Inside 8 Texas’ Abandoned Theme Parks Still Standing

If you love exploring Texas beyond its glossy attractions, step off the beaten path – into the ghostly remains of its abandoned theme parks. Once filled with laughter and neon lights, these parks now sit quietly under the Texas sun, reclaimed by nature and nostalgia. If you travel here, here’s what to know – and what’s still left to see.

1. Sandy Lake Amusement Park – Carrollton’s Picnic Paradise

Since 1971, Sandy Lake offered Dallas-area families an affordable alternative to expensive theme parks. The lakeside location provided natural beauty alongside classic carnival rides, making it perfect for church groups, school outings, and family reunions.

Rising operational costs and changing entertainment preferences led to its closure in 2018. The property was sold to a neighboring landscaping business, ending nearly five decades of cotton candy and carousel music.

Nature is slowly reclaiming the grounds now. While the site isn’t open for public exploration, locals who live nearby sometimes share photos of rusting rides peeking through overgrown vegetation. The lake itself remains, still beautiful and serene, a natural monument to countless summer days spent riding bumper cars and winning stuffed animals at game booths.

2. Six Flags AstroWorld – Houston’s Lost Giant

Houston’s beloved AstroWorld opened in 1968 and quickly became the city’s premier entertainment destination. Families flocked to experience legendary rides like the Texas Cyclone wooden coaster and the thrilling Thunder River rapids.

The park closed its gates forever in 2005, leaving generations of Houstonians heartbroken. Though the entire site was demolished and cleared for development, the empty space still carries enormous emotional weight for locals who grew up visiting.

Today, nothing physical remains except memories and photographs. The land now hosts parking lots and commercial developments near the Astrodome. Former visitors often share stories online, keeping the park’s spirit alive through digital nostalgia and annual remembrance gatherings in the area.

3. Joyland Amusement Park – Lubbock’s Faded Fairground

For over seven decades, Joyland served as Lubbock’s go-to amusement destination, opening in 1947 and entertaining countless West Texas families. The Sand Storm roller coaster and X-Factor Extreme became local landmarks, their colorful frames visible from nearby highways.

After struggling financially for years, the park closed permanently in 2023. Its rides were auctioned off to collectors and other parks, but some structures remained standing temporarily during the dismantling process.

While the property is now closed to the public, travelers passing through Lubbock can still glimpse remnants from surrounding roads. Local photographers captured haunting images before demolition began, documenting peeling paint and overgrown pathways that tell stories of simpler times when carnival music filled the air.

4. Playland Park – San Antonio’s Rocket Ride Memory

Opening its gates in 1943, Playland Park became San Antonio’s favorite escape during wartime America. The star attraction was The Rocket, a wooden roller coaster that thrilled riders for nearly four decades with its steep drops and sharp turns.

Economic challenges forced the park to close in 1980, ending an era of affordable family fun. The land was eventually acquired by the Alamo Colleges District, transforming the entertainment space into educational facilities.

Walk through the campus today and you’ll find almost no visible traces of the old park. Historical markers and vintage photographs in local museums offer glimpses into what once stood there. San Antonio natives who remember Playland often describe the distinctive smell of popcorn mixing with summer heat.

5. Magic Landing – El Paso’s Desert Mirage

Built with big dreams in 1984, Magic Landing hoped to bring major theme park excitement to far West Texas. Attractions like the Old Galveston Railway transported visitors through themed environments, while water rides offered relief from the desert heat.

The park’s ambitious vision couldn’t overcome harsh realities. Low attendance numbers and mounting insurance costs forced an abrupt mid-season closure in 1988, leaving El Paso without its short-lived entertainment jewel.

Portions of the property sat abandoned for years, with concrete structures slowly deteriorating under the relentless sun. While most of the site has been redeveloped, occasional remnants surface when construction crews break ground nearby. Urban explorers once documented crumbling ticket booths and faded signage before final demolition swept through.

6. Hanna-Barbera Land – Spring’s Cartoon Kingdom

Cartoon characters came to life when Hanna-Barbera Land opened in Spring, just north of Houston, in 1984. Fred Flintstone, Yogi Bear, and Scooby-Doo greeted excited children throughout the park, which featured rides and shows based on beloved television programs.

Despite its promising start, the park operated for only two seasons before closing in 1985. Financial difficulties and management challenges prevented it from competing with larger regional attractions.

The good news? The land didn’t stay empty forever. It transformed into Six Flags Hurricane Harbor SplashTown, which continues operating today. Sharp-eyed visitors can occasionally spot architectural elements that date back to the original cartoon-themed park. The transformation represents how abandoned spaces can find new purpose while honoring their quirky past.

7. Splashtown San Antonio – The Silent Water Park

Originally known as Water Park USA when it opened in 1985, Splashtown became San Antonio’s premier destination for beating the Texas heat. Wave pools, lazy rivers, and towering water slides attracted thousands of visitors throughout scorching summer months.

The park managed to operate for over three decades before permanently closing in 2021. Pandemic-related challenges and maintenance costs made continuing operations unsustainable for the aging facility.

Empty pools and silent slides now stand where children once squealed with delight. The property has since been sold and repurposed for new development projects. Before demolition crews arrived, photographers documented the eerie beauty of concrete waterways slowly filling with rainwater and weeds. Those images capture the strange melancholy of a place built for joy sitting completely still.

8. Zero Gravity Thrill Park – Dallas’ Extreme Adrenaline Hub

Zero Gravity wasn’t your typical theme park with cotton candy and carousels. Opening in 1992, it specialized in extreme thrills like bungee jumping, reverse bungee launches, and the famous Skycoaster that swung riders 110 feet above the ground.

Thrill-seekers traveled from across Texas to experience adrenaline rushes unavailable elsewhere. However, the specialized nature of the park limited its audience, and it closed permanently in 2021 after nearly three decades of operation.

The towering metal structures once dominated the Dallas skyline near Interstate 30. After closure, the property was sold and the distinctive towers were dismantled. Travelers who remember screaming through the air on those rides often describe them as life-changing experiences. The park proved that sometimes the most memorable adventures come from the places willing to push boundaries.