Rocky Top Mountain Coaster

The Rocky Top Mountain Coaster is one of the longest rides in the Smokies, a self-controlled sled ride that winds through tunnels and 360-degree turns on a Smoky Mountain hillside along Veterans Boulevard in Pigeon Forge. You set the speed, so it works for first-timers and thrill-seekers alike.

The coaster bills itself as the longest coaster in east Tennessee and the first in the world with four uplifts. The track covers more than 20 acres of Smoky Mountain scenery, and one ride lasts more than nine minutes. That's a long time on a mountain coaster, and it makes Rocky Top a full-size outing rather than a quick stop.

What is a mountain coaster?

A mountain coaster is part roller coaster, part toboggan run. Instead of riding in a train of cars, you sit in your own sled on a rail track that runs along the side of a hill. The sled is pulled uphill, then gravity carries it back down through curves, dips and turns.

The big difference from a theme park coaster is control. On Rocky Top, the driver controls the speed. Want to take in the view and ease through every turn? Go slow. Want to let it run? The sleds can reach up to 30 mph. Every rider gets the ride they want, even on the same trip.

What makes Rocky Top different

There are several mountain coasters around Pigeon Forge and Gatlinburg, and Rocky Top stands out for a few reasons:

• Four uplifts. Many mountain coasters pull you up the hill once, then send you down. Rocky Top bills itself as the first coaster in the world with four uplifts, so the ride climbs and drops again and again instead of making a single run.
• A long ride. At more than nine minutes, it's a ride you can settle into, not one that's over before you've caught your breath.
• Tunnels and 360-degree turns. The track runs through several tunnels and full 360-degree turns along the hillside.
• Room to spread out. The coaster covers more than 20 acres of Smoky Mountain scenery.

Riding at night

Rocky Top keeps running after dark. Once night falls, lights guide you along the track, and the ride takes on a completely different feel from a daytime run.

A night ride makes an easy way to end a day in Pigeon Forge. Spend the day at the parks or on the Parkway, have dinner, then head to Veterans Boulevard for a ride under the lights.

In the fall, the coaster has also hosted a haunted nighttime event, with themed scares along the ride down. Seasonal events change from year to year, so check the coaster's website for what's running during your trip.

Rider requirements

Rocky Top is built for a wide range of ages, and the coaster says its riders have ranged from three years old to ninety. Here are the posted requirements:

• Minimum: Riders must be at least 3 years old and 38 inches tall.
• Under 56 inches: Riders under 56 inches tall must ride with an adult.

Requirements can change, so check the coaster's website before you go, especially if you have little ones who are close to the cutoffs.

Tips for a great ride

• Take the first run slow. With four uplifts and a long track, there's plenty of ride. Get a feel for the curves the first time around, then pick up speed on your next ride.
• Leave space ahead of you. You control your own speed, so give the sled in front of you plenty of room, and follow the staff's instructions at the loading station.
• Secure loose items. Hats, sunglasses and phones don't mix well with 30 mph. Tuck everything away before you launch.
• Dress for the weather. You're outdoors the whole ride. A light jacket helps on cool mornings, fall nights and in winter.
• Ride it twice. Try one ride in daylight and come back after dark to see the track under the lights.
• Preview the ride. The coaster's website has a virtual ride tour, which helps nervous first-timers know what to expect.

Where it is

Rocky Top Mountain Coaster is on Veterans Boulevard in Pigeon Forge, across from Dollywood. Veterans Boulevard runs parallel to the Parkway, so it's a handy way to reach the coaster without sitting in Parkway traffic. That makes it an easy add-on to a Dollywood day.

If you'd like to stay close to both, see our cabins near Dollywood.

More mountain coasters nearby

Hooked on coasters? The Smokies have plenty more to try, and each one has its own personality. In Pigeon Forge, check out Smoky Mountain Alpine Coaster, Lost Mine Mountain Coaster & Mini Golf and the Pigeon Forge Racing Coaster. Heading to Gatlinburg? Don't miss Moonshine Mountain Coaster.

For a side-by-side look at the area's best rides, see our guide to the best mountain coasters in the Smoky Mountains.

Frequently asked questions

Where is the Rocky Top Mountain Coaster?

It's at 2940 Veterans Boulevard in Pigeon Forge, across from Dollywood.

How long is the Rocky Top Mountain Coaster ride?

One ride lasts more than nine minutes, with four uplifts along the track.

How fast does it go?

The sleds can reach up to 30 mph, but the driver controls the speed, so you can go as slow as you like.

How old do you have to be to ride?

Riders must be at least 3 years old and 38 inches tall. Anyone under 56 inches tall must ride with an adult.

Can you ride the Rocky Top Mountain Coaster at night?

Yes. The track is lit after dark, so you can ride under the lights.

Plan your visit

Make a coaster day part of a bigger Smokies trip. Our family cabins have room for everyone, and our cabins with mountain views keep the scenery going long after the ride is over.

Stay close to Veterans Boulevard with our Pigeon Forge cabins, look at Gatlinburg cabins, or browse all of our Smoky Mountain cabins. Book direct and get the Stay & Play Pass with free attraction tickets for every paid night.