3 Mountaintop Amusement Parks in Gatlinburg for Sky-High Thrills

firefly village at anakeesta in gatlinburg
July 25, 2018

While you might normally expect to find amusement parks on flat land, things are a little different here in the Smoky Mountains! Due to the natural surroundings, we have several incredible amusement parks that are built into the mountains for a totally unique experience! Here are 3 mountaintop amusement parks in Gatlinburg that you need to visit for some thrills in the hills:

1. Anakeesta

aerial tramway ober gatlinburg

Anakeesta offers a magical family theme park experience for all ages high up in the Smoky Mountains! To reach the summit, climb aboard the unique Chondola fixed transportation system that includes both traditional open air ski lift style chairs and enclosed gondolas. Once at the top, you have a choice of fun attractions including the Tree Canopy Walk and the Treehouse Village Playground. One of the highlights at Anakeesta is the Dueling Zipline, where you can zip through the air right alongside your friends and family members! Each set of 3 ziplines is situated more than 150 feet above the ground and includes two challenge stations along the way where you can rappel off platforms and experience a controlled descent!

2. Ober Gatlinburg

One of the most famous mountaintop amusement parks in Gatlinburg is Ober Gatlinburg, which can be accessed by a scenic aerial tramway from a station in downtown Gatlinburg. There are many activities to choose from at the top of the mountain, including a Wildlife Encounter, an alpine slide, water slides, chair swing and carousel. The most thrilling attraction at Ober Gatlinburg is undoubtedly the Ski Mountain Coaster, an action-packed roller coaster ride that twists and turns along 2,750 feet of track down the mountainside! You can choose to leisurely cruise the coaster track or travel at speeds up to 25 miles per hour.

3. Rowdy Bear Mountain

Rowdy Bear Mountain in downtown Gatlinburg is home to a pair of amazing thrill rides, the Rowdy Bear Mountain Coaster and the Mountain Glider! The Rowdy Bear Mountain Coaster puts YOU in the driver’s seat as you control the speed of your own coaster cart down the mountain! This gravity propelled alpine mountain coaster reaches speeds up to 35 miles per hour as it winds its way down the mountain. The Mountain Glider is a suspended single rail coaster that is the first of its kind in the world! After being secured to the rail, you will soar through the treetops of Rowdy Bear Mountain in a safe adventure that combines free falling and hang gliding!

Where to Stay

Breathtaking photo taken on the deck of onoe of our Gatlinburg cabins with a mountain view.

Stay close to these amusement parks in Gatlinburg with a vacation at Gatlinburg Cabin Rentals! Our cabins have all the comforts and amenities you need for a wonderful getaway to the Great Smoky Mountains, including decks with scenic views, fully equipped kitchens, soothing hot tubs, fireplaces and more! After experiencing the thrill rides in Gatlinburg, you can look forward to returning to your cabin for a relaxing evening among the stunning backdrop of the Smokies!

Check out all of our Smoky Mountain cabin rentals today to plan a vacation near these thrilling amusement parks in Gatlinburg! We look forward to seeing you soon at Gatlinburg Cabin Rentals!