EXPLORING an ABANDONED mountain top WILD WEST AMUSEMENT PARK - GHOST TOWN IN THE SKY

This mountaintop amusement park was wildly popular in the 70s and 80s. It opened in 1961 and closed in 2002, followed by a series of owners that have opened parts of the park for a short time.
Ghost Town in the Sky was famous for its Wild-West theme, live-action shows and beautiful setting on top of Buck Mountain at 4,600 ft. In elevation.
After parking and buying a ticket, visitors rode the chairlift or incline car 2/3 of a mile up the mountain, climbing more than 1,250 ft. in elevation.
Ghost Town was divided into several "towns" with different themes, including Indian Village, Mountain Town, and Mining Town
The most popular section was the Old West town with saloons with can-can dancers, a jail and businesses along the main street that was the sight of hourly gunfights.
The very unique theme park was created by R.B. Coburn and built for $1 million, opening in May 1961 as an immediate huge success. At its peak, more than 500,000 people visited each season. While new rides were added through the 1990s, older rides began breaking down on a regular basis. After visitors got stuck on the chairlift in 2002, Colburn closed the park and put it up for sale.
The amazing mountain views were always a big draw. Ghost Town was sold and reopened in May 2007 after millions were spent on renovations. During a bad economy that brought high gas prices, the park closed again after the 2009 season due to a massive mudslide in February 2010 and financial woes. One of the original owners, Alaska Presley, bought the park back in 2012 with plans of transforming it to Ghost Town Village. However, she faced challenges and was only able to reopen sections of the park for a short time. It's been fully closed since then. Former Disney executives made a grand attempt to purchase Ghost Town in 2018 and 2019, but those deals fell through
As of June of 2023, there are no significant updates. The Ghost Town in the Sky property in Maggie Valley is still locked up in litigation, with no new news on ownership, it re-opening, or being sold.
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[@deerslayer9point]

No offense, but I’m over 50 and I can climb that without whining and crying. Boys, wear hiking boots next time. Better for your feet, legs, knees and back. A 4 wheeler would help too.

[@Steve.._.]

No offense but no one truly cares. Next time just don't comment instead of using the dumb "no offense" when everyone and their mothers understand that what comes after is offensive 😂

[@ExploringNomad]

yeah, a 4 wheeler would be so much more covert trying to go up a mountain and not be seen

[@mcresq65]

Dude, I'm 67 and made it up that hill in Oct of '23. Damn near killed me. And I wore decent hiking boots. That hill is not to be taken lightly.

[@billsmith281]

​@@Steve.._.No offence, but I'm not offended at his offences😂

[@VerdantExploration]

Facts. It's a 2+ hour hike uphill. Why would you not prep better in the months ahead 🤣 This is why i'm spending this summer prepping, training and not just packing some gatorades while full sending.

[@michealstephenson6048]

I worked there and walked the lift to pick up Dropped articles. That lift Tower is Tower #5. It was built by Carvario Savio in 1962. It leans like that on purpose. The reason is the rope has to keep a 90° angle with grade. It telescopes the weight / stresses straight into solid rock. Tower #13 has the most lean and tower #14 is right beside it because of the hard bend right over the edge. The lift facts: 1962 Carvio Savio from Italy ( there trademark are the lattice towers), 17 Towers ( including the 8 sheave break over train at the top drive gantry), 107 Pertek carriers, New Drive Terminal in 2007, Ford 300 Stright 6 Gasoline Auxiliary Engine, New Tension Terminal at the bottom with the Original Return Bullwheel. @ 175 feet per minute speed or @ 3 miles a hr. @$1.6 mill renovation in 2007.

[@richardvg7670]

Very cool! I worked here back in 1989 was the repair Tech for the animatronics and all the games and later ran one of the shooting gallerys at the top Loved being here, Wanted to be one of the Gunfighters but the "Boss" saw me leave with some friends of mine id made to go to some party and I didnt know they were on his not liking list so that ended my chance to be a gunfighter actor saddly I worked for a summer here enjoyed it

[@iBullyAutisticKids]

I explored this place a while ago and noticed the lift was powered by the same engine as my truck and thought that was super cool. I bet I could get it running again. carrying a battery up that mountain might take a while though

[@michealstephenson6048]

Up there in the Shack by the lift, there's 3 panels, and a detailed manual in there for starting it on battery power. Gotta make sure the chain is disconnected since the haul rope is off the Sheave Trains, fresh gas a a few hot batteries. That old 300 I-6 Ford should fire right up!

[@ArthurMorgan_RDRII]

Some good memories have been sure made there! Makes me wanna explore ghost towns.

[@alishasmith4358]

Ny family and I used to go here a lot when my sisters and I were kids. My dad LOVED Westerns and The Wild West. Such fun memories.

