Hillbilly Golf: Ride the Incline, Then Play the Mountainside
Hillbilly Golf combines a 300-foot incline ride with two 18-hole mini golf courses built directly into a wooded Gatlinburg mountainside—and we enjoyed it enough to play twice in the same day.
Is Hillbilly Golf in Gatlinburg Worth It?
Based on my experience, absolutely—especially if you enjoy mini golf and want something that feels distinctly different from a traditional flat course.
Hillbilly Golf combines a 300-foot incline ride with two 18-hole courses built directly into a wooded mountainside above Gatlinburg.
We enjoyed it so much that we played twice in the same day: one course during daylight and the second after dark.
The change in lighting and atmosphere made the two rounds feel surprisingly different.
Hillbilly Golf Gatlinburg Quick Guide
For current operating hours, pricing and seasonal information, check the official Hillbilly Golf visitor page before your trip.
What Makes Hillbilly Golf Different?
Hillbilly Golf is unusual because the miniature golf courses are built into the side of a mountain rather than on flat ground.
Your experience begins before you ever pick up a putter: visitors ride an incline approximately 300 feet uphill to reach the course.
The attraction has been part of Gatlinburg since 1971.
According to Hillbilly Golf, founder Shelby Boyd created the mountainside attraction, and the incline railway itself originally came from a Coca-Cola bottling plant.
Once you reach the top, you choose between two 18-hole courses and begin working your way through the wooded hillside.
The incline ride up the mountainside is one of Hillbilly Golf’s most distinctive features.
What Is the Hillbilly Golf Incline Ride Like?
The incline carries golfers roughly 300 feet up the mountainside before the round begins.
The slow ride immediately separates Hillbilly Golf from the many other mini golf attractions in the Smokies.
For us, the ride was part of the attraction rather than simply transportation to the first hole.
You gain a different perspective of the hillside as you climb, and arriving at the course feels like the beginning of a small mountain adventure.
Photography tip: If you enjoy photographing unusual transportation or mountain scenery, have your phone or camera ready before boarding rather than waiting until you reach the top.
How Many Courses Does Hillbilly Golf Have?
Hillbilly Golf has two 18-hole courses, Course A and Course B, for a total of 36 holes.
Both are built into the mountainside, but each has its own layout and challenges.
The courses use the natural terrain along with playful Appalachian-inspired obstacles.
During our visit, we encountered the kind of quirky details Hillbilly Golf is known for, including rustic equipment and mountain-themed props tucked into the wooded setting.
Rustic Appalachian-themed details add character to the two mountainside courses.
What Is Hillbilly Golf Like During the Day?
We played our first course during daylight, when the wooded mountain setting was easiest to appreciate.
The daylight made it easier to notice the landscaping, rustic obstacles and details built into the hillside.
It also gave me more flexibility for photographs because I could capture both the course itself and the surrounding mountain environment.
The course was playful but not completely effortless. The slopes and contours add another variable to shots that might seem simple on a flat miniature golf course.
If photography and scenery are important to you, I would play at least one round before dark.
Playing after dark gave the mountainside course a completely different atmosphere.
What Is Hillbilly Golf Like at Night?
Playing Hillbilly Golf at night felt noticeably different from our daytime round.
We returned later that same day to play the second course, and I was glad we did.
The cooler evening air, wooded surroundings and course lighting created a quieter atmosphere.
With the surrounding hillside darker, our attention shifted more toward the illuminated greens and individual obstacles.
It felt less like repeating the same activity and more like seeing the attraction in a different way.
For photography, nighttime is more challenging because the available light is lower, but the course lights can create interesting scenes that you simply cannot photograph during the day.
Is Hillbilly Golf Better During the Day or at Night?
I would choose daytime for scenery and photography, but nighttime for atmosphere.
Because we played one course during each, I did not have to choose—and that became one of my favorite parts of the experience.
If your schedule allows it, my favorite approach is exactly what we did: play one course earlier in the day and return for the second after dark.
The Mountainside Changes the Game
The wooded hillside and quirky course details give Hillbilly Golf a personality that is difficult to recreate on a flat miniature golf course.
