Six Flags America closing after 50 years; water park Hurricane Harbor also set to shut down

After thrilling generations of families, Six Flags America, a Maryland staple since 1974, is set to close, ending a 50-year run of rollercoasters, cotton candy, and summer memories. The 500-acre resort, which began as a safari park before its 1999 rebrand, will soon be up for sale for redevelopment, with executives saying it no longer aligns with the company’s long-term strategy.

The shutdown will impact more than 70 full-time staffers, and its popular Hurricane Harbor water park will also close for good.

CEO Selim Bassoul and real estate executive Gary Zimmerman confirmed the closure, noting the decision was driven by a desire to "unlock the full value" of the company’s property portfolio. “We anticipate strong interest in the land,” Zimmerman added.

Local leaders reacted with shock and disappointment.

“This is a significant loss,” said Prince George’s County Council Chair Edward Burroughs, who lamented the effect on working families and the loss of recreational space for children. D.C. Mayor Muriel Bowser also expressed her dismay: “This one was the more shocking one. We did not expect this.”

The closure comes just days after another regional bombshell, the Washington Commanders announcing they will leave Maryland for a new stadium in D.C., ending a 30-year presence in the state.

For now, season passes remain valid through the end of the operating season, but the countdown to the end of an era has begun.