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Park Guide Cedar Point Published July 13, 2026Updated August 22, 2026
The History of Wilderness Run at Cedar Point

The History of Wilderness Run

Wilderness Run is a small coaster with a large place in history. It is a gentle nineteen-foot family ride, and it happens to be one of the great Intamin's early roller coasters.

Where Intamin started

Intamin is one of the most important roller coaster manufacturers in the world, the company behind Cedar Point's own Millennium Force and Top Thrill Dragster and a long list of record breakers. It built many other kinds of rides in its early years, and this little ride opened at Cedar Point as Jr. Gemini in 1979. It was named as the junior version of the full-size Gemini racing coaster that had opened across the midway the year before, a beginner's coaster for the park's youngest guests.

A new name for a new home

In 2014 Cedar Point reworked the area and rethemed the ride to fit the neighboring children's section, repainting it and renaming it Wilderness Run. The layout is the same easy first ride it has always been, a single small hill and a slow, safe lap. The company that built it now builds some of the tallest coasters on earth, and this early one is still running.

One thing to know

A manufacturer now known for giant record-breaking coasters was already building six-mile-per-hour kiddie rides like this one, and it is still operating today under a new name.

Wilderness Run is one chapter in the history of Cedar Point.

Wilderness Run at a glance

FactDetail
Opened1979 (as Jr. Gemini)
ManufacturerIntamin
TypeSteel family coaster
Height19 feet
Top speed6 mph
Length443 feet
Inversions0
StatusOperating

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about visiting Cedar Point

What was Wilderness Run called before?+

Wilderness Run opened in 1979 as Jr. Gemini, named as the junior companion to the full-size Gemini racing coaster across the midway. Cedar Point renamed and rethemed the ride in 2014 to fit the surrounding children's area.

How tall is Wilderness Run at Cedar Point?+

Wilderness Run stands nineteen feet tall, making it one of the park's smallest coasters. It is designed as a gentle family ride suited for young or first-time coaster riders.

Who manufactured Wilderness Run?+

Wilderness Run was built by Intamin, the Swiss manufacturer behind several of Cedar Point's most famous coasters including Millennium Force and Top Thrill Dragster. The ride is considered one of Intamin's early roller coaster designs.

When did Wilderness Run open at Cedar Point?+

The ride opened in 1979 under its original name Jr. Gemini, one year after the full-size Gemini coaster debuted in 1978. It was rethemed and renamed Wilderness Run in 2014.


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