The setting is not simply scenery around the game.
The slope, terrain, trees and rustic obstacles become part of the experience as you work your way down the mountain.
That was one of the reasons playing both courses did not feel repetitive to us.
The wooded hillside and quirky course details make Hillbilly Golf feel distinctly different from a typical mini golf course.
How Long Does Hillbilly Golf Take?
Hillbilly Golf says an 18-hole round typically takes about 45 to 60 minutes, depending on your group size and pace.
I would allow additional time for the incline ride, waiting during busy periods and stopping for photographs.
If you plan to play both 18-hole courses, set aside roughly two hours or more rather than trying to squeeze the experience into a short break.
Visitors who enjoy taking their time with mini golf may naturally spend longer.
Is Hillbilly Golf Good for Adults?
Yes. Hillbilly Golf is not just a children’s attraction.
We enjoyed it as adults, and the unusual incline ride and mountain setting make the experience interesting even if you have played plenty of miniature golf courses before.
It works well for couples, adult friends and anyone who enjoys quirky roadside attractions.
Mini golf enthusiasts may especially appreciate the way the hillside changes the feel of the game.
Is Hillbilly Golf Good for Families?
Hillbilly Golf can be a fun family activity for visitors comfortable navigating a mountainside outdoor course.
The incline ride adds novelty before the game even begins, and the Appalachian-themed obstacles give children and adults plenty to look at along the way.
Because the course follows the natural hillside, however, families should remember that this is not a completely flat miniature golf attraction.
Consider the mobility and comfort level of everyone in your group before visiting.
How to Photograph Hillbilly Golf
Hillbilly Golf is unusually photogenic for a miniature golf course because the incline, trees and mountain terrain give you more than putting greens to photograph.
What Should You Know Before Visiting Hillbilly Golf?
Hillbilly Golf is located outdoors and operates seasonally, so current hours can depend on the time of year and conditions.
Visit the official Hillbilly Golf website for current pricing, seasonal hours and operating updates.
You can also use the official Visit Gatlinburg website when planning transportation, attractions and other activities around town.
What Else Can You Do Near Hillbilly Golf?
Hillbilly Golf is easy to work into a larger Gatlinburg and Smoky Mountains itinerary.
Hillbilly Golf Gatlinburg FAQ
Where is Hillbilly Golf in Gatlinburg?
Hillbilly Golf is located at 340 Parkway, Gatlinburg, TN 37738, on the north side of downtown Gatlinburg.
How do you get to the Hillbilly Golf courses?
You begin by riding the attraction’s incline approximately 300 feet up the mountainside. From there, you choose one of the two 18-hole courses.
How many courses does Hillbilly Golf have?
Hillbilly Golf has two 18-hole courses, Course A and Course B, for a total of 36 holes.
How long does one round of Hillbilly Golf take?
The official site says one 18-hole round usually takes approximately 45 to 60 minutes, depending on group size and pace.
Is Hillbilly Golf better during the day or at night?
I preferred daytime for seeing and photographing the mountain setting, while nighttime offered a cooler, quieter atmosphere under the course lights. Playing one course during the day and returning for the other at night gave us the best of both.
Is there free parking at Hillbilly Golf?
Yes. Hillbilly Golf’s official visitor information currently lists free parking for golfers.
Is Hillbilly Golf open year-round?
Hillbilly Golf operates seasonally rather than following the same year-round schedule every day. Check the official website for current dates and hours before visiting.
Is Hillbilly Golf Gatlinburg Worth It?
For us, Hillbilly Golf was worth visiting twice in the same day.
That probably says more about our experience than any rating could.
The combination of the incline ride, wooded mountainside, quirky obstacles and two separate courses makes it feel more like a Gatlinburg attraction than simply another game of miniature golf.
Playing during both daylight and after dark also showed us two different sides of the course. Daytime highlighted the scenery and details; nighttime changed the mood completely.
If you enjoy mini golf, quirky roadside attractions or experiences that feel uniquely connected to the place you are visiting, I would put Hillbilly Golf on your Gatlinburg list.
My tip: If your itinerary allows it, play one course during the day and return for the second after dark.
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.
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