Beaver, Arkansas: Dinosaur World (Closed)

A 65-acre park filled with prehistoric creatures and a 4-story tall King Kong statue.

Tipster video: Mournful 2009 inspection of closed tourist attraction Dinosaur World, aka Land of Kong.

We wanted to see Dino World, closed or not, so we drove down there on our way back from Eureka Springs. The only part we got to see up close was the entrance -- "No Trespassing" signs were posted everywhere. We went to the nearby gas station and asked if the owners would mind if we just ran in for some quick pictures, and the girl told us that a resort called SpiderCreek had bought it in the spring. They were serious about people staying out -- she said they put up fences everywhere.

On the plus side, she said they bought it because they're planning on turning it into a dino-themed bar!

We stumbled across Dinosaur World on one of our many "Sunday drives" and, like a kid, I instantly commanded to turn around and go back. We went back, only to find it closed...man that sucked! The only enjoyment I got from the park was the view of the giant dinos from the road that ran beside it. There was a chain up so that you couldn't drive through and on the door a sign posted of prices but no dates. I would for sure return just to take the drive through Dinosaur World if it was to open back up.

I'm sad to report Dinosaur World seems to be out of business. It was closed and there were no days or hours listed. Several people had posted notes on the door saying that they had made long trips there only to be disappointed. While we were there reading the notes, the phone inside was ringing off the hook inside with no one answering it. We had come over 200 miles from Kansas City, Missouri.

We looked around the parking lot and grounds and were there for quite a few minutes. We were just about to drive off when a man drove up in a truck. We asked about the park and he said he was not the owner. He said he "thought the owners had trouble getting insurance."