The familiar screams of delight from roller coaster riders will soon fall silent at Six Flags America, where the scent of caramel popcorn and cotton candy has wafted through the midway for generations. The Upper Marlboro amusement park — a fixture of Maryland’s entertainment landscape since 1973 — will permanently close its gates at the end of the 2025 season.
Six Flags Inc. announced the strategic decision to shutter the Maryland location as part of a company-wide initiative. Financial challenges and shifting entertainment trends contributed to this decision, ending the run of a park that began as Wild World in 1973 before eventual rebranding under the Six Flags banner.
For thrill-seekers planning a last visit, the park will operate normally through the entire 2025 summer season. This final run offers visitors the chance to experience signature attractions like the Superman: Ride of Steel coaster and the heart-pounding Firebird one last time before the mechanical beasts fall silent. The cool rush of wind and momentary weightlessness of these rides will soon become just memories for Maryland families.
The closure reflects broader industry shifts as regional amusement parks face growing competition from destination resorts and changing entertainment preferences, while other locations in the chain like Six Flags Over Texas move forward with cashless systems and new chaperone policies to enhance guest safety and convenience starting March 22, 2025.
Located just 20 miles east of Washington D.C., the park has long served as a regional entertainment hub for Maryland, Virginia, and District residents. Its absence will create a void in the local tourism landscape, particularly affecting seasonal employment and nearby businesses that rely on park visitors. The sudden quiet after years of summer bustle will transform this corner of Prince George’s County.
The closure reflects broader industry shifts as regional amusement parks face growing competition from destination resorts and changing entertainment preferences. Six Flags has yet to announce specific plans for the property after closure, leaving questions about potential redevelopment opportunities for this significant parcel of land near the nation’s capital.
While the park never developed a distinctive culinary identity beyond standard theme park fare like funnel cakes and turkey legs, its location provided easy access to Maryland’s renowned seafood scene. Visitors combining park trips with regional exploration can still discover the state’s famous blue crab and Old Bay seasoning at nearby restaurants.
For families and thrill-seekers seeking alternatives, Kings Dominion in Virginia and Hersheypark in Pennsylvania stand ready within a few hours’ drive. Closer cultural options include the Smithsonian museums, National Mall, and historic Annapolis, all providing day-trip possibilities within easy reach of the D.C. metro area.
After your final coaster ride, consider stopping at Fisherman’s Inn in nearby Grasonville where the panoramic water views complement their signature crab soup, a warming blend of Maryland’s seafood tradition in every spoonful. The combination of amusement park memories and regional flavors creates the perfect farewell to this Maryland institution.
As this Maryland landmark prepares for its final season, longtime visitors have one last summer to create memories before this chapter of regional entertainment history closes permanently. The symphony of joyful screams, mechanical whirs, and calliope music that has defined summer fun for generations will play its final movement in 2025, but the flavors and culture of the region will continue to welcome visitors long after the rides have stopped.
