Exploring Ghost Town In The Sky: Abandoned Millionaires Wasteland

In this exploration I'm documenting Ghost Town in the Sky, a massive abandoned western theme park on top of a mountain. The park closed in 2002 after over forty years of successful operations, and has struggled to reopen ever sense. Ghost Town did reopen for a short stint in 2009, but closed down permanently after enduring a massive mudslide compiled with financial woes. It is hoped that Ghost Town in the Sky will receive funding and reopen in the future, but it now sits decaying in a state of disrepair. Join us as we venture to the old theme park hidden in the clouds. Let’s explore!
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[@Bassdudeguy1]

This taints my memories of Ghost Town as a kid and it quite honestly the amount of vandalism and tags on everything makes me sick to my stomach .. shame I hope the people that tagged/ destroyed the park gets their personal property destroyed/tagged 💯

[@TheLukeExplores]

Couldn’t agree more, why anyone would see value in getting to this place and destroying it boggles my mind. Whatever goes around comes around, all we can do is respect the property and history of these amazing places. I wish I got to see this place as a young kid. Hope you enjoyed!!!

[@Bassdudeguy1]

@@TheLukeExplores No respect, no respect at all. I enjoyed the video, I have pics of me as a kid and one of the really cool things was that they had fun fights and stuff in the town square and the Cliffhanger was originally called the Red Devil Side and was red lol. Side note: I’m planning a trip up to a Ghost Town in the spring to take pics/ videos and re-live the past lol. There are parts of the park that I never went to as a kid or remember going to that I want to really want to see. However, I was extremely disappointed to see that someone threw the pianos out the window and on the ground outside

[@denisedileo]

Yes I went there. I remember a scrambler that was right at the edge of the mountain. But that was in the 70's.

[@Drummerchick2003]

And to think we paid to get up that mountain 😠

[@RocketCat525]

Great Video. I used to live in Bryson City North Carolina, and when I was little, I remember going to this amusement park in the mid 90s it’s so sad seeing it abandoned I wish they would remodel this amusement park and open it back up

[@TheLukeExplores]

I’m gonna take a wild crack at this and say by 2030 they do something w it….. all the need is the proper investor who’s gonna give the people what they want. I’ll be upset if they turn it into a hotel or anything instead. Was the layout any different from what you remembered?? Hope you enjoyed!!

[@Gregg29407]

My family used to go to Ghost Town about every year back in the 60's and early 70s. I remember the stuntmen doing the shoot-outs on Main Street every hour, with guys falling off the roofs and running around blasting each other. It was like being in a movie! haha (FWIW-Burt Reynolds got his start working as a stuntman at Ghost Town before heading off to Hollywood.) There used to be an old rickety roller coaster there, not the more modern one from this video. That old one really seemed unsafe! The saloon you showed used to be standing room only when the dance hall girls would come onstage and perform an entire show for visitors. So many happy memories there......

[@johnharris8191]

I was a gunfighter there off and on from 2001-2014. Burt Reynolds had already appeared in Gunsmoke before he came to Ghost Town.

[@DraketheHighlander]

I went there one time with my family, I remember going into the saloon at 23:35 women doing the can can dance, I didn't explore much more of the town but I remember watching the gun fight and at one moment the guy shot the other guy's belt and his pants fell down it was funny 🤣, and the lift was amazing to ride, I really miss ghost town, it felt like a real life western.

[@TheLukeExplores]

Thanks for the memories man, I really wish I got to see ghost town in action. Must be so weird for people like you who have seen this place at its peak- fall into this level of disrepair. Hope you enjoyed

[@diamondbackking4141]

Frank Moon was there for a while & also, in the early days was my friend Tony Bell. My cousin is 74 now & Anthony is probably little older.. I'm only 68 lol😊

[@saffiegirl4158]

Fun fact: I was around 10 or so when The Red Devil coaster first opened. On summer weekdays, we could ride that coaster over and over without a line. But on those slow days, they would have 10-gallon buckets filled with concrete strapped into the second, middle and second-to-last rows to stabilize the coaster. It either served to keep the coaster on the track or produce enough momentum to propel it down the first hill into the loop, not sure which. We spent many a ride with Mr. Bucket and family, never once wondering if we were actually safe riding a roller coaster held down by bait buckets! 😂

[@BamaHama914]

I rode the coaster in August of 93 on my honeymoon. Found out the hard way my wife is not a coaster or heights fan. She almost beat me to death when we dropped off the side of the mountain 😂 31 years later, and I’m still not riding with her again.😂

[@Howrider65]

Good job guys it looks worse every time somebody goes up there. Not many of these parks make it the money to keep them going is out of site.

