Six Flags America facts for kids

Quick facts for kids
Six Flags America

Previously known as The Wildlife Preserve (1974–1978) Wild Country (1978–1981) Wild World (1982–1992) Adventure World (1993–1998)
An aerial view of the park in 2016
Location	Woodmore, Maryland, U.S.
Coordinates	38°54′22″N 76°46′21″W / 38.90611°N 76.77250°W / 38.90611; -76.77250
Status	Operating
Opened	July 15, 1974; 51 years ago (1974-07-15)
Owner	Six Flags
General manager	Ramar Vaughan
Slogan	Thrill Capital of DC
Operating season	April through October
Area	523 acres (212 ha) (131 acres (53 ha) currently used for park operations)
Attractions
Total	28 (as of September 2025)
Roller coasters	8

Six Flags America is a fun amusement park in Woodmore, Maryland, USA. It is owned by Six Flags and is close to Washington, D.C.. The park covers about 131 acres. It used to have a water park called Hurricane Harbor Maryland.

The park first opened in 1974 as a wildlife center. It was a drive-through safari called The Largo Wildlife Preserve. Over time, it changed from a wildlife park into a theme park. It was known as Wild World and then Adventure World. In 1999, it became Six Flags America. The name "America" was chosen because it is near the U.S. capital. The park's entrance has buildings that look like they are from colonial times.

Six Flags announced on May 1, 2025, that Six Flags America will close after the 2025 season on November 2, 2025. Its water park, Hurricane Harbor Maryland, permanently closed earlier on September 6, 2025.

Park History and Changes

Early Days as a Wildlife Park

The Wildlife Preserve logo from 1974

In 1971, animal trainers Frank and William Stephenson wanted to open an animal park. They got help from Ross Perot to buy land in Maryland. The park was announced in 1972.

In 1973, ABC took over the plans. The park, called The Wildlife Preserve, opened on July 15, 1974. It was a place where visitors could drive through and see animals. The park hoped for many visitors, but not enough people came.

By 1976, the park closed because it was not making enough money. The animals found new homes in zoos and other wildlife parks. In 1978, Jim Fowler from Wild Kingdom bought the land. He planned to reopen it with train tours and a children's area. However, the park stayed closed due to money problems.

Becoming Wild World

Original Wild World Logo from 1988

In 1980, local business people bought the safari park. They invested money to make it bigger. The park was renamed Wild World and opened on June 26, 1982. It still had the animal safari, but also added three flat rides, two kids' rides, and a carousel. Four tube waterslides and a children's water play area were also added.

In 1983, more rides were added, like the High Seas pirate ship. The water park grew with more slides and a large wave pool called 'Wild Wave'. A safety incident occurred in the wave pool that summer, leading to important safety changes. The animal safari closed, and the animals were moved after the 1983 season.

By 1984, the park focused more on water attractions. Many adult rides were put away. A new stadium and more water slides were built. The park did well on hot days but struggled in cooler weather.

In 1985, the stored rides were brought back. The park wanted a big wooden rollercoaster. They found an old coaster from another park. It was called the "Giant Coaster" and had been running since 1917. Wild World bought it and renamed it "The Wild One". It opened in 1986 and is still a popular ride today. A smaller coaster for kids was also added.

More water attractions were added in 1987, including a lazy river. In 1988, the park got new buildings and more flat rides. A log flume and a family raft waterslide came in 1989. By 1991, the park had maintenance issues with some rides and was put up for sale.

Adventure World Era

Adventure World logo from a ticket stub

In 1992, Tierco Group Inc. bought Wild World. They renamed it Adventure World in 1994. New rides were added, including a second big rollercoaster called Python. This coaster came from another Six Flags park. A water ride called Shipwreck Falls, with a 45-foot drop, was also added. Adventure World was recognized as a greatly improved amusement park.

Adventure World in 1996

In 1995, the Mind Eraser rollercoaster opened. It was an inverted coaster with loops. A free-fall drop tower called the Tower of Doom (now Voodoo Drop) was added in 1996. In 1997, the water park was updated with new slides and a remodeled children's area.

Becoming Six Flags America

Premier Parks bought the Six Flags company in 1998. That year, a new wooden roller coaster called Roar opened at Adventure World. At the end of 1998, it was announced that Adventure World would become Six Flags America for the 1999 season. The park officially changed its name on October 28, 1998. This change meant the park could use popular characters like the Looney Tunes and DC Comics heroes.

New areas were added, like Gotham City, based on the fictional city from DC Comics. Three new coasters opened: Two Face: The Flip Side, The Joker's Jinx, and Great Chase. The Python coaster was closed.

Roar, a wooden roller coaster, opened in 1998.

