Overview
GhostRider is one of the great wooden coasters in the American West - a massive out-and-back layout in the Ghost Town area of the park. It opened in 1998 as one of the tallest and longest wooden coasters in the world, and received a comprehensive renovation by Great Coaster International (GCI) in 2016 that significantly improved the ride experience. Today GhostRider delivers powerful airtime, sustained speed, and the particular rhythm that only a great wooden coaster produces.
Stats
Manufacturer: Philadelphia Toboggan Coasters / Gravity Group (renovation)
What to Expect
Wooden coasters feel fundamentally different from steel coasters - there's a tactile roughness, a rhythmic quality to the track that translates into a more primal ride experience. GhostRider's post-renovation condition is excellent. The first drop is 108 feet and nearly vertical; the train accelerates quickly and maintains speed through the long layout. Expect sustained floater airtime on the hills, lateral forces through the turns, and the distinctive sound of wooden coaster track beneath you. Rougher than any steel coaster, but that's part of the appeal.
Accessibility
Riders must transfer from any mobility device. The restraints are lap bars - no over-the-shoulder harness, which is more comfortable for many guests. Due to the sustained roughness inherent to wooden coasters, guests with neck or back concerns should be aware of the ride's physical nature. Accessible boarding queue available.
See our Knott's Berry Farm Accessibility Guide for full program details.
Tips
GhostRider's long train and high capacity mean it moves lines reasonably quickly. Best time is morning (first 90 minutes) or late afternoon when the midday crowd has thinned. Back of the train delivers the strongest airtime on the drops. The ride's location in Ghost Town puts it near Calico Mine Ride, making it easy to combine with a more relaxed follow-up.
Nearby Rides
Timber Mountain Log Ride and Calico Mine Ride are nearby in Ghost Town - both are lower-intensity and worth combining with GhostRider for a complete Ghost Town circuit.