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A PA Landmark You Can Ride!
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"The Worlds Oldest Roller Coaster" at Lakemont Park. It is actually a Pennsylvania Historical Landmark you can ride! Altoona, PA is home to this unique PA Amusement Park.
E. Joy Morris Company built the, Leap-The-Dips, at the park in 1902.
It is the only side friction roller coaster left in the United State.
In 1996, Lakemont's Leap-The-Dips was awarded a plaque and named a National Historic Landmark.
After standing idle for 14 years, Lakemont's Leap-The-Dips, was finally restored and reopened on Memorial Day, 1999. The wooden tracks with wooden trough keeps the ride smooth and a lot quieter than most roller coasters built today.
Leap The Dips has been closed since 2022 with plans of reopening it eventually, but as of 2026 it has not been reopened.
A side-friction roller coaster isn't bolted to its tracks with underwheels. That is what makes the ride much smoother and quieter.
There's an interesting history behind getting this Altoona, PA Landmark back together again. You can read about it when you visit Lakemont Parks history.
Do you know Lakemont Park is the 8th oldest PA Amusement Park in the World?
UPDATE AS OF 2026
There were plans by Lakemont Park to sell Leap The Dips, which would have caused it to be moved from its current location to another one (with it losing it grandfathered status when it comes to regulations) but thankfully it was blocked by a judge. In the mean time, there is an ongoing legal dispute between Lakemont's current owners and the county. The park remains closed as of 2026 and it's uncertain when the park will reopen.
The Worlds Oldest Roller Coaster
Like Taking A Ride On An Old Couch On A Track
They just don't make Amusement Park Rides like this Pennsylvania Historical Landmark anymore. The Worlds Oldest Roller Coaster is actually a surprisingly comfortable ride to sit in. The cars glide along the wooden figure-eight shaped tracks. There are times you feel like you are floating on air.
You wouldn't call the Leap-The-Dips an Amusement Park Thrill-Ride but it's really worth taking a trip to Altoona, PA and experience a ride on a Pennsylvania Historical Landmark, let alone The Worlds Oldest Roller Coaster?
Why not plan to visit Lakemont Park, Altoona PA, on a Thursday evening and take part in their Hot Wings Contest and Jazz Concert!
While you're in the area visit other Pennsylvania Amusement Parks, each with it's own Pennsylvania History, Annual Events, and Family Entertainment.
Also located in Altoona, PA is the Wall That Heals. Take the time to show your respect and honor our Veterans. You can read about the Viet Nam War Memorial if you click on PA Memorials button on your left.
Leave Lakemont Park's Worlds Oldest Roller Coaster and Return to Pennsylvania National Historic Landmarks
Return To Pennsylvania Mountains of Attractions Home
