The end of Gwazi: A look at notable wooden coasters around the U.S.

This weekend will be your last chance to ride Gwazi, the dueling wooden roller coaster at Busch Gardens Tampa.

Built in 1999, Gwazi features over 7,000 feet of combined track and reaches speeds of 51 mph. Its name comes from the fabled character with the head of a tiger and the body of a lion.

The final day for guests to ride is Sunday. Park officials have not announced plans for the space.

With Gwazi being put out to pasture, there are now only two wooden coasters left in Florida — the Coastersaurus at Legoland Florida and White Lightning at Fun Spot America in Orlando.

That number could go back up to three, however. The Star Flyer, which was in Panama City Beach before moving to the now defunct Cypress Gardens in Polk County, looks to be moving back to Panama City Beach and will be back in operation this year.

There are plenty of notable wooden coasters around the country, including The Beast at Kings Island in Ohio — the longest wooden roller coaster in the world with a ride time of four minutes — and Leap-The-Dips at Lakemont Park in Pennsylvania, the world's oldest operating roller coaster.

But not all wood coasters are old or restored. Goliath at Six Flags America in metro-Chicago opened last year and proves that wooden coasters can have loops. The thrill ride has two inversions and holds three world records for the longest drop (180 feet), the steepest drop (85 degrees) and the fastest speed at 72 miles per hour.

View the gallery above for these and other notable wooden roller coasters in the U.S. still in operation today.

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