Does Dollywood close rides if it’s too cold during the winter season?
Dollywood has transformed into a winter wonderland for the popular Smoky Mountain Christmas festival. Though the snow falling in theme park might be just for show, the bitter cold of the winter season is not. And that brisk air could affect which rides you get to enjoy.
Guests walk past Christmas decorations during Dollywood's Smoky Mountain Christmas on Nov. 3, 2025.
Dollywood has over 50 rides and attractions, including 10 roller coasters. But some of these rides have weather limitations and close if the temperature drops below a specific degree, and not just the 32-degree freezing mark.
Some popular rides – Big Bear Mountain, Wild Eagle, Lighting Rod and FireChaser Express – close when the temp drops below 40 degrees.
Here’s what you should know about visiting Dollywood during the winter season and why visitors should be open to trying different rides and activities Dolly Parton’s theme park offers this time of year.
Which Dollywood rides close when it’s cold outside?
According to Dollywood, the list of attractions that close during cold weather - and the temperature that would prompt each one to shut down - includes:
- Amazing Flying Elephants | 32 degrees
- Barnstormer | 32 degrees
- Big Bear Mountain | 36 degrees
- Black Bear Trail | 23 degrees
- Dragonflier | 36 degrees
- DropLine | 5 degrees
- FireChaser Express | 39 degrees
- Frogs & Fireflies | 32 degrees
- Great Tree Swing |32 degrees
- Lemon Twist | 32 degrees
- Lightning Rod | 34 degrees
- LumberJack Lifts | 32 degrees
- Mystery Mine | 34 degrees
- Shooting Star | 36 degrees
- Sky Rider | 36 degrees
- Smoky Mountain River Rampage | 32 degrees
- Tennessee Tornado | 34 degrees
- Thunderhead | 35 degrees
- Tree Top Tower | 32 degrees
- Waltzing Swinger | 23 degrees
- Whistle Punk Chaser | 36 degrees
- Wild Eagle | 34 degrees
It should be noted that FireChaser Express, Lemon Twist, Mystery Mine and Whistle Punk Chaser will not open until the temperature reaches 40 degrees.
The theme park has other weather guidelines beyond cold temperatures, too. Some attractions close if lightning or high winds are in the area. A full list of weather guidelines for rides and attractions is available at Dollywood.com.
What to do at Dollywood when roller coasters close
If Old Man Winter shuts down some of the popular rides and outdoor attractions, it doesn’t have to mark the end of your Dollywood trip. Think of it as an opportunity to enjoy a show, walk through the Dolly Parton Experience, delight in some Southern comfort food or shop for special Dolly Parton keepsakes.
There are multiple musical performances and stage productions at Dollywood daily. Among many indoor attraction, the Dolly Parton Experience is an expansive interactive museum that celebrates Parton’s life, career and iconic fashions.
There are several restaurants inside the park, including the award-winning Aunt Granny’s and the new Wilderness Pass Restaurant. But if you’d rather warm up by bouncing from store to store with an armful of shopping bags, there are over 20 shops throughout Dollywood. The Emporium is the park’s flagship gift shop, and it’s filled with clothes, accessories, home goods and more.
Jan. 4 is the last day of Dollywood's 2025 season.
And in good news if you plan a visit to the park for this time next year, the 2026 season will introduce another indoor activity. The upcoming family attraction NightFlight Expedition will be temperature-controlled, allowing it to operate independently of the weather.
This article originally appeared on Knoxville News Sentinel: Does Dollywood close rides if it’s too cold during the winter season?
