Ghost Town in the Sky - Maggie Valley, NC - Wild West Mile High Theme Park

At the foot of the Great Smoky Mountains, Ghost Town in the Sky is located in Maggie Valley, North Carolina. Ghost Town is a Wild West, mile-high theme park. The park offers rides for children and adults alike. There are also staged gunfights, live music, shows, crafts, food, and much more. The mountain setting provides breathtaking views.

R.B. Coburn developed Ghost Town in 1960. Two hundred locals were hired to recreate 40 buildings that comprised Western Town, a town located at the peak of Buck Mountain. The Ghost Town is over 3,300 feet up the side of the mountain and guests ride a double incline railway to get to the entrance. Many rides and attractions have been added since its opening in May of 1961.

At its peak in the 1970s, the park had millions of guests and over 400,000 visitors annually. Ghost Town closed its doors in 2002, but was reopened in May of 2007 by the new owners.

The park is open Memorial Weekend from 10 AM to 6 PM. The regular season runs from early June through Labor Day. Those hours are also 10 AM to 6 PM daily. After Labor Day through November the full park is open on Fridays, Saturdays, and Sundays from 10 AM to 6 PM. Only the scenic chairlift rides are open