The United States is home to more than 750 operating roller coasters across many but not all 50 states. Those roller coasters range in age to less than a year old to 118 years old.
What’s the oldest coaster in each state? Keep reading to find out:
1. Alabama
Rampage at Alabama Adventure in Bessemer (1998)
© Alabama Adventure
Rampage did not operate in 2002 and from 2012-2014. After being purchased by the Koch Family Parks, it was refurbished and reopened in 2015.
Rampage Stats
- Length: 3,500 feet
- Height: 120 feet
- Drop: 102 feet
- Speed: 56 mph
2. Alaska
There are no roller coasters currently operating in Alaska.
3. Arizona
Desert Storm and Patriot at Castles n’ Coasters in Phoenix (1992)
Desert Storm (left) and Patriot (right). Photos © Castles n’ Coasters
Both coasters are manufactured by Hopkins and were added when the park was expanded by 10 acres in 1992.
Neither of the coaster’s stats are publicly available.
4. Arkansas
Arkansas Twister at Magic Springs in Hot Springs (1992)
Arkansas Twister was relocated from Boardwalk and Baseball in Haines City, Florida, where it operated as Florida Hurricane.
Arkansas Twister Stats
- Length: 3,340 feet
- Height: 95 feet
- Drop: 92 feet
- Speed: 50 mph
5. California
Giant Dipper at Santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk in Santa Cruz (1924)
Photo © Jeremy Thompson
Giant Dipper was followed closely by Giant Dipper at Belmont Park in San Diego (1925).
Giant Dipper Stats
- Length: 2,640 feet
- Height: 70 feet
- Drop: 65 feet
- Speed: 55 mph
6. Colorado
Cyclone at Lakeside Amusement Park in Denver (1940)
Photo © Barry Dale Gilfry
Cyclone is designated as an ACE Coaster Classic.
Cyclone Stats
- Length: 2,800 feet
- Height: 80 feet
- Drop: 80 feet
7. Connecticut
Wildcat at Lake Compounce (1927)
Photo © Lake Compounce
In addition to a complete rebuild in 1986, Wildcat has undergone numerous improvements in the 2010s, including a complete retracking, a partially rebuilt lift hill and two new Millennium Flyer trains from Great Coasters International (GCI).
Wildcat Stats
- Length: 2,746 feet
- Height: 85 feet
- Drop: 78 feet
- Speed: 48 mph
8. Delaware
There are no roller coasters currently operating in Delaware.
9. Florida
Space Mountain at Magic Kingdom at Walt Disney World (1975)
Photo © Disney Parks
The “Florida” Space Mountain predates the “California” Space Mountain at Disneyland by roughly 2 years and 4 months.
Space Mountain Stats
- Length: 3,196 feet (Alpha track); 3,186 feet (Omega track)
- Height: 90 feet
- Speed: 27 mph
10. Georgia
Georgia is home to two roller coasters that both opened in 1967:
Dahlonega Mine Train at Six Flags Over Georgia in Austell outside of Atlanta (1967)
Dahlonega Mine Train Stats
- Length: 2,327 feet
- Height: 37 feet
- Speed: 29 mph
Cannon Ball at Lake Winnepesaukah in Lakeview outside of Chattanooga, TN (1967)
Cannon Ball Stats
- Length: 70 feet
- Height: 70 feet
- Speed: 50 mph
11. Hawaii
Hawaii has not been home to an operating coaster since Big Dipper at Waikiki Park closed in the 1930s.
12. Idaho
Corkscrew at Silverwood in Athol
Photo © Silverwood
Corkscrew first opened under the same name at Knott’s Berry Farm in 1975. The Arrow Dynamics prototype coaster was the first modern steel coaster to turn riders upside down.
Corkscrew Stats
- Length: 1,250 feet
- Height: 70 feet
- Drop: 62 feet
- Speed: 46 mph
- Inversions: 2
13. Illinois
Little Dipper at Kiddieland in Melrose Park, now operating at Six Flags Great America (1950, 2010)
Photo © Six Flags Great America
Six Flags Great America purchased Little Dipper from Kiddieland when the park closed in 2009 for $33,000. The park relocated and reopened the coaster in 2010.
Little Dipper Stats
- Length: 700 feet
- Height: 28 feet
14. Indiana
Tig’rr Coaster at Indiana Beach in Monticello (1984)
Tig’rr Coaster is one of only three of Anton Schwarzkopf’s “Jet Star” models still in operation and is the only one still operating in North America.
