Can You Still Visit Bedrock City? The Famous ‘Flintstones’ Theme Park Explained
The themed amusement park Bedrock City in Valle, Arizona, is on a short list of family hot spots that have recently been given a second life, courtesy of some unexpected new owners who are keeping the cartoon paradise alive. But what is the history of this prehistoric playground? Read on to find out more.
When The Flintstones debuted in 1960, it was an instant television hit for Hanna–Barbera. Presenting the story of a Stone Age family going about their daily business, Fred, Wilma, their daughter Pebbles, and friends Barney and Betty Rubble captured hearts of all ages and initiated what would become one of the longest-running franchises in animation history that now includes numerous TV shows, specials and films, and a slew of character appearances in educational reels and on other programs. The show saw the kind of success that budding entrepreneurs Woody Speckels and his son Francis couldn’t ignore.
Bedrock City Postcards
Bedrock City Postcards
The Speckels family knew a good thing when they saw it, and with 62 acres of land they purchased in the Black Hills of South Dakota, they created Bedrock City, an attraction that fit into the “live in the show universe” category of parks like the Li’l Abner-themed Dogpatch, USA in Arkansas. On opening day in 1966, visitors to Bedrock City were greeted by a 20-foot-tall statue of the Flintstones’ pet dinosaur Dino, who welcomed patrons to step back in time and become citizens in the real-life interactive world straight out of the show they loved.
Patrons could dine at the Bronto Burgers and Ribs restaurant prominently featured in the show’s opening sequence, as well as explore the Flintstone and Rubble houses, along with a jail, bank, theater, and firehouse. Kids could climb on statues of dinosaurs and Baby Puss, the family’s saber-toothed tiger, and interact with actors dressed as characters from the program who wandered the grounds for photos. Overlooking the attraction was “Mount Rockmore,” an installation paying homage to nearby Mount Rushmore with the heads of Fred, Barney, Dino, and Fred’s boss, Mr. Slate. The handmade wonder would evolve to include a train ride to “Dinosaur Canyon” and “Mount St. Wilma” and live music performances to keep things lively.
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Woody Speckels opened a sister attraction in Valle, Arizona, near the Grand Canyon in 1972. While the new park was half the size of the original, it offered plenty of exciting features that expanded the show universe, including a huge brontosaurus slide, barbershop, and grocery store. Flintstones episodes played on a loop on televisions sprinkled throughout the park.
What is its fate now?
When Warner Bros. assumed control of the Hanna-Barbera catalog in 1995, they started issuing mandates for the South Dakota park, and in 2015, after years of conflict, Warner refused to renew the Flintstones license, which led to the sale of the land and eventual attraction demolition. It is now rebranded as the Buffalo Ridge Campground Resort with all the original Flinstones stuff removed as of July 2019.
In 2019, the Arizona location was sold to Troy Morris and Ron Brown, who opened Raptor Ranch on the grounds, preserving Bedrock City and making it part of their bird sanctuary, ensuring visitors can continue to step into the world of Fred and Wilma for generations to come.
Bedrock City at Raptor Ranch costs $12 admission and is open daily. Click here for more details on how to visit this unique attraction that is celebrating 50 years of everyone’s favorite Stone Age family.
Justin Beahm writes a regular column for ReMIND magazine titled “Roadside Memories,” where he shares fascinating and bizarre stories of the past that cover circus attractions, amusement parks, enchanted forests, houses of horror, strange motels, and so much more. He recently expanded on these stories in the new book Roadside Memories: Beloved and Bizarre Attractions from North America’s Past, Volume 1. To get a signed copy, go to Justin’s website now or order through Amazon. You can also follow him on Instagram.
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