Enchanted Forest Map and Brochure (1980)
Built along a looping path through shaded Maryland woods, the Enchanted Forest was one of America’s earliest storybook parks—more winding garden walk than thrill ride. The Enchanted Forest map helped families follow the fairytale trail without missing tucked-away cottages, talking animals, or the crooked little house behind the pond.
- Location
- Ellicott City, Maryland
- Years Active
- 1955 – 1995
You’d mark rest stops, snack shacks, and photo corners before circling back to the castle gate. The gravel crunch, the narrow bridges, and the occasional bottleneck by the giant shoe—those details made it personal. Think vintage Disney without the jet lag.
Enchanted Forest Map 1980
In 1980, Enchanted Forest added the Comedy Theatre, a new live entertainment venue built for Susan Tofte, who wrote and directed musical comedies inspired by fairy tales.
This addition marked the park’s continued expansion following earlier attractions like Tofteville western town and the Haunted House, incorporating live stage performance into its existing themed environments and enhancing visitor engagement through original in-park productions.
FAQ
What happened to The Enchanted Forest in Maryland?
The Enchanted Forest in Ellicott City, Maryland, closed permanently in 1995 after nearly 40 years of operation. Most of its fairy-tale structures and rides were relocated beginning in 2004 to nearby Clark’s Elioak Farm, where they were restored and displayed for visitors. The site of the original park is now the Enchanted Forest Shopping Center, while Clark’s Elioak Farm continues to celebrate the park’s legacy, including a 70th anniversary event held in August 2025.
How long does it take to walk around The Enchanted Forest?
Walking through The Enchanted Forest area at Clark’s Elioak Farm typically takes about one hour. Visitors exploring the full farm—with petting zoo, maze, and rides—often spend between 1.5 and 3 hours total. The pace depends on participation in attractions like the train, hayride, or pumpkin patch visits.
Was Cry Baby filmed at Enchanted Forest?
Yes, part of the 1990 John Waters film Cry-Baby was filmed at The Enchanted Forest amusement park in Ellicott City, Maryland. Other filming locations included Ellicott City, Baltimore, Sykesville, and the Maryland House of Correction in Jessup. The Enchanted Forest scenes depicted part of the movie’s 1950s fairground setting.
What is the old amusement park in Ellicott City?
The old amusement park in Ellicott City is The Enchanted Forest. Opened in 1955, it was a fairy-tale–themed park featuring nursery rhyme scenes and storybook structures, and it closed in 1989 after decades of operation. Many original attractions were later moved to Clark’s Elioak Farm nearby for preservation.
Hiya Miriam, I never got the chance to go, but I’ve heard great things! Please feel free to share anything else you can remember! Let me know if you have any photos to share 🙂
Took my son their in 1985 he was 4 years we had a blast.