Every State's Favorite Coaster to Ride This National Roller Coaster Day

Every year on August 16th, roller coaster enthusiasts celebrate this date and have since dubbed it National Roller Coaster Day. In many ways, roller coasters have become a symbol of thrill-seeking fun in every corner of the United States. That's why 247 Tempo takes you on a grand tour of roller coasters from every state, ones that stand out as points of pride for locals and must-rides for visitors.

Many of these coasters are tied to the identity of their parks and cities, which is half the reason why they were chosen. The other half? No roller coaster is worth riding if it isn't fun; these are the attractions guests can't help but want to ride again and again.

To create this state-by-state coaster showcase, 247 Tempo used sources such as ACE (American Coaster Enthusiasts) Landmark listings, Coaster101, Coasterpedia ride profiles, park press releases, and industry publications like Amusement Today. Let's honor the spirit of National Roller Coaster Day in all 50 states.

Alabama – Rampage

Theme Park: Alabama Adventure & Splash Adventure, Bessemer.
Why People Love It: Classic wooden coaster with a smooth yet thrilling ride; beloved for its airtime and scenic drops.
Year Opened: 1998

Alaska – Miner Mike

Theme Park: Alaska State Fair, Palmer.
Why People Love It: A rare coaster experience in Alaska, offering fun for families during the annual fair.
Year Opened: 2000

Arizona – Desert Storm

Theme Park: Castles N' Coasters, Phoenix.
Why People Love It: Compact looping coaster with two inversions; popular for its urban skyline views.
Year Opened: 1992

Arkansas – Arkansas Twister

Theme Park: Magic Springs Theme and Water Park, Hot Springs.
Why People Love It: Wooden coaster relocated from Florida; loved for its nostalgic layout and smooth pacing.
Year Opened: 1978

California – Giant Dipper

Theme Park: Santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk, Santa Cruz.
Why People Love It: Historic wooden coaster with stunning ocean views; a National Historic Landmark.
Year Opened: 1924

Colorado – Twister II

Theme Park: Elitch Gardens, Denver.
Why People Love It: Wooden coaster modeled after the original Mr. Twister; known for its sweeping drops.
Year Opened: 1995

Connecticut – Boulder Dash

Theme Park: Lake Compounce, Bristol.
Why People Love It: Mountain-hugging wooden coaster famous for terrain use and airtime.
Year Opened: 2000

Delaware – Family Gravity Coaster

Theme Park: Funland, Rehoboth Beach.
Why People Love It: Small steel coaster ideal for younger riders; a boardwalk tradition.
Year Opened: 1985

Florida – Mako

Theme Park: SeaWorld Orlando, Orlando.
Why People Love It: Hypercoaster delivering sustained airtime and smooth speed; themed to a shark’s hunt.
Year Opened: 2016

Georgia – Goliath

Theme Park: Six Flags Over Georgia, Austell.
Why People Love It: Hypercoaster with massive drops and long airtime hills; fan-favorite for smooth thrills.
Year Opened: 2006

Hawaii – Pineapple Express

Theme Park: Wet'n'Wild Hawaii, Kapolei.
Why People Love It: Family coaster with gentle drops; unique as Hawaii's only permanent coaster.
Year Opened: 2008

Idaho – Timber Terror

Theme Park: Silverwood Theme Park, Athol.
Why People Love It: Wooden out-and-back coaster loved for night rides and airtime.
Year Opened: 1996

Illinois – Raging Bull

Theme Park: Six Flags Great America, Gurnee.
Why People Love It: B&M hypercoaster with a unique twister layout; praised for smoothness.
Year Opened: 1999

Indiana – The Voyage

Theme Park: Holiday World, Santa Claus.
Why People Love It: Record-breaking wooden coaster with airtime and tunnels; themed to ocean voyages.
Year Opened: 2006

Iowa – The Monster

Theme Park: Adventureland, Altoona.
Why People Love It: Steel coaster with unique vertical lift and inversions; striking nighttime lighting.
Year Opened: 2016

Kansas – Nightmare Mine

Theme Park: Joyland Amusement Park (closed but coaster remains), Wichita.
Why People Love It: Indoor coaster with themed mine setting; remembered fondly by locals.
Year Opened: 1999

Kentucky – Lightning Run

Theme Park: Kentucky Kingdom, Louisville.
Why People Love It: Launched coaster with intense airtime and rapid transitions.
Year Opened: 2014

Louisiana – Mega Zeph

Theme Park: Jazzland / Six Flags New Orleans (SBNO).
Why People Love It: Classic Coney Island Cyclone-inspired wooden coaster; remembered for smooth ride pre-Katrina.
Year Opened: 2000

Maine – Excalibur

Theme Park: Funtown Splashtown USA, Saco.
Why People Love It: Wooden coaster with medieval theming; loved for drops and turns.
Year Opened: 1998

Maryland – Wild One

Theme Park: Six Flags America, Upper Marlboro.
Why People Love It: Historic wooden coaster relocated from Paragon Park; smooth and scenic.
Year Opened: 1917

Massachusetts – Superman The Ride

Theme Park: Six Flags New England, Agawam.
Why People Love It: Award-winning steel hypercoaster with intense airtime and river views.
Year Opened: 2000

Michigan – Shivering Timbers

Theme Park: Michigan's Adventure, Muskegon.
Why People Love It: Massive wooden coaster known for airtime and length.
Year Opened: 1998

