In the heart of the sprawling wilderness lies a hidden realm, known only to a chosen few. This enchanting place, referred to as the magic forest, is a realm of wonder and mystery. As you step into its depths, you are immediately captivated by the vibrant colors and the symphony of sounds filling the air. The magic forest is a place where reality merges with fantasy. Tall, majestic trees tower above, their branches whispering secrets to the wind. The ground beneath your feet is covered in a lush carpet of emerald green moss, springy and soft to the touch.

The Magic Forest is closed, but you can still own a piece of the storybook park’s mangy menagerie

The Magic Forest, a storybook amusement park located in Lake George, New York, looked abandoned for years before it officially closed. Hundreds of fiberglass figures strewn about the heavily-wooded park were faded by decades of sun and exposure to the elements, covered in spider webs and other forest detritus. Fairies were missing fingers, buttons used to activate animatronics were broken, and, when I put a quarter into a prize machine, I received nothing in return.

It’s a miracle that the Magic Forest, which opened in 1963, outlived its expiration date by several years—maybe even decades—but nothing lasts forever. The magic finally ran out last year when longtime owner Jack Gillette sold the park to a local contractor, Ruben Ellsworth. Ellsworth plans to reopen the space as Lake George Expedition Park with all-new attractions, including dinosaurs.

• The entrance to the park. | Photo: Alexandra Charitan
• Photos: Alexandra Charitan
• Photo: Alexandra Charitan
• The World’s Tallest Uncle Sam. | Photos: Alexandra Charitan
• Photo: Alexandra Charitan
• Photo: Alexandra Charitan
• Photos: Alexandra Charitan
• Photo: Alexandra Charitan

After Ellsworth decided to take the park in a different direction, Gillette contacted Joel Baker, owner of the Muffler Man restoration company American Giants, to help facilitate the sale of all of those fiberglass figures. Baker first visited the park in 2012 while he was researching Muffler Men (the park had four).

“I was impressed by the amount of original International Fiberglass figures there,” Baker says. “It was an amazing collection of original pieces—the largest I knew to exist.”

He was tasked with finding buyers for all of the pieces in the Magic Forest’s diverse collection. He cataloged the items, helped set prices, and listed them on his website. The sale began last November, and Baker was shocked with the level of interest. In the beginning, “I was getting over 30 emails a day,” he says.

The pace has slowed, but each week he continues to get inquiries. “The majority of the items have now sold and most of the well-known, larger items are gone—like the big animals and Muffler Men—but there are still plenty of items online for those that are interested.”

The ground beneath your feet is covered in a lush carpet of emerald green moss, springy and soft to the touch. Sunlight filters through the canopy, casting a tranquil glow on the forest floor. Every step you take reveals something extraordinary.

Own a piece of history

Before Chuck E. Cheese, video games, Six Flags, or Disney World, parks like the Magic Forest used to be the place to take your kids. Like most relics of another time, however, these low-tech parks—if they still exist at all—are becoming harder to find.

When I visited the Magic Forest in 2015, the woman at the ticket counter tried to dissuade us—two adults with nary a child in sight—from entering. Undeterred, we assured her that we were willing participants in the charade that the park was still a viable tourist destination. In fact, we were in love with the idea that we could actually achieve time-travel for less than $30 per person.

• Photo: Alexandra Charitan
• Photos: Alexandra Charitan
• Photo: Alexandra Charitan
• Photos: Alexandra Charitan
• Photo: Alexandra Charitan
• Photos: Alexandra Charitan
• Photo: Alexandra Charitan
• Photos: Alexandra Charitan

Modern amusement parks just can’t compete with the thrill we got when we realized—perhaps too late—that our body weight was testing the load-bearing limits of one of five rides said to accommodate adults. For as long as I live, I won’t forget how it felt to teeter on the brink of death, slowly ascending on a rickety Ferris wheel that appeared to have been built from the mismatched pieces of a garage sale Erector set.

Or, if I do forget, perhaps my lapse in memory is due to the literal high we got as we were nearly asphyxiated by fumes from the diesel tractor pulling us through the park. I’d gladly trade a few more brain cells to take that so-called safari ride again and spend a few more precious moments with the mangy menagerie of animals scattered throughout the woods. Where else can you see Esso tigers and Sinclair Dinosaurs peacefully coexisting with pink flamingos and polar bears?

Luckily, anyone with the money and means to drive to Lake George can still own a piece of history. “You just don’t get that opportunity every day,” says Baker. He says that all of the figures lived diverse—and sometimes many—past lives before they came to the Magic Forest. They came from Woody’s Fiberglass in Tennessee, Benson’s Wild Animal Farm in New Hampshire, a mini-golf course in Ohio, and the Danbury Fair in Connecticut. Unfortunately, for each figure whose origins are known, another’s backstory has been lost over time.