[@TheLukeExplores]

Thanks man, I wish I got to see it a few years back because it’s still in great shape. Sad to see it go, hopefully we can return one day

[@gregoryb2999]

That use to be the best place to go not being far from where I live. I've been many times and it was always packed. Great memories but I believe they got greedy. I remember 12 dollars adult admission 6 for kids then went to 20 to 40 and 60. Then just shut down.

[@FlippinClemans]

I like your videos because they are genuine and straightforward. Most do click bait and I just ignore those channels now. Great job with the content!

[@TheLukeExplores]

Wow I really appreciate that, my goal is to be different, and I feel like KZbinrs today add all this unnecessary shit in just to make videos more attractive. People want high quality, good personality, and no bs. I think you’ll love the next video comin out Friday! Thanks for your support man!!!!

[@brown2840]

awesome video, this brings back so many memories. Thanks for taking the time to document!

[@TheLukeExplores]

Thanks for watching man! Just posted a new video if you wanna check it out!

[@glendaclark5038]

I was there with my parents and sister in 1964. I was 14 yo. They are Gone now. What memories this had for me. Thank you so much for the tour. I don’t remember the rides just the ride up in the chair lift and the gun fight in town

[@TheLukeExplores]

Hope you enjoyed! Definitely one of my favorite abandoned locations- I wish I would have seen this place. The pictures online do not do justice to the actual experience.

[@rescuegirl]

27:30 It's a vintage fire truck! I love this! 🚒

[@TheLukeExplores]

Glad you loved it! It’s in 4k now so go check out the full quality!!!!

[@rescuegirl]

@@TheLukeExplores I just sent you an email with the address of an abandoned place I've been exploring and photographing since I was a little girl. You will not be disappointed. 😃

[@TheLukeExplores]

@@rescuegirl wow that’s so awesome! I just saw it, and I’ll respond super soon- just out right now!!! Thank you and so glad you enjoyed!!:)

[@ethandubrey6046]

Those colors are POPPIN

[@TheLukeExplores]

And that was only showing in 1080! It’s in 4k now if you really wanna bring out that quality!

[@bobconley5472]

Great video ! Loved the surroundings ! It’s a shame that all these great places fall from grace! The last owner died a few years ago , its capacity was huge. Now it sits vacant , very sad😭 great job again keeping memories alive ❤

[@TheLukeExplores]

Glad you loved it! To this day was and is my favorite explore yet. So sad about past and recent history, I really hope they get it back up and running in the future.

[@vickydangelo6395]

Such a crazy explore!!

[@TheLukeExplores]

Glad you loved it!

[@tom7073]

I believe those are the original trains for the coaster.. I rode it as a kid in the early 70’s. My parents took us there frequently for vacation. The gunfight reenactments were awesome! Sad to see it this way..

[@TheLukeExplores]

That’s awesome Tom, what was your favorite part of the park? I really wish I got to see if before closure

[@tom7073]

@@TheLukeExplores the gunfights in the streets of Ghost Town stick out in my mind the most.. collecting the empty casings afterwards was the best for souvenirs! I also loved the chairlift ride up and down the mountain.. and I do remember a one man band dude in the music area..

[@tom7073]

I did too! And I remember the one man band guy. Such great memories!

[@johnharris8191]

@@tom7073 That was Eddie Nash.

[@diamondbackking4141]

I was there from the opening through a decade of visits with parents. A cousin of mine was one of the gun slingers...😊

[@TheLukeExplores]

Awesome story🔥 how long did they work there for?

[@johnharris8191]

What is his name? I was a gunfighter there.

[@mikebas7325]

That stairwell at 8:35 sure looked like it was pulling away from the building a little. Glad you guys were still able to explore without issue. Would be cool to see this place come back to life.

