Cherry Gorge opened in 1999 as part of a government initiative to boost tourism to national parks. A small portion of the Cherry Gorge National Park (not based on any specific real-life location) was allocated for the amusement park. It opened with the Intamin mega coaster Ronin. Thanks to Ronin, the government initiative was a resounding success. Because of Cherry Gorge's limited land and reliance on government funding, the park's ride lineup has not changed much over the years. It was another 24 years before the political landscape allowed a second coaster to be built - Squall Surfer, a B&M surf coaster - to mixed reception. While many felt that Squall Surfer's floaty ride experience contrasted nicely with Ronin's intensity, many others found the ride too short and that it paled in comparison to its counterpart.