Exploring the Abandoned Lake Dolores Waterpark
If you've driven to Las Vegas from Los Angeles or San Diego, you've passed by the abandoned Lake Dolores Waterpark.
Derelict buildings on the side of the highway on the way to or from Las Vegas are a common sight, so you probably didn't give it much thought.
After all, what more could there be?
Surprisingly, quite a lot.
One set of ramshackle buildings belongs to Lake Dolores Waterpark, an easy day trip from Las Vegas.
History of Lake Dolores
The abandoned Lake Dolores Waterpark was once the flourishing 273 acre Lake Dolores Resort RV campground and Rock a Hoola Water Park.
Now, it sits in ruins.
A playground for the urban explorer, skateboarder, tagger, and anyone else brave enough to check out the graffiti painted buildings.
Pro-tip: Lake Dolores Waterpark is private property.
Lake Dolores Waterpark was built by Bob Byers in 1962 as a place for his extended family to gather. The man-made lake was named after his wife, Dolores.
Byers added waterslides, ziplines, and other features to the park and opened it to the public. For two decades it was the hot spot.
In the 90s Beyer sold Lake Dolores Waterpark to an investment group who modernized the park, added memorabilia from the 1950s and 1960s, and renamed it Rock a Hoola Waterpark.
Rock a Hoola had a few good years until an off-duty employee was injured and won a $4.4 million lawsuit, forcing the park into bankruptcy.
The court gave the park back to Dolores Byers who then sold it to another investment company. After renovations, the waterpark reopened as Discovery Waterpark in 2002. But it couldn't stay in business and closed in 2004.
In March, the San Bernardino County Board of Supervisors approved a plan to restore Lake Dolores. Investors hope to reopen by 2023.
How to Get to Lake Dolores Waterpark
Lake Dolores Waterpark is located at 72 Hacienda Road, Newberry Springs, CA 92365
From the 15 North heading to Vegas, you exit Minneola Road, turn right. Then you turn left on Yermo Road. And turn Left on Coyote Lake Road. Drive a couple of miles and it will be on the left hand side.
From the 15 South leaving Las Vegas, you'll exit Harvard Road and turn right. Turn left on Hacienda Road. Drive a couple of miles and the park will be on your right.
Would you explore the abandoned Lake Dolores Waterpark?
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It’s so strange to see abandoned waterparks like this. I’ve never heard of the Lake Dolores waterpark, so this was an interesting post to read.
Hi Lisa,
Right. Lake Dolores is probably a bit more known than other abandoned waterparks because it's right off the freeway on the way to Las Vegas.
This is so cool! I just drove outside of Las Vegas and I wish I knew about this sooner. I've never been to an abandoned amusement park but I've always wanted to. I can imagine the eeriness from walking through the history. Will definitely make this a stop on my next road trip out west!
Hi Chloe,
Bummer you missed it but now that you know it's there you can visit next time. 🙂 Yeah, it was a little eerie.
I find abandoned places so fascinating so enjoyed reading your article about the waterpark. The history was interesting too to find out why it closed and where it had started. And with the timing of a new reinvestment you got there just in time to see it in it's current abandoned state!
Hi Jamie,
So glad you enjoyed the post. 😃 Hopefully, those investors can get it up and going.
Never been there, or heard of it, but we love exploring abandoned buildings...was it fenced off or easy/legal to access?
Hi Mike,
The entire property is fenced but there was a missing section in the fence. Supposedly there's a security guard on the property who will chase people off but we didn't encounter him. We also didn't stay too long just in case.
A couple of years back during the summer break, after visiting Disneyland, we drove to Las Vegas and I must admit, I totally missed out on finding this waterpark along the way. Thanks for the reminder that the park is private property and I look forward to witnessing those bold splashes of colors once the park reopens in 2023. Am I correct in assuming that until then it isn't possible to visit it since it is under restoration? Really enjoyed watching the virtual tour of Dolores Waterpark through your video.
Hi Aditi,
t's private property so technically not open to the public. Right now there isn't any restoration happening. Thanks so much, glad you liked the video. 😁I
The Lake Dolores waterpark story looks heart-wrenching, it is intriguing to see how an employee can lead to the filing of the bankruptcy of an amusement park. Hopefully, it reopens in 2023 and remains in the business. Nicely written thoughtful article.
Hi Ramya,
It sure does. Thanks so much for the kind words. 👍
What an interesting history! It must be so cool to have a lake named after you. I'm excited to see what the next investor will do to the themepark. In the meantime, I wouldn't mind checking out the abandoned site.
Hi Ummi,
Me too, it'll be interesting to see what, if any, theme they go with when they reopen.
Wow, quite a story, there. It is still colorful and, depending on how close it is to either Vegas or LA, may still find rbirth!
Hi Carol,
I'm sure it will. Lots of travelers on that freeway looking for a pit stop.
With so much story of Lake Dolores Waterpark, it is sad that it is still abandoned and now vandalized. Themepark business needs to invest in safety measures, just like many themeparks in Japan (no wonder there no accident happened or reported). Hope it will open again and bring back its glory days.
Hi Blair,
I hope so too.
Interesting and different - It is rare that one ventures into abandoned water parks. Come to think of it, I don't know any. This one has quite a history attached to it. Pity that something that was set up by a family has come to this state after pumping in money. A very nice read!
Hi Ami,
Thanks so much, glad you enjoyed the post.
This looks like such a fun place to explore! I love exploring abandoned locations and learning about the history of the place. It is always so interesting. I have yet to visit an abandoned water park though. I will keep Lake Dolores in mind if I am ever in the area.
Hi Melissa,
It was both fun and scary at the same time. I hope you get a chance to visit if you're in the area.
I don’t recall seeing the Lake Dolores Waterpark when we drove from Las Vegas. Good to know that some people are still enjoying this deserted spot. And that new investors have been found to open the park again.
Hi LD,
Unless you know what you're looking for it's easy to miss given how many other abandoned buildings there are on the 15.
It seems the park had a bad fate that it kept reopening and shutting down. I would totally be interested in visiting the abandoned park. I am intrigued by the cool graffities. Have not read about many abandoned parks, so this is really going to be intriguing.
Hi Shreya,
The street art was really impressive. It would be great if they could keep it but there might be too much damage to some of those buildings.
How cool!!! Abandoned places are so fun to explore. Lucky that you got to go there before it’s refurbished. I hope they leave some of the street art - I love how vibrant and colorful it is!
Hi Jennifer,
They sure are. Agreed, I too hope they can keep the street art.
I had heard of this place a few times, and now that I read this, I find it even more appealing to go take a look. I used to travel a lot to California and can´t believe I never went. Also, seems like a very instagram photoshoot place!
Hi Trisha,
It's definitely very Instagrammable. 😉
Hey, great article! We’re thinking of making the trek out there in April to take some cool pictures. Anything we should be on the lookout for? Did you run into any kind of security or have any pointers for a bunch of first-timers?
Hi Jeremy,
Thanks, glad you enjoyed the article. Watch out for snakes. We did not run into any security. But we got there relatively early in the am, maybe 7 am or so.