Abandoned Smoky Mountain Theme Park Is Literally a ‘Ghost Town’

Just out of curiosity, it would be fun to see travelers' itineraries when they go to East Tennessee. Between Gatlinburg, Pigeon Forge, Sevierville, and more than just a few hidden gems across the state line in North Carolina, there would appear to be much more to do than you could squeeze into a week.

You might think that, with all there is to accomplish on such a vacation, checking out an abandoned property would either be at the bottom of the list or not on it at all. But this one is an old theme park, and the "eerie factor" might just be enough for a visitor to give it some time.

The Creepy Theme Park 'Ghost Town in the Sky'

I mentioned North Carolina earlier. Well, the old theme park in question is IN the Tar Heel State and sees its fair share of traffic.

Of all the abandoned properties you could visit, I put theme parks at the top of my "super creepy" list. I think theme parks are creepy when they're merely closed for the season, let alone still standing long after their commercial lives came to an end.

The History of Ghost Town in the Sky

Ghost Town in the Sky opened in Maggie Valley NC in 1961. Much like Lookout Mountain in Chattanooga, guests would ride an incline railway up to the park. Later, a two-seat chair lift was added.

For decades it was a rousing success, but by the late 1980s, it had fallen into decline. This happened after it was sold in the 1970s and reopened in 1986. By the end of the 1990s, mechanical issues plagued many of the rides, leading to their frequent closure. Consequently, crowds diminished. And then, in 2002, the chair lift broke down, leaving passengers stranded for hours in the summer heat. That, as they say, was that.

Ghost Town in the Sky Has Reopened and Reclosed Multiple Times

There WAS yet another attempt to bring it back in the late 2000s.

In 2010, a retaining wall on the mountain gave way which led to a mudslide and another closure. Since that time, more plans to resurrect Ghost Town in the Sky have surfaced, and the property is on the market even today.

In none of the information I found about the park did I see anyone say the word "cursed," but you couldn't blame them if they did.

If the right person gets a hold of this property, look out. Despite years and years of calamity, there's still so much potential there. And for that part of the country, a theme park on top of a mountain just makes sense.

I wish them well...whoever "them" turns out to be.

EDITOR'S NOTE: Townsquare Media discourages the investigation of abandoned property without the express permission of the property owner or owners.