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Ohio's First Mountain Coaster Is Coming to the Hocking Hills

By Hocking Hills Escape · Published

Details checked on

A waterfall spills over sandstone into a pool surrounded by rocks.
A waterfall in Hocking Hills State Park. Photo: Riley Crawford on Unsplash · Unsplash License · resized.

A new way to see the Hocking Hills woods is on the way. In July 2026, local developer Jake Ryan announced the Hocking Hills Mountain Coaster, described in local news as Ohio's first mountain coaster. The public target is late winter or spring 2027. No exact opening date has been announced.

What is a mountain coaster?

You sit in a small cart that runs on a steel track laid along a hillside. The track twists through the trees and follows the rise and fall of the land. Unlike a theme-park roller coaster, you control your own speed with a hand brake: go slowly and take in the view, or let it run.

Small carts on a mountain coaster track cross a grassy, rocky hillside.
A mountain coaster in another location, shown as an example of this type of ride. Photo: David Ohayon on Unsplash · Unsplash License · resized.

What has been announced

These details come from the developer's comments to local news outlets in July 2026. Plans can change before opening.

  • More than 3,600 feet of track through wooded land.
  • A top speed of up to 26 mph.
  • About five minutes from start to finish.
  • Two-person carts, with riders controlling their speed using a hand brake.
  • A camera on each cart.
  • Around 25 carts running at once, with room for up to 350 riders an hour.
  • A 55-acre property, with 10 to 15 acres used for the ride.
  • A welcome center of nearly 5,000 square feet for tickets and a gift shop, with a gem mining station planned for children.

When will it open?

In mid-July, local news reported that construction was expected to start within weeks, with the developer aiming for late winter or early spring 2027. No newer construction update or exact opening date was found in the sources checked on November 4. Treat the announced window as a target and check for updates before planning a trip around the ride.

What will it cost?

Ticket prices have not been set. In July, the developer gave an early estimate of $18 to $20 per person.

Where is it?

The coaster is planned for the Logan area of Hocking County. No official ticketing website was found in the sources checked on November 4. For construction updates, local news points to Jake Ryan's Instagram page.

Who is behind it?

The project is led by Jake Ryan, managing partner of Jake Ryan Realty, according to local reporting.

Plan a Hocking Hills trip around it

Until the coaster opens, the hills themselves are the main event. Spend a morning at Ash Cave, Old Man's Cave or Cedar Falls, and check the state park's current notices before you go. Once the coaster is running, a few laps will make a fun afternoon break between hikes.

Stone steps lead along a cliff face in a forest.
Stone steps beside a sandstone cliff in Hocking Hills State Park. Photo: Riley Crawford on Unsplash · Unsplash License · resized.

For warmer-weather outings, .

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While you are in the area, the Hocking Valley Scenic Railway has a newly restored engine that made its passenger debut this fall. Read the post on engine No. 105.

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Sources

WHIO: the July announcement, Southwest Ohio Parent: ride plans and early pricing, and HockingHills.com: the 2027 opening target. These are announced plans, subject to change.