31 Best Rides at Dollywood (2024)

The best rides at Dollywood include rides for the whole family; from themed coasters to thrill rides, we share them all. 

Located in Pigeon Forge, Tennessee, Dollywood is renowned for its links with Dolly Parton and celebration of country music, as well as its exciting rides.

Our Dollywood tips cover everything you need to know before planning a visit but this post goes through each ride, where to find them and what to expect. 

Best rides at Dollywood Theme Park

Thrill Rides at Dollywood Theme Park

Big Bear Mountain (Wildwood Grove): This multi-launch family roller coaster takes riders on an exhilarating adventure through the Smoky Mountains in search of the legendary Big Bear. Featuring a ride length of nearly 4,000 feet, it’s the longest coaster at Dollywood.

With three launches, multiple airtime hills, high-speed turns, and a top speed of 48 miles per hour, Big Bear Mountain offers a thrilling yet family-friendly experience. The ride’s immersive theming and scenic views of Wildwood Grove make it a standout attraction that captures the spirit of adventure and nature’s beauty.

Lightning Rod (Jukebox Junction): This record-breaking wooden roller coaster, themed after a 1950s hot rod, is the world’s fastest wooden coaster, reaching speeds up to 73 miles per hour. It starts with a thrilling launch up a hill and continues through airtime hills, sharp turns, and a breathtaking drop, all set in the nostalgic Americana-themed Jukebox Junction.

Wild Eagle (Wilderness Pass): America’s first wing coaster offers riders the sensation of flying like an eagle with seats on either side of the track for an unobstructed view. Featuring a 210-foot height, a 135-foot drop, and speeds up to 61 miles per hour, Wild Eagle soars through loops, corkscrews, and inversions in the rugged Wilderness Pass.

Mystery Mine (Timber Canyon): This steel coaster takes riders through an abandoned mine with indoor and outdoor elements, including a vertical lift, an 85-foot drop, and multiple inversions. Themed around the mysterious Timber Canyon, it features elaborate theming and special effects for a thrilling adventure.

Thunderhead (Timber Canyon): A classic wooden roller coaster celebrated for its smooth ride and intense airtime, Thunderhead includes a 100-foot drop, high-speed turns, and numerous crossovers. Its relentless pace and dynamic design make it a standout attraction in the woodsy Timber Canyon.

Tennessee Tornado (Craftsman’s Valley): This steel looping coaster, designed by Arrow Dynamics, features a 128-foot drop, three inversions, and speeds up to 63 miles per hour. Set in Craftsman’s Valley, it offers a thrilling ride with dramatic elements against the Smoky Mountains backdrop.

FireChaser Express (Wilderness Pass): A family-friendly dual-launch coaster themed around volunteer firefighters, FireChaser Express launches forward and backward, featuring airtime hills, twists, and a thrilling backward drop. Its moderate intensity and engaging theme make it perfect for Wilderness Pass.

Daredevil Falls (Craftsman’s Valley): A classic log flume ride that offers a refreshing splash, Daredevil Falls takes passengers through scenic waterways and culminates in a dramatic 60-foot drop into the water. It’s a perfect blend of relaxation and excitement in Craftsman’s Valley.

Blazing Fury (Rivertown Junction): An indoor roller coaster that combines dark ride elements with coaster thrills, Blazing Fury takes riders through scenes of a burning town with impressive special effects. Set in Rivertown Junction, it provides a unique and nostalgic ride experience.

Drop Line (Timber Canyon): A free-fall tower ride, Drop Line lifts riders to a height of 230 feet before plummeting them back down, offering breathtaking views and an exhilarating drop.

Barnstormer (Owens Farm): A swing ride themed around barnstorming pilots, Barnstormer features two pendulum arms that swing riders up to 81 feet in the air, creating a thrilling experience in the rustic Owens Farm area.

Smoky Mountain River Rampage (Rivertown Junction): A white-water rafting adventure, Smoky Mountain River Rampage takes riders on a wild journey through turbulent rapids, drops, and water features, set in the picturesque Rivertown Junction.

