Moonshine Mountain Coaster
Gatlinburg, Tennessee
An alpine coaster on the Parkway where you control your own speed down the mountain — no hike to the top, no fixed pace, and a light show after dark that makes the night ride worth doing separately.
Moonshine Mountain Coaster
Gatlinburg, Tennessee
An alpine coaster on the Parkway where you take the wheel and control your own speed down the mountain.
Open year-round, day and night, and one of the most accessible thrills in the Smokies — no experience required, no hike to the top, and no fixed pace. Just you, the mountain, and however fast you want to go.
Staying nearby? Browse our Gatlinburg cabin rentals, minutes from the Parkway.
The ride
Single and double rider cars travel gravity-driven down a purpose-built track, with each rider controlling their own speed through individual brake handles. Want to cruise and take in the scenery? Ease off. Want the full version? Let it run. It's entirely in your hands, which is what makes it work for a nervous first-timer and a thrill-seeker in the same car.
An uphill lift carries you to the top, so there's no hiking involved. From the summit the track winds down through sweeping turns and dips before returning to the base.
After dark, the track and surrounding area are lit for a completely different experience from the daytime version. It's the coaster's biggest differentiator, and the three-ride package is built around it — two rides during the day, one after dark.
Tickets
Single ride tickets and a three-ride package are available. The third ride is valid on a separate visit or a different day, which makes the package worth it on a multi-day stay.
Buy in advance at moonshinemountaincoaster.com or at the ticket booth on arrival. Group rates are available for larger parties.
Rider requirements
- Riding alone — must be at least 8 years old and meet the height requirement
- Riding with an adult — children 3 and older may ride along
- Weight limits apply — check the current maximum before you go
Confirm all current height, age, and weight requirements at moonshinemountaincoaster.com before your visit, since they're the deciding factor for younger children.
Hours and location
Open daily, year-round, with hours varying by season. The coaster may close temporarily during severe weather — confirm current hours and conditions before heading over.
On-site parking is available.
Tips for visiting
- Check the live feed first. A live camera at moonshinemountaincoaster.com shows current conditions and activity — worth thirty seconds before making the trip over
- Ride at night if you can. The light show makes it a genuinely different ride, and the three-ride package is the efficient way to do both
- Weekday mornings are quietest. Evenings and weekends in peak season see the longest lines
- Secure loose items. Phones, hats, and sunglasses go in the car or at the ticket booth — the coaster moves faster than people expect
- Let a nervous rider go first. Because you control the brake, there's no way to be forced into more speed than you want. That reassurance tends to land better before the ride than during it
Nearby
306 Parkway sits near the lower end of the Gatlinburg strip, convenient to downtown. See our things to do guide for more.
- Hillbilly Golf — another mountainside attraction just up the Parkway, reached by incline railway
- Mysterious Mansion — Gatlinburg's oldest haunted house, a short walk away on River Road
- CLIMB Works — guided mountaintop zipline tour; a natural companion for a full adventure day
- Gatlinburg SkyPark — North America's longest pedestrian cable bridge
- Ripley's Aquarium of the Smokies — a short walk down the Parkway
- No Way Jose's Cantina — riverside Mexican, a natural lunch or dinner stop
- Moonshine tastings and riverside dining — both within easy walking distance on the Parkway
Frequently asked questions
How fast does it go?
You set the pace with individual brake handles. The coaster is capable of reaching around 30 miles per hour, but the speed is entirely yours to choose.
Do I need any experience?
None. An uphill lift takes you to the top, and the ride is designed for all levels.
Can young children ride?
Children 3 and older may ride with an adult. Children 8 and older may ride alone, subject to height and weight requirements. Confirm the current requirements before you go.
Is it open year-round?
Yes, daily, weather permitting. It may close temporarily during severe weather — check current conditions before visiting.
What is the night light show?
After dark the track and surrounding area are illuminated, making for a completely different atmosphere than the daytime ride. It's one of the most popular things about the coaster.
Is there a live camera?
Yes, at moonshinemountaincoaster.com — useful for checking conditions and how busy it is before heading over.
Are group rates available?
Yes — details on the coaster's site.
Is there parking?
Yes, on site.
How is it different from the other mountain coasters in the area?
The main differences are location and the night ride. This one is right on the Parkway rather than up a mountain road, and the after-dark light show isn't something the others offer.
Pair the coaster with a zipline tour at CLIMB Works and a crossing at SkyPark and you've built one of the better adventure days in the Smokies. Stay close with a Gatlinburg cabin rental, or look at cabins with mountain views and cabins with a hot tub to wind down afterward. Traveling with family? See our family cabins, and check the current specials before booking.