The new Dollywood ride is officially open! The world’s first indoor family hybrid coaster and whitewater river rafting ride, NightFlight Expedition, opened to the general public on August 19th, 2026! Preview days for passholders took place August 15th-18th. Are you ready to see what happens when the sun goes down? Here’s all the details about NightFlight Expedition at Dollywood:
The Opening of the Dollywood Ride
NightFlight Expedition officially opened to the public on August 19! The line wrapped throughout Wildwood Grove as guests anxiously awaited to be the first to ride this one-of-a-kind indoor coaster. Now, when you visit Dollywood, you'll be able to experience this immersive ride that promisions excitement from start to finish.
NightFlight Expedition: The Story
The NightFlight Expedition ride extends Dollywood’s story of Wildwood Grove. Hidden Hollow Aviation was a clue to Cora and Jasper’s family quest to find Secret Lake, a place they’ve been searching for longer than Uncle Ned has been searching for Big Bear. The promo video shows them finding a book called The Legend of Secret Lake, which contains the story of the magic that makes the Great Smoky Mountains so special, and explains that Secret Lake provides the beautiful glow to the Wildwood tree here at Dollywood, as well as the creatures and plants that grow in the moonlight. So Jasper has invented a bioilluminator and wants our help to discover the lake’s secret location!
The NightFlight Expedition Experience
4 in 1 Attraction
You’ll begin the ride by soaring high above the Smokies before plunging into the whitewater rapids for a thrilling adventure. NightFlight Expedition also features climb and drop elements like a roller coaster as you ascend majestic mountain peaks, navigate into the heart of the night to discover the light, and wind through a shimmering lake. No one has put all 4 of these experiences together in one ride…until now!
Innovation at its Finest
NightFlight Expedition is located at WildWood Grove in a 44,0000 square feet building for year-round protection from the elements. The facility's larger than 4 football fields! Now we also know that it is indeed a water ride, with 500,000 gallons of water for the rip-roaring rapids! From the creators of Wild Eagle, Lightning Rod, and Big Bear Mountain, this is the most ambitious adventure Dollywood has ever imagined and the first ride of its kind in the world!
Plus, this new Dollywood ride is already an award-winning attraction, as it was recently awarded the Golden Ticket for the most innovative ride in 2025 for Dollywood’s partner and manufacturer, MACK Rides. The ride itself features a custom-designed amphibious vehicle, immersive multimedia projections, as well as lighting, audio, and visual special effects.
NightFlight Ride Quick Facts
Speed: Up to 29 miles per hour
Highest track elevation: Nearly three stories high
Track length: 1,255 feet
Ride duration: 5.5 minutes
Passengers per vehicle: 10
Seat type: Lap bar restraint
Minimum rider height: 39 inches
Thrill level: Moderate
More Dollywood Rides
Dollywood remains committed to innovation and world-class storytelling, making NightFlight Expedition the park’s most expensive endeavor to date, and we know you can’t wait to experience this new world of wonder! This coaster isn't the only ride you'll want to embark on when you visit the #1 theme park, though. Check out these top 10 Dollywood rides you have to try.
