14 Deserted Nevada Amusement Parks That Nature Is Taking Back

Nevada’s desert landscape hides more than casinos and showgirls. Scattered across the Silver State are forgotten amusement parks where roller coasters rust under the sun and overgrown weeds push through cracked pavement.

These once-thriving entertainment spots now stand silent, slowly being reclaimed by the wild Nevada terrain that surrounds them.

1. MGM Grand Adventures – Las Vegas/Paradise

Behind the glittering MGM Grand once stood a full theme park that tried to bring family fun to the Strip. Operating from 1993 to 2000, this 33-acre attraction featured roller coasters, log flumes, and themed areas.

Budget constraints and changing Vegas demographics led to its closure. Today, the space serves other purposes, though remnants occasionally surface during construction projects around the property.

2. Wet ‘n Wild (Original Strip Park) – Las Vegas/Winchester

Splashing fun once echoed through this water park that cooled off Vegas visitors during scorching summer months. Located near the Strip, it operated from 1985 to 2004 before closing its gates permanently.

Rising land values made the property more valuable empty than operational. The site was eventually cleared, but locals still remember racing down those towering water slides when Vegas felt smaller and simpler.

3. Scandia Family Fun Center – Las Vegas

Miniature golf windmills and go-kart tracks defined childhood memories for countless Las Vegas families. Scandia offered affordable entertainment away from the casino glitz, with batting cages and arcade games filling weekend afternoons.

Economic shifts eventually shuttered the facility. The property sat vacant for years, with faded paint and crumbling structures serving as quiet monuments to simpler times before smartphones dominated family entertainment.

4. Funland Amusement Park – Las Vegas (Boulder Highway & Nellis)

Bright carnival lights once drew families to this neighborhood amusement spot on the east side of town. Funland provided a taste of traditional fairground excitement without the Strip prices, featuring classic rides and game booths.

Changing entertainment preferences and competition from larger venues led to declining attendance. The park eventually closed, leaving behind empty lots where laughter and carousel music once filled the desert air on warm evenings.

5. Bonnie Springs “Old Nevada” – Blue Diamond/Red Rock Area

Wooden sidewalks and rustic storefronts created an authentic Old West atmosphere just minutes from Red Rock Canyon. For decades, Bonnie Springs entertained visitors with staged shootouts, a petting zoo, and a restaurant serving hearty meals.

The property closed in 2019, ending an era of roadside Americana. Plans for redevelopment have surfaced, but the site remains largely untouched, its weathered buildings standing as testaments to Nevada’s colorful history and tourist past.

6. Old Vegas (Aka Westworld) – Henderson

Gunfights and saloon shows transported visitors to the Wild West at this Henderson attraction. Operating in the 1970s, Westworld offered an immersive experience with period costumes, stagecoach rides, and frontier-themed entertainment.

Financial difficulties and limited tourist traffic doomed the venture. The wooden structures weathered and decayed over decades, with desert winds and occasional rains gradually eroding what remained of this frontier fantasy frozen in time.

7. Ponderosa Ranch (Bonanza Theme Park) – Incline Village/Lake Tahoe

Television nostalgia came alive at this tribute to the beloved Bonanza series. Visitors could explore the Cartwright ranch house, watch Western shows, and enjoy Tahoe’s stunning scenery while reliving their favorite episodes.

Operating from 1968 to 2004, the park eventually succumbed to changing tourist interests. The property was sold and later cleared, though fans still make pilgrimages to the area, hoping to glimpse remnants of the Ponderosa they loved on screen.

8. Great Basin Adventure – Reno (Rancho San Rafael Park)

Adventure seekers once flocked to this attraction within Rancho San Rafael Park for outdoor thrills and educational exhibits. The facility aimed to showcase Nevada’s natural wonders while providing hands-on activities for families exploring the Reno area.

Limited funding and maintenance challenges led to closure. The park itself remains a beloved green space, but the adventure attraction components have been removed or left to deteriorate, gradually blending back into the surrounding landscape.

9. Coney Island Amusement Park (Wieland’s Park) – Sparks/Reno

Dating back to the early 1900s, this attraction brought East Coast carnival excitement to the Nevada desert. Wieland’s Park featured a dance pavilion, swimming facilities, and classic rides that drew crowds during Reno’s early boom years.

Changing entertainment trends and the Great Depression contributed to its decline. The property evolved through various uses over decades, but the original amusement park structures disappeared, leaving only faded photographs and nostalgic memories of Nevada’s entertainment heritage.

10. Belle Isle Amusement Grounds (Now Wingfield Park) – Reno

Situated along the Truckee River, Belle Isle offered swimming, picnicking, and entertainment during Reno’s frontier days. This early pleasure ground attracted locals seeking relief from summer heat and a taste of civilized recreation in the rugged West.

Urban development transformed the area into today’s Wingfield Park. While the amusement features vanished long ago, the riverside location still serves the community, hosting concerts and festivals where carnival rides once stood generations earlier.

11. Moana Springs Resort/Amusement Grounds – Reno

Natural hot springs created an oasis where Reno residents could soak away their troubles and enjoy simple pleasures. Moana Springs featured pools, picnic areas, and light amusement offerings throughout the early-to-mid 1900s.

Suburban development eventually consumed the property. The springs still exist beneath modern neighborhoods, but the resort buildings and amusement facilities disappeared decades ago, replaced by housing developments that few residents realize sit atop Nevada’s forgotten recreational past.

12. Lawton’s (Laughton’s) Hot Springs / River Inn Grounds – Reno

Another thermal oasis, Lawton’s attracted visitors seeking the therapeutic benefits of mineral-rich waters combined with recreational fun. The facility offered swimming, dining, and social gathering spaces during Nevada’s mining and railroad eras.

Like many hot springs resorts, it couldn’t compete with modern entertainment options. The property changed hands multiple times before closure, and today little remains visible of this once-popular destination where Nevadans gathered to relax and socialize.

13. Sundown Town (Old West Park) – Washoe Valley

Between Reno and Carson City, Sundown Town recreated frontier life with authentic-looking buildings and Western entertainment. Visitors could experience gunfight reenactments and explore a fabricated Old West town nestled in the scenic Washoe Valley landscape.

Limited visitor traffic and high operational costs forced closure. The structures gradually deteriorated, with Nevada’s harsh weather accelerating decay. Today, few traces remain of this roadside attraction that once broke up the highway journey with Old West nostalgia.

14. Playland Park (Idlewild Park) – Reno

Reno families created lasting memories at this local amusement spot that offered affordable fun for generations. Playland featured rides, games, and green spaces where communities gathered for summer outings and special celebrations throughout the mid-20th century.

Economic pressures and competition from modern entertainment venues led to its eventual closure. The property transitioned to other uses, but older Reno residents still recall the excitement of visiting Playland, when simpler pleasures defined childhood entertainment in northern Nevada.