In the early 2020s, the United States was facing a significant budget deficit, and the National Park Service was struggling to fund its operations. Hoping to generate revenue and attract a younger audience to lesser-visited National Parks, Congress proposed a controversial plan to build roller coasters in these areas.
In 2025, the first coaster, Canyon Blaster, was built by the Gravity Group in Utah's Capitol Reef National Park. Despite concerns about the coaster's impact on the park's endangered wildlife and on its historic Fruita settlement, which features picturesque orchards and horse pastures, the ride was a tremendous success.
While some have criticized the project for taking away from the natural beauty of the Parks, coasters enthusiasts argue that roller coasters are “more fun than trees and rocks or whatever”. Congress has signaled its intention to expand the program to other National Parks, “until every square inch of boring nature has been replaced with cool roller coasters”.