High atop Beech Mountain, North Carolina, a forgotten world from your childhood awaits—The Land of Oz, a once-abandoned, now-revived Wizard of Oz theme park. Originally opening in 1970, it was hailed as the #1 tourist attraction in the country in its debut year, drawing in thousands of visitors and celebrities like Debbie Reynolds, Carrie Fisher, Muhammad Ali, and even Ray Bolger—the original Scarecrow himself. Designed to fully immerse guests in Dorothy’s journey, the park featured a winding Yellow Brick Road, the Gale farmhouse, and a magical Emerald City experience.

Though the park closed in 1980 due to financial struggles and a devastating fire, its story didn’t end there. Over the years, dedicated preservation efforts—led by the original landowners, the Leidy family—brought Oz back to life. Today, Land of Oz is open for special events, including the hugely popular Autumn at Oz Festival in September, which transforms the mountain into a living, breathing storybook adventure.

Visitors can walk the original Yellow Brick Road, step inside Dorothy’s farmhouse, and meet beloved characters from the classic tale, all while surrounded by breathtaking Blue Ridge Mountain views. Whether you’re a die-hard Oz fan, a seeker of nostalgia, or just love surreal hidden gems, the Land of Oz is a dreamlike, once-in-a-lifetime destination where the magic never truly fades.