Tig’rr Coaster Stats
- Length: 1,765 feet
- Height: 44 feet
- Speed: 31 mph
15. Iowa
Legend at Arnolds Park (1930)
Photo © Arnolds Park
Legend was rebuilt and its train was replaced for the 1989 season. The Arnolds Park website states that Legend is the 13th oldest coaster in the world, but according to RCDB, it is the 18th oldest.
Legend Stats
- Height: 63 feet
16. Kansas
Roller Coaster at Kiddieland in Pittsburg (1960s)
Photo © Joplin’s Local Family Fun
According to RCDB, this small steel coaster was purchased from a traveling operator around 1961, so its original construction date is unknown.
17. Kentucky
Thunder Run at Kentucky Kingdom in Louisville (1990)
Thunder Run has undergone nearly $1 million in refurbishments in recent years.
Thunder Run Stats
- Length: 2,850 feet
- Height: 90 feet
- Drop: 74 feet
- Speed: 53 mph
18. Louisiana
Minor Mike at Celebration Station in Baton Rouge (1993)
19. Maine
Excalibur at Funtown Splashtown U.S.A. in Saco (1998)
Excalibur was the first wooden coaster to open in Maine in 50 years.
Excalibur Stats
- Length: 2,700 feet
- Height: 100 feet
- Drop: 82 feet
- Speed: 55 mph
20. Maryland
Wild One at Six Flags America in Upper Marlboro
Wild One operated as “Giant Coaster” at Paragon Park in Hull, Massachusetts from 1917 to 1984.
Wild One Stats
- Length: 4,000 feet
- Height: 98 feet
- Drop: 88 feet
- Speed: 53 mph
21. Massachusetts
Thunderbolt at Six Flags New England in Agawam (1941)
Photo © Six Flags New England
Then known as Riverside Amusement Park, park owner Edward Carroll Sr. purchased Thunderbolt’s track, train and design from the 1939 New York World’s Fair.
Thunderbolt Stats
- Length: 2,600 feet
- Height: 70 feet
- Speed: 40 mph
22. Michigan
Corkscrew at Michigan’s Adventure in Muskegon (1979)
Photo © Michigan’s Adventure
Corkscrew Stats
- Length: 1,250 feet
- Height: 70 feet
- Speed: 45 mph
23. Minnesota
High Roller at Valleyfair! in Shakopee (1976)
Photo © Valleyfair
High Roller Stats
- Length: 2,982 feet
- Height: 70 feet
- Speed: 50 mph
24. Mississippi
All American Coaster at Brookhaven Exchange Club Park in Brookhaven (1971 or earlier)
Photo © Visit Brookhaven Mississippi
This is the only operating in Mississippi and it only operates for one week each year during the Exchange Club Fair.
25. Missouri
River King Mine Train at Six Flags St. Louis in Eureka (1971)
Photo © Jeremy Thompson
River King Mine Train initially opened as two side-by-side tracks with similar layouts. One of the tracks was sold and moved to Dollywood in 1987. It operated at Dollywood from 1989-1998. It now operates as Big Bad John at Magic Springs in Hot Springs, Arkansas.
River King Mine Train Stats
- Length: 2,500 feet
- Height: 32 feet
- Drop: 41 feet
- Speed: 37 mph
26. Montana
As of this posting, there are no roller coasters operating in Montana. Two roller coasters have been standing but not operating (SBNO) at the Amusement Park Drive In Theater since 2015.
27. Nebraska
Go-Gator at Fun Plex in Omaha
Photo © Fun Plex
28. Nevada
Canyon Blaster at Adventuredome in Las Vegas (1993)
Canyon Blaster is the world’s only indoor double-loop, double-corkscrew roller coaster.
Canyon Blaster Stats
- Length: 2,423 feet
- Height: 94 feet
- Drop: 66 feet
- Speed: 41 mph
- Inversions: 4
29. New Hampshire
Yankee Cannonball at Canobie Lake Park in Salem (1936)
Photo © Jeremy Thompson
The coaster was built in 1930 and operated for five years at Lakewood Park in Waterbury, Connecticut before being relocated to Canobie Lake Park in 1936. It was known as “Greyhound” through the 1970s.
