End of the ride as Six Flags America permanently closes in Bowie
BOWIE, MD – The gates closed for the final time Sunday night at Six Flags America, ending a 50-year run filled with roller coasters, water slides, and family memories in Prince George’s County.
Originally opened in 1974 as The Wildlife Preserve, the 131-acre amusement park changed hands and names several times before becoming Six Flags America in 1999. Now, after decades as a regional entertainment staple, the park is permanently shut down and will be placed on the market for redevelopment.
Crowds gathered over the weekend to bid farewell. Many visitors reflected on childhood visits, birthday traditions, and summers spent on thrill rides like Superman: Ride of Steel, Batwing, and Harley Quinn. The park featured more than 100 attractions, including its adjacent Hurricane Harbor Water Park, which closed permanently on September 6.
Six Flags, the parent company, announced the closure earlier this year on May 1, citing long-term strategic changes. No details have been released on who might purchase the land or how it could be redeveloped.
The closure drew former season pass holders and first-time visitors alike to Bowie for one last experience. From birthday celebrations to adrenaline-fueled bungee jumps, guests marked their final moments with photos, nostalgia, and stories of summers past.
With the property’s fate now in transition, all that remains are the memories for generations of families who made Six Flags America a part of their lives.
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