Lake Dolores Waterpark: Inside California’s Abandoned Desert Water Park

Lake Dolores Waterpark, once known as Rock-A-Hoola and later Discovery Waterpark, is an abandoned water park hiding in the Mojave Desert off Interstate 15. For decades it was a beloved stop for families and road-trippers driving between Los Angeles and Las Vegas, packed with waterslides, a lagoon, and the kind of retro theme-park energy you don't see much anymore.

Today, it's a different story: cracked pools, graffiti, and rusted-out ride skeletons sit quietly in the desert sun, drawing curious explorers instead of sunbathers. So how did a water park end up abandoned in the middle of the Mojave? Let's take a closer look.

Please note that this destination is on private property with "No Trespassing" signs. We discourage anyone from physically exploring the abandoned water park. The following information is for entertainment purposes only. Do not try to explore this property yourself. 

How It All Started

The site began in 1962 as a simple campground built around a small man-made lake, fed by underground springs from the Mojave Aquifer. Local businessman Bob Byers had originally built it for his own extended family, and he named the lake after his wife, Dolores. Over the next quarter-century, Byers added rides and attractions until the campground had grown into a full water park, advertised on TV with the slogan "The Fun Spot of the Desert!"

The Fun Spot of the Desert

At its peak, between the early 1970s and mid-1980s, the park drew crowds with rides that sound almost too intense for a family destination: eight matching steel waterslides angled down a man-made hill, the "Zip-Cord," which sent riders flying into a lagoon from a hanging guide wire, and the "Big Bopper," a raft ride billed as one of the largest of its kind. It's easy to see why generations of Southern Californians driving between L.A. and Las Vegas have fond memories of stopping here.

Decline, Rebrands, and Bankruptcy

Attendance dropped off in the late 1980s, and the park closed for the first time. A new ownership group bought it in 1990 and relaunched it in 1998 as Rock-A-Hoola, giving it a polished 1950s theme and modern fiberglass slides. That version didn't last either: a 1999 accident left an employee paralyzed, and the resulting lawsuit, combined with mounting debt, pushed the park into bankruptcy by 2000. One more attempt followed; Discovery Waterpark opened in 2002 and limped along on weekends-only schedules before finally going dark for good in 2004.

What's Happened to Lake Dolores Waterpark Since

The park has sat abandoned for two decades now, but it hasn't sat still. Vandals, scrappers, and urban explorers have picked the site apart over the years, and a 2018 fire destroyed what was left of its arcade and café building. Ownership has changed hands more than once, including a 2013 sale, and in 2019 the new owners won county approval for a redevelopment plan that ultimately never broke ground; the property was back on the market a couple of years later. In the meantime, the ruins have taken on a strange second life as a filming location and pop-culture backdrop, showing up in music videos, skate films, a Top Gear America challenge, and even a surprise BTS mini-concert filmed among the old slides.

A Quiet Shell of What It Once Was

Today, all that's left are cracked pools, graffiti-covered walls, and the skeletons of those once-famous slides baking in the desert sun. It's not hard to imagine the sound of kids splashing around here decades ago, even now that the place looks like something out of a post-apocalyptic movie.

Frequently Asked Questions About Lake Dolores Waterpark

Why Did Lake Dolores Waterpark Close?

The park closed for the first time in the late 1980s after a decline in attendance. It reopened as Rock-A-Hoola in 1998, but mounting debt and a costly injury lawsuit led to its bankruptcy by 2000. A final relaunch as Discovery Waterpark ran intermittently through 2004 before the site was abandoned for good.

What Happened With the Lake Dolores Waterpark Accident?

A 1999 accident left an employee paralyzed; a court later awarded damages that contributed significantly to the park's financial collapse.

Is Lake Dolores Waterpark Reopening?

The property has changed hands several times since 2004, including a 2013 purchase and a 2019–2020 county redevelopment proposal that was approved but never built. As of the most recent public listing, the site remained for sale rather than operating.

Can You Visit Lake Dolores Waterpark Today?

The site is private property with active "No Trespassing" enforcement, so we don't recommend visiting in person. You can see it through the photos and videos in this article instead.

Did you know about this abandoned water park out in the California desert? There's something slightly eerie about exploring long-abandoned spots like this one.

If you've ever found yourself Googling "abandoned places near me" with nothing but time to explore, then be sure to also check out these awesome abandoned places in California that nature is reclaiming.