Opened on May 23, 1981, American Eagle is a twin-track wooden racing roller coaster at Six Flags Great America in Gurnee, Illinois. Built by Intamin of Switzerland — their first-ever wooden coaster — the ride debuted as the world’s tallest and fastest wooden roller coaster, and set a record for the longest roller coaster drop. It was not the longest wooden coaster overall; The Beast at Kings Island had already claimed that title in 1979 at over 7,000 feet. What American Eagle did claim, and has never relinquished, is the title of the world’s longest racing wooden roller coaster.
Standing 127 feet tall with a 147-foot drop and a top speed of 66 mph along 4,650 feet of track per side, American Eagle sends two trains hurtling side by side in a head-to-head race over its out-and-back course. The layout delivers roughly two and a half minutes of airtime-filled hills and sweeping turns that have delighted riders for more than four decades.
Stats at a Glance
- Park: Six Flags Great America (Gurnee, Illinois)
- Manufacturer: Intamin
- Opened: May 23, 1981
- Height: 127 ft (38.7 m)
- Drop: 147 ft (44.8 m)
- Top Speed: 66 mph (106 km/h)
- Length: 4,650 ft (1,417 m) per track
- Inversions: 0
The Ride Experience
Riders board one of two parallel trains — red or blue — and the dual lift hills begin the suspense of not knowing which side will win the race. At the crest, a 55-degree drop plunges both trains into a 147-foot descent, building speed toward that 66 mph peak before the out-and-back course unwinds through a series of camelback hills and swooping turns.
Throughout the ride, the trains trade the lead, disappearing into the wooden lattice structure and re-emerging beside each other to the cheers of onlookers. The rumble and vibration of the classic wooden frame give American Eagle an old-school intensity that modern steel coasters rarely replicate.
A Record-Breaking Legacy
When American Eagle opened in 1981, it set world records for the tallest wooden roller coaster (127 ft), the fastest wooden roller coaster (66 mph), and the longest drop on a roller coaster (147 ft). While those overall marks have since been surpassed, American Eagle retains an unchallenged record as the world’s longest, tallest, and fastest racing wooden roller coaster — a twin-track category where no rival has come close.
In 2025, American Coaster Enthusiasts officially designated American Eagle an ACE Landmark roller coaster, recognizing its historical significance and lasting influence on coaster design. It stands as the first wooden roller coaster designed by Intamin and a defining ride of the 1980s coaster-building boom.
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American Eagle FAQs
Where is American Eagle located?
American Eagle is located at Six Flags Great America in Gurnee, Illinois, roughly 30 miles north of Chicago.
How fast does American Eagle go?
American Eagle reaches a top speed of 66 mph (about 106 km/h), making it the fastest racing wooden roller coaster in the world.
Who built American Eagle?
American Eagle was designed by Curtis D. Summers and built by the contracting firm Figley-Wright, with Intamin of Switzerland serving as manufacturer. It was the first wooden roller coaster Intamin ever built.
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Photo: Jonrev / Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons.