18 Abandoned Theme Parks That Still Stand Today
Forgotten theme parks offer a haunting glimpse into once joyful places now frozen in time. These abandoned spots remain eerily quiet yet strangely beautiful, from small roadside attractions to massive amusement empires. Nature has started to reclaim them, but their magic still lingers through rusted rides and crumbling castles.
- Tricia Quitales
- 5 min read
Abandoned theme parks are more than just empty spaces; they’re time capsules of laughter, dreams, and adventure gone silent. Some were victims of financial trouble, and others closed due to disasters or dwindling visitors. Many still stand today, untouched except by time and vines, from the United States to Japan. These 18 abandoned parks hold stories waiting to be discovered.
1. Six Flags New Orleans (New Orleans, USA)
Bob McMillan on Wikimedia
The park was shut down after Hurricane Katrina in 2005 but never reopened. Its roller coasters and Ferris wheel still tower over a sea of weeds and silence. Once full of laughter, it’s now a chilling ghost town of twisted metal and decay.
2. Nara Dreamland (Nara, Japan)
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Modeled after Disneyland, this Japanese park closed in 2006 due to low attendance. The castle and colorful rides stood untouched for years, slowly falling apart. It became a favorite for urban explorers until demolition began in 2016, though parts still remain.
3. Spreepark (Berlin, Germany)
jerrykavan on Wikimedia
Spreepark operated during East Germany’s era and shut down in 2002. Its giant Ferris wheel still turns slightly in the wind, surrounded by dinosaur statues and overgrown tracks. The eerie silence has made it a popular spot for filmmakers and photographers.
4. Land of Oz (North Carolina, USA)
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Inspired by The Wizard of Oz, this mountaintop park opened in 1970 and closed just a decade later. Many original structures, like Dorothy’s house and the yellow brick road, still exist. It occasionally reopens for special events, but most of the year, it remains eerily quiet.
5. Gulliver’s Kingdom (Kawaguchi, Japan)
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Built near Mount Fuji, this theme park was themed around the story of Gulliver’s Travels. A giant statue of Gulliver still lies sprawled across the ground, surrounded by empty rides. Its strange location near a suicide forest added to its unsettling atmosphere.
6. Jazzland (New Orleans, USA)
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Jazzland became Six Flags New Orleans later, but before that, it was a jazz-themed amusement park. It opened in 2000 and closed permanently just two years later. Some of the original signs and features from Jazzland still remain, hidden under vines.
7. Dogpatch USA (Arkansas, USA)
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Based on the Li’l Abner comic strip, Dogpatch USA operated from the 1960s to the ’90s. Buildings and rides still sit on the land, covered in moss and forgotten props. A few attempts were made to revive it, but none succeeded.
8. Okpo Land (Geoje Island, South Korea)
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This park became infamous after fatal accidents involving one of its rides. It was closed suddenly in the late ’90s, leaving roller coasters and duck-themed cars to rust in place. The chilling atmosphere draws brave explorers despite no official access.
9. Chippewa Lake Park (Ohio, USA)
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This lakeside park operated for over 100 years before closing in 1978. Nature has taken over the once-busy grounds, with vines wrapping around Ferris wheels and coasters. The frame of the ballroom still stands, echoing faint memories of dances long past.
10. Pripyat Amusement Park (Pripyat, Ukraine)
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Built for workers of the Chernobyl nuclear plant, the park was set to open in 1986, but the disaster happened just days before. The bright yellow Ferris wheel was never used, and it is now one of the most iconic abandoned structures in the world. Its haunting stillness reflects a tragedy frozen in time.
11. Miracle Strip Amusement Park (Florida, USA)
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Once a popular spot along the Florida coast, it shut down in 2004. A few of the original rides, like the Starliner coaster, remain rusting in nearby lots. Its remnants offer a bittersweet glimpse into beachside fun that’s long gone.
12. Takamatsu’s Russian Village (Shikoku, Japan)
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A strange theme park celebrating Russian culture, it opened in the ’90s but closed shortly after. The faux Kremlin buildings still stand, slowly fading under moss and rain. It remains one of Japan’s oddest abandoned attractions.
13. Fantasy World (Batangas, Philippines)
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Fantasy World was meant to rival Disneyland in the Philippines, but the project was abandoned before it ever finished. The colorful castle still stands, untouched by crowds or rides. Locals often say it feels like walking into a fairy tale that never came true.
14. Joyland Amusement Park (Wichita, USA)
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Once the largest theme park in Kansas, Joyland closed in 2006 after years of neglect. Its roller coasters, funhouse, and carousel still stand, though weathered and broken. The decaying clown faces and peeling signs add a ghostly touch.
15. Holy Land USA (Connecticut, USA)
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A religious-themed park opened in the 1950s, it featured miniature biblical scenes and statues. Closed in the 1980s, many structures remain on the hill overlooking Waterbury. Though attempts have been made to restore it, much of the original park is still in ruins.
16. Williams Grove Amusement Park (Pennsylvania, USA)
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This family-run park opened in the 1920s and closed in 2005. Old rides still sit on the property, and the wooden coaster stands quiet under the sun. Occasionally used for flea markets, it mostly remains a shell of its old self.
17. Yongma Land (Seoul, South Korea)
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Though closed in 2011, Yongma Land became popular with photographers and K-pop video shoots. The small rides and neon signs are still in place, adding charm to the decay. The park now allows visitors for a small fee, making it a preserved ruin.
18. Enchanted Forest Playland (Rhode Island, USA)
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This fairy tale-themed park closed in the early 2000s. Storybook cottages and faded statues of classic characters still dot the landscape. Though fenced off, parts of it are visible from the road, giving passersby a glimpse into forgotten childhoods.