18 Abandoned Water Parks from the ’80s You Can’t Visit
These once-thrilling water parks of the ’80s are now eerie, overgrown relics of a wilder time in American fun.
- Chris Graciano
- 4 min read
The ’80s were a great time for water parks, but many of these attractions had a hard time keeping up with the times. Their crumbling ruins are now covered in weeds and rusting in the sun. Not to mention that they’re completely off-limits today.
1. Action Park – Vernon, New Jersey
Joe Shlabotnik on Flickr
Infamous for its danger, Action Park earned nicknames like “Accident Park.” It featured insane rides like the loop-de-loop water slide and the Alpine Slide.
2. Water Wonderland – Odessa, Texas
Konrad Burdyn on Unsplash
This West Texas favorite offered lazy rivers and tall slides in the scorching heat. It was a summer staple for decades until financial trouble hit.
3. Atlantis Water Kingdom – Houston, Texas
Inside the Magic on Flickr
Once filled with massive wave pools and fantasy-themed slides, this park aimed to be magical. It didn’t survive the competitive market. Demolished in the early 2000s, it’s now just a memory for Houston locals.
4. Manteca Waterslides – Manteca, California
raider3_anime on Flickr
This legendary park drew crowds with its bright slides and river rides. It was a regional hit through the ’80s and ’90s. Land development and water issues forced it to close.
5. River Country – Orlando, Florida
Coreyjune12 on Wikimedia Commons
Disney’s first water park, River Country had a rustic, old-time swimming hole vibe. It used filtered lake water, which eventually raised health concerns.
6. Wild Waters – Ocala, Florida
SchautMaster98 on Wikimedia Commons
Wild Waters was part of a larger nature park and featured classic tube rides and flumes. It was an old-school destination for family fun.
7. Dogpatch USA – Marble Falls, Arkansas
Photolitherland on Wikimedia Commons
More theme park than just water park, Dogpatch had flume rides, water shows, and rustic charm. Based on the “Li’l Abner” comic strip, it was truly one-of-a-kind.
8. Lake Dolores Waterpark – Newberry Springs, California
Nick Sherman on Flickr
Built in the desert, Lake Dolores was wild, hot, and full of DIY vibes. High-speed slides and dirtbike events made it a teenage dream. It’s changed hands several times and tried to relaunch, but failed.
9. Geauga Lake’s Wildwater Kingdom – Aurora, Ohio
Jeremy Thompson on Wikimedia Commons
Once a part of a massive amusement complex, the water park section had all the splashy thrills. It outlived the dry rides but eventually met the same fate. It closed in 2016, with equipment dismantled soon after.
10. Bedrock City & Water Park – Custer, South Dakota
Yianni Mathioudakis on Unsplash
A Flintstones-themed combo park with water attractions and cartoon decor. Slides, splash pads, and stone-age flair drew families.
11. Crystal Rapids – Temple, Texas
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Known for its large splash pool and thrilling tube slides, this park was a small-town gem. Local kids spent entire summers there. However, outdated rides and insurance costs caught up.
12. The Waterpark at Celebration City – Branson, Missouri
Aiman Hussein on Unsplash
This short-lived park tried to ride the wave of Branson’s tourist boom. Featuring colorful slides and a lazy river, it looked promising. However, it closed just a few years after opening.
13. Splash Down Dunes – Porter, Indiana
Chris Light on Wikimedia Commons
Once a hot spot near Lake Michigan, Splash Down Dunes had towering slides and water coasters. Legal disputes and ownership issues led to its downfall.
14. Enchanted Forest Water Safari (Old Layout) – Old Forge, New York
Arsenalforthewin on Wikimedia Commons
Still operating today, but the original layout from the ’80s is long gone. Slides were replaced, and old attractions were removed. The vintage charm and risky features are lost to modernization.
15. Surf City Water Park – Oklahoma City, Oklahoma
Brandon Hoogenboom on Unsplash
Bright colors, wavy pools, and plenty of space defined this mid-sized park. It thrived briefly in the late ’80s before business faded. Maintenance stopped, weeds grew, and the rides faded under the sun.
16. Magic Waters – Rockford, Illinois
CarlosVdeHabsburgo on Wikimedia Commons
Opened in the late ’80s, Magic Waters featured wave pools and twisting body slides. It was absorbed into a larger franchise, then eventually phased out.
17. Ocean World – Fort Lauderdale, Florida
1950sUnlimited on Wikimedia Commons
Known more for marine shows, it also had a water slide area tucked inside. Kids jumped between the dolphin shows and the splash zone. It couldn’t keep up with SeaWorld and others.
18. Wave Jungle – Las Vegas, Nevada
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Yes, even Vegas had a tropical-themed water park in the desert. It promised big thrills and resort-style vibes. Water shortages and upkeep made it unsustainable.