Mountain Coasters Guide 2023 2024
Gatlinburg, Pigeon Forge & Sevierville, TN
Which One is the Best? How are They Different?
Smoky Mountains Mountain Coaster Comparison & Guide
So you want to ride a mountain coaster in the Smoky Mountains?
Congratulations because you are in for fun and excitement!
Mountain Coasters are one of my personal favorite attractions
in the Gatlinburg & Pigeon Forge area!
But there are many different choices, so
Which One is the Best?
I have checked them all out and I'm going to tell you what each one has to offer and how they are each unique so you can pick the best one for you!
I'll tell you these things about each mountain coaster:
⦁ SPEED
⦁ TIME IT LASTS
⦁ DISTANCE
⦁ TANDEM RIDERS?
⦁ SAFETY
⦁ WEIGHT
⦁ AGE & HEIGHT
⦁ NIGHT RIDES?
⦁ RAIN OR SHINE?
Note - Please confirm all info as things can change over time.
You choose which one is right for YOU
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1.) New! Hellbender, Anakeesta - Now Open
576 Parkway, Gatlinburg, TN (In the Anakeesta Amusement Park)
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SPEED - 25-30 mph
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TIME IT LASTS - 2 rides given for one price @2 minutes each
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DISTANCE - 3,350 feet long
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TANDEM RIDERS? - Yes
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SAFETY - hand brakes, back rest, brake lights
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WEIGHT - Total weight on cart 375 lbs. dry, 330 in rainy conditions
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AGE & HEIGHT - Must be 54" tall to ride single. Tandem rider must be 38" - 48" tall.
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NIGHT RIDES - Yes
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RAIN OR SHINE? - yes, with weight change restrictions.
UNIQUE FEATURES
The most unique feature of Hellbender is that for one price, you get 2 RIDES!
Also, it is Anakeesta's first double rail coaster.
This coaster is at the top of Anakeesta Mountain. It is part of the Anakeesta Mountaintop Adventure Park, and can be added on. Priced separately from General Admission.
Cabins Near Anakeesta & The Gatlinburg Strip
2.) New! Lost Mine
2509 Teaster Lane, Pigeon Forge, TN
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SPEED - 30+ mph
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TIME IT LASTS - Over 9 minutes
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DISTANCE - 5,400 feet long
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TANDEM RIDERS? - Yes
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SAFETY - Hand brakes, back rest, brake lights
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WEIGHT - Total weight on cart - 375 lbs. dry, 330 in rainy conditions
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AGE & HEIGHT - 54" to ride, 38" and 3 years old to ride with an adult
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NIGHT RIDES - Yes
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RAIN OR SHINE? - Yes
UNIQUE FEATURES
The Lost Mine is the longest in the area, with tunnels, fun props and bridges along the way. It also has an 18 hole mini golf course, with water features and trick shots to make it a challenge. Watch me ride it in 4K on Youtube.
3.) Rail Runner, Anakeesta
576 Parkway, Gatlinburg, TN (In the Anakeesta Amusement Park)
⦁ SPEED - 25 mph
⦁ TIME IT LASTS - 5 minutes
⦁ DISTANCE - 2,600 feet long
⦁ TANDEM RIDERS? - yes, but combined weight must be under 230 lbs
⦁ SAFETY - hand brake, back rest, lap belt
⦁ WEIGHT - 230 lbs
⦁ AGE & HEIGHT - Controller must be 7 years old. Tandem, front rider must be under shoulder height of larger rider in back, when seated.
⦁ NIGHT RIDES - Yes
⦁ RAIN OR SHINE? - No, ride does not operate during rain.
UNIQUE FEATURES
Rail Runner is unique in that is the only single rail coaster in the US as of this writing.
Also, it starts high and goes downhill first, as opposed to most other coasters that start low and climb up first.
Also, its weight limit is significantly less than many others at 230 lbs total weight per cart.
This coaster is at the top of Anakeesta Mountain. It is part of the Anakeesta Mountaintop Adventure Park, but is priced separately from General Admission.
Anakeesta will open a 2nd dual track mountain coaster in late 2023-24 called Hellbender. Details coming soon!
4.) Goat Coaster at Goats on The Roof
1341 Wears Valley Rd, Pigeon Forge, TN
⦁ SPEED - 30 mph
⦁ TIME IT LASTS - 7 minutes long
⦁ DISTANCE - 4,875 feet long
⦁ TANDEM RIDERS? - Yes
⦁ SAFETY - Hand brakes
⦁ WEIGHT - Combined weight limit 375 lbs
⦁ AGE & HEIGHT - Controller must be 54" tall (4 1/2 feet tall). Controller must also be 16 years old and tandem riders must be 3 years old to ride.
⦁ NIGHT RIDES - Yes
⦁ RAIN OR SHINE? - Yes
UNIQUE FEATURES
See, hear, pet and feed real live goats onsite.
Gem mining, a store, and now, even dinosaurs are also onsite.
New in 2023 - Jurassic Tymes Mini Golf with animatronic dinosaurs!
The store is owned separately from the Goat Coaster.
5.) Moonshine Mountain Coaster
306 Parkway, Gatlinburg, TN
⦁ SPEED - Up to 30 mph
⦁ TIME IT LASTS - 5 minutes
⦁ DISTANCE - Over 3,000 feet long
⦁ TANDEM RIDERS? - Yes
⦁ SAFETY - Hand braking, rain shields, back guards
⦁ WEIGHT - 375 lbs dry, 330 lbs in wet conditions
⦁ AGE & HEIGHT - To ride alone, you must be 56" only. Must be 3 years old and 38" tall to ride tandem - tandem controller must be 16 years old and 56" tall.
