Jul 10, 2026 - News

Ohio's first mountain coaster is coming to Hocking Hills

Alissa Widman Neese

Winding silver roller-coaster tracks curve along a rocky, pine-covered mountainside, fenced by chain-link barriers. Rocks, trees, and distant peaks under a bright blue sky with clouds. — The Ridge Rider Mountain Coaster in South Lake Tahoe, California. Photo: Michael Macor/San Francisco Chronicle via Getty Images

Construction is starting soon on Ohio's first mountain coaster, just a short trip away in the Hocking Hills.

For the unfamiliar: They're scenic, gravity-driven rides on tracks built into mountainsides, with single-car riders using hand brakes to control the speed.

Zoom in: Ohio's will contain over 3,600 feet of track for about a 5-minute trip with speeds up to 26 mph. It's expected to open next year, WSYX-TV reports.

Watch a hype video.

🚗 Need road trip inspo? Nearby Tennessee is apparently the Mountain Coaster Capital of the World, with about a dozen to choose from in the Gatlinburg and Pigeon Forge area.

There's also the Crystal Coaster Alpine Slide in Thompsonville, Michigan.
All are about a six-hour drive from Columbus.

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Ohio's first mountain coaster is coming to Hocking Hills

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