Let’s be honest: Hocking Hills doesn’t exactly need help convincing people to visit.
Between the waterfalls, towering cliffs, hidden caves, and miles of hiking trails, it’s one of Ohio’s most beloved outdoor destinations. But if you’ve ever wrapped up a day on the trails and thought, “You know what this place could use? A mountain coaster,” you’re about to get your wish.
Ohio’s first mountain coaster is officially headed to Hocking Hills, with construction set to begin August 1 and an opening planned for spring 2027.
The new attraction, appropriately named the Hocking Hills Mountain Coaster, promises a completely different way to experience southeastern Ohio. Instead of trekking through the forest on foot, riders will glide along 3,640 feet of winding track that twists and turns through the trees, reaching speeds of up to 26 miles per hour.
If you’ve never heard of a mountain coaster before, think of it as a cross between an alpine slide and a roller coaster.
Each rider (or pair of riders) sits in an individual cart that’s attached to the track, and unlike a traditional coaster, you control your own speed using hand brakes. Want a leisurely ride with plenty of time to soak in the scenery? Go for it. Feel the need for speed? That’s an option, too.
Mountain coasters have become wildly popular in destinations like Gatlinburg and Pigeon Forge, Tennessee, where they’re practically a vacation tradition. Until now, Ohioans have had to make a road trip to experience one. The Hocking Hills Mountain Coaster will be the first of its kind in the Buckeye State.
The project is being led by Jake Ryan, who manages more than two dozen vacation cabins in Hocking Hills. After years of hearing the same question from guests—”What else is there to do besides hike?”—he started looking for an attraction that felt like a natural fit for the region.
After researching similar attractions around the country, Ryan landed on the idea of a mountain coaster.
“There’s nothing like it in Ohio,” Ryan told Fox 8. “It is a completely different experience.”
The coaster itself is only part of the project. Plans also include a nearly 5,000-square-foot welcome center with ticketing, a retail shop, merchandise, and family-friendly activities. According to project details, kids will even have a gem mining station to enjoy while the rest of the family gears up for their ride.
Renderings and videos shared on Instagram show sleek silver track weaving through the woods, giving riders an up-close look at the forest instead of soaring above it or hiking through it. Every cart will also be equipped with onboard cameras, so you’ll be able to relive your ride, or finally settle the debate over who screamed the loudest.
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As anyone who’s spent a weekend in Hocking Hills knows, the area’s biggest draw has always been nature. That’s not changing anytime soon. Old Man’s Cave, Ash Cave, Cedar Falls, Conkle’s Hollow, and Cantwell Cliffs will still be the stars of the show.
But for visitors looking to mix a little adrenaline into their hiking itinerary, this coaster could become the perfect addition. It’s the kind of attraction that fills a gap Hocking Hills has never really had an answer for: something fun to do between adventures on the trail.
If all goes according to plan, you’ll be able to add “race through the trees” to your Hocking Hills bucket list sometime next spring.
Featured image by Darwin Boaventura on Unsplash