[@TheLukeExplores]

Would love to see this place back in service. Glad you enjoyed man, definitely needs millions put into renovations it’s getting bad up there

[@denniscowart5052]

@@TheLukeExplores did you have the owner's permission to be there? If not you were trespassing on their property.They should have had you arrested.

[@thesupergamer85]

​@@denniscowart5052 go lick some more boots

[@sweetheartd7538]

Was there in the 60’s. I’m 63 yrs old now. This place was magical as a young kid. Everything seemed so real. The gun fights, dancing girls, seems like I remember a swing that would swing out over the side of the mountain. To a kid was very scary. I always wondered what happed to this place. Thanks

[@TheLukeExplores]

Appreciate the comment, I wish more than anything I could have seen this place before it got shut down. What a blast from the past to stand up on top of that mountain. No other abandoned location like ghost town.

[@koli116]

@@TheLukeExplores We went there more times than I can remember. Folks living in Myrtle Beach vacation in the mountains. I have a video tape of one of the entire Can-Can performances I filmed from the balcony in the saloon. Joe Ford, the pianist, could get the room really rocking! We picked-up some of the used pistol casings out of the gravel streets. The rides were included with the admission fee. Could go up from the parking lot via the tram or railroad cars. Sad to see it in such bad shape now.

[@TheLukeExplores]

I would do anything to see real time footage like that. What an odd experience it must be to see it in this state

[@francineapy7797]

Awesome photography!!

[@TheLukeExplores]

Thank you!

[@dorothyboyett3935]

Very interesting and great photography

[@TheLukeExplores]

Thank you so much! Hopefully they bring this place back to life in the near future

[@SarcasticMary]

Okay. Not gonna lie, this was pretty awesome! This was enjoyable to watch, and it was funny! I literally snorted when you said, "What did you find? Did you find a tractor?" 🤣🤣Oh man, that was great.

[@TheLukeExplores]

Wow that means so much! I wanted to explore this place for years- coming to an end of its life!! I’m so glad you loved it and Lucas is a great humor addition I owe it all to him!!

[@SarcasticMary]

@@TheLukeExplores You two make a great comedict team!

[@SarcasticMary]

Damnit, sorry I was late. But I'm here watchng now!

[@TheLukeExplores]

Enjoy it! It’s up in 4k now the stream was a lil wonky

[@AmericanXplorers]

Loved the church, it was one of the best parts! Awesome video fellas 👌🏽 just subscribed to yall

[@TheLukeExplores]

Right back at you, loved seeing your video as it was filmed pretty close to when we did! Church was beautiful- wish we saw it before it sustained so much damage. Subbed to you as well!

[@mmw5156]

Great video, very respectful to the place as well! I'm not sure why people feel the need to tag and destroy things ,so thanks .

[@ayhankarakas8690]

Beautiful images, nice videos, more videos like this

[@TheLukeExplores]

Glad you enjoyed man! Plenty more coming your way every week!!

[@Lawrence-ho9eq]

Ghost town in the sky will still live on for unforgett😢able memories , it was a very fun park , it will never be missed by those who remember the best of times when they were young and loved the wild western theme of the town . A great experience throughout its history ❤.😊😅

[@TheLukeExplores]

Glad you enjoyed! My favorite explore yet!

[@ScottPearson-wl4tu]

Love you guys 💗 this is my first time seeing you and I'm now a subscriber 😀👍

[@TheLukeExplores]

Appreciate you man, so glad you enjoyed

[@ricj7517]

Great video guys 👍 Thank goodness for 4 K

[@SarcasticMary]

Woohoo, can't wait!

[@TheLukeExplores]

Just over two hours! I have a strong feeling you’ll love this episode!

[@SarcasticMary]

@@TheLukeExplores Holy shizz!!! Good thing (not really lol) my puppy ate all my wires on my computer, I'll have time to watch it in full. Lol

[@TheLukeExplores]

@@SarcasticMary get that puppy a treat - I need you both locked in for some exploring 🔒

[@SarcasticMary]

@@TheLukeExplores We will be a little late, but we will be here asap!

[@EmilyVickers-z6d]

so cool!!!

[@TheLukeExplores]

Thank you emily!!

