May 26, 2019
Best 6 Smoky Mountain Coasters You Don’t Want to Miss
No trip to the Smokies is complete without a thrilling ride on one of the Pigeon Forge and Gatlinburg mountain coasters! Unlike a traditional roller coaster, you can control your own speed and glide along at your own pace. On certain coasters, you can even share the experience with a friend or family member as you ride in the same cart. To help you plan for your trip, here are 6 of the best Smoky Mountain coasters that you don’t want to miss!
1. Rail Runner at Anakeesta
This single-rail Gatlinburg mountain coaster is the first of its kind in the United States! The Rail Runner at Anakeesta allows you to ride lower to the ground on a single track. It begins with 1,600 feet of downhill twists and turns and ends with a scenic uphill ride back to the top of the mountain. You can also control how fast you go as you enjoy your downhill ride. This coaster also features back and headrests for maximum comfort during your adventure!
2. Ski Mountain Coaster at Ober
The Ski Mountain Coaster at Ober Gatlinburg begins with a 1,000 ft relaxing ride to the top of the mountain. This Gatlinburg mountain coaster borders the Great Smoky Mountains National Park, so you’re in for some amazing views on the ride up and back down. Once you’re at the top, you can go at your own pace for the next 2,750 ft of exciting dips and turns down the mountain! You can either leisurely cruise the track or reach speeds up to 25 MPH, the choice is yours. With higher backrests and shorter brake levers for easier handling and control, this Smoky Mountain coaster is designed for comfort.
3. Smoky Mountain Alpine Coaster
With over 1 mile of track, The Smoky Mountain Alpine Coaster is the longest downhill ride in the United States! This Smoky Mountain coaster also allows you to control your own speed. You can reach a maximum of 30 MPH all while having a unique hands-on experience. The ride takes about 7 to 8 minutes to complete, depending on what pace you decide to travel at. The sleds are designed to comfortably carry 2 riders at a time. However, a single rider can also navigate a sled with ease. The best part is that this ride is open rain, snow or shine, so you can enjoy it year round!
4. Gatlinburg Mountain Coaster
Your adventure begins as the uphill lift system carries you to the top of the ride. Then, the Gatlinburg Mountain Coaster puts you in the driver’s seat as you use the individual speed controls to go just as fast as you want. You’ll coast down the mountain over the forest floor with lots of twists, curves, and surprises on a specially designed silent track. This Smoky Mountain coaster is so much fun that you’ll want to ride it twice! Come back at night for a new and exciting experience as you pass through the lit up track. You can even purchase a professionally taken photo of you coming down the mountain!
5. Rowdy Bear Mountain Gravity Coaster
Reach speeds up to 35 MPH as you wind through the woods on this gravity-propelled coaster! Like many Smoky Mountain coasters, the Gravity Coaster allows you to control how fast you go. This ride’s carts also have the latest Intelligent Distance Control System to ensure that you have a safe and fun experience. For a completely new experience, you can come back after dark to ride this Gatlinburg mountain coaster with the entire track lit up! Rowdy Bear Mountain is also home to a second thrill ride called the Mountain Glider, a suspended single rail coaster and the first of its kind in the world.
6. The Coaster at Goats on the Roof
Enjoy an exciting journey through the hills of Tennessee on The Coaster at Goats on the Roof! As you travel at speeds just under 30 MPH, you’ll get to experience a view that can’t be seen anywhere else in town! The carts are designed to comfortably carry 1 or 2 people, so you can ride with friends, family, or by yourself. The carts also have hand brakes, so you can go slow if you ’re a little nervous. However, if you’re a speed demon, you can race along the mountainside at maximum velocity! This Smoky Mountain coaster is great for all ages, so every member of your family is sure to love it.
About Pigeon Forge and Gatlinburg Mountain Coasters
These are just some of the most amazing Pigeon Forge and Gatlinburg mountain coasters you can try when you visit the Smoky Mountains! The best part about the mountain coasters are that you can control your own speed on the ride, which means you can go fast or slow down to take in the sights. The Smokies are also home to a variety of other coasters that are both thrilling and kid-friendly. You can enjoy them all when you visit the Smoky Mountains!
Now that you know all about the best Smoky Mountain coasters, come and experience them for yourself! Be sure to check out these thrilling attractions and all the other fun things to do in Gatlinburg and Pigeon Forge. You can even save on select attractions when you take advantage of our Freedom Fun Pass!
