If you grew up in South Louisiana, you know the vibe of pulling off I-10 onto Highland Road. That massive, yellow and blue Ragin' Cajun loop looming over the highway was basically a landmark. For decades, Dixie Landin’ amusement park Baton Rouge was the place where you’d burn your feet on the hot concrete and lose your voice screaming on the Galaxi.
But things changed fast.
Right now, if you drive past that spot near the intersection of I-10 and I-12, the silence is pretty heavy. Most people are asking the same thing: Is it coming back? The short answer is no—at least not the Dixie Landin’ we used to know.
The Sudden End of an Era
In June 2025, the park’s owner, Sam Haynes Jr., made the announcement that hit locals like a ton of bricks. After opening for just eight days that season, Dixie Landin’ shuttered its gates for good. Permanently.
Honestly, the writing had been on the wall for a while.
Attendance had been tanking. The park was struggling with staffing, and let’s be real, the upkeep wasn’t exactly "Disney-level" in those final years. Haynes cited a lack of visitors as the primary reason for pulling the plug. It’s wild to think that a place that once hosted massive summer concerts and packed crowds could just... stop.
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The land is valuable, though. We’re talking about several parcels with a market value estimated around $3 million. While the rides sit idle, there’s already a leasing sign posted on the property.
What’s Staying and What’s Going?
Here is where it gets a little confusing for folks. You’ve got two parks sitting side-by-side: Dixie Landin’ (the dry rides) and Blue Bayou (the water park).
They aren’t sharing the same fate.
- Dixie Landin’ is dead. The rides like the Hot Shot drop tower and the Splinter log flume are effectively retired. There are no plans to reopen the amusement side.
- Blue Bayou is getting a second life. A new management group, Leisure Sports and Recreation LLC, stepped in to lease the water park side.
- A New Name. When the water park reopens in May 2026, it won’t even be called Blue Bayou anymore. It’s being rebranded as Soak’n Fun.
The new operators are the same people who run Gulf Islands Waterpark over in Gulfport, Mississippi. They’ve promised a total overhaul—cleanliness, better safety, and a "family-focused" environment. If you ever visited in the early 2020s and saw the murky water or the half-closed concessions, you know why a fresh start was necessary.
The Rides We’ll Probably Never Ride Again
It’s a weird kind of nostalgia, thinking about the specific clinking sound of a Vekoma Boomerang coaster. The Ragin' Cajun was the crown jewel. It dropped you from 14 stories up and sent you through those loops at nearly 50 mph—both forward and backward.
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Then there was the Xtreme. That spinning coaster was a later addition, but it had its own cult following.
The park was actually a second home for many of these machines. Before Dixie Landin' opened in 1999, many of the attractions were moved from the old Fun Fair Park at Airline and Florida. The Manchac Railroad and the Grand Carousel were links to an even older era of Baton Rouge history.
Now, those steel skeletons are just waiting for a buyer or a wrecking ball.
Why Did It Fail?
It wasn't just one thing. It was a perfect storm.
First, the 2020 pandemic closures crippled the momentum. Then came Hurricane Ida in 2021, which tore up parts of the park. When they did try to reopen, they couldn't find enough lifeguards or ride operators. People on Reddit and local forums were constantly complaining about high prices for a park where half the stuff was broken.
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There were also some pretty serious headlines over the years. Labor department fines for child labor violations didn't help the park's image. Neither did the tragic accidents that happen at any aging park but feel much heavier when the park is already struggling.
What to Do Now
If you’re looking for a thrill in Baton Rouge this summer, your options have shifted.
- Wait for 2026. If you want that specific location, wait for the Soak’n Fun rebranding. It’s going to be water-only, but the investment looks promising.
- Head West or East. For a full-scale amusement park experience, most locals are now making the trek to Six Flags Over Texas in Arlington or hitting OWA in Foley, Alabama.
- Check Out Local Alternatives. If you just need a day out with the kids, the BREC parks and the Louisiana Art & Science Museum are the move, though obviously, they lack the 14-story drops.
The era of the "Mega-Park" in Baton Rouge has officially pivoted. Dixie Landin’ served its purpose for twenty-five years, giving a generation of Louisianans their first taste of a real roller coaster. It’s a bit sad to see the "closed" signs become permanent, but that’s the reality of the business.
Keep an eye on the demolition or relocation of the rides. Seeing the Ragin' Cajun taken apart will be the final signal that the Highland Road skyline is changing forever.
Actionable Steps
- Avoid buying old gift cards: If you find "Dixie Landin'" or "Blue Bayou" vouchers online or in drawers, be aware they may not be honored by the new "Soak’n Fun" management.
- Follow the New Management: Check out Leisure Sports and Recreation LLC’s social media for updates on the 2026 reopening of the water park side.
- Check the secondary market: If you’re a theme park nerd, keep an eye on auction sites; park equipment from closed venues often ends up at smaller regional fairs.