30 Theme Parks That Were Left Abandoned And Possibly Haunted

17. Lake Shawnee Amusement Park – West Virginia, USA: Where Fun Turned to Folklore

Tucked away in the rural hills of Mercer County, West Virginia, Lake Shawnee Amusement Park is one of America’s most famously haunted abandoned attractions—a chilling blend of tragic history, urban legend, and rusting carnival rides. Built in the 1920s on land with a dark past, the park's eerie vibe goes far beyond its overgrown paths and crumbling swings. The story begins long before the park’s construction. The land was the site of a violent 18th-century conflict between settlers and Native Americans, including the documented killing of several members of the Clay family. In the 1920s, entrepreneur C.T. Snidow opened the amusement park to entertain local coal mining families. It featured a swimming pool, a dance hall, a ferris wheel, and a swing ride. But tragedy struck again—two children died on the property in separate accidents, including a little girl who was killed on the swing ride that still stands today, eerily still in the breeze. By the 1960s, the park closed for good—only to gain infamy decades later when the land was excavated, revealing Native American burial sites beneath the surface. Paranormal investigators, television crews, and thrill-seekers have since flocked to Lake Shawnee, drawn by ghost stories and its sinister atmosphere. Many report unexplained voices, cold spots, and the sensation of being watched. Today, the rusting Ferris wheel and that infamous swing ride stand as silent witnesses to the tragedies of the past. The park opens occasionally for haunted tours, allowing brave visitors to walk among the ruins and decide for themselves if Lake Shawnee is merely abandoned—or something far more haunted.