30 photos of abandoned amusement parks around the US that will give you the chills

Lia Ryerson,Frank OlitoJun 15, 2020, 20:58 IST

The vestiges of a ride.Seph Lawless

Photojournalist Seph Lawless has taken pictures of 10 abandoned theme parks around the US.
Some of the theme parks, like Lake Shawnee Park in West Virginia, closed down after guests died at the park.
The haunting pictures show graffiti, decrepit rides, and overgrown greenery.

When you think of theme parks, your mind probably goes straight to the modern rides of Disney World, but there are some amusement parks around the country that have been left completely abandoned and decrepit.

Seph Lawless has made a career of documenting urban decay and abandoned places in America and beyond. Over the years, he's visited a number of abandoned theme parks in the US — and the photos are haunting.

Check out the 30 photos below to see the eerie remains of 10 different neglected parks for yourself.

The Enchanted Forest Playland in Ohio only ran for five years before shutting down.

The Enchanted Forest in Toledo, Ohio. Seph Lawless

The park's owner has been selling the remaining equipment and rides in the hopes of getting out of debt.

This clown ride is for sale. Seph Lawless

Small entertainment venues like the Fun Spot Amusement Park in Indiana were the precursors to the corporate theme parks in operation today.

The Calypso ride. Seph Lawless

The family-owned park boasted unique rides and a remote location.

The five interlaced Olympic circles can be seen on the ride. Seph Lawless

At one point, the Fun Spot was doing well enough to add a waterpark and a zoo ...

Fun Spot Amusement Park and Zoo in Indiana. Seph Lawless

... but as mega-venues like Six Flags, Kings Island, and Cedar Point started to thrive, the Fun Spot's popularity dwindled.

An abandoned ride at the Fun Spot. Seph Lawless

The park shut its doors in 2008, 52 years after its debut.

The Fun Spot in Indiana. Seph Lawless

This Six Flags theme park in New Orleans, Louisiana, was ravaged and subsequently abandoned after Hurricane Katrina hit in 2005.

Roller coaster to nowhere. Seph Lawless

The park, which was originally called "Jazzland," was built in 2000 before Six Flags acquired it in 2002.

The vestiges of a ride. Seph Lawless

The decaying rides and apocalyptic landscapes serve as an eerie reminder of the hurricane's devastation.

Deserted bumper cars. Seph Lawless

There's been talk of rehabilitation, but the park still remains in shambles.

Ghost ride. Seph Lawless

Once the largest theme park in Central Kansas, The Joyland Amusement Park was home to one of the last surviving original wooden coasters.

The 1949-era wooden roller coaster. Seph Lawless

In April 2004, a 13-year-old girl fell 30 feet from the Ferris wheel and was gravely injured. The park had to close for an investigation of the incident.

The scene of the accident, 14 years later. Seph Lawless

It never reopened, and it has been repeatedly targeted by vandals since its closure.

A corroded ride. Seph Lawless

Walt Disney World's first water park opened in 1976 in Orlando, Florida.

A crumbling bridge. Seph Lawless

As attendance dwindled, Disney decided to let the park deteriorate rather than demolish it.

Vines and moss cover the landscape. Seph Lawless

Lawless hopes that Disney will repurpose the land in the park to be more hospitable to surrounding wildlife.

An abandoned hutch. Seph Lawless

Bushkill Park in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, is yet another park that fell victim to flooding.

Bushkill Park. Seph Lawless

Of the park's 17 vintage attractions, 14 have been sold.

The Bar'l of Fun was featured on a Discovery Channel special in 1997. Seph Lawless

The park has reopened for special occasions, such as the owner's 115th birthday, over the years, although the rides are still not operational.

Landlocked boats. Seph Lawless

A fire, rather than a twister, meant the end of The Land of Oz theme park in North Carolina.

The dilapidated yellow brick road. Seph Lawless

Even though the attraction shut down, the park hasn't been completely abandoned, as it's home to annual local events.

Decaying attractions. Seph Lawless

The remains of Chippewa Lake Park are hidden on a lake shore in Medina, Ohio.

Chippewa Lake Park. Seph Lawless

The park, which operated from 1878 to 1978, is now overgrown.

Neglected rides. Seph Lawless

Established in 1887, Geauga Lake was an amusement park in Aurora, Ohio.

Geauga Lake. Seph Lawless

The park went through several acquisitions and was even billed as a "Wildwater Kingdom" from 2004 to 2007.

Trees around the attractions. Seph Lawless

However, it closed in 2008.

The amusement park closed before the waterpark. Seph Lawless

Lake Shawnee Park in West Virginia was shut down in 1966 after two young patrons died on site — and now it's believed to be cursed.

The park is said to be rife with ghost activity. Seph Lawless

The park's owner reopened the venue for three years before it ceased operations once more.

The skeleton of the Ferris wheel. Seph Lawless

Today, Lake Shawnee Park is a huge draw for paranormal investigators.

The haunted swings. Seph Lawless

6 salads you should always order and 6 you can probably skip, according to chefs

Cookies on the Business Insider India website