Theme Park Spot

← Ride finder · Cliff's Amusement Park

New Mexico Rattler

Wood Twister at Cliff's Amusement Park, Albuquerque, New Mexico. Opened 2002.

By Theme Park Spot · Last reviewed November 9, 2026

Height
80 ft
Drop
75 ft
Top speed
47 mph
Length
2,750 ft
Inversions
0
Ride time
1 min 15 s
Designer
Custom Coasters International

New Mexico Rattler is a wooden roller coaster at Cliff's Amusement Park in Albuquerque, New Mexico. The park describes a fast ride with steep drops, sharp corners and a dark tunnel; its name, chosen in a public contest from a four-year-old's entry, refers to the layout's quick turns, switchbacks and helix.

Custom Coasters International (CCI) was hired to design and build the coaster in early 2002, but the company filed for bankruptcy in late July before construction was finished, making the Rattler the last ride it designed. Cliff's hired the former CCI workers, ordered the remaining material and completed the coaster itself. It opened on September 28, 2002.

According to RCDB, the ride is 80 feet tall with a 75-foot drop at 52 degrees, reaches 47 mph and has 2,750 feet of track with no inversions. A ride lasts 1 minute 15 seconds. Its single train has six cars seating 24 riders. Riders must be at least 48 inches tall.

Sources

  • cliffsamusementpark.com/park-attractions/new-mexico-rattler (Official page: New Mexico Rattler, roller coaster with steep drops, sharp corners and a dark tunnel; minimum height 48 inches.)
  • cliffsamusementpark.com/park-history (CCI contracted January 2002; naming contest won by a 4-year-old's entry, named for quick turns, switchbacks and helix; CCI went bankrupt in late July 2002, the Rattler being the last ride it designed; park hired former CCI workers and finished construction; opened late September 2002.)
  • rcdb.com/1659.htm (RCDB: operating since 2002-09-28; wood sit-down; make Custom Coasters International, Inc.; length 2750 ft, height 80 ft, drop 75 ft, speed 47 mph, 0 inversions, vertical angle 52 degrees, duration 1:15; chain lift, tunnel; single train of 6 cars, 24 riders.)

Numbers are from the ride's manufacturer and park where published; "n/a" means we have not confirmed that number yet. Spotted an error? Tell us.