Yankee Cannonball Stats
- Length: 2,000 feet
- Height: 63.5 feet
- Speed: 35 mph
30. New Jersey
Runaway Mine Train at Six Flags Great Adventure in Jackson (1974)
Photo © Jeremy Thompson
Runaway Mine Train Stats
- Length: 2,428 feet
- Height: 60 feet
- Drop: 39 feet
- Speed: 38 mph
31. New Mexico
Galaxi at Cliff’s Amusement Park in Albuquerque (1977)
Photo © Cliff’s Amusement Park
32. New York
Jack Rabbit at Seabreeze in Rochester (1920)
Photo © Seabreeze
According to Seabreeze’s website, Jack Rabbit is the oldest continuously operating roller coaster in America.
Jack Rabbit Stats
- Length: 2,130 feet
- Height: 75 feet
- Speed: 42 mph
33. North Carolina
Carolina Goldrusher at Carowinds in Charlotte (1973)
Photo courtesy of www.carowindsearlyyears.com
Carolina Goldrusher still features the original restraints that lock in the three rows of each car at once.
Carolina Goldrusher Stats
- Length: 2,397 feet
- Height: 43 feet
- Drop: 34 feet
- Speed: 30 mph
34. North Dakota
Runaway Train at Super Slide Amusement Park in Bismark (2009)
Photo © Super Slide Amusement Park
35. Ohio
Little Dipper at Memphis Kiddie Park in Cleveland (1952)
Photo © Memphis Kiddie Park
Little Dipper has been recognized by the American Coaster Enthusiasts organization as the oldest steel coaster operating in North America.
36. Oklahoma
Little Fire Ball at Kiddie Park in Bartlesville (1953-1971)
Photo © Bartlesville Kiddie Park
According to RCDB, Kiddie Park moved to its current location around 1953. It is unknown whether or not the coaster existed at the former location, hence the long time span listed above.
37. Oregon
Ice Mountain Bobsled at Enchanted Forest in Turner (1983)
Photo © Jeremy Thompson
Ice Mountain Bobsled originally opened as an alpine slide-like attraction but was converted into a traditional steel-tracked roller coaster in 1985.
Ice Mountain Bobsled Stats
- Length: 1,600 feet
- Height: 100 feet
38. Pennsylvania
Leap The Dips at Lakemont Park in Altoona (1902)
Leap The Dips is believed to be the oldest operating roller coaster in the world. The ride was saved from destruction in 1985 by local preservationists including members of the American Coaster Enthusiasts organization.
Leap The Dips Stats
- Length: 1,452 feet
- Height: 41 feet
- Drop: 9 feet
39. Rhode Island
There are no roller coasters currently operating in Rhode Island.
40. South Carolina
Swamp Fox at Family Kingdom Amusement Park in Myrtle Beach (1966)
Swamp Fox was damaged by Hurricane Hugo in 1989 and was rebuilt by the 1992 season.
Swamp Fox Stats
- Length: 2,640 feet
- Height: 72 feet
- Drop: 62 feet
- Speed: 50 mph
41. South Dakota
Humpty Dumpty’s Great Fall at Storybook Land in Aberdeen (2015)
Photo © Aberdeen Parks, Recreation & Forestry
Humpty Dumpty’s Great Fall Stats
- Length: 262 feet
- Height: 14.5 feet
42. Tennessee
Blazing Fury at Dollywood in Pigeon Forge (1978)
Take a behind-the-scenes look at Blazing Fury without the lights on.
Blazing Fury Stats
- Length: 1,520 feet
- Height: 22 feet
- Speed: 22 mph
43. Texas
Runaway Mine Train at Six Flags Over Texas in Arlington (1966)
Credit: S Madonna Horcher, Jay Jacobs, SFOT Archives
Learn more about the history of this coaster in “A Tale of Two Mine Trains: Interview with Jay Jacobs.”
Runaway Mine Train Stats
- Length: 2,485 feet
- Height: 35 feet
44. Utah
Roller Coaster at Lagoon in Farmington (1921)
Photo © Lagoon
Roller Coaster was named an ACE Roller Coaster Landmark in 2005 and was listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 2012.
Roller Coaster Stats
- Length: 2,500 feet
- Height: 62 feet
- Speed: 45 mph
45. Vermont
Timber Ripper Mountain Coaster at Okemo Mountain Resort in Ludlow (2010)
Photo © Okemo Mountain Resort
Note: Vermont is home to only two roller coasters, both of which are alpine/mountain coasters. The second is Beast Mountain Coaster at Killington Resort, which opened in 2015.