[@robbymahaffey3036]

Me&my twin brother were born in 1973, My dad took me and my twin brother between the ages of 7 and 10. I'm 50 now. just went there and visited only in the parking lot. July 11th, 2022, on our way home from Pigeon Forge and Gatlinburg Tennessee. It brought back so many memories😊 my dad passed in 1998🙏 & this is a memory I will never forget our trip to Ghost Town Maggie Valley in the sky I remember being scared of the gun show and chair lift. Me and my brother left with feathered hats. Indian drums and cap guns. Y'all take care, ps. Love the video👍🏻

[@thomasleatherman6452]

I went to Ghost Town when I was 8 9 and 10. I remember that little boy from the TV series was here signing autographs. That may have been in the year 1964.am, they had some great food up there. Those cowboy fights were something else. I broughty first wife back here in 1972 , she loved it and so did I Thank you for the memories. Those buildings brought back so many memories . Thank You

[@johnharris8191]

The boy was Darby Hinton who portrayed Israel Boone on the DanielBoone TV series.

[@lizlocher3612]

You guys are young enough to try n drum up some way to regenerate this place you love so much so it can be used in some manner again today!!! Kids like you are the ONES to do this for everyone else to enjoy again, even in a different capacity like a haunt!!! Take it from my 67 yr old self, You guys can do it!!!!

[@lizlocher3612]

You are an actual philosopher my friend stating the eerie, sad, empty n disturbing feeling seeing a place such as this that had for many years been a haven of fun n excitement n camaraderie with families n friends energizing their lives n relationships, being in such a wasted n depressing state!!! Hard on the soul!!!

[@toniacompton1091]

This is so sad. Me and my son’s dad was here back in 1996.

[@debbiearias3252]

Hey guys great video I work there in the 70s I worked at the very top in a saloon sad now that nobody wanting to take it over and open it back

[@johnharris8191]

I was a gunfighter there off and on from 2001-2014 and watched the crowds get smaller by the year. It saddens me to see the park in this shape.

[@woshjatts9392]

@@johnharris8191that’s awesome, as a kid I always wanted to be a gunfighter there

[@joshuajgrillot]

I actually have a picture of my mom sister and me on the ride at 43:00, we were on the blue colored one, so cool to see again.

[@richardvg7670]

they used to have guard dogs loose at night at closing time when I worked here back in 1989 and I heard some funny stories about where some of the "can can dancer girls" snuck into the park after hours with boyfriends and friends and were riding the rides, I think thats why they started using guard dogs. and there used to be housing for the girls to stay in that was outside the fence then later moved inside. (this part was before I had worked here ) it was very cool place this usre beings back some memories.

[@Outdoorsinthecarolinas]

I went there in the mid 80’s when it was really going, it’s so sad to see how it is now. Wish the county or town would take it over and and save it for years to come

[@dianajones7999]

My husband, son and I were there in th mid 80's also !

[@phillipwooten6705]

I use to go there when i was a kid, and ive hiked all around those mountains.

[@ExploringNomad]

waiting for the " nomad was smart for staying at the bottom " during the hike up haha

[@tommywaters2654]

Yes it was awesome in its prime it was very awesome I loved it when I was there

[@lizlocher3612]

This would be a wonderful haunt if it wasn't so hard to access!!! Too bad somebody can't do something with it!!!

[@mikefitchNYC1971]

Awesome job on this video!

[@UrbanExAlex]

Thank you!

[@exploringwithbrody]

I just went here for the second time not too long ago I love this place!

[@carlospalacios6895]

Ever any trouble with security going up or down the mountain?

[@woshjatts9392]

There’s a back road that goes up they used for people who were afraid to ride the chairlift etc my grandfather had to take the route lol. Years back we drove up it and there were dogs but that was long before they completely closed so I wonder if it’d be accessible and easy to get in that way

[@exploringwithbrody]

@@woshjatts9392 I will say if you take that road to be careful there’s a dude that watches the top, I got caught up there leaving one day

[@monmixer]

The hills of Appalachia. I was born raised and still live in the foothills and we have many of bigger hills. I'm almost out of it just across the Ohio River from WV. It's really hilly arond here.

[@hamburgerdan1963]

That one instrument is a pump organ

[@lindamartin8504]

Awesome

[@nathanmundy3343]

Hey man was this recent? I plan to go soon and just wnana know if this entry point is till viable . Awesome vid, down to earth,

[@joshuajgrillot]

I went there as a kid back in the mid 80s and My dad was taken there when He was a kid back in the 60s.

[@Packish]

that was wild

[@richardvg7670]

and yes there used to be an access road mostly for emergency vehickles to come up the mountain quicker some employeesused it but parking at top was limited so we were supposed to maninly park at the bottom and take either the Tram or the chairlift up

[@johnny2754]

there still is. got security cameras watching although. Anytime explorers use it either the park rangers or sheriffs office gets called. Can't tell you how many times we have been up there for it.

