Riding the Moonshine Mountain Coaster in Gatlinburg: Is It Worth It?
- 4 days ago
- 3 min read
If you’ve spent any time around Gatlinburg or Pigeon Forge, you know mountain coasters are kind of their own thing down there. And once you ride one, it’s pretty easy to understand why.
We stopped at the Moonshine Mountain Coaster in Gatlinburg, Tennessee, and this ended up being one of those attractions that was just flat-out fun from start to finish.
You get the slow climb, the views, the twists through the trees, and then that moment where gravity takes over and the ride really starts. That’s the good stuff.
Checking Out the Moonshine Mountain Coaster
The Moonshine Mountain Coaster is right in Gatlinburg, which makes it an easy stop if you’re already spending the day around town. The setup is simple.
You check in, get your ride instructions, and before long you’re heading toward the track.
One of the things I like about mountain coasters is that you don’t need a ton of explanation before riding. You sit down, get strapped in, and the coaster pulls you uphill automatically.
Then on the way down, you control your own speed. That’s where it gets fun.
The Ride Up Is Half the Experience
The first part of the ride is surprisingly relaxing.
You slowly make your way up the mountain while the track winds through the trees.
It gives you a chance to look around and enjoy the scenery before the fast part starts.
And as you keep climbing, you start realizing just how much track is still ahead of you.
It’s one of those rides where the anticipation starts building before anything crazy even happens.
Watch Our Full Moonshine Mountain Coaster Ride
If you want to see what the entire experience actually looks like, watch our full Moonshine Mountain Coaster ride above.
You’ll get the climb, the downhill sections, our reactions, and a better feel for how the coaster moves through the mountain.
Then You Start Heading Down
Once gravity takes over, the whole experience changes fast.
The track twists through the trees and gives you some really fun turns and drops.
You’re sitting low to the track, so even if the speed doesn’t sound ridiculous on paper, it feels much faster when you’re actually riding.
And because you control your own speed, you can make the experience as relaxed or as fast as you want.
Personally, I’m not getting on a mountain coaster to crawl down it. I want the ride.
Everybody Can Ride It Their Own Way
That’s probably one of the biggest reasons mountain coasters work so well for families.
If you want to take your time and enjoy the scenery, you can. If you want to push it a little harder and have more of a thrill ride, you can do that too. You’re not locked into one experience.
That makes it a lot easier for groups where everybody has a different comfort level.
Dominic was riding a mountain coaster for the first time on this trip too, and he ended up having a blast.
That was definitely fun to see, but even beyond that, the ride itself was just a really good time.
The Best Part Is How Different It Feels
Mountain coasters are weird in the best way. You’re not on a traditional roller coaster. You’re not just driving down a road. You’re sitting in this little cart, flying through the trees, following the side of a mountain.
It feels more personal than a normal coaster because you’re controlling part of the experience yourself.
And because the track is built right into the landscape, the scenery becomes part of the ride.
That’s what makes these things so much fun.
Would We Ride Moonshine Mountain Coaster Again?
Absolutely.
This was one of those attractions that didn’t need to be complicated.
It was fun.
It was fast.
The setting was great.
And everybody walked away talking about the ride.
If you’re visiting Gatlinburg and want something that doesn’t take up your whole day but still feels like a real experience, Moonshine Mountain Coaster is an easy one to recommend.
For current hours, ticket prices, and rider requirements, check the Official Moonshine Mountain Coaster website.
Planning a Trip to Gatlinburg?
Gatlinburg has a ton packed into a pretty small area. You can ride a mountain coaster, walk downtown, grab something to eat, hit another attraction, and still have plenty left to do.
We’ll be sharing more of what we found around Gatlinburg, Pigeon Forge, Sevierville, and the Smoky Mountains here on Dang! That’s Awesome.
Want to See Another Mountain Coaster We Rode?
If you liked this one, check out our Wisconsin Dells Mountain Coaster video too.
That ride had a completely different setting, and it’s a fun one to compare with what we experienced here in Gatlinburg.
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