[@timwhite5667]

Well i guess ill say i probably went 12 to 14 times there,use to go every summer. On the first level use to be a ride called the dark ride,it was a scrambler that had inside and used a strobe light and played sandman. The one building was where you purchased the photos from the chairlift that looked like a ticket booth. The newer building was a restaurant. In town was a fudge shop,gift shops. The saloon yall went in use to be where the can can girls danced,you could get a ice cold mug with root beer there. The build with the roud roof was a restaurant with ice-cream,they had great ac. Most of the rides were sold years ago just left the trash rides.the fort was fort apache. There was arcade to the right threw the towers and you could mine for gold to the left. Miss it.

[@TheLukeExplores]

Thanks for the insight man- must be so weird seeing it in this condition. Appreciate the comment

[@timwhite5667]

@@TheLukeExplores it was sad

[@terramoon2313]

Great video, just please be safe and let family members know where you are and expected time time, in case you can't get a signal where you are. I was creeped out watching you walk thru the ride. I enjoyed the view from the mountain tops and seeing the area where you filmed. Be safe and thanks.

[@TheLukeExplores]

Appreciate that a lot! I’m very safe, I always make sure someone knows where I am who isn’t exploring with me. :) I’m glad you loved the video, new one coming soon!

[@kennethfoley3536]

Enjoyed the video, but I will never understand how, with all the money, resources, time and skilled labor it takes to build one of these places and then just close it down and let it rot. Such a waste.

[@TheLukeExplores]

Appreciate that a lot- tbh I don’t get it either. Each abandoned place is millions of dollars wasted in a field. Sad to see, I really hope they try and get ghost town up and running again.

[@TJandRose]

You find some of the sickest places man, I defintiely would have wanted to climb that tower ride as well 😂 loved the video.

[@TheLukeExplores]

Appreciate that so much man! I just saw ur previous comments, hmu on ig and let’s colab bro

[@TJandRose]

@@TheLukeExplores Know any abandoned places that are haunted near us? I’m sure I could find one haha Ill send you a message

[@skiph1622]

It is creepy seeing this abandoned amusement park (and sad). Like others, I remember this place in late 1970’s and hate that it no longer operates. I also sort of wish that this place (along with others) had just been completely dismantled and removed. Like another commenter said, it sort of taints pictures / memories we had as children. **Not that I didn’t think your documentary / filming was a bad thing. It was very good and interesting. But I’m sure you would agree that there is just a sad element to see a once thriving entertainment park, deteriorating away. I also was hoping for Ghost Town to be revitalize and opened again. But I think it has the same chance of reopening as Pripyat amusement park in Chernobyl. From everything that I have heard, most the locals (including those with the governing authority) in Maggie Valley do not ever want Ghost Town in the Sky to open again. I would say that in a decade or 2, the land will be a development for scene mountain cabins and homes.

[@TheLukeExplores]

I wish I got to go here when I was younger, kind of emulated that vintage feeling for me. I hope they get it up and running in the future, but tbh judging by the state of it I’m not so sure it’s got much of a future- even tho there have been talks of bringing the park back to life. Hope you enjoyed!!

[@BamaHama914]

I have a picture of my grandfather in that church standing behind the tree stump pulpit in about 1984

[@TheLukeExplores]

I would love to see that.

[@tammydobson3174]

The ticket stand use to be at the bottom of the mountain before you even got on the rail or sky lifts. I loved this place and go often. I really loved this place so cool. Hey you guys go have a good time and drink a beer for me in the sky. Peace out from a old hippie in the sky. There use to be secret trail that ran on the side of the ghost town where we would go be high in the sky....LMAO. peace out

[@cjones3710]

Old Charles town races and Shenandoah Park benches. Natural bridge also.

[@TheLukeExplores]

Beautiful

[@chrishale5608]

Love the video new subscriber. I do have a question at the end of the video. What was the name of the song that you guys picked to use? Thank you. Look forward to seeing more of your videos.

[@TheLukeExplores]

Appreciate that a lot man, it was a downloaded song so I can look for the name but i don’t know it off the top of my head. Glad you enjoyed, see you super soon for a new explore.

