Oddity Odysseys
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ROCK-A-HOOLA WATERPARK

Location: San Bernardino County, CA
​Accessibility: Easy

​Created: 1950s
To date, there are over 400 amusement parks in the world. Top contenders, such as Disneyland, Six Flags Magic Mountain, and Universal Studios continue to expand on a global level and consistently garner high attendance. Around the world, however, are abandoned amusement parks sprinkled across the land. Sought after for photography, filming locations, and urban exploration, a handful of these ghost attractions and more popular closed than they were opened. Nara Dreamland in Japan, Land of Oz in North Carolina, and Prupat Amusement Park in Chernobyl are prominent examples of fun intentions falling flat due to extraordinary circumstances. Sans catastrophic events, other amusements parks could never find their footing, and eventually closed. Competition in Southern California fierce, investors are hard-pressed to find a new following of attendees for amusement parks in a state already riddled with the most popular amusement parks in the world. However, some have fervently tried.

Located under the unrelenting Mojave desert sun in Newberry springs, lie the ruins of what was once known as “The Fun Spot of the Desert.” Originally built in the 1950s by local businessman, Bob Byer, the park was constructed for intermediate family use only. Named Lake Dolores after Byer’s wife Dolores Byers, the man-made lake encompassed 273 acres. In 1962, Byer opened the property as a watering role for off-road motorcyclists and tourists traveling between L.A. and Vegas.

Over the next two decades, attractions and rides were added including the “Zip-Cord” and “Big Bopper”. A seemingly refreshing way to spend an afternoon of family fun in the scorching desert, Lake Dolores reached peak popularity in the 1980s. Shortly thereafter, however, the demise of the park began. Upgrading attractions, adding an arcade, and bumper cars were not enough to drive in visitors. Eventually, the park was sold and went through a handful of owners and was renamed Rock-A-Hoola Waterpark and Discovery Waterpark. A final nail in the coffin for the financial burden of the amusement park was when an employee was injured riding a waterslide after hours. After a settlement in court, Rock-a-Hoola never recovered. Once bursting with floaties, snow cones, sunscreen, and bathing suits, Rock-A-Hoola now sits in ruins. Join us as we explore this waterpark without the crowds, working rides… and water.
  • New Episodes
  • Adventure Archive
    • 2023 Episodes >
      • Zzyzx
    • 2022 Episodes >
      • The Salton Sea Naval Base
      • Desert Christ Park
      • Rubel Castle
      • The Radford Art Walk
      • George Air Force Base
      • The Cal-Earth Institute
      • The Venice Canals
      • Mount Rubidoux
      • Queen Califia's Magical Circle
      • Scary Dairy
      • Fort MacArthur
      • Elmer's Bottle Tree Ranch
    • 2020 Episodes >
      • The Lummis Castle
      • The Sky Slide
      • The Galleta Meadows Sculptures
      • Burro Schmidt Tunnel
      • The Global Angel Wings Project
      • The Topanga Time Tunnel
      • Solstice Canyon
      • The Kea Mill
      • Tankland
      • Grandma Prisbrey's Bottle Village
      • Cabot's Pueblo
    • 2019 Episodes >
      • The Shoemaker Tunnels
      • The Canned Heat Suicide House
      • Angels Flight
      • Echo Mountain
      • Amir's Garden
      • The Amboy Crater
      • Hazel's Volcanic Gardens
      • East Jesus
      • Rock-a-Hoola Waterpark
      • The Mojave Lava Tube
      • The Mosaic Tile House
      • The Krampus Run
    • 2018 Episodes >
      • Devil's Gate Dam
      • Salvation Mountain
      • The Cat House
      • The Sutro Bath Ruins
      • Bring Your Own Big Wheel
      • The Wave Organ
      • The Bay Bridge Troll
      • The Peephole Cinema
      • Nike Missile Site LA-88L
      • The High Tower Elevator
    • 2017 Episodes >
      • The Bridge to Nowhere
      • The Musical Road
      • The Old Los Angeles Zoo
      • The St. Francis Dam
      • Phantasma Gloria
      • The Sunken City
      • Nike Missile Site LA-96C
      • The Prohibition Tunnels
      • Vasquez Rocks
      • Big Horn Mine
      • The 2017 Total Solar Eclipse
    • 2016 Episodes >
      • The Laguna Beach Pirate Tower
      • The Great Wall of Los Angeles
      • Murphy's Ranch
      • The Chemosphere
      • The Los Feliz Murder Mansion
      • The Music Box Steps
      • Bronson Cave
      • The Shakespeare Bridge
      • The S.S. Dominator Shipwreck
      • The Last Bookstore
      • Picnic Table #29
  • Map
  • Contact Us