Moonshine Mountain Coaster: Our First Ride After Dark
A 3,000-foot mountain track, rider-controlled speed and colorful nighttime lighting turned our first mountain coaster ride into one of the most memorable quick thrills of our Gatlinburg trip.
Is Moonshine Mountain Coaster in Gatlinburg Worth It?
Based on our experience, yes—especially if you want a quick thrill that feels very different from a traditional amusement-park coaster.
This was our first mountain coaster ride, and doing it after dark made the experience even more memorable.
Moonshine Mountain Coaster combines an uphill lift with a gravity-powered descent through the Smoky Mountain terrain.
Riders control their own speed on the way down, so you can ease off if you want a gentler ride or let the sled reach speeds of up to about 30 mph.
Moonshine Mountain Coaster Gatlinburg Quick Guide
Hours can change with weather and season, so check the official Moonshine Mountain Coaster hours and location page before visiting.
What Is Moonshine Mountain Coaster?
Moonshine Mountain Coaster is a rider-controlled alpine coaster built into the mountainside near downtown Gatlinburg.
A motorized lift pulls each sled uphill before gravity takes over for the descent.
The coaster originally opened in 2014 as the Gatlinburg Mountain Coaster and became the first mountain coaster in Gatlinburg.
New ownership rebranded it as Moonshine Mountain Coaster after major upgrades in 2021 and 2022.
The attraction says the current track stretches more than 3,000 feet, with roughly 250 feet of elevation difference between the bottom and top of the mountain.
The track lighting changes the feel of the mountain coaster after dark.
What Was Our First Mountain Coaster Ride Like?
This was our first time ever riding a mountain coaster, so we were not entirely sure what to expect.
The safety instructions were clear, the staff was friendly and we felt comfortable with the controls before starting.
The ride itself was smoother than I expected, which made it easier to enjoy the twists, turns and nighttime scenery rather than spending the entire descent worrying about what came next.
That combination made Moonshine Mountain Coaster feel like a good introduction to this type of attraction for us.
How Does Moonshine Mountain Coaster Work?
Each sled is pulled automatically uphill, but the rider controls the speed during the descent.
Two handles mounted on the sled control the brakes.
Pushing the handles forward releases the brakes and allows the sled to accelerate. Pulling them back slows the ride.
Riders are expected to maintain a safe pace and cannot stop completely on the track.
The ability to control your own speed is one of the reasons a mountain coaster can appeal to both thrill-seekers and people who want a less intense ride.
How Fast Does Moonshine Mountain Coaster Go?
Moonshine Mountain Coaster can reach speeds of approximately 30 mph.
Your actual speed depends on how much braking you use during the descent.
If you are nervous about your first ride, knowing you have some control over the pace can make the experience feel more approachable.
More adventurous riders can push the handles forward and allow the coaster to move much faster through the turns.
How Long Is the Moonshine Mountain Coaster Ride?
The complete ride lasts about five minutes.
The official attraction estimates approximately three minutes for the uphill lift and around two minutes for the downhill portion.
That makes it a relatively quick Gatlinburg attraction, although you should allow extra time for parking, tickets, waiting in line and boarding.
What Is Moonshine Mountain Coaster Like at Night?
For us, riding after dark was one of the best parts of the experience.
The mountain is illuminated with colorful lights, so the ride feels part coaster and part light show.
The bright colors stood out against the dark hillside as we moved through the track, and the change in lighting made the course feel more dramatic than it would in full daylight.
The official attraction itself recommends experiencing the coaster at night specifically to see the light show.
Colorful lighting makes a nighttime ride feel noticeably different from a daytime mountain coaster experience.
Is Moonshine Mountain Coaster Better During the Day or at Night?
I can only speak from my firsthand nighttime experience, but I would absolutely choose an evening ride again.
The colored lighting added another visual element and made our first mountain coaster ride feel especially memorable.
A daytime ride would make the surrounding Smoky Mountain scenery easier to see, while nighttime emphasizes the illuminated track.
