Carolina Goldrusher
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Carolina Goldrusher is an attraction in North Carolina, at a modelled elevation of 195 m. Kings Pinnacle stands 520 m to the west-northwest, 22 miles off. The nearest named place is Flying Cobras, a attraction less than a tenth of a mile away. Crowders Mountain Drive passes 21 miles off. 14 named summits stand within 25 miles.
The story
Carolina Goldrusher is a steel mine train roller coaster made by Arrow Dynamics of Mountain View, California. The coaster is located in the Carolina Boardwalk area of Carowinds in Charlotte, North Carolina. It was the park's first roller coaster, opening on March 31st, 1973, and is one of only four original rides that still operate in the park today. The Goldrusher is themed after the titular Gold rush, seen in the wooden station containing era-appropriate American memorabilia, the steam train-themed roller coaster cars, the Steam traction engine positioned out front of the ride, and the Mineshaft themed tunnels the coaster goes through. In 2023, a gold train debuted on the roller coaster to commemorate its 50th anniversary. Like other trains, it can fit six people per car in rows of two. Each train consists of 5 cars, allowing for a 30-person capacity per train. The ride is well received with a 4.3 on Google. It has two drops. It is currently operational as of 2026.
From Wikipedia, CC BY-SA 4.0.
Wikidata Q5044835, matched on coordinates and name (111 m apart).
What to expect
- Step-free access
- Yes
How to reach it
- 20.6 mi off the Crowders Mountain Drive
- 28.9 mi off the Uwharrie Scenic Road
Named places within 25 miles
- Flying Cobras: 0.0 mi
- Ricochet: 0.1 mi
- Slingshot: 0.1 mi
- Vortex: 0.1 mi
- Zephyr: 0.1 mi
- Canopy: 1.8 mi
- Maersk Anchor: 2.8 mi
- Maersk Anchor: 2.8 mi
- Crown of Life: 2.9 mi
- Bugle Boy: 3.0 mi
- Steele Creek Athletic Association Complex: 2.0 mi
- Chateau Community Park: 2.2 mi
- Walker Branch Greenway: 2.3 mi
- Ramblewood District Park: 2.5 mi
- Hoover Creek Greenway: 2.6 mi
- Knights Stadium: 3.6 mi
- Crash Site of Eastern Flight 212: 3.6 mi
- Jane Parks McDowell Marker: 4.0 mi
- Pleasant Hill Presbyterian Church: 4.4 mi
- Veterans Monument: 6.6 mi
- Fort Mill History Museum: 6.5 mi
- Charlotte Museum of Nature: 8.1 mi
- The James C. Dowd House: 9.1 mi
- Museum of York County: 9.3 mi
- Mint Museum Randolph: 9.7 mi
- Whitehall Nature Preserve: 3.0 mi
- Thomas M. Winget Nature Preserve: 4.0 mi
- McDowell Nature Preserve: 4.4 mi
- Anne Springs Close Greenway: 5.8 mi
- Big Rock Nature Reserve: 7.1 mi
- Wing Haven: 7.8 mi
- Daniel Stowe Botanical Garden: 7.9 mi
- Avondale Giving Community Garden: 8.1 mi
- Good Shepherd Community Garden: 8.6 mi
- Wilmore Community Garden: 8.9 mi
- Barnett Mountain: 9.1 mi
- Nanny Mountain: 9.3 mi
- Berry Mountain: 11.6 mi
- Capps Hill: 13.9 mi
- Jackson Knob: 14.7 mi
- Long Creek Falls: 21.6 mi
- Little Long Creek Falls: 22.3 mi
- High Shoals: 25.0 mi
- South Carolina Welcome Center: 1.6 mi
- North Carolina Welcome Center: 2.0 mi
- South Point Beach: 5.3 mi
- Sailing Beach: 5.9 mi
- Carowinds Grove: 0.2 mi
Summits around it
The highest named summits within 25 miles of Carolina Goldrusher. Elevation from each summit’s own record; bearing measured between the two coordinates.
| Summit | Bearing | Elevation | Distance |
|---|---|---|---|
| Kings Pinnacle | WNW 289° | 520 m | 22.1 mi |
| Crowders Mountain | WNW 295° | 458 m | 20.8 mi |
| Spencer Mountain | NW 324° | 375 m | 16.6 mi |
| Henry Knob | W 276° | 344 m | 18.8 mi |
| Jackson Knob | WNW 299° | 328 m | 14.7 mi |
| Reese Mountain | NNW 337° | 325 m | 24.4 mi |
| Nanny Mountain | WSW 257° | 299 m | 9.3 mi |
| Berry Mountain | NW 317° | 281 m | 11.6 mi |
When to go
Light through the year
| Date | Sunrise | Golden hour | Sunset |
|---|---|---|---|
| March equinox | 07:28 | 19:02 | 19:36 |
| June solstice | 06:11 | 20:04 | 20:42 |
| September equinox | 07:12 | 18:49 | 19:22 |
| December solstice | 07:29 | 16:37 | 17:16 |
Local time (America/New_York).
Climate normals
Months averaging 50–80 °F: Mar–Jun, Aug–Nov.
| Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Avg °F | 42 | 46 | 53 | 61 | 69 | 77 | 80 | 79 | 73 | 62 | 51 | 45 |
| Precip in | 3.5 | 3.1 | 4.0 | 3.8 | 3.4 | 4.0 | 3.7 | 4.4 | 3.7 | 3.2 | 3.3 | 3.6 |
1991–2020 U.S. Climate Normals, NOAA NCEI — Charlotte Douglas AP, 8 mi away.
Where this comes from
Location and category confirmed against OpenStreetMap.
OpenStreetMapWikipediaOfficial siteOpenStreetMap element way/668730923
Day trips start here
- Charlotte/Cotswold · 9 mi
- Charlotte/Dilworth · 9 mi
- Charlotte/Myers Park · 9 mi
- Charlotte/South End · 9 mi
- Charlotte · 10 mi
- Charlotte/Elizabeth · 10 mi
Take the scenic way to Carolina Goldrusher.
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