[@scrotchrocket6054]

I only went once growing up , lived about an hr away . The only thing I really remember was a native american show that he done a rain dance and they made it rain .... as a kid it ( like 7ish ) it was pretty amazing , they hid the sprinklers really well , had thunder sheets and lightning , was pretty neat ...... really mind blowing all that is still just sitting there , they did try to redo the park and reopen not too long ago, guess they just gave up and left

[@TheLukeExplores]

This place gave me a feeling like none other- I so so so wish I could have experienced ghost town live. I really hope they invest back into this place over the next few years. Hope you enjoyed!!

[@hales912]

where is this at if you don’t mind???

[@scrotchrocket6054]

@@hales912 maggie valley north carolina

[@marrello72_99]

Place was littered with old popcorn, candy, ice cream, and soda machines even a zippo display I’ve never seen so much stuff just up and left

[@TheLukeExplores]

Was a special time- thank you for joining me bro we have so many adventures upcoming

[@Jaysedc]

So sad to see this place like this ive been here many times back in the 80s

[@TheLukeExplores]

Thanks for the insight!!! I wish I got to see this amazing place while it was active :(

[@Cindy-gu3jv]

In Ohio they destroyed Geauga Lake, an awesome amusement park open for over 60 years, people miss it so bad, it closed years ago just now we heard they are puting in a meijers. Oh boy fun.

[@reneemercer5950]

Actually the fog is the reason its called the smoky mountains in NC

[@TheLukeExplores]

Good to know! Would definitely love to come back at some point, who know how long this historic park has left

[@Boss-hg6ul]

Did he take any photos or videos when he climbed that one ride ? That freefall ride

[@TheLukeExplores]

He took one at the top! Ain’t no way was I following him up there

[@deaconfrost4100]

Sadly by this point financially reopening is pretty much impossible given the state of disrepair and damage from vandals...most of what could be salvaged was either sold off or stolen by now....and since the slide the surrounding terrain is unstable and so safety and financial problems would prevent reopening

[@TheLukeExplores]

Hate to agree but I almost have to. Is it impossible? Not at all, but that would be a lot of money. A lot. To a place which has already had multiple failed reopenings. They would literally need to build supports directly into the building. Prolly plays into what’s taken so long to make a decision in court in this place

[@JimWhite-rl6nv]

My last visit was 2003. The chairs did not work...incline did not work. Had to ride a damn van to the top.Half the rides were disabled. Talked to the"Marshall" about my disappointment. He gave me a full refund. Even he was ashamed. Once a fantastic venue became SHIT!! You have to put money back into it.

[@TheLukeExplores]

Incredible story, love hearing about these. Wish I could have seen it man, this was to this day my favorite explore of all time. I wish they would fix it up but I believe it’s too late now. Thanks for watching!!

[@johnharris8191]

It closed after 2002, was sold and reopened in 2007.

[@LindaHemric]

Cool

[@TheLukeExplores]

@@LindaHemric thanks!

[@grrriallen7192]

I own a cabin in Maggie Valley where Ghost Town is located. It was still going pretty well in the1980 because i took my daughter there so often they started letting us in free. The last time I was there in the early 90s it was on its way thru a slow death. The refreshments stand had no soft drinks, no chips, no anything other than tap water in a glass and popcorn. They hadn’t paid their bills and had been cut off. And it closed. Then some investors came in tried to fix it up and reopen but once again it closed. Dolly Parton tried to buy it to make another “Pigeon Forge” but the local government said no, Thankfully the town government is very conservation and are determined to keep Maggie quaint and authentic. Thank God for that - I hate Pigeon Forge!!!!!! And Gatlinburg!!!!!!

[@TheLukeExplores]

Maggie valley is so beautiful, I can’t wait to go back. How sad is that, one day- everything just shut down? Slow decline, and now it looks like this. Mind boggling. Hope you enjoyed, I would love to see ghost town back to its best

[@johnharris8191]

No, Dolly did not try to buy it. R. B. Coburn who was the original owner said he had never met Dolly or even spoken to her on the phone. That is just one of the many old rumors you hear from locals.

[@maxpower259]

Any problems going up there? I'm headed up that way this weekend, but there are a few videos saying they will arrest you.

[@TheLukeExplores]

I didn’t have any problems but lots do. Be careful if you go and send me a dm on insta

[@jakelucasreyes2813]

Was this filmed in 2024? this might be an off question but I've been following this park for a long time

[@TheLukeExplores]

Hey man! Hit me up on IG!