Timber Ripper Mountain Coaster Stats
- Length: 3,084 feet
- Speed: 25 mph
46. Virginia
Woodstock Express at Kings Dominion in Doswell (1974)
Woodstock Express was previously themed after the cartoon Scooby-Doo, and was just the “Ghoster Coaster” for a few years before settling on the current name and theme.
Woodstock Express Stats
- Length: 1,385 feet
- Height: 35 feet
- Speed: 35 mph
47. Washington
Classic Coaster at Washington State Fair in Puyallup (1935)
Photo © Washington State Fair
The Classic Coaster was first built as a side-friction roller coaster in order to use the trains from the former Scenic Railway at the (still operating) Oaks Amusement Park in Portland, Oregon. The coaster was converted to the traditional style in 1950.
Classic Coaster Stats
- Length: 2,650 feet
- Height: 55 feet
- Drop: 52 feet
- Speed: 50 mph
48. West Virginia
Big Dipper at Camden Park in Huntington (1958)
Read our Camden Park Small Park Showcase.
49. Wisconsin
Little Dipper, Mad Mouse and Swiss Toboggan at Little Amerricka in Marshall all opened in 1993.
Little Dipper
Mad Mouse
Swiss Toboggan
All Photos © Airitme Al
Swiss Toboggan Stats
- Length: 450 feet
- Height: 45 feet
50. Wyoming
Cowboy Coaster at Snow King Mountain in Jackson Hole (2015)
Photo © Snow King Mountain
Note: Cowboy Coaster is an alpine/mountain coaster.
Cowboy Coaster Stats
- Length: 3,280 feet
- Speed: 27 mph
Many thanks to RCDB for keeping such great records of these roller coasters, some of which are fairly obscure.
What is the oldest operating roller coaster that you’ve ridden? Let us know in the comments section below.
Actually the one for Virginia has an error. The Woodstock Express has only ever been themed to Scooby Doo (as Scooby Doo Ghoster Coaster), then shortly after Cedar Fair bought the park it was just Ghoster Coaster. And then it got changed to Woodstock Express (after the little yellow bird from the “peanuts” comic strip.
Good catch Richard! The Kings Island version had a Fairly Odd Parents name, but not KD. Thanks, should be updated now!
Ohio is definitely wrong. Blue streak at Cedar Point was built and opened in 1938…
I think you’re mixing up your Blue Streaks. The one at Cedar Point opened in 1964. Like Sandi says, the one at Conneaut Lake opened in 1938 (and is still running today).
The Blue Streak is @ Conneaut Lake Park,
Pennsylvania. 1938
Why not Meteor at Little Amerricka as Wisconsin’s oldest? It was originally built as Little Dipper at Kiddytown in Illinois in 1953. It would be similar to counting the relocated Little Dipper now at Six Flags Great America by its original build year at Kiddieland in 1950.
Hey Michael, since Meteor has only been operating in Wisconsin since 2007, it didn’t seem fitting to claim it as the state’s oldest. However, I know that it’s a bit of a gray area.
Since Seabreeze park didn’t open this year, Jack Rabbit at Kennywood Park in Pennsylvania, which also opened in 1920, is the oldest continuously operating coaster in the world.
What about the scenic railroad in Luna park Melbourne Australia it opened in 1912 .it would be the oldest
I have been on the Yankee Cannonball and the Thunderbolt. Have a few more old coasters on my bucket list!
Ohio’s Big Dipper at Geauga Lake was the “counterpart” of the Little Dipper. The LD was the first coaster I ever rode and I was yelling for them to stop it. Scarred me for life and I think that’s the reason I became a coaster enthusiast.
The one listed in Louisiana isn’t the oldest, I believe the one at Blue Bayou water park called the galaxy is older, I remember riding it somewhere back in the late 70’s early 80’s.
The Woodstock Express aka The Scooby Doo Coaster was built by my grandfather and and his crew! 🙂 He also built the Rebel Yell aka Racer 75.
You are clueless in you.history. olympic park, irvington. NJ roller coaster was built in 1907. Plus many, many more were built in the early 1900’s. Use your brain.
Hi Ckaire, this list only includes coasters that are still in operation.
Pennsylvania – you missed Kennywood Park rollercoasters….1924 Thunderbolt…..1927 Racer…..1920 Jack Rabbit………..all still in working condition
They’re old but not the oldest in the state of Pennsylvania.
Shoutout to Lochness Monster at Busch Gardens Williamsburg Virginia. It’s been operating since 1978