Bedrock City in Arizona is the run-down home of the Flintstones

Have a Yabba-Dabba Weird Time at Bedrock City, AZ

Have a Yabba-Dabba Weird Time at Bedrock City, AZ

Atlas Obscura
Your Guide to the World's Hidden Wonders
April 9 2014 11:25 AM

Bedrock City, the Run-Down Home of the Flintstones

Atlas Obscura on Slate is a blog about the world's hidden wonders. Like us on Facebook, Tumblr, or follow us on Twitter @atlasobscura.

In the middle of the Arizona desert, south of the Grand Canyon, is a real-world version of Bedrock City, the Flintstones' home town.

Established in 1972 — six years after the animated show ended its 166-episode run — the roadside attraction features replicas of Fred and Barney's favorite haunts, including their homes, a grocery store, movie theater, gas station, doctor's office, and a dinosaur with a built-in slide. The famous foot-powered cars also make an appearance, though attempting to drive them is an exercise in exhaustion.

Advertisement

From a distance, Bedrock City appears abandoned. Everything is run down and you're likely to encounter at least one "Out of Order" sign. But that only adds to the bizarre charm of the place.

Pose for photos next to giant bones, pet the "goatasauruses" (a.k.a. sleepy goats wandering around a pen) and crawl through the giant concrete snake, watching out for pebbles and burs along the way. Then get in your car, speed away, and wonder if it was all a fever dream.

As seen on TV:


View Bedrock City in a larger map

Ella Morton is a writer working on The Atlas Obscura, a book about global wonders, curiosities, and esoterica adapted from Atlas Obscura. Follow her on Twitter.