avoid it after sundown, feeling the weight of its tragic history. The land seems to carry every story with it, making it unforgettable.
2. Six Flags New Orleans, Louisiana
This park was devastated by Hurricane Katrina in 2005 and has sat abandoned ever since. Its empty roller coasters, graffiti-covered signs, and crumbling walkways are enough to make anyone uneasy. Some say the site is cursed, haunted by both the memories of the storm and spirits unwilling to leave. Security guards report hearing whispers and footsteps echoing across the empty grounds.
Even though it’s technically closed off, thrill-seekers sneak inside to experience the eerie quiet. They’ve described hearing carnival music faintly playing with no source in sight. Locals still talk about the park as a ghostly reminder of Katrina’s devastation. It’s less of a theme park now and more of a chilling monument.
3. Holy Land USA, Connecticut
Though not a traditional amusement park, Holy Land in Waterbury once drew families to its massive biblical displays. After it shut down in the ’80s, its decaying statues and miniature Jerusalem became a favorite spot for ghost stories. People report shadows moving between the crumbling walls and an unsettling silence that takes over the hillside. The tragic murder of a teenage girl there in 2010 only deepened its haunted reputation.
Residents who pass by say they can feel an almost oppressive atmosphere, like the land itself holds onto grief. Even those who once visited as children say returning now feels wrong, as if eyes are always watching. Paranormal groups claim strange equipment malfunctions while on the grounds. The mix of religion, tragedy, and decay has kept its legend alive.
4. Disney’s River Country, Florida
Disney’s first water park, River Country, closed in 2001 and was left to slowly rot. The swampy surroundings only add to its eerie vibe, with algae overtaking pools and slides sitting in silence. Locals say they’ve seen ghostly children running across the old water areas, laughing before fading away. Rumors swirl about strange noises echoing from the abandoned entrance.
Urban explorers who sneak in often share chilling photos of the decayed attractions. Some claim to hear water splashing even though the pools are bone dry. The park is locked away from guests, but its haunted reputation lives on through stories of those who dare to peek inside. For many Floridians, it’s a place better left in memory.
5. Conneaut Lake Park, Pennsylvania
Conneaut Lake Park was beloved for generations, but after fires and financial troubles, its abandoned areas earned a haunted reputation. The ballroom is rumored to be home to dancing apparitions, while the rides sometimes creak on their own. Employees have shared stories of shadowy figures wandering after hours. Guests who stayed in the park’s Hotel Conneaut often woke to unexplained knocks on their doors.
Local ghost tours regularly bring visitors to the property, and paranormal groups report strong activity. Some say you can hear faint organ music drifting from the empty buildings. Even though the park has seen attempts at revival, its haunted lore overshadows its charm. People who grew up going there still swap stories of the chills they felt long before it closed.
6. Heritage USA, South Carolina
This Christian theme park, built by televangelist Jim Bakker, was once among the biggest in the U.S. After scandal and bankruptcy shut it down in the late ’80s, it was left to crumble. Locals began reporting strange lights in the abandoned buildings and ghostly figures wandering the grounds. Some even claimed to hear choirs singing from the empty amphitheater.
Though parts have been redeveloped, the abandoned remains carried a heavy, eerie atmosphere. Paranormal investigators often reported unexplained cold spots. Locals still talk about how quickly the cheerful park transformed into a ghost town. The contrast between its religious roots and its haunted stories makes it unforgettable.
7. Chippewa Lake Park, Ohio
Chippewa Lake Park closed in 1978, yet its skeleton rides stood for decades as haunting reminders. The Ferris wheel peeking above the trees became a symbol of eerie abandonment. Visitors have reported hearing phantom carnival music and screams long after the rides stopped. Some even swear they’ve seen ghostly figures in old ride cars.
The park’s quiet decay has made it a favorite spot for ghost hunters. Stories of tragic accidents linger, and locals still share them with hushed tones. Even though much of it has been torn down, its haunted reputation remains part of Ohio lore. For many, the memories of laughter mixed with ghostly tales make it unforgettable.
