By 2019 there could be 20, yes TWENTY, roller coasters operating in the Smoky Mountain region. These coasters can be found at eleven different locations from Sevierville, Pigeon Forge, Gatlinburg, and Cherokee. I’ve embedded an interactive map at the bottom of this post so you can see where they are in relation to each other. Here’s a rundown of all the roller coasters in the Smoky Mountains and how much it would cost a single adult to ride all of them.
Dollywood, Pigeon Forge – 9 Roller Coasters
Dollywood is currently home to a stellar line-up comprised of eight thrilling roller coasters, from Lightning Rod to Wild Eagle, FireChaser to Mystery Mine. Any roller coaster enthusiast visiting the region should start off with a visit to Dollywood.
Lightning Rod quadruple down
We know that Dollywood will be announcing a new land expansion for 2019 in August of 2018. It’s very possible a new roller coaster could anchor this expansion area, bringing their total to nine roller coasters.
- Blazing Fury
- FireChaser Express
- Lightning Rod
- Mystery Mine
- Tennessee Tornado
- Thunderhead
- Whistle Punk Chaser
- Wild Eagle
- Dragon Flier – new family suspended roller coaster in 2019
Cost: $69.95 (or $8.73 per coaster in 2018)
The Island at Pigeon Forge – 1 Roller Coaster
Opened in July of 2018, The Island in Pigeon Forge is now home to a SBF Visa Group spinning coaster.
10. Spinning Parrot
Cost: $4
Today is the day! We are so excited for you all to ride our brand new Coaster! ? pic.twitter.com/uCZJ4Aih8f
— The Island (@TheIslandPF) July 10, 2018
Nascar SpeedPark in Sevierville – 1 Roller Coaster
The most northern coaster of the bunch, Speedway Coaster is a Zierer Force One model that opened in 2004. Children must be 39 inches tall to ride with an adult, 41 inches to ride alone.
11. Speedway Draft Coaster
Cost: $25.99 I did not see anywhere on their website where you could buy a single ticket for the coaster; it appears you have to buy an unlimited ride wristband.
Santa’s Land in Cherokee, NC – 1 Roller Coaster
We go from the most northern coaster to the most southern, and one located in North Carolina just on the other side of Great Smoky Mountains National Park. Santa’s Land is home to the Rudicoaster, a powered coaster by Zamperla and operated since at least 1995.
12. Rudicoaster
Cost: $23.25
That’s it for your standard roller coasters. Now it’s time to move on to the alpine coasters! What is an alpine coaster? Read our interview with Wiegand, the premier alpine coaster manufacturer, to find out what makes them unique.
13. Smoky Mountain Alpine Coaster
- Location: Pigeon Forge
- Track Length: 5,400 feet
- Manufacturer: Wiegand
- Opened: 2013
- Distance to Dollywood: 6.6 miles
- Smoky Mountain Alpine Coaster Cost to ride: $15
- Read our review here.
- Website: http://www.smokymountainalpinecoaster.com/
The first alpine coaster in the Smokies and also the longest. If you look at track length divided by cost, this alpine coaster is your best value.
14. The Coaster at Goats on the Roof
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- Location: Pigeon Forge (just down the street from Smoky Mountain Alpine Coaster)
- Track Length: 4,375 feet
- Manufacturer: Wiegand
- Opened: 2015
- Distance to Dollywood: 7.6 miles
- The Coaster at Goats on the Roof Cost to ride: $15
- Read our interview with Goats on the Roof here.
- Website: http://thecoastertn.com/
15. Ober Gatlinburg Ski Mountain Coaster
- Location: Gatlinburg
- Track Length: 3,750 feet
- Manufacturer: Aquatic Development Group
- Opened: 2015
- Distance to Dollywood: 13.4 miles
- Ober Gatlinburg Ski Mountain Coaster Cost: $15
- Website: http://obergatlinburg.com/mountain-coaster/
16. Gatlinburg Mountain Coaster
- Location: Gatlinburg
- Track Length: 3,280 feet
- Manufacturer: Wiegand
- Opened: 2014
- Distance to Dollywood: 9.7 miles
- Gatlinburg Mountain Coaster Cost: $16
- Website: http://gatlinburgmountaincoaster.com/
17. Rowdy Bear Coaster
- Location: Gatlinburg
- Track length: unknown
- Manufacturer: Wiegand
- Opened: 2017
- Rowdy Bear Coaster Cost to ride: $16
- Website: https://rowdybearmountain.com/
18. Rowdy Bear Mountain Glider
OK, to some this one might be a stretch as to whether it counts as a coaster credit or not. It’s the first of its kind in the world , a suspended single rail coaster that safely soars through the treetops of Rowdy Bear Mountain. Instead of being seated in a car you hang from a harness like a zip line. It my book it counts as a coaster credit.
Cost to ride: $18
19. Anakeesta Rail Runner
- Location: Gatlinburg
- Length: 2,099.8ft (shortest of all the alpine coasters in the region)
- Manufacturer: Brandauer
- Opening: August 2018?
Anakeesta’s new single-rail mountain coaster will be the first of its kind in the United States. As a single-rail line, riders can ride lower to the ground on a single track creating a thrilling and unique experience as you race through the trees while flying down the mountain. Like other alpine coasters, it also allows you to control your own speed so if you prefer a slower pace you can do that too. The Anakeesta Rail Runner takes you through tunnels, across bridges and can hit speeds of 25 mph. The ride begins with 1,600 feet of downhill twists and turns that include a 400 ft. elevation change and ends with a scenic uphill ride back to the top of Anakeesta Mountain. Watch out for the $10 parking fee.
Cost: unknown
20. Rocky Top Mountain Coaster
Not much is known about this latest alpine coaster that has broken ground in Pigeon Forge (and the 7th overall). It will be the closest alpine coaster to Dollywood and located off of Veterans Boulevard.
Cost: unknown
We estimate it would cost a single adult using no discounts about $218 to ride all 17 of the operating coasters (or $12.82 per credit). Spinning Parrots is obviously the most affordable at only $4. While a ticket to Dollywood is the most expensive, you also get the most value. If you skip the Rudicoaster and the Speedpark coaster you can save yourself $50 and lots of driving time. Look for deals on Groupon or pick up a coupon book, and it’s usually cheaper to buy tickets online in advance.
Thanks to the rapid expansion, the Smokies may soon be known as Alpine Coaster, USA. From what I’ve read, the Gatlinburg Mountain Coaster reviews are the weakest of the bunch. If you’re looking to ride one quickly, the Ski Mountain Coaster is the one you want to avoid as you’ll have to drive twisted mountain roads or take the aerial tram. Either way, you’ll end up paying extra either for a ride up the mountain or for parking once you get there. If I have to pick only one alpine coaster to ride, I’m going with Smoky Mountain Alpine Coaster as it has the longest track length of the lot. Maybe all the mountain coasters need to get together and offer a pass that gets you on all of them – how cool would that be!
Note: If Ghost Town in the Sky in Maggie Valley ever reopens and includes a working roller coaster I will update this list, but for now that seems unlikely to happen.
Use our Coaster Counter spreadsheet to keep track of the roller coasters you’ve ridden.
How many of the roller coasters in the Smokies have you been on?
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