About Rocky Top Mountain Coaster
Rocky Top Mountain Coaster is on Veterans Boulevard in Pigeon Forge, and the pitch is length. The operator calls it the longest coaster in East Tennessee and the first in the world with four uplifts. The ride runs more than nine minutes on a track that winds through over 20 acres, with 360-degree turns and several tunnels.
How the ride works
You ride a single sled on a fixed rail, and you are the driver. A hand brake controls speed, and the operator says each sled can reach up to 30 mph. A lift pulls you uphill, gravity takes you down, and then the track does it again, four times in total. If you want a gentle ride, brake into the turns. If you want the full rush, let go on the straights.
Because the track follows the hillside, the trees and slope pass close on either side. It is a more intimate sensation than a steel park coaster, and the hand brake means the same track feels different to a nervous eight-year-old and a competitive adult.
Hours and night rides
The Rocky Top site lists hours of 10 AM to 11 PM Sunday through Saturday. The coaster is lit after dark, and the operator recommends riding after nightfall for a different experience. Hours can change with the season and weather, so check the site on the day.
Who can ride
Riders must be at least 3 years old and 38 inches tall. Anyone under 56 inches must ride with an adult. Check the FAQ for weight limits and rules about loose items before you go.
Fall event and combos
On select dates in September and October the operator runs Zombie Invasion, a haunted-coaster event with live actors and themed sets. It is a nighttime event with its own ticketing, so book through the Rocky Top site and read the age guidance there.
Rocky Top also sells combos. The Smoky Mountain Double Coaster Combo pairs one ride here with one at Wild Stallion Mountain Coaster, and the Park Hopper pass adds time at Rowdy Bear's Smoky Mountain Funpark. Both are listed as being within about five miles of each other, which makes a coaster-heavy day easy to build.
Planning tips
- Buy tickets online ahead of time and compare the combo prices with the single-ride price.
- Arrive earlier in the day on summer weekends and during fall color season, when Pigeon Forge traffic builds.
- Do an evening ride if you can. The lights change the feel of the track.
- Wear closed-toe shoes and secure phones and sunglasses before the first drop.
Rocky Top is a good pick for a first mountain coaster, since the length means you get plenty of ride for the ticket. Prices change, so use the official ticket page for current numbers.
Good to know
- How long should I plan for my visit?
- Plan on about 1 hours.