Sometimes, Baker would get ten emails expressing interest in a single item before he could even list it as sold. “There was this crazy little tiny squirrel that was literally the smallest figure I listed and everyone wanted that thing,” he says.

One family contacted him about a fiberglass teddy bear. They had visited the Magic Forest for years and always taken their kids’ photo with that particular bear. “When they heard about the sale they purchased that teddy bear and it meant the world to them,” Baker says.

• Clown Muffler Man. | Photo: Alexandra Charitan
• Photos: Alexandra Charitan
• Photo: Alexandra Charitan
• Photos: Alexandra Charitan
• Photo: Alexandra Charitan
• Photos: Alexandra Charitan
• Pecos Bill is still for sale. | Photo: Alexandra Charitan
• Photos: Alexandra Charitan

A lion-head drinking fountain (and lion-head trash can), a caveman family, Ma and Pa Kettle, an Esso tiger, a 15-foot Santa, a one-hump camel, a skull, and several other pieces are still up for sale. Prices range from a few hundred dollars into the tens of thousands. For just $12,000, you can literally be the old lady who lived in a (20-foot-tall) shoe—old lady and five fiberglass children included.

“I am very grateful to the Magic Forest for essentially saving all this original fiberglass all these years, and also for calling us rather than an auction house who could care less about anything other than the money,” says Baker. “Our website found buyers who truly have a passion for saving these kinds of things.”

Delicate flowers in a myriad of hues bloom in abundance, as if they were brushed with a painter's palette. Magical creatures, invisible to the human eye, flit and flutter around, casting spells and spreading enchantment wherever they go. The magic forest is alive with a symphony of creatures, both big and small. Squirrels scurry up and down the trees, their bushy tails leaving a trail of mischief. Birds of diverse species can be heard singing melodiously, their songs filling the air with an ethereal charm. Deer gracefully wander through the glades, their eyes shining with a wisdom that betrays their magical nature. A walk through the magic forest is an invitation to explore the unknown. Hidden trails wind through the ancient trees, leading to bewitching glens and sparkling streams. Ancient stone circles stand as silent witnesses to the forest's rich history, evoking a sense of awe and reverence. Legend has it that the magic forest is a gateway to other realms, where mythical beings dwell and time stands still. It is said that those who are pure of heart and possess a deep love for nature may catch glimpses of this otherworldly realm and all its wonders. As evening falls, the magic forest transforms into a place of enchantment. The moon rises, casting a silvery glow on the mossy ground. Fireflies dance through the air and the trees seem to whisper ancient incantations. It is a realm where dreams come alive and the impossible becomes possible. The magic forest is a sanctuary for the restless souls seeking solace and tranquility. It is a place where worries fade away and a deep sense of connection with nature is restored. Stepping into this mystical realm is an invitation to embrace the magic that lies within us all..

Reviews for "The Magic Forest: An Escape from Reality"

1. John - 2/5

I found the Magic Forest to be quite underwhelming. The attractions were not well-maintained or properly organized. The supposed "magic" was lacking, and it seemed more like a regular forest with a few decorations here and there. The staff was unhelpful and disinterested. Overall, I was quite disappointed with my visit to the Magic Forest.

2. Sarah - 2/5

I had heard great things about the Magic Forest, but my experience was far from magical. The rides were outdated and in need of repair. The park seemed poorly managed, with long wait times and a lack of crowd control. The food options were limited and overpriced. I don't think I'll be returning to the Magic Forest anytime soon.

3. Robert - 1/5

I was extremely disappointed with my visit to the Magic Forest. The attractions were crowded and poorly maintained. The staff was rude and unprofessional. The park was not worth the high admission price. Overall, I would not recommend the Magic Forest to anyone looking for a fun and enjoyable day out.

4. Jessica - 2/5

I had high hopes for the Magic Forest, but unfortunately, it did not live up to my expectations. The park felt outdated and in need of renovations. The rides were not well-maintained and some appeared to be unsafe. The overall atmosphere was lackluster and did not evoke any sense of magic. I was left feeling quite disappointed after my visit to the Magic Forest.

5. Michael - 1/5

I regretted visiting the Magic Forest. The park was overcrowded and the attractions had long wait times. The staff was unhelpful and seemed disorganized. The high ticket prices did not justify the poor quality of the experience. Overall, I would advise others to avoid the Magic Forest and instead explore other attractions in the area.

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