[@woshjatts9392]

@@johnny2754ahhh I knew about this road and was wondering if it was accessible still, so the only way to go up now undetected is to hike up"?

[@johnny2754]

@@woshjatts9392 pretty much. you can go up about maybe a mile. there will be some houses and you'll get to the access road that leads to the park, there is a gate and signs that say no trespassing and security cameras in use. Was up there today actually.

[@JimNashville]

@@johnny2754 so just to be clear, going up the access road and parking there is pretty much a recipe to get caught, correct? So hiking up under the chair lift is the only way to get in undetected?

[@TheLukeExplores]

When was this filmed?

[@kenpalmer985]

Still in court . but will live again. Great park

[@johnharris8191]

No, it is history. I worked there off and on from 2001 to 2015 and watched the crowds get smaller by the year.

[@tommywaters2654]

People would come from all over the US to visit that place

[@FrankGlover-k9b]

I been there a couple times in the 90s when it was open full throttle

[@RangerRickTV]

Bro, it took me 3 hours to climb that mountain.

[@kenpalmer985]

Sad to see vandals messed it up more

[@johnpatterson4272]

It was worthwhile for your generation to experience what was once free-enterprise, when individual creativity had no limits. Ghost Town in the Sky will live again some day when your generation puts away their mind-numbing iphones.

[@musicman257]

Ɓeeñ there in 70s was a fun place Played every game there so sad its abandon

[@guruoo]

Understand that Burt Reynolds once worked here as a stunt man.

[@isaacfreeman1408]

The drinks came in a cup who’s handle was a pistol

[@grimdarkAngel]

Didn't The Proper People also explore this place?

[@beverlyhill6783]

You should not b3 doing that - I know the owners do not appreciate people doing this

[@UrbanExAlex]

womp womp, there’s a difference between cameras and flashlights vs crowbars and spray paint, respecting the property and the history of the location is my rule, only take photos and leave footprints. i’m sure the owners are more worried about the local kids going up there to party, spray paint the place and destroy the property for fun. i’d actually advocate for this spot to be restored and reopened one day all these places on my page should be.

[@mikey_owens]

You know that there's a paved road that goes up to the top, just saying !

[@UrbanExAlex]

Yes but that paved road has neighbors who call the cops on people and there’s cameras and sensors at the front entrance at the end of that road, we’re not that dumb

[@luvmyfirman]

Organ not piano in church

[@UrbanExAlex]

Lol I didn’t even realize I did that but note taken

[@joycelea658]

Why didn't they drive up there Are they doing. This to feel sorry For them not me

[@UrbanExAlex]

Because the road up to the front has nosey neighbors, and trail Cams/ sensors all over the main entrance, this is the only way to get up without getting caught by police

[@billsmith281]

These are the tyoe of cashed up tourists that try & hike Everest 😂

[@Caleb-h4j]

Crying about the hike yet there's 2 roads that go to the top lmfao. We parked at the gate and didn't have an issue after 3 hours of being there. Hope you know what they are charging people for now btw from the state and I'll take it you didn't see 1 of the actual cameras that work either.

[@carlospalacios6895]

You’ve heard of people getting caught

[@Caleb-h4j]

I explore full time. If you ACTUALLY do your research and know what your doing you wont get caught but okay buddy 😂😂😂​@carlospalacios6895

[@iBullyAutisticKids]

youre taking a chance doing that, there are people that come by every now and then to check on the place. I know because I got caught here and had to hide in thorns on the side of the mountain for 6 hours hiding from the cops LMAO

[@Caleb-h4j]

Not really lmao I literally do this for a living for instagram. We know who the land belongs to now that Presley passed away. We don't have to worry about the cops when we go to Maggie Valley lol. If you have to worry that much maybe don't explore If your afraid to get caught.

[@UrbanExAlex]

Womp Womp

[@denniscowart5052]

You were trespassing on private property & should have been arrested. You have no respect for other peoples property. Do you know what no trespassing signs mean? Or do you just think they don't apply to you?

[@UrbanExAlex]

Womp Womp

[@danielmcmasters9825]

Whats all the we stuff.

[@Steve.._.]

Idk can you count? There's two people in the video

[@SuzeePeter]

Whimp

[@jrgillum9245]

Shit I'd be worried about the bears in the woods and or mountain lions the hell

[@Caleb-h4j]

Place isn't even worth going to. Pointless. Roller coaster is the only thing cool there and the church. Everything else is trash

[@VerdantExploration]

You’d fit right in then 💕

[@donnaowens1522]

Dean Teaster's Ghost Town was shot there in 2006. It was in loving memory of his father who played Digger the undertaker in the 60's. If you love the park you will enjoy the movie. 🤠