Exploring Abandoned Amusement Parks In Pennsylvania’s Past
Pennsylvania holds secrets from a time when carousels spun and roller coasters roared with laughter. Many amusement parks that once brought joy to families now sit silent, frozen in memories of cotton candy and summer days.
I’m taking you on a journey through these forgotten wonderlands where nature has reclaimed what was once filled with screams of delight. Get ready to explore the ghostly remains of places where fun never dies, just fades into history!
1. West View Park, West View
Opening in 1906, this park became Pittsburgh’s playground for over seven decades. People danced in the grand ballroom and screamed on the Dips roller coaster every summer weekend.
By 1977, attendance dropped and the park shut down forever, leaving behind empty concession stands and silent carousels. Today, a shopping center occupies most of the land, but traces of the park’s foundation remain visible.
Old-timers still remember the smell of popcorn and the sound of the bandstand music. Those memories refuse to fade even when the physical park disappeared completely.
2. Shohola Glen Amusement Park, Shohola Township
Nestled in a natural glen near a waterfall, this park opened in 1894 and attracted visitors with its scenic beauty. The setting felt magical with water rushing nearby while children played on simple attractions.
After closing in the 1920s, the forest reclaimed the land quickly, hiding most evidence of the park’s existence. Only stone foundations and old photographs remind us of what once stood here.
Hikers occasionally stumble upon mysterious concrete slabs hidden beneath decades of leaves. It’s like discovering a secret that the woods have been keeping all along.
3. Angela Park, Drums
Angela Park was a small amusement park in Drums, Pennsylvania, that opened in the mid-20th century. It catered mainly to local residents, featuring rides, games, and seasonal events.
Economic pressures and declining attendance caused the park to close, leaving behind only traces of its foundations and signage. The site remains a point of interest for urban explorers and local historians.
4. Rocky Glen Park, Moosic
From 1886 until 1987, Rocky Glen Park thrilled generations with its natural beauty and exciting rides. The park featured a stunning natural gorge that made it unique compared to flat amusement parks elsewhere.
Financial troubles and changing entertainment preferences forced the park to close after a century of operation. Visitors can still hike the gorge today, discovering rusted ride parts and crumbling buildings hidden by vegetation.
The natural setting remains gorgeous even though the manufactured fun has disappeared completely. Sometimes I think the gorge itself was always the real attraction anyway, not the rides.
5. White Swan Park, Moon Township
Opening in 1891 along Montour Run, White Swan Park offered swimming, boating, and amusement rides to Pittsburgh-area families. The park’s natural swimming hole was its biggest draw during hot Pennsylvania summers.
By 1930, the park had closed as the Great Depression squeezed family budgets and entertainment spending. Today, the area has returned to nature with only stone walls and foundations marking the park’s location.
Local creek explorers sometimes find old bottles and ride parts buried in the streambed. These artifacts serve as tiny time capsules from an era of simpler pleasures and weekend adventures.
6. Bushkill Park, Easton
Unlike most parks on this list, Bushkill Park operated until 2004, making its abandonment feel more recent. The park opened in 1902 and featured a beloved wooden roller coaster that generations of families rode together.
Financial difficulties and declining attendance forced closure despite attempts to keep the park running through volunteers. Walking through the abandoned grounds today feels incredibly sad because many people still remember visiting just years ago.
The carousel horses stand frozen mid-gallop, paint peeling but still recognizable as the magical steeds they once were. Hope remains that someday someone might restore this relatively modern ghost park.
7. Williams Grove Amusement Park, Mechanicsburg
Back in 1850, this place started as a simple picnic grove before transforming into a thrilling amusement destination. Families flocked here for decades to ride the famous Cyclone roller coaster and enjoy classic carnival games.
When the gates closed in 2005, everything stopped like someone hit pause on a movie. Rides still stand today, covered in vines and rust, creating an eerie time capsule.
Nature slowly swallows the wooden structures while memories linger in every creaky board. It’s both beautiful and haunting to imagine the laughter that once echoed here.
