New Miner’s Mountain Express Roller Coaster Coming To Silver Dollar City in 2027
Silver Dollar City in Branson, Missouri, is adding Miner’s Mountain Express to its lineup in 2027, a new family coaster inspired by the real-life mining history that helped shape the park’s beginnings.
For those unfamiliar with Branson, the Missouri vacation town shares a lot of similarities with Pigeon Forge, Tennessee. Both destinations feature a similar mix of family attractions, live entertainment, dinner shows, tourist attractions and mountain coasters, with several familiar concepts even overlapping between the two destinations. Instead of the Smokies, Branson has the Ozarks!
Billed as “America’s Most Legendary Family Coaster,” Miner’s Mountain Express will take families on an expedition more than a century in the making, blending the history and mystery of the Ozarks with a runaway mine car adventure.
Guests will race across Daredevil Pass, dodge boulders, navigate rugged Ozarks terrain and plunge past a flooded mine shaft while searching for a lost entrance to Marvel Cave.
The story draws inspiration from the real Marble Cave Mining Company, which operated on the site during the 1880’s. Prospectors originally believed the cave contained marble, only to discover that wasn’t the case. The site was eventually renamed Marvel Cave and later became the attraction around which Silver Dollar City was built.
That history will play a prominent role throughout the new coaster experience. An authentic 15-story headframe sourced from a working Missouri mine will tower over the attraction, while weathered mining structures, rugged rockwork, mining equipment and other details will help bring the story to life.
“For over 65 years, Silver Dollar City has entertained our guests through fun story-based adventures. This family coaster has been designed so that multiple generations of families can enjoy the mountain-themed adventure together,” said Brad Thomas, president of the Silver Dollar City Company.
“Annually, Silver Dollar City welcomes visitors from every state in America. In 2027 and beyond, this family coaster and our all-new resort continue our growth strategy to invite even more guests to discover the Ozarks for their vacations and getaway weekends.”
Miner’s Mountain Express will feature more than a half-mile of track, making it the longest family coaster in the Midwest. The approximately 3-minute, 18-second adventure will include two lift hills and 15 airtime moments, more than any other coaster at Silver Dollar City.
Get a closer look at the adventure ahead in the video below, which brings the story of Miner’s Mountain Express to life while offering a preview of the ride experience.
With a minimum rider height of just 39 inches when accompanied by a supervising companion, the coaster is being designed as an attraction that multiple generations can experience together.
The new ride will be located in Daredevil Pass, a newly created section of Silver Dollar City connecting WildFire, PowderKeg and The American Plunge. Guests will first arrive beneath the towering 15-story mining headframe before setting out on their expedition.
From there, the coaster will follow the natural contours of the Ozark Mountains above Marvel Cave, a United States Registered Natural Landmark first explored by the Osage centuries ago and the place that ultimately inspired the creation of Silver Dollar City.
“For Miner’s Mountain Express, we asked ourselves how families could step into the park’s own origin story, which literally began with a hole in the ground called Marvel Cave,” said Erica Rutledge, senior creative director at Herschend Creative Studios. “Every building, every tool and every detail was thoughtfully designed to honor the people who came before us while creating an unforgettable adventure for today’s families.”
In true Silver Dollar City fashion, the attraction will also mix a little lore into its historical roots.
Miner’s Mountain Express introduces guests to legendary mining foreman Jedidiah “Jed” Campbell, whose belief that “Where there’s a will, there’s a way” inspires families to continue the search for a lost entrance to Marvel Cave. Along the way, riders discover that perseverance, rather than luck, is what leads to adventure.
The attraction is a custom collaboration between Silver Dollar City and MACK Rides of Waldkirch, Germany, the family-owned manufacturer behind the park’s Time Traveler coaster.
Much of the construction, immersive theming and storytelling is also being created by Silver Dollar City’s own Maintenance & Construction team, designers and craftsmen alongside Herschend Creative Studios.
Miner’s Mountain Express is part of a $150 million investment in Silver Dollar City’s next chapter, which also includes the new Silver Dollar City Resort opening in 2027. Together, the projects are designed to further establish Silver Dollar City and the Ozarks as a multi-day destination while continuing to celebrate the heritage that has defined the park for more than six decades.
Construction is already underway on Miner’s Mountain Express, with the new family coaster scheduled to open at Silver Dollar City in spring 2027.
Can’t wait to ride!? Get a sneak peek of what’s to come with this animated front-seat POV below!
For more updates on Miner’s Mountain Express and the latest news from Silver Dollar City, stay connected with Coaster Nation on Facebook and Instagram, and visit CoasterNation.com.
