Amusement parks are supposed to be places of joy and laughter, where families create lasting memories and thrill-seekers get their adrenaline fix. But some of these seemingly innocent entertainment venues carry darker histories that refuse to stay buried. From tragic accidents to unexplained phenomena, certain parks have earned reputations for paranormal activity that rivals any horror movie.
These haunted amusement parks continue welcoming visitors during regular operating hours, though some guests report experiences they never bargained for. Here is a list of 20 amusement parks across America where the past seems reluctant to let go.
Knoebels Amusement Resort, Pennsylvania
This family-owned park in Elysburg has operated since 1926, making it one of America’s oldest continuously running amusement parks. Visitors and staff regularly report seeing the ghost of a young girl in vintage clothing near the old wooden coasters.
The apparition appears most frequently during evening hours, often waving at riders before vanishing into thin air.
Lake Compounce, Connecticut
America’s oldest continuously operating amusement park dates back to 1846, giving it plenty of time to accumulate supernatural residents. The most famous ghost is a Native American chief who allegedly appears near the lake during misty evenings.
Park employees have also reported strange occurrences in the vintage carousel building, including unexplained music playing after hours.
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Kennywood, Pennsylvania
Located in West Mifflin, this historic park has entertained visitors since 1899, and apparently, some spirits refuse to leave. The Thunderbolt roller coaster is said to be haunted by a maintenance worker who died in an accident decades ago.
Riders occasionally report seeing a figure in work clothes standing near the tracks, only to have him disappear when they look again.
Cedar Point, Ohio
This Sandusky park bills itself as ‘America’s Roller Coast,’ but it might also qualify as one of its most haunted. The vintage Magnum XL-200 coaster allegedly hosts the spirit of a young man who fell to his death years ago.
Staff members have reported unexplained cold spots throughout the park and have caught mysterious figures on security cameras after closing time.
Six Flags Over Georgia, Georgia
The Austell location of this popular chain has a particularly active paranormal reputation. The Monster Mansion dark ride reportedly houses actual spirits alongside its artificial scares.
Maintenance crews working late shifts have reported that tools move on their own and disembodied voices echo through empty attractions.
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Busch Gardens Williamsburg, Virginia
This beautifully themed park in James City County sits on land with a long and sometimes tragic history. The Curse of DarKastle attraction has attracted real supernatural activity, with guests reporting unexplained touches and whispers during the ride. Some visitors claim to see colonial-era figures wandering the park grounds after dark.
Dollywood, Tennessee
Even Dolly Parton’s cheerful theme park in Pigeon Forge has its share of ghostly residents. The vintage Dollywood Express train allegedly carries spectral passengers from the area’s railroad history.
Engineers have spotted figures in period clothing standing along the tracks, particularly near the old mining areas of the park.
Kings Island, Ohio
This Mason Park features one of the most famous amusement park ghosts in America. The spirit known as ‘Tram Girl’ allegedly died in an accident involving the park’s tram system decades ago.
Visitors report seeing a young woman in a vintage uniform near the tram loading area, especially during rainy weather.
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Knott’s Berry Farm, California
Long before this Buena Park venue became famous for its Halloween events, it earned a reputation for year-round supernatural activity. The vintage stagecoach ride allegedly follows routes once traveled by real outlaws and pioneers.
Guests sometimes report seeing riders in period clothing who seem far too realistic to be actors.
Elitch Gardens, Colorado
Denver’s premier amusement park relocated from its original location, but some spirits made the move too. The vintage carousel features horses that allegedly move on their own after closing time.
Security guards have captured footage of the carousel slowly turning with no one operating the controls.
Lagoon Amusement Park, Utah
This Farmington park has been in operation since 1886, accumulating numerous ghost stories over its long history. The old funhouse is said to host the spirit of a carnival worker who died in an accident many years ago.
Visitors sometimes hear unexplained laughter and carnival music coming from the building even when it’s closed.
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Playland Park, New York
Located in Rye, this Art Deco park from 1928 has maintained much of its vintage charm along with some uninvited residents. The Dragon Coaster allegedly carries the ghost of a young boy who fell from the ride decades ago.
Operators report seeing a small figure in the front car during test runs when the park is closed.
Camden Park, West Virginia
This family-owned park in Huntington has operated since 1903, making it rich with history and apparently spirits. The vintage Big Dipper wooden coaster reportedly hosts multiple ghosts from various accidents over the decades.
Maintenance workers have reported tools mysteriously moving and unexplained voices calling their names during late-night repairs.
Conneaut Lake Park, Pennsylvania
Despite financial struggles over the years, this historic park continues operating while hosting some very persistent spirits. The vintage Blue Streak coaster allegedly carries the ghost of a maintenance worker who died while making repairs.
Riders report seeing a figure in coveralls standing near the tracks, particularly during evening operations.
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Trimper’s Rides, Maryland
Ocean City’s historic boardwalk amusement area has entertained visitors since 1893, and apparently, some guests have never left. The vintage Herschell-Spillman carousel is believed to feature horses that move on their own after hours.
The antique carousel music has been heard playing at full volume with no one operating the machinery.
Santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk, California
This iconic California boardwalk has operated since 1907, long enough to accumulate several resident spirits. The vintage Giant Dipper coaster allegedly hosts the ghost of a young woman in 1920s attire.
She’s most commonly spotted in the front car during evening rides, smiling and waving before vanishing completely.
Adventureland, Iowa
This Altoona park has maintained its family-friendly atmosphere since 1974, though some uninvited guests seem to have moved in permanently. The vintage carousel building allegedly experiences unexplained temperature drops and mysterious music after closing time.
Staff members have reported seeing figures in period clothing reflected in the carousel mirrors.
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Silverwood Theme Park, Idaho
Located in Athol, this park sits on land with a rich logging history that left some spirits behind. The vintage steam train reportedly carries ghostly passengers from the area’s railroad past.
Engineers have spotted figures in period clothing standing along the tracks, particularly near the old mining equipment displays.
Beech Bend Amusement Park, Kentucky
This Bowling Green park has operated in various incarnations since the 1940s, accumulating supernatural residents along the way. The vintage wooden coaster allegedly hosts the spirit of a carnival worker who died in an accident decades ago.
Maintenance crews report unexplained voices and tools mysteriously moving during late-night work sessions.
Seabreeze Amusement Park, New York
Rochester’s historic park has operated since 1879, making it one of the oldest continuously running amusement parks in the world. The vintage Jack Rabbit coaster allegedly carries the ghost of a young man who fell to his death in the early 1900s.
Operators report seeing a figure in period clothing in the front car during test runs when the park is empty.
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Where Fun Meets the Supernatural
These haunted amusement parks prove that entertainment venues can harbor more than just cotton candy and carousel music. While most visitors experience nothing more supernatural than a good scare on a roller coaster, others report encounters that defy explanation.
The spirits that allegedly inhabit these parks seem drawn to places where strong emotions, such as joy, fear, and excitement, create lasting impressions. Whether you believe in ghosts or not, these parks offer a unique blend of thrills that extend beyond their manufactured attractions.
The real magic of amusement parks lies not just in their ability to create new memories but in their power to preserve old ones forever.
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