In Clark County, Indiana, there sits a spectacular and underappreciated place by the name of Charlestown State Park. The park sprawls across 5,100 acres and sits on the bank of the Ohio River.

Rose Island is on the north bank of the Ohio River, and easy to find from the state park.

Charlestown State Park/Facebook Trail #7 will take you there.

But within the park is a second park, this one long-abandoned and completely forgotten by the past.

Jonathan Parrish/Flickr It was called Rose Island Amusement Park, and for a few years, it enjoyed relative success.

To find Trail #7, one must first take Trail #3 to the bridge.

Jonathan Parrish/Flickr Cross the bridge and check out the “island”, which is actually a peninsula.

Founded as the site for an amusement park in 1923 by David Rose after decades of bouncing to a few different owners, the park enjoyed a steady stream of visitors.

Jonathan Parrish/Flickr There was much to do here. Some activities included dancing, golf, and a mini-zoo.

The park did well until the Great Depression slammed into Indiana head-on.

Jonathan Parrish/Flickr From that fateful year forward, the park struggled. Finally, a catastrophic flood put it out of its misery in 1937. From there, it closed for good, a shell of its former self.

In 1995, after the land had once again bounced around to multiple owners, it was donated to the state park.

Charlestown State Park/Facebook Today, guests can explore what’s left of the amusement park on their own, or take a tour offered by Charlestown State Park. As far as they’re concerned, it’s there to stay.

For more information about the park including hours, fees, licenses, tour info and more, visit their website here.

Charlestown State Park/Facebook

Trail #7 will take you there.

Jonathan Parrish/Flickr

It was called Rose Island Amusement Park, and for a few years, it enjoyed relative success.

Cross the bridge and check out the “island”, which is actually a peninsula.

There was much to do here. Some activities included dancing, golf, and a mini-zoo.

From that fateful year forward, the park struggled. Finally, a catastrophic flood put it out of its misery in 1937. From there, it closed for good, a shell of its former self.

Today, guests can explore what’s left of the amusement park on their own, or take a tour offered by Charlestown State Park. As far as they’re concerned, it’s there to stay.

Have you ever visited this awesome abandoned wonder? What did you think? Tell us your stories in the comments!

OnlyInYourState may earn compensation through affiliate links in this article.

Address: 12500 IN-62, Charlestown, IN 47111, USA