Branson · Highway 165 · Alpine mountain coaster
Runaway Mountain Coaster
Ride a cart you brake yourself down nearly a mile of track through the Ozark woods, by day or after dark, a few minutes from the 76 Strip.
Opens the coaster’s ticket page. Tickets are per ride and sold first come, first served; there are no reservations.
Details checked October 2026
Type
Mountain coaster
Rider-controlled carts at Branson Mountain Adventure
Admission
$18 + tax a ride
Night rides $20.50; passengers 3–18 $13.50
Hours
Most of the year
Weather permitting; call 1-800-371-7027
Time needed
1 to 2 hours
Tripadvisor estimate; the ride itself is 7–8 min
Parking
On-site lot
Hilly site; no posted RV rules, call first
Track length
4,900+ ft
Uphill lift plus about 3,000 ft down
What you’ll see
Nearly a mile of track through the trees
Branson Mountain Adventure covers 80 acres of forest and hillside off Highway 165, with a 400-foot elevation change. The Runaway was the first alpine coaster in Branson when it opened in 2016.
Video still: Runaway Mountain Coaster on YouTube
Start here
The ride down
A cable lift pulls your cart about 1,900 feet up the hill over roughly five minutes, with Ozark views on the way. Then about 3,000 feet of track spirals, drops and twists back down, and you control the speed with two brake levers. Sleds reach about 30 mph if you let them run.
RV tip: phones, cameras and loose hats aren’t allowed on the ride, so leave them in the car; the park takes ride photos you can buy afterward.
More to see
- Night ridesNight tickets ($20.50 for a driver) let you ride after sunset.
- Ride with a passengerDrivers 16 and older can take a passenger aged 3 to 18 who is at least 36 inches tall.
- Same-day re-ridesA second ride the same day is $13.50 plus tax; there are no day passes.
- Gem miningBranson Mountain Gem Mining, on the same site, is billed as the longest gem mine in the Ozarks. The Flyaway Ziplines are closed for the season.
Why go
A short, fun stop between bigger plans
The Runaway opened in August 2016 as Branson’s first alpine coaster. The park bills it as the longest mountain coaster in the Midwest, at more than 4,900 feet counting the lift.
For RVers it’s an easy add-on. It’s about 3 minutes from Branson KOA Holiday on Highway 165, a ride takes only 7 or 8 minutes, and tickets are sold per ride, so you can stop for one run or come back after dark.
Because you set the pace with the brakes, it suits both nervous first-timers and thrill seekers. Single drivers must be at least 9 years old and 52 inches tall, with a 300-pound limit per cart.
Video still: In The Loop on YouTube
Why it made our list
- Over 4,900 feet of track, lift included
- You control the speed
- Day and night rides
- Open most of the year
- 3 minutes from Branson KOA Holiday
For RVers
Taking the rig to the coaster
The practical stuff we wished someone had told us before we pulled in.
Come in the tow vehicle
The park is on a hillside with a 400-foot elevation change, and it doesn’t publish RV or trailer parking rules. Leave the rig at camp, or call (417) 334-7337 before you drive a big one in.
Check the weather first
The coaster closes for lightning, storms, heavy rain and low light, and opens on warmer winter days. Call 1-800-371-7027 if the sky looks unsettled.
Know the height rules
Single drivers must be 9 or older and 52 inches tall. Double drivers must be 16 or older; passengers must be 3 to 18 and at least 36 inches.
Sign the agreement ahead
Every rider needs an Adventure Agreement, and a parent or guardian must sign for anyone under 18. The form is on the park’s website, so you can fill it out before you go.
What visitors say about Runaway Mountain Coaster
The visitor report card
We don’t copy other sites’ reviews, but the published scores are worth reading together. Scores checked October 28, 2026.
A first-of-its-kind thrill ride located in the Ozarks.
Runaway Mountain Coaster · bransonalpinemountaincoaster.com
What visitors often mention
Recurring themes in Google’s review topics
Friendly staffThe mountain coasterNight rides
Google’s review topics point to the friendly staff (207 reviews), the coaster itself (114) and riding at night (113). Checked October 28, 2026.
What a ride costs
Prices before tax from the coaster’s ticket page, checked October 28, 2026. Passengers are ages 3 to 18 riding with a driver 16 or older.
Good to know
Driver, daytime$18 plus tax, per ride
Driver, night$20.50 plus tax, per ride
Passenger (3–18)$13.50 plus tax
Good to knowPer-ride ticketsNo reservationsNo local discounts
Prices from the coaster’s ticket page, checked October 28, 2026. Groups of 20 or more paying guests get a two-ride rate if they book 14 days ahead.
Know before you go
Plan your visit
Runaway Mountain Coaster
- Address935 State Hwy. 165, Branson, MO 65616
- HoursMost of the year
Weather permitting; call 1-800-371-7027 - Phone(417) 334-7337
- Tickets$18 a ride by day, $20.50 at night, passengers $13.50, plus tax. Ticket details
- Getting thereThe park is on Highway 165 south of the 76 Strip, about a mile from Branson KOA Holiday via Animal Safari Road.
- ParkingOn-site lot on a hillside. No posted RV or trailer rules, so come in the tow vehicle or call first.
The coaster opens most of the year but closes for storms, heavy rain and low light. There are no posted hours, so call 1-800-371-7027 before you head over.
Where to stay nearby
RV parks near Runaway Mountain Coaster
Branson KOA Holiday is the closest park we’ve written up, just around the corner on Animal Safari Road.
Branson KOA Holiday
140 sites with 50-amp pull-thrus to 75 ft, Patio sites and a pool near the 76 Strip.
The Embers Glamping & RV Resort
50 big full-hookup sites near Table Rock Dam, with pull-thrus to 90 ft and a heated pool.
Cooper Creek Resort & Campground
About 75 full-hookup sites on Lake Taneycomo off Fall Creek Road, with lakefront sites and pools.
Helpful answers
Frequently asked questions
The questions RVers ask most before pulling in.
Most of the year · weather permitting
Ready to ride?
Check the weather, fill out the Adventure Agreement, and save a night ride for after dinner.
Thank you to the people behind these photos and this video. Please support them by giving their work a look. Video stills: Runaway Mountain Coaster on YouTube (down the mountain) and In The Loop on YouTube (into the helix). Video: Runaway Mountain Coaster on YouTube (An Ozarks Adventure Unlike Any Other!). Review-site logos are trademarks of their owners.
Disclaimer
RV-Roundup is an independent, community-based resource created to help RV travelers and to support and promote the places we feature. RV-Roundup is not owned by, operated by, or officially affiliated with Runaway Mountain Coaster unless otherwise stated.
The information on this page was prepared using the most current details available at the time of publication, including Branson Mountain Adventure’s published materials and publicly available sources. Hours, pricing, rules and other details are set by the park and may change at any time without notice. Before you travel, please confirm all details directly with Runaway Mountain Coaster at bransonalpinemountaincoaster.com or (417) 334-7337. RV-Roundup is not responsible for errors, omissions, or changes made after publication.
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