Six Flags America - The Mind Eraser

In 2000, the big Superman: Ride of Steel hypercoaster opened. The next year, Batwing, a Batman-themed flying coaster, opened in Gotham City. A bungee ride called Skycoaster also opened. More flat rides were added in 2002, and a river rapids ride called Blizzard River in 2003. In 2005, the Paradise Island water park became Six Flags Hurricane Harbor. It got a new Tornado water slide and other updates. The Halfpipe water slide was added in 2008.

In 2010, the Hurricane Bay wave pool area was improved. Also, the Thomas Town family area opened with eight rides based on Thomas the Tank Engine. This was the park's biggest expansion in over ten years. However, the Thomas the Tank Engine theme was removed in 2011. The area was renamed Whistlestop Park.

In 2012, the park added Apocalypse, a stand-up roller coaster. It had two loops and a ten-story drop. This coaster had previously operated at another Six Flags park.

In 2013, the Bonzai Pipelines water slide complex was added to Hurricane Harbor.

In 2014, a section of the park was re-themed to Mardi Gras. This area got a new rollercoaster called Ragin' Cajun and Flying Scooters called French Quarter Flyers. Ragin' Cajun also came from another Six Flags park. The Mardi Gras area replaced Southwest Territory, and existing rides were renamed. For example, Tower of Doom became Voodoo Drop.

A flat ride called Bourbon Street Fireball was added in 2015. In 2016, a new family water play structure, Splashwater Falls, was added to Hurricane Harbor.

On September 1, 2016, Six Flags America announced a new ride: Wonder Woman: Lasso of Truth. This Starflyer ride is 24 stories tall, making it the tallest ride in the park.

In 2018, Apocalypse was changed into a floorless coaster and renamed Firebird for the 2019 season.

In 2023, the park's Hurricane Harbor water park received RipQurl Blaster. This was the tallest water coaster in the Washington D.C. area.

Park Closure

In July 2024, Six Flags and Cedar Fair amusement park companies merged. The new company decided to make changes to its parks. On May 1, 2025, Six Flags announced that Six Flags America would close as part of these changes. Six Flags America is scheduled to have its final operating day on November 2, 2025. Its water park, Hurricane Harbor Maryland, permanently closed on September 6, 2025.

Park Location

The park is in Upper Marlboro, Maryland. It is about 15 miles (24 km) east of Washington, D.C. and 30 miles (48 km) southwest of Baltimore. The park covers 523 acres (212 ha). About 131 acres (53 ha) are currently used for rides and attractions.

Themed Areas

Six Flags America has seven themed areas. These areas are inspired by different parts of the United States and fictional places like Gotham City.

Main Street 1776

Main Street 1776 looks like Colonial North America during the American Revolution. The buildings have a colonial style and hold shops and restaurants. A copy of the Liberty Bell is at the street's entrance.

Chesapeake

In Chesapeake, guests can enjoy themes about life on the Chesapeake Bay. It features decorations like Life Savers and fishing nets. This area is home to the Firebird and Roar roller coasters.

Olde Boston

This area has a colonial theme.

Looney Tunes Movie Town

Looney Tunes Movie Town is inspired by the Looney Tunes cartoons from the 1930s and 1940s. Guests can visit the homes of characters like Bugs Bunny and Granny. The "town" features the Great Chase, a children's coaster.

Mardi Gras

This area used to be called South West Territory. Mardi Gras is themed like a year-round New Orleans Mardi Gras celebration. It was added in 2014. This land features the Ragin' Cajun, a wild mouse coaster. It also has The Wild One, a wooden coaster that turned 100 years old in 2017.

Gotham City

Added in 2000, Gotham City lets guests experience the dark, industrial city from DC Comics. Guests can ride The Joker's Jinx coaster or soar high on Superman - Ride of Steel.

SteamTown

This area recreates the pioneer days of the American frontier. It was formerly called Coyote Creek. SteamTown has a steampunk theme with updated rides and shops. It opened in June 2024.

Exciting Roller Coasters

Fun Family Rides

Thrilling Rides

Extra Fun Rides (Upcharge)

Kids' Rides

Six Flags America's main kids' area is Looney Tunes Movie Town.

Former Attractions

Past Roller Coasters

Other Past Rides

Hurricane Harbor Maryland (Closed)

Hurricane Harbor Maryland was a water park inside Six Flags America. It required an extra ticket to enter. It was known as Paradise Island until 2005. Hurricane Harbor Maryland permanently closed on September 6, 2025. Here are the rides that were at the water park when it closed:

Images for kids

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  Original Wild World Logo from 1988

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  Adventure World logo from a ticket stub

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  Six Flags America - Upper Marlboro

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  Six Flags America - ROAR Wooden Coaster

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  Six Flags America - The Mind Eraser