Leap-The-Dips

Leap-The-Dips is a wooden roller coaster in Logan Township, Pennsylvania, featuring a figure-eight track layout and traditional sleigh-style cars mounted on wooden trestles. The ride reaches a top speed of about 10 mph and uses a side-friction system without modern safety bars or undertrack wheels.

E. Joy Morris from Philadelphia built the coaster in 1902 as one of the earliest of its kind in America. It operated until 1985, then closed for over a decade before undergoing full restoration and reopening in 1999.

The name refers to the gentle leaps riders experience when crossing the hills, with cars staying on track through gravity and side friction. Today, families and enthusiasts of historic rides visit to experience a turn-of-the-century attraction that feels very different from modern coasters.

The coaster is located inside Lakemont Park and operates only during the summer season when weather permits. Visitors should expect short wait times, as the capacity is limited and the ride moves slowly.

About seventy percent of the original wood remains in place, making it a rare example of early construction preservation. It is the last operating figure-eight side-friction coaster in North America and draws collectors and historians each year.