Minnesota – Renegade

Theme Park: Six Flags America, Shakopee.
Why People Love It: Wooden coaster blending traditional and modern elements; loved for variety.
Year Opened: 2007

Mississippi – Oval Coaster

Theme Park: Gulf Islands Waterpark, Gulfport.
Why People Love It: Compact family coaster for younger thrill-seekers.
Year Opened: 2015

Missouri – Outlaw Run

Theme Park: Silver Dollar City, Branson.
Why People Love It: Wooden coaster with inversions; praised for smoothness and innovation.
Year Opened: 2013

Montana – Blizzard

Theme Park: Big Sky Waterpark, Columbia Falls.
Why People Love It: Portable-style steel coaster offering fun in a small package.
Year Opened: 2000

Nebraska – Cosmic Coaster

Theme Park: Fun Plex, Omaha.
Why People Love It: Family-friendly steel coaster with a gentle layout.
Year Opened: 1995

Nevada – El Loco

Theme Park: Adventuredome at Circus Circus, Las Vegas.
Why People Love It: Compact coaster with steep drops and unique turns; indoors for year-round fun.
Year Opened: 2014

New Hampshire – Yankee Cannonball

Theme Park: Canobie Lake Park, Salem.
Why People Love It: Classic wooden coaster beloved for nostalgia and airtime.
Year Opened: 1930

New Jersey – El Toro

Theme Park: Six Flags Great Adventure, Jackson.
Why People Love It: Modern wooden coaster known for extreme airtime and smooth ride.
Year Opened: 2006

New Mexico – New Mexico Rattler

Theme Park: Cliff's Amusement Park, Albuquerque.
Why People Love It: Wooden coaster weaving through the park; popular for smooth turns.
Year Opened: 2002

New York – Cyclone

Theme Park: Coney Island, Brooklyn.
Why People Love It: Iconic wooden coaster with sharp drops; a symbol of NYC amusement history.
Year Opened: 1927

North Carolina – Fury 325

Theme Park: Carowinds, Charlotte.
Why People Love It: Gigacoaster with massive height and speed; internationally acclaimed.
Year Opened: 2015

North Dakota – Super Slide Coaster

Theme Park: North Dakota State Fair, Minot.
Why People Love It: Portable family coaster featured annually at the fair.
Year Opened: 1990

Ohio – Steel Vengeance

Theme Park: Cedar Point, Sandusky.
Why People Love It: Record-breaking hybrid coaster with intense airtime and inversions.
Year Opened: 2018

Oklahoma – Silver Bullet

Theme Park: Frontier City, Oklahoma City.
Why People Love It: Steel looping coaster with a compact, thrilling layout.
Year Opened: 1986

Oregon – Adrenaline Peak

Theme Park: Oaks Amusement Park, Portland.
Why People Love It: Euro-Fighter style coaster with vertical lift and beyond-vertical drop.
Year Opened: 2018

Pennsylvania – Phoenix

Theme Park: Knoebels Amusement Resort, Elysburg.
Why People Love It: Relocated wooden coaster praised for airtime and smooth ride.
Year Opened: 1947

Rhode Island – Kiddie Coaster

Theme Park: Atlantic Beach Park, Westerly.
Why People Love It: Small coaster for kids; part of local beach tradition.
Year Opened: 1999

South Carolina – Intimidator

Theme Park: Carowinds, Charlotte.
Why People Love It: Hypercoaster themed to Dale Earnhardt; known for smooth airtime hills.
Year Opened: 2010

South Dakota – Cobra

Theme Park: Wild Water West, Sioux Falls.
Why People Love It: Family coaster with compact footprint; popular in summer months.
Year Opened: 2005

Tennessee – Lightning Rod

Theme Park: Dollywood, Pigeon Forge.
Why People Love It: Launched wooden coaster with intense speed and airtime.
Year Opened: 2016

Texas – Iron Rattler

Theme Park: Six Flags Fiesta Texas, San Antonio.
Why People Love It: Hybrid coaster blending wood structure with steel track for smoothness.
Year Opened: 2013

Utah – Cannibal

Theme Park: Lagoon Amusement Park, Farmington.
Why People Love It: In-house designed steel coaster with steep drop and unique elements.
Year Opened: 2015

Vermont – Super Slide Coaster

Theme Park: Champlain Valley Fair, Essex Junction.
Why People Love It: Portable coaster at the annual state fair; a local favorite.
Year Opened: 2000

Virginia – Apollo’s Chariot

Theme Park: Busch Gardens Williamsburg, Williamsburg.
Why People Love It: B&M hypercoaster with graceful drops and scenic setting.
Year Opened: 1999

Washington – Timberhawk: Ride of Prey

Theme Park: Wild Waves Theme & Water Park, Federal Way.
Why People Love It: Wooden coaster with sweeping turns and scenic layout.
Year Opened: 2003

West Virginia – Big Dipper

Theme Park: Camden Park, Huntington.
Why People Love It: Historic wooden coaster offering classic charm and fun drops.
Year Opened: 1958

Wisconsin – Zippin Pippin

Theme Park: Bay Beach Amusement Park, Green Bay.
Why People Love It: Recreation of Elvis Presley's favorite coaster; known for smooth airtime.
Year Opened: 2011

Wyoming – Windjammer

Theme Park: Cheyenne Frontier Days Carnival, Cheyenne.
Why People Love It: Portable coaster featured during annual rodeo festival.
Year Opened: 2005