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For more than 50 years, Carowinds has been a cornerstone of the Carolinas’ entertainment landscape. The 400-acre park, which straddles the North and South Carolina border, has drawn millions of visitors with its towering roller coasters, water slides, and seasonal events. Families, thrill-seekers, and longtime locals alike often view the park as a summer tradition.
Yet this weekend, fans eager to take another spin on Fury 325 or cool off at Carolina Harbor will be turned away. The park will be closing its gates to all regular guests on Sunday.
Credit: Carowinds
The move comes during a turbulent year for the company. A merger between Six Flags and Cedar Fair was meant to streamline operations and strengthen the brand, but instead it has fueled rumors of instability. Several parks have already been marked for closure, including California’s Great America and Six Flags America in Maryland.
A Theme Park with a Storied Past
Carowinds first opened its doors in 1973, quickly establishing itself as one of the largest amusement parks in the Southeast. Signature events such as SCarowinds during Halloween keep attendance flowing well beyond the summer months.
Credit: Carowinds
Ownership changes have also defined its history. In the 1990s, under Paramount, rides were tied to Hollywood films. Following the Cedar Fair acquisition in 2006, the park pivoted away from movie branding and invested heavily in record-breaking coasters.
The latest chapter began when Cedar Fair and Six Flags merged, making Carowinds part of the largest regional theme park operator in North America.
Despite this stature, challenges remain. Attendance across Six Flags properties dropped to 14.19 million visitors in the three months ending June 29, 2025, compared to 15.5 million in the same quarter last year.
Investors were further rattled by news that CEO Richard Zimmerman, formerly head of Cedar Fair, will step down at the end of the year, with some even rooting for Bob Chapek as a possible replacement.
Why Carowinds Is Closing This Weekend
While fans may worry about permanent closure, Carowinds is not disappearing from the map. Instead, Six Flags is shutting the park to host a private event. Both Carowinds and the Carolina Harbor Waterpark will be unavailable to regular visitors on Sunday, August 17.
The park confirmed the news on social media:
Reminder: #Carowinds and Carolina Harbor Waterpark will be closed for a private event on Sunday, August 17th.
Reminder: #Carowinds and Carolina Harbor Waterpark will be closed for a private event on Sunday, August 17th.
Calendar: https://t.co/srlaWxHyGf pic.twitter.com/fxrBEYg3g0
— Carowinds (@Carowinds) August 15, 2025
This means the public will temporarily lose access to marquee attractions, including Fury 325, Slingshot, The Flying Cobras, Thunder Striker, and Vortex. It’s not the first time this season Carowinds has gone dark—inclement weather forced closures earlier in June and August.
Looking ahead, the park will shift into its fall operating calendar. After reopening on Saturday, August 23, Carowinds will primarily operate on weekends through September 12.
The return of SCarowinds will expand hours to Fridays as well, running through November 2 before the park closes for the season. Special weekday openings are also scheduled for September 1, October 23, and October 30.
For now, guests will have to adjust their plans, but the park’s long-term future appears safe. The question is whether Six Flags can stabilize its broader portfolio without more high-profile closures.
Have you visited Carowinds yet this season?