SkyZip (Wilderness Pass): An exhilarating zip line experience in Wilderness Pass, SkyZip offers stunning aerial views of the park and the Smoky Mountains. Riders glide from platform to platform high above the ground, enjoying the thrill of flight.

Lumberjack Lifts (Timber Canyon): Lumberjack Lifts allows guests to pull themselves up to a height of 30 feet using a rope, providing a fun and physical challenge.

Rockin’ Roadway (Country Fair): A nostalgic car ride, Rockin’ Roadway lets guests drive classic 1950s-style cars along a scenic track, perfect for families and younger riders.

Scrambler (Country Fair): A classic carnival ride, Scrambler spins riders in fast circles, creating a fun and dizzying experience.

Dizzy Disk (Country Fair): Dizzy Disk features a large disk that rotates while traveling back and forth along a half-pipe track, providing unique thrills.

Dollywood Kiddie Rides

Dollywood Express (The Village): A scenic train ride that takes guests on a relaxing journey through the beautiful Smoky Mountains, Dollywood Express is located in The Village. The steam-powered train offers breathtaking views and a nostalgic trip through the picturesque landscape.

Dragonflier (Wildwood Grove): Dragonflier is a thrilling family coaster that mimics the flight of a dragonfly. This suspended coaster swoops and soars close to the ground, offering an exhilarating experience with swift twists, turns, and drops. With a top speed of 45 miles per hour, Dragonflier provides an exciting yet smooth ride suitable for families and younger thrill-seekers. 

Frogs & Fireflies (Wildwood Grove): In Wildwood Grove, kids can bounce up and down on frog-themed vehicles that hop along a circular track, mimicking the playful movement of frogs and fireflies in the forest.

Treetop Tower (Wildwood Grove): Children and their families can board acorn-themed gondolas that gently rise to the treetops, offering a bird’s-eye view of the beautiful surroundings in Wildwood Grove.

Mad Mockingbird (Wildwood Grove): This ride lets kids control their own experience by allowing them to adjust the height of their individual “mockingbird” vehicles as they spin around a central tree in Wildwood Grove.

Busy Bees (Country Fair): A gentle ride for young children in Country Fair, Busy Bees features bee-themed vehicles that buzz around a small track, perfect for the park’s littlest visitors.

Lucky Ducky (Country Fair): Another family-friendly ride in Country Fair is Lucky Ducky. This lets kids ride in duck-themed vehicles that circle a small pond, offering a charming and gentle experience.

Piggy Parade (Country Fair): A delightful ride for young children in Country Fair, Piggy Parade features pig-themed vehicles that move along a whimsical track, providing a fun and gentle adventure.

Lemon Twist (Country Fair): A classic teacup ride in Country Fair, Lemon Twist allows riders to spin their individual cups as fast as they want, creating a dizzying and fun experience.

Amazing Flying Elephants (Country Fair): A family-friendly ride in Country Fair, Amazing Flying Elephants lets kids and parents soar on elephant-themed vehicles that rise and fall as they circle around.

Black Bear Trail (Wilderness Pass): A family-friendly ride where guests can hop on adorable black bear-themed vehicles and embark on a gentle, scenic journey through Wilderness Pass.

Whistle Punk Chaser (Timber Canyon): This junior roller coaster in Timber Canyon provides young thrill-seekers with a taste of roller coaster excitement, featuring gentle dips and turns that are perfect for kids.

Great Tree Swing (Wildwood Grove): This pendulum-style ride swings riders back and forth, reaching exhilarating heights and creating a sense of weightlessness at the peak of each swing. With its combination of gentle thrills and whimsical setting, the Great Tree Swing is a delightful attraction for guests of all ages, capturing the joy and wonder of Dollywood’s newest land.

Shooting Star (Country Fair): Shooting Star is a drop tower ride designed specifically for younger guests. This family-friendly attraction lifts riders to a modest height before gently bouncing them back down, simulating the thrilling sensation of free fall in a fun and safe manner.

We love visiting Dollywood; it has to be only our USA bucket list, especially if you love theme parks! What is your favorite ride of all time?! Comment your answers below!