⦁ NIGHT RIDES - Yes
⦁ RAIN OR SHINE? - Yes
UNIQUE FEATURES
Moonshine Mountain Coaster is an award-winning coaster.
Also, it has free onsite parking, which is a plus in downtown Gatlinburg.
First Mountain Coaster in Gatlinburg, in 2014. Formerly Gatlinburg Mountain Coaster, and in 2022 became "Moonshine Mountain Coaster".
Cool lighting on track, even in the daytime.
Note - Stairs to get up to coaster
6.) Tennessee Flyer, Ober Mountain
1339 Ski Mountain Rd., Gatlinburg, TN
⦁ SPEED - 25 mph
⦁ TIME IT LASTS - 5.5 minutes
⦁ DISTANCE - 3,750 feet long
⦁ TANDEM RIDERS? - Yes
⦁ SAFETY - Electronic Collision Avoidance, hand braking, lap belt, back rest
⦁ WEIGHT - Combined weight limit is 300 lbs.
⦁ AGE & HEIGHT - Controller must be 9 years old and 36" tall. Tandem controller must be 18 years old and tandem rider must be at least 3 years old.
⦁ NIGHT RIDES - Yes
⦁ RAIN OR SHINE? - No, ride does not operate in the rain.
UNIQUE FEATURES
This coaster is the highest elevation mountain coaster East of the Mississippi!
Built in 2015.
This coaster is part of the Ober Mountain Adventure Park and Choosing a wristband will cover entry onto this ride.
You can ride the Ober Tram up to the top of the mountain or drive up.
7.) Ripley's Mountain Coaster
386 Parkway, Gatlinburg, TN
⦁ SPEED - Up to 35 mph
⦁ TIME IT LASTS - 5 minutes
⦁ DISTANCE - 3,100 feet long
⦁ TANDEM RIDERS? - Yes
⦁ SAFETY - Hand brakes, seatbelt, back rest
⦁ WEIGHT - 375 lbs or 330 lbs in the rain
⦁ AGE & HEIGHT - Controller/solo rider must be 10 years old and 54" tall.
3-9 year olds must be 38" tall and accompanied by 16 years or older for tandem ride.
⦁ NIGHT RIDES - Yes
⦁ RAIN OR SHINE? - Yes
UNIQUE FEATURES
Get Discount and Combo Ripley's Passes Here
The Night Ride is pretty cool.
Formerly owned by Rowdy Bear Mountain but sold to Ripley's in 2022.
Free Parking is available in the front. Or walking distance from downtown.
8.) Rocky Top Mountain Coaster
2940 Veteran's Blvd, Pigeon Forge, TN
⦁ SPEED - Up to 30 mph
⦁ TIME IT LASTS - 9 minutes long
⦁ DISTANCE - over 15,000 feet long (3 miles)
⦁ TANDEM RIDERS? - Yes
⦁ SAFETY - Hand brakes, shoulder belt, back rest, headlights
⦁ WEIGHT - 375 dry, 330 in rainy conditions
⦁ AGE & HEIGHT - Controller must be 16 years - and 56" tall. Tandem rider must be 38" tall.
⦁ NIGHT RIDES - Yes
⦁ RAIN OR SHINE? - Yes
UNIQUE FEATURES
Website say it is the longest lasting ride in East Tennessee
Haunted for October (Coasts & Goblins)
Tunnels & surprises along the route
Several automatic slowdowns, several up hills
One of the most popular rides in 2023
9.) The Wild Stallion, Skyland Ranch
1620 Parkway, Sevierville, TN
⦁ SPEED - Up to 35 mph
⦁ TIME IT LASTS - 8+ minutes long
⦁ DISTANCE - 1.25 miles (6,600 feet)
⦁ TANDEM RIDERS? - Yes
⦁ SAFETY - Back rest, hand braking, seat belt
⦁ WEIGHT - 375 lbs total weight
⦁ AGE & HEIGHT - Controllers must be 54" tall. Tandem riders should be 3 years old and 38" tall.
⦁ NIGHT RIDES - Yes
⦁ RAIN OR SHINE? - Yes
UNIQUE FEATURES
Website says they are the longest coaster in the Southeast
Part of Skyland Ranch Amusement Park, but you may enter this ride without going up the mountain to Skyland Ranch. You do not have to pay admission to Skyland Ranch to ride this ride.
Scenic Sevierville city views.
Possibly my favorite (but i love them all!)
More About Skyland Ranch
My Video of my Wild Stallion Ride
10.) Smoky Mountain Alpine Coaster
867 Wears Valley Rd., Pigeon Forge, TN
⦁ SPEED - 27 mph
⦁ TIME IT LASTS - 7-8 minutes
⦁ DISTANCE - 5,280 feet long
⦁ TANDEM RIDERS? - Yes
⦁ SAFETY - Hand brakes, rain shields, seat belts, back rests
⦁ WEIGHT - 375 lbs dry, 330 in rainy conditions
⦁ AGE & HEIGHT - Controller must be 56". Tandem riders must be 38" tall and the controller for tandem must be 16 years old.
⦁ NIGHT RIDES - Yes
⦁ RAIN OR SHINE? - Yes
UNIQUE FEATURES
Website says they are the longest downhill track in the United States.
TripAdvisor Traveler's Choice 2023
No head gear is allowed on ride
Giant LED American Flag at the top
~Helpful Tips~
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Most coasters require you have 2 hands free to use hand brakes if needed. Be sure your camera is strapped on tight, companies are not responsible for dropped or lost items.
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No loose items, food or drinks on rides
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If it is cold outside, it will be colder on your ride. Don't let that stop you but dress warmly for your ride!
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Be sure to confirm weight and height requirements before standing in lines. Understand you will be measured before being allowed on the rides and this is for safety.
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