8. Libertyland, Tennessee
Memphis once enjoyed Libertyland, home of the famous Zippin Pippin roller coaster. When it closed in 2005, the abandoned rides sparked ghostly rumors. Locals claimed to hear the roller coaster cars clattering at night, even when the track sat empty. Others described the smell of popcorn drifting through the deserted fairgrounds.
Security guards often mentioned hearing footsteps and laughter echoing through the dark park. Though the Zippin Pippin was later rebuilt elsewhere, the original grounds carried a strange heaviness. Memphis residents still bring up its eerie vibe when recalling the park. Its haunting charm lingers just as strongly as its nostalgic memories.
9. Joyland Amusement Park, Kansas
Joyland in Wichita closed in 2006, leaving behind a broken-down midway and a clown mascot that terrified locals even when it was open. After closing, stories of hauntings began to spread. Some reported the carousel moving on its own, while others swore they heard calliope music drifting through the park. The clown animatronic itself became the centerpiece of ghost stories.
Explorers said the park felt alive at night, with shadows darting around the rides. Many described an overwhelming sense of being watched. Locals still exchange spooky tales of sneaking inside and regretting it immediately. Joyland remains one of Kansas’s most talked-about haunted spots.
10. Enchanted Forest, Maryland
The Enchanted Forest was once a whimsical fairytale park that closed in the ’90s. Its abandoned castles and storybook figures quickly decayed, making them look more sinister than sweet. Visitors who trespassed often described hearing children’s voices or footsteps crunching nearby when no one was there. Others claimed the painted figures seemed to watch them.
Though some of its structures were moved and preserved, the original site remains shrouded in eerie stories. Locals talk about how the once magical place felt cursed after its closure. Families who once visited fondly are often unsettled when they see its broken remains. The fairytale gone wrong has cemented its haunted reputation.
11. Miracle Strip Amusement Park, Florida
Miracle Strip in Panama City Beach was a summer staple before it shut down in 2004. Its rides were either sold or left to rot, sparking haunted rumors. Locals reported hearing laughter and screams near the coaster site long after the rides vanished. Some said the scent of cotton candy would waft through the air unexpectedly.
People who grew up going there insist the park holds onto its energy. Paranormal groups claim the site is charged with residual sounds from decades of excitement. Though it no longer stands, its ghost stories circulate as strongly as its nostalgic ones. Miracle Strip lives on as both a memory and a haunting.
12. Williams Grove Amusement Park, Pennsylvania
Williams Grove closed in 2005, but long before that, it had gained a haunted reputation. Fires and accidents gave rise to ghost stories that locals still repeat. Visitors reported seeing shadowy figures darting around the old wooden coasters. Some even said they felt icy hands brush against them on the midway.
Though attempts to sell or revive the park never worked out, ghost tours often highlight its lingering presence. Paranormal investigators frequently report eerie EVP recordings. Locals recall how even during its operating days, certain corners of the park felt unsettling. The lore continues to thrive despite its silence.
13. Lake Dolores Waterpark, California
Lake Dolores in the Mojave Desert started as a family-built oasis but fell into abandonment by the early 2000s. Its empty slides and pools make a haunting desert backdrop. Locals say the place is haunted by restless spirits, with figures appearing in the waterpark at night. Some even report splashing sounds coming from bone-dry pools.
The desert winds howl through the ruins, creating eerie whistles and moans. Explorers describe a heavy energy that makes them leave quickly. Even without official ghost stories, its atmosphere is enough to fuel nightmares. Locals still swap tales of the once-bustling oasis turned ghost park.
14. Spreepark, Germany
Though not in the U.S., Spreepark in Berlin is legendary enough that even American travelers share its ghost stories. Opened in 1969, it was abandoned in 2002, leaving behind swan boats and a towering Ferris wheel that eerily creaks in the wind. Visitors describe hearing children’s laughter and carnival music when the grounds are empty. Security guards have reported seeing figures vanish into the trees.
Over the years, it’s been featured in horror films and documentaries that only add to its chilling aura. Locals still call it cursed, tied to scandals and strange accidents. Tourists who wander too close often say the silence feels overwhelming. Spreepark’s combination of decay and legend ensures it won’t be forgotten.