The Best Abandoned Amusement Parks in Texas
What do a decrepit waterpark, a skull rock, and a swimming pig have in common? They’re all part of abandoned amusement parks in Texas.
Written by Macy Fouse
Reviewed by Kathleen Flear
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From Aquarena Springs— the former home of Ralph the swimming pig—and a spooky water park in
Odessa
, exploring these abandoned amusement parks in Texas could be more fun than the real thing. Ruins of ghost towns, derelict hospitals, and vacuous shopping malls are just a few examples of the abandoned places that attract today’s explorers. In a state as massive as
Texas
, you’re sure to stumble upon quite a few deserted locations—including several abandoned amusement parks. Before Six Flags and SeaWorld took over the Lone Star state, these amusement parks ruled the land.
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Water Wonderland
Built: 1980
Abandoned since: 2003
Summers in West Texas are downright brutal, so folks from the Midland-Odessa area and beyond flocked to the oasis of Water Wonderland for the last quarter of the 20th century. Built in 1980, Water Wonderland was every kid’s dream—a 16-acre water park with pools, slides, a lazy river, and even mini-golf.
Things got a bit shaky when the park filed for bankruptcy—a ride malfunctioned in 1996, causing a child to be injured and ending with a lawsuit. The park shut down officially in 2003 and has since turned into a wasteland. Many West Texan animals have made their home among the overgrowth and ruins and the site has been the target of vandals and graffiti artists alike.
In 2018, the property was bought with the goal of restoring the water park to its former glory while maintaining the nostalgia factor. Construction was slowed due to COVID-19, but the new owners hosted a massive Halloween party on the grounds in 2021 to celebrate what’s left of Water Wonderland’s eerie abandoned ambiance.
Adventure Pointe
Location: Texas City
Built: Started in 2012
Abandoned since: 2019
When news broke that Dr. Harvey E. Slusky and his wife Lisa would be opening up a 24-acre train-themed amusement park near the Tanger Outlet mall, residents of
Texas City
were thrilled. After the legendary AstroWorld shut down in 2005, locals were excited to experience the new and more modern theme park slated to open in 2015. Construction began on a plot between
Houston
and Galveston
on I-45 South, but it was slow-going from the start. After several years of waiting and waiting for the park to open—evidenced by impatient comments on the Adventure Pointe Facebook page
—construction seemed to stop completely in 2019.Dreams of the park’s intended rollercoasters, amphitheater, and elaborate entranceway culminated in a $10 million lawsuit filed by the Sluskys against their former attorney as well as the team of developers and architects for fraud.
In 2020, passers-by noticed new additions to the seemingly abandoned park’s half-built attractions, so there may be hope for Adventure Pointe’s future yet.
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Aquarena Springs
Location:
San Marcos
Built: 1950
Abandoned since: 1996
In its heyday, Aquarena Springs was one of America’s most famous and unique roadside attractions. Situated on the crystal clear waters of
San Marcos
Spring, Aquarena Springs was home to the “World’s Only Submarine Theater.” The park was a huge hit in the post-WWII era when road trip vacations
were all the rage. Aquarena Springs was truly one of a kind—where else could you find ballet performances, picnics, or a smoking Glurpo the Clown all underwater? One of the park’s biggest draws was Ralph the Swimming Pig, who frequently flipped fins with mermaids, ran down volcano ramps, and performed “swine dives” into the water.
Other attractions included the Swiss Skyride, an Old West-style village, an alligator pit, and glass-bottom boat rides. However, amusement park giants like Six Flags opened, and business started to decline.
Aquarena Springs closed for good when Texas State University purchased the land. TSU turned the land and dilapidated buildings into the
Meadows Center of Water and the Environment
, where they still run glass-bottom boat tours. While nature quickly took back over, a few remnants of Aquarena Springs remain to remind visitors of a bygone era.Hit the road with affordable car insurance
In a state as vast as Texas, making your way to these abandoned spots may mean spending hours on the road.
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FAQ
Are the abandoned amusement parks in Texas legal to visit?
It depends. While trespassers have been visiting Water Wonderland for years, you could get into serious trouble if you’re caught. Remember that Adventure Pointe is still an active construction site, so visiting is strictly forbidden. You can visit the grounds of the former Aquarena Springs by visiting TSU’s Meadows Center for Water and the Environment.
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