Carolina Goldrusher is the oldest roller coaster at Carowinds, opening with the park on March 31, 1973. Don't let that fun fact fool ya' - this roller coaster is full of spunk and continues to produce as many screams as the day it was debuted.

The oldest operating attraction at Carowinds is the Carolina Goldrusher, a steel mine train roller coaster that opened with the park on March 31, 1973. It is one of only three original rides still operating from the park's debut season. The Goldrusher is a "family-friendly" thrill ride that reaches speeds of about 30 mph and features a unique layout that crosses over the state line between North Carolina and South Carolina—twice! Another contender for "oldest" is the Grand Carousel, which was built in 1923 by the Philadelphia Toboggan Company; however, it was not original to Carowinds and was moved to the park in 1979. For those seeking the park's historical "soul," the Carolina Goldrusher remains the benchmark, as it has been providing screams and hill-hugging turns for over 50 years. In 2026, it is often celebrated as a "timeless classic" that offers a nostalgic contrast to the park's massive, record-breaking modern hyper-coasters like Fury 325.