Carowinds opened on March 31, 1973, as a joint venture meant to give the Carolinas their own home-grown amusement park, built at a cost of about $70 million after four years of planning led by businessman Earl Patterson Hall. Its most distinctive feature is geographic: the 407-acre property literally straddles the North Carolina/South Carolina border just south of Charlotte, a quirk the park has leaned into as part of its identity for over five decades.
Now owned and operated by Six Flags following the 2024 merger of Cedar Fair and Six Flags Entertainment, Carowinds draws around 2.3 million visitors a year and offers 42 attractions, including 14 roller coasters and the included Carolina Harbor water park. Its headline attraction, Fury 325, opened in 2015 as the world’s tallest giga coaster and remains one of the most celebrated steel coasters in North America.
Stats at a Glance
- Location: Charlotte, North Carolina / Fort Mill, South Carolina
- Opened: March 31, 1973
- Owner: Six Flags Entertainment
- Size: About 407 acres
- Roller Coasters: 14 (as of 2026)
- Annual Attendance: About 2.3 million
- Signature Ride: Fury 325 (325 ft giga coaster, opened 2015)
The Ride Experience
Carowinds’ coaster lineup ranges from vintage classics to modern giants. Carolina Cyclone, a looping steel coaster with four inversions, has been running since 1980, while newer additions like the double-launched Copperhead Strike (opened 2019) and the hypercoaster now known as Thunder Striker showcase the park’s continued investment in thrills. Towering above them all is Fury 325, which reaches 325 feet and speeds of up to 95 mph along more than 6,600 feet of track.
Beyond coasters, the park’s Carolina Harbor water park is included with general admission, giving visitors a mix of dry and wet attractions across a single day pass — a layout that has made Carowinds a popular regional draw for both the Charlotte metro area and travelers from across the Southeast.
Ownership and Growth
Carowinds has changed hands several times since its 1973 opening: Taft Broadcasting operated it starting in 1975, followed by Paramount Communications in 1993, Cedar Fair from 2006, and finally Six Flags after the July 2024 merger that combined the two companies into a single Six Flags Entertainment Corporation headquartered in Charlotte. Each ownership era brought new expansions, with the park continuing to add rides and attractions for its 2026 season, including family-friendly additions themed around Peanuts characters.
Explore more: Explore more Theme Parks.
Carowinds FAQs
Does Carowinds really sit on a state border?
Yes. The park’s 407-acre property straddles the North Carolina and South Carolina state line, just south of Charlotte.
How tall is Fury 325 at Carowinds?
Fury 325 stands 325 feet tall and reaches speeds of about 95 mph, making it one of the tallest and fastest giga coasters in the world.
Who owns Carowinds today?
Carowinds is owned and operated by Six Flags Entertainment Corporation, formed by the July 2024 merger of Cedar Fair and Six Flags.
Get More from Carowinds
Log the coasters, stadiums, and venues you’ve experienced, rate Carowinds, and see what your friends thought. Get the ThrillZing app.
Photo: Mahesh Gudladona / CC BY 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons.