Skip to main content

There’s a secret theme park in Arizona (and it will transport you to the past)

Have a yabba-dabba-do time at this theme park in Arizona

Bedrock City theme park in Arizona.
Courtesy of Bedrock City at Raptor Ranch

Forget about overcrowded theme parks like Disneyland or LEGOLAND. There are all sorts of cool, weird, and unique theme parks that need to be taken advantage of. If you grew up watching The Flintstones or have a child (or inner child) who is really into dinosaurs, a park in Arizona will transport you right back to the Stone Age. See how to ride with the family down the street to Bedrock City at Raptor Ranch.

Statue of Pebbles sitting on a rock in front of a house.
Courtesy of Bedrock City at Raptor Ranch

Theme parks dedicated to the hit show

There have been a few theme parks across the U.S. bringing the Hanna-Barbera show to life.

  • Bedrock City in Custer, South Dakota

Opening in 1966, the theme park was a staple in South Dakota until new owners decided to close it down in 2015. The site reopened in 2019, but without the classic Flintstones characters, and was renamed the Buffalo Ridge Campground Resort.

  • The Carowinds in Charlotte, North Carolina

The Carowinds opened in 1973 and had The Land of Hanna-Barbera until the 1990s.

Canada has tried to capture the Hanna-Barbera magic with various theme parks over the years, and even Warner Bros. World in Abu Dhabi has a Bedrock-themed land.

The Bedrock City Post Office.
Courtesy of Bedrock City at Raptor Ranch

The Flintstones theme park that’s still going strong

In the U.S., one park is decked out in the Flinstones theme and still open to the public. In Williams, Arizona, at the Raptor Ranch, you will be on a page right out of history.

Back in the day

Opened in 1972 to piggyback off of the success of the South Dakota park, the original plan had a movie theater to play the show continuously, a diner, a gift shop, and rides. A miniature train took people on a ride around the park, which must have been so cool.

The architect unfortunately passed away, and rather than close down, his widow kept the park going. In 2015, though, she wanted to sell the place off and retire but thankfully decided against it. The park was closed for part of 2019, and by 2020, it was thought it wouldn’t reopen.

In 2022, to celebrate 50 years of the park’s opening, the Raptor Ranch conservation incorporated it and promised to keep it open indefinitely. They have reopened Fred’s Diner, and the menu is as Flintstones-themed as you’d want it to be.

Ways to enjoy the park

  • Stay at the Ranch in your RV.
  • Book one of their glamping tents.
  • Just go and visit for the day.

Things to do

You could visit Fred’s house, take a slide down Dino, and wander around the rest of Bedrock. The park does flight demos every day, where you will watch gorgeous, winged creatures take to the skies. It’s a weird bit of Americana that’s as perfect for an impromptu stop on a road trip as goats on a roof or the largest ball of twine.

When to go

The park is open all year round, which is great, and is only closed Thanksgiving and Christmas. It opens at 8 a.m. and closes at 7 p.m., or when the sun sets, and the entry is $10.

The picture opportunities will make the trip worth it, but don’t forget the magic of nostalgia it will make the adults feel. Even if you don’t have kids, this Flintstones theme park is a trip every person should make once in their life. Kick the dust off your Flintmobile and get your feet ready for a yabba-dabba-do time.

Editors' Recommendations

Dannielle Beardsley
Dannielle has written for various websites, online magazines, and blogs. She loves everything celebrity and her favorite…
3 things you need to know about mountain biking in Sedona
Think about these 3 things before mountain biking in Sedona
The Munds Mountain Trail is a challenging, remote trail in the Munds Mountain Wilderness in Sedona, Arizona.

Southern states are phenomenal for escaping cold winter days for those of us who live up north. I recently had the privilege of heading down to Sedona, Arizona, for a mountain biking media camp. I’d heard that Sedona mountain biking is incredible, but it is something you must experience for yourself.

Forgive me if this sounds a bit cliche, but Sedona is truly like stepping into a postcard. The city sits in a valley surrounded by towering red rock cliffs, with multiple trail systems reaching out from the city into these hills and cliffs. And they are not for the faint of heart.

Read more
A guide to Indiana Dunes National Park: Where to visit, what to do, and more
Haven't visited the Indiana Dunes National Park? This is the guide to take you around every sandy curve
A view of the Indiana National Dunes Park.

Overlooking the southern shores of Lake Michigan, Indiana Dunes National Park has long captivated visitors. In fact, it was there in the late 19th century that Henry Cowles, a botanist from the University of Chicago, studied the intricate ecosystems along the lake. His groundbreaking work established Cowles as “the father of modern ecology” in the United States. A little bit of history for your next trivia night.

Most people come to climb to the top of 194-foot Mount Tom, one of several towering dunes lording over the lakeshore. The park is home to gorgeous beaches and the biological diversity that so astonished pioneering botanists like Cowles. Meandering rivers, oak savannas, windswept prairies, and verdant wetlands are all part of the serene backdrop of one of America's newest national parks — becoming the country's 61st in 2019. If you haven't made a visit yet, we have the guide to get you there.
Exploring the lay of the land at Indiana Dunes National Park

Read more
Plan the ultimate backpacking trip: These are the cities in Europe you should add to your itinerary
Some of the cities may surprise you
Backpacker

Embarking on a journey through Europe with nothing but a backpack in tow is an adventure that is appealing to many. However, this type of European vacation isn’t always budget-friendly. If you want to enjoy a backpacking trip on a budget, then you may want to venture off the beaten path and head to some of the less popular destinations.

Statista has recently released a list of the cheapest places to travel in Europe for backpackers in 2024, and some of the cities on the list may surprise you. 

Read more