Six Flags Entertainment Corporation announced they will be closing Six Flags America and Hurricane Harbor in Bowie, Maryland, due to financial concerns, effective at the end of the 2025 season.
The park, which has an estimated 850,000 annual visitors, is planned to be sold for redevelopment after Nov. 2, the end of the annual Fright Fest.
“As part of our comprehensive review of our park portfolio, we have determined that Six Flags America and Hurricane Harbor are not a strategic fit with the company’s long-term growth plan
This was a difficult decision, and we recognize the impact it will have on our Six Flags America and Hurricane Harbor park associates and guests,” said Six Flags Entertainment President and CEO Richard Zimmerman on May 2. “We are grateful to our park associates who work hard to create lifelong memories for our guests, and Six Flags is committed to supporting all impacted associates through the closure process at the end of this year.”
Six Flags America in Bowie has been open for 25 years and has 70 full-time employees along with hundreds of seasonal employees, many of whom are teenagers and young adults from Prince George’s County entering the career force.
Many residents have stated their disappointment with this decision, as countless local families and visitors have spent their summers riding the Superman and visiting the wave pool.
With the closure of Six Flags and several local movie theaters, and the plan to move the Washington Commanders back to RFK Stadium in Washington, D.C., some residents note recreational outlets for Prince George’s youth are becoming more limited and difficult to access.
“The stadium is leaving and Six Flags is leaving. What kind of opportunities are you going to have in [Prince George’s] County? What are you going to bring in place of it,” questioned County resident Cynthia Matthews. “Are you just going to leave empty lots like they did with Landover Mall? That left 20 or 30 years ago, and you didn’t put anything in its place, and now you’re going to have the stadium, another big empty space, and now Six Flags an empty space?”
County Leaders Mark ‘End of An Era,’ Work to Shape What’s Next
The decision to close Six Flags comes as yet another economic disappointment for the county, following the cancellation of the proposed FBI’s Greenbelt headquarters and the Bureau of Engraving and Printing’s Beltsville headquarters, plus the planned relocation of the Washington Commanders.
Interim Prince George’s County Executive Tara Jackson noted the history of the park and the sense of loss around the impending closure.
“For decades, Six Flags has been more than just a theme park—it is a cherished part of our county’s identity, a source of joy for families, and a hub of economic activity,” Jackson said in a statement. “We are committed to working closely with Six Flags and other stakeholders to guide a thoughtful and inclusive redevelopment process that supports jobs, growth and long-term community benefit.”
County Council Chair Edward Burroughs III (D- District 8) noted the negative effects the closing of Six Flags would have, both economically and socially.
“This decision does not just impact one business; it impacts the very fabric of our community,” Burroughs said in a statement. “It means fewer opportunities for families to come together, fewer spaces for children to play and explore, and a gap in accessible entertainment that many relied upon.”
County Councilmember Wala Blegay (D- District 6), who represents the area where Six Flags is located, promises to work with community leaders and county residents to develop the best plan of action for the future of the 500-acre site.
“While this closure marks the end of an era, it also presents a critical opportunity for us to shape what comes next,” Blegay said.
