Six Flags Is Closing Another Amusement Park Location & It's The Only One In Its State

Just months after announcing the likely closure in 2028 of California's iconic Great America amusement park, Six Flags Entertainment Corporation has announced it will shutter another location even sooner. After some 25 years of business, Six Flags America and its Hurricane Harbor water park in Bowie, Maryland, will be closing on November 2, 2025. The location first opened in the Woodmore area as a wildlife experience in 1974, then morphed into the Six Flags theme park in 1999.

Six Flags' CEO Richard Zimmerman explained that the park no longer fits into the company's long-term plans, and the around 500-acre property will be slated for redevelopment instead. The company currently has around 70 full-time staff working at the location, and they'll be offered severance pay and benefits. "This was a difficult decision, and we recognize the impact it will have on our Six Flags America and Hurricane Harbor park associates and guests," Zimmerman said in the official press release.

Don't worry if you already bought season passes — the company confirmed that all 2025 passes and tickets remain valid through the final day. Although, since it's closing just after the Halloween season, Six Flags has also called off its popular Fright Fest celebration. Pass holders willing to make the three-hour trek can instead get tickets to Fright Fest at Six Flags Great Adventure in New Jersey.

This is a pretty big bummer for Maryland residents, since Six Flags America is the state's only location. The DC Comics-themed park is also home to historic attractions, like the wooden roller coaster known as the Wild One, originally built in 1917. The closure will mean goodbye, at least temporarily, to other classic rides, like Roar, The Penguin's Blizzard River, and Superman: Ride of Steel. The company told People that it's not sure what it will do with the rides just yet, so it's possible they could reappear in other park locations in the future.

Unfortunately, while the park isn't officially closing until November, many fans say the signs of winding down are already showing. Recent visitor reviews and online comments have noted parts of the park are already closed off and several rides not running. "You can tell this park is being sold at the end of the season," one Google review said. "The maintenance is not being done. Many coasters [are] not running." Another reviewer added, "Took 2 vacation days and drove over 5 hours to ride [the] Superman coaster but it was in the closed section of [the] park." On Facebook, one disappointed fan said, "They've just given up. I should have gone early in the season."

At least for Six Flags superfans, options like Six Flags Great Adventure in New Jersey, Six Flags New England, and Six Flags Over Georgia are still up and running — although that requires traveling out of state. But if you missed out on final farewells to your favorite rides at Six Flags America, there are some fun alternative parks throughout Maryland worth checking out.

For classic amusement park fun, including roller coasters, bumper cars, a Ferris wheel, and more, Maryland residents can visit Jolly Roger Amusement Park and Splash Mountain Water Park right on the popular old-school Ocean City Boardwalk. Both have been open for more than 50 years, becoming a favorite family destination for thrills on the East Coast. The boardwalk is also home to Trimper Rides, one of the oldest amusement parks in the state. A bit closer in Monrovia (just over an hour's drive from Six Flags America) is Adventure Park USA. This 17.5‑acre park features roller coasters (like Wildcat and Tumbleweed), a sprawling go‑kart track complex, mini‑golf, ropes courses, laser tag, and a giant arcade. An unlimited all-day pass for weekends is around $60, which seems on par with Six Flags America's daily ticket price.

For true theme park scale, Maryland residents often head out of state. Hersheypark, the popular amusement park beloved by sweet tooths, is less than three hours away in Pennsylvania and offers world-class coasters, a water park, and chocolate-themed attractions. In Virginia, just south of Richmond, Kings Dominion features more than 60 rides and a waterpark, plus shows and entertainment for the whole family.

While losing Six Flags America undoubtedly leaves a thrill-sized hole in Maryland's entertainment scene, residents still have solid alternatives, from classic coaster rides in Ocean City and Monrovia to iconic regional theme parks within driving distance. And within Maryland, smaller but still-entertaining options, like Chesapeake Beach Water Park (reopening in 2026) and the regional water park in Bohrer Park in Gaithersburg, offer a place to cool off closer to home during summer months.