Footage of Lake Dolores Waterpark, California's first water park, has resurfaced online, evoking a wave of nostalgia for the now-abandoned Mojave Desert attraction. The park, which opened nearly 65 years ago, was a popular destination for Californians seeking recreation in the remote desert landscape.
The resurfaced video, shared on X by user Brian Roemmele, depicts the park in its heyday, featuring swimmers on zip lines, waterslides, and around the lake. Roemmele described the scene as "unabashed California culture that is long gone."
Lake Dolores Waterpark, located in Newberry Springs, was built by local Bob Byers and named after his wife. The 250-acre park utilized underground springs from the Mojave Aquifer to fill its lake and attractions. Thrill-seekers could ride one of ten waterslides, including eight identical 150-foot slides and two V-shaped slides where visitors would stand. The park also featured a zip-cord ride, a lazy river, bumper boats, and a go-kart track.
An old news program clip within the footage shows the park's owner and his family operating the park, and even a news anchor participating in the attractions.
The park faced numerous challenges that led to its closure. It initially closed in the 1980s, later rebranding as "Rock-a-Hoola" and reopening in 1998. Shortly after, a significant accident resulted in a $4.4 million judgment, leading to investor bankruptcy. The park attempted another revival as "Discovery Waterpark" in 2002 but closed for the third time in 2004. Reports indicate that its slides were sold off, and the structures were left to deteriorate.
Today, the site is abandoned, covered in graffiti, and overgrown. Barbed wire and chain-link fences surround the property, which was last listed for sale in 2023. The resurfaced footage has prompted online commenters to express their memories of the park and lament the loss of its distinctive energy.