If you want to experience both, the attraction currently sells multi-ride options and specifically suggests using one of the rides after dark.
Can Two People Ride Moonshine Mountain Coaster Together?
Yes. The coaster uses both single- and double-rider sleds.
Two people can ride together as long as the driver meets the age and height requirements and the combined weight stays within the ride limit.
The driver must be at least 16 years old when carrying a passenger, and passengers must be at least 3 years old and 38 inches tall.
What Are the Height, Age and Weight Requirements?
Pregnant riders are not permitted. Always review the current Moonshine Mountain Coaster riding guidelines before purchasing tickets if anyone in your group has questions about eligibility.
Is Moonshine Mountain Coaster Good for First-Time Riders?
It worked very well for us as first-time mountain coaster riders.
The instructions were simple, the controls were easy to understand and the fact that we could regulate our own speed helped us feel more comfortable.
I would not describe it as a completely tame ride—especially if you release the brakes and let it run—but the rider-controlled format gives you more say in the intensity than a traditional fixed-speed roller coaster.
Is Moonshine Mountain Coaster Good for Families?
Yes, provided everyone meets the published age, height and weight requirements.
Younger children who qualify can ride as passengers with an eligible driver, while taller riders can operate their own sled.
The ride is short enough to fit easily into a family sightseeing day, and the ability to control speed can help different riders tailor the experience to their comfort level.
How to Photograph Moonshine Mountain Coaster at Night
The attraction is especially photogenic at night, but the low-light environment requires a slightly different approach.
What Should You Know Before Visiting?
Check the official Moonshine Mountain Coaster website for current ticket prices, hours and weather updates.
You can also use the official Visit Gatlinburg listing for destination information and nearby attractions.
What Else Can You Do Near Moonshine Mountain Coaster?
Because the coaster is on the Parkway near downtown Gatlinburg, it is easy to combine with other attractions during the same day.
Moonshine Mountain Coaster Gatlinburg FAQ
Where is Moonshine Mountain Coaster?
Moonshine Mountain Coaster is located at 306 Parkway, Gatlinburg, TN 37738.
How long is the Moonshine Mountain Coaster ride?
The ride lasts about five minutes, including approximately three minutes for the uphill lift and two minutes for the downhill run.
How fast does Moonshine Mountain Coaster go?
The sleds can reach speeds of about 30 mph, although riders control their speed during the descent.
Can two people ride together?
Yes. Two riders can share a sled if the driver is at least 16 years old, the passenger meets the minimum age and height requirements and the combined weight is within the posted limit.
Is Moonshine Mountain Coaster open at night?
Yes. The attraction operates into the evening on its current schedule, and the mountainside is illuminated with colorful lights after dark.
Is Moonshine Mountain Coaster open year-round?
Yes. The official attraction says it operates year-round, although weather conditions can affect daily hours.
Is Moonshine Mountain Coaster good for beginners?
It was a good first mountain coaster experience for us. The controls were easy to understand, and being able to manage our own speed made the ride feel approachable while still offering plenty of excitement.
Is Moonshine Mountain Coaster Worth It?
For us, yes.
This was our first mountain coaster, and riding after dark made it feel like more than a quick thrill ride.
The combination of rider-controlled speed, a smooth descent and colorful mountain lighting gave us an experience that felt exciting without being overwhelming.
If you have never tried a mountain coaster before, Moonshine Mountain Coaster is an easy one to consider because you can control how fast you descend.
If you are already comfortable with alpine coasters, pushing the handles forward and letting the sled move faster can give you a much more energetic ride.
My recommendation: If your Gatlinburg itinerary allows it, ride after dark at least once. The lights turned our first mountain coaster experience into one we still remember.
About Angela
Angela Addington is the travel photographer and writer behind Lenses & Latitudes. She shares firsthand destination guidance and practical photography advice for independent and solo travelers, women over 50, road-trippers and weekend explorers. Learn more about Angela.