[@VerdantExploration]

no lie - do you guys live near this area?😭 I seriously can't find anyone to venture here without being chicken!! 😂 hmu if you ever go back!! Awesome video :))

[@TheLukeExplores]

Unfortunately about 15 hours away 😂😂 would totally love to go back, how close by do you live? Glad you enjoyed!!

[@VerdantExploration]

@@TheLukeExplores Living on the flip side of the TN/NC state line. Sevierville area :) I’m so happy you guys were able to make it down this way! That’s awesome you guys are able to travel the whole country to explore - What a dream 😁 Stay safe out there! Can’t wait to see more videos

[@TheLukeExplores]

Thank you so much, new video this coming week!!! We rly went out of our way for this place but it was soooo worth it. I’ll tell ya if we’re ever back in the area I’d totally go again.

[@joshuamackey2326]

Ghost town is now literally a ghost town.. sad

[@TheLukeExplores]

Ironic. But somehow fitting.

[@PsychoCielia]

@lukeexplores I sent you guys an email as I actually got to go there multiple times even behind the scenes and be part of some shows including the shoot-out show in that town :) I go a bit more into detail in my email!

[@TheLukeExplores]

Thanks for the comment and the email, I’ll get back to you a little later this morning. Hope you enjoyed!!

[@mmw5156]

Who owns that ? I'm really surprised they let people come up there.

[@TriableChain552]

What was the date when y’all went? Heard a huge security increase 2nd week of February

[@TheLukeExplores]

Hey man send me a message on insta! Let’s talk details on there.

[@cjones3710]

Red Devil coaster had new seats.

[@TheLukeExplores]

Is that confirmed? Someone told me they were the original seats.

[@cjones3710]

@@TheLukeExplores The blue seats were not there in the 90s, it was enclosed. The trains look the same. The seats are not the same.

[@BamaHama914]

That is not the original cars on the “cliffhanger” roller coaster

[@TheLukeExplores]

That’s funny, another person told me they were the original cars😂😂

[@BamaHama914]

@@TheLukeExplores kzbin.info/www/bejne/opmkc6auj9idbassi=4iyRvR5pLqPVE2sF I rode it in August’93 and these are the cars at that time.

[@TheLukeExplores]

Not sure why it’s not showing in 4k…. Will try and figure that out

[@TheLukeExplores]

Don’t think premieres can be in 4k?! :(

[@828REZBOYS_]

How did y’all get up there without getting shot at

[@TheLukeExplores]

No ones getting shot at.

[@828REZBOYS_]

Ok that’s good not trust passing either

[@TheLukeExplores]

@@828REZBOYS_ we also didn’t pass a single no trespassing sign or camera the entire day

[@NickolasFigler-fi3wj]

Where is this??

[@TheLukeExplores]

Narnia- aka NC

[@TheLukeExplores]

4k available now!!

[@theresastewart3514]

I went there several times as a kid

[@TheLukeExplores]

@@theresastewart3514 I would have loved to see it during the day! Hope you enjoyed!!

[@kevinbeck6419]

To bad that one day they will be condo's there

[@TheLukeExplores]

One day, not yet!

[@monmixer]

Why vandalize it? Makes no sense what people do.

[@TheLukeExplores]

Especially all things considered they had to hike up a damn mountain to…. What? Break a few windows? Really makes 0 sense to me

[@tennwhitetrash]

Yall must be from California...

[@TheLukeExplores]

Why’s that?

[@cjones3710]

Why would folks break beauty? Angry

[@matthewcarloni8766]

What’s with the guy wearing tongs?????

[@TheLukeExplores]

Lucas has a weird thing goin on with those tongs man….

[@gramgram8139]

Fallout 76

[@rahrah5380]

Yo Luke, I been exploring for over 15 yrs and have some amazing spots for u if u ever come to GA or TN. Love ur videos. Was trying to contact u about something but it doesn't seem like your Instagram handle is working? What's a good way to reach u? Email?

[@TheLukeExplores]

Hey!! I Appreciate that a lot, just dm me @thelukeexplores! Thank you for letting me know the handle isn’t working I’ll get that fixed! Definitely hit me up on there!!!