12 Road Trip Stops That Don’t Exist Anymore
Here's a nostalgic trail of vanished roadside stops that once brought joy, wonder, and the occasional oddity to travelers across America.
- Alyana Aguja
- 4 min read
These long-gone road trip attractions once captured the hearts of families, adventurers, and curious wanderers alike. Their charm lay in their uniqueness and the personal memories travelers tied to them, even when they were strange or hokey. Though their signs have faded and gates have closed, they live on in photographs, postcards, and the stories we still tell on the road.
1. Dogpatch USA – Marble Falls, Arkansas
Image from Wikipedia
Nestled in the Ozark Mountains, Dogpatch USA was a theme park based on the Li’l Abner comic strip. It had hillbilly charm, trout ponds, and quirky Southern humor that once drew in thousands. By the ‘90s, its popularity fizzled, leaving behind a decaying caricature of rural Americana overtaken by weeds.
2. Frontier Town – North Hudson, New York
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Frontier Town was a Wild West-themed park where kids could watch staged gunfights and pan for gold. It had dusty saloons, wooden sidewalks, and an Old West jail you could walk through. Closed in 1998, it’s now mostly overgrown trails and rusting signage, a ghost town in every sense.
3. Mystery Park – Wisconsin Dells, Wisconsin
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Before massive waterparks took over the Dells, Mystery Park drew visitors in with optical illusions, tilted rooms, and a strange gravitational vortex. It had a hand-painted, lo-fi charm that kids loved and parents found endearingly weird. It quietly disappeared as the town shifted toward indoor slides and big-budget attractions.
4. The Wigwam Village #2 – Cave City, Kentucky
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This mid-century motel let you sleep inside concrete teepees, each with its own little charm and a slice of nostalgia. Route 66 travelers adored it as a kitschy, restful stop on long drives. The site was demolished in 2021 after years of slow decline and structural wear.
5. Prehistoric Forest – Irish Hills, Michigan
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Opened in 1963, Prehistoric Forest once lured families with fiberglass dinosaurs and a log flume ride. Its moss-covered T-Rex and overgrown paths now look more like a forgotten sci-fi movie set than a tourist draw. The park closed in 1999 and has been slowly reclaimed by nature.
6. The Land of Oz – Beech Mountain, North Carolina
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In the 1970s, you could walk the Yellow Brick Road on top of a mountain, meeting characters in full costume as you passed by Emerald City replicas. A fire and financial issues shuttered it just a decade after it opened. Although it occasionally opens for special events now, its days as a full road trip destination are gone.
7. Boardwalk and Baseball – Haines City, Florida
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Built on the remnants of Circus World, this park tried to blend amusement rides with America’s pastime. It hosted spring training and roller coasters side by side but never caught on with enough visitors. The gates closed in 1990, and the land was bulldozed for a shopping complex.
8. The Enchanted Forest – Ellicott City, Maryland
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This fairy-tale themed park had larger-than-life storybook characters and nursery rhyme sets tucked among the trees. It was charmingly outdated and beloved by generations of families. Closed in 1995, most of the figures now sit silently in a nearby shopping center as decoration.
9. Six Flags Astroworld – Houston, Texas
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Opened in 1968, Astroworld was a big deal for Houston kids craving summer thrills. Its wooden coasters and futuristic Sky Screamer left strong memories behind. The park was unexpectedly demolished in 2005, leaving only a parking lot where laughter once echoed.
10. Santa’s Village – Scotts Valley, California
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This Christmas-themed park opened in 1957 and brought reindeer, toy workshops, and candy-striped buildings to the redwoods. Kids could visit Santa year-round, making it magical even in July. It closed in the late ‘70s, with the land repurposed for tech development and private use.
11. Heritage USA – Fort Mill, South Carolina
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Founded by televangelists Jim and Tammy Faye Bakker, this Christian-themed park was once among the top attractions in the country. It featured a water park, hotel, and even a replica of the Upper Room. After scandal and bankruptcy, it was abandoned and largely dismantled.
12. Lava Hot Springs Sanitarium – Lava Hot Springs, Idaho
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Originally a healing destination built around natural mineral springs, the old sanitarium attracted road-weary travelers seeking wellness and rest. Its charming, old-world architecture and creaky hallways added to the atmosphere. Eventually deemed outdated, it was torn down to make way for a modern facility.