Gabriel Rickles
Some places close down forever. Across the US, a few amusement parks crumble in silence, their playful history replaced by haunting stories and urban myths. These once-vibrant parks are now scary, abandoned grounds. Ever wondered what happened to the fun? Here are the stories
Ghost Town In The Sky, North Carolina
Perched 4,600 feet above sea level, this Wild West-themed park opened in 1961. Mountain winds now whistle through abandoned saloons and broken chairlifts. Once home to gunfight reenactments and Appalachian charm, it now sits cloaked in fog, waiting for a ghostly return.
Six Flags New Orleans, Louisiana
Devastated by Hurricane Katrina in 2005, this 140-acre theme park closed its gates for good. Over a million visitors came each year, but now rusting coasters rise over wild brush. It’s getting demolished as the area is undergoing a $500 million transformation.
Lake Shawnee Amusement Park, West Virginia
Built on a Native American burial ground, this destination saw two tragic deaths in the 1920s—a drowning and a swing-set accident. Paranormal investigators report EMF spikes and shadow figures. The decaying rides haven’t spun since 1966, yet the legends still whirl.
Jungle Habitat, New Jersey
Launched by Warner Bros in 1972, Jungle Habitat closed after just four years. Visitors once drove past lions and zebras, but now it’s ATV trails and crumbling animal pens. The gift shop barely stands, and concrete cages litter the woods like forgotten film sets.
Joyland Amusement Park, Kansas
Opened in 1949, Joyland was Wichita’s jewel until vandals and time tore it down. What used to be the lively Whacky Shack is now a hollow shell. Its former charm is no longer alive. Photos of toppled clown heads and lifeless Ferris wheels chill the bones.
Rocky Point Amusement Park, Rhode Island
Rocky Point was a huge deal back in the day. It had all the coastal vibe, but after it closed in ’95, everything just fell apart. The House of Horrors looks even more creepy now. Parts of the place remain standing, yet it’s pretty quiet.
Chippewa Lake Park, Ohio
Opened in 1878, this 100-year-old amusement spot was left to rot in 1978. Nature took over, with Tilt-A-Whirls now tangled in ivy and roller coaster pieces rising through the trees. Urban explorers chase nostalgia here, but the site’s creaking boards remind them of its decay.
Holy Land USA, Connecticut
This bizarre Bible-themed park rose in the 1950s and faded by the ’80s. With its neon cross and miniature Jerusalem, it once beckoned the faithful. Now, it feels more apocalyptic than divine—weathered by time, scarred by vandals. Its silent statues still stand, preaching to no one.
Dogpatch USA, Arkansas
Born in 1968 from “Li’l Abner” comic strips, this Ozark-themed spot was a hub for hillbilly fun. However, it closed in 1993. The wooden buildings are now falling apart, and vines creep over abandoned roller coasters. Few places feel as strangely silent as Dogpatch.
Heritage USA, South Carolina
Jim and Tammy Faye Bakker opened this religious amusement destination in 1978, where millions of visitors came each year. Following a scandal in 1989, the attraction was deserted and left to decay. The crumbling biblical replicas and vacant prayer towers stand as eerie remnants of its past.
