After half a century of screams, splashes and summer fun, Six Flags America in Bowie, Maryland has officially closed for good. On Sunday, November 2, the 131-acre park and its adjoining Hurricane Harbor water park welcomed visitors one last time, marking the end of a 51-year run.
Originally opened in 1974 as The Wildlife Preserve, a drive-through safari partially backed by Ross Perot, the property transformed over the decades into a full-scale amusement park. Known later as Wild World, then Adventure World and finally joining the Six Flags family in 1999, it became a fixture for D.C.-area families and out-of-town thrill-seekers alike.
Crowds poured in on closing day, with two-hour wait times for fan-favorite rides like Superman: Ride of Steel and The Wild One, a 108-year-old wooden coaster with roller coaster landmark status. Even as the park’s app flashed “Closed Forever,” diehards queued up for one last rush of nostalgia.
"The atmosphere felt like a celebration of life versus a funeral and I'm glad the park went out on a high note with so many people enjoying themselves on closing day," a fan wrote on Reddit.
For many, the closure is personal. The park was one of the few mid-size amusement parks left serving the Mid-Atlantic, offering a more accessible alternative to Cedar Point or Busch Gardens.
"Six Flags America is now officially closed forever. If you need me, I will be crying in bed for the rest of the night," another fan posted on X.
Six Flags America’s farewell message was simple but heartfelt: “Thank you, Six Flags America fans, for 50 years of family fun. We will always cherish the memories made together.”
The park’s closure is part of Six Flags’ restructuring efforts following its 2024 merger with Cedar Fair, which created one of the largest amusement park chains in North America. CEO Richard A. Zimmerman said the Maryland park “was not a strategic fit with the company’s long-term growth plan,” confirming that the property will be “marketed for redevelopment.”
Fans, however, are less focused on corporate strategy and more concerned about legacy. Roller coaster enthusiasts are calling for the preservation or relocation of The Wild One and Firebird (originally Illinois’ Iron Wolf, the first coaster built by Swiss manufacturer B&M). "The Wild One roller coaster at Six Flags America is 108 years old. It *must* be saved from demolition," said one fan.
Now, the gates are locked and the coasters are quiet, but thought The Wild One is no longer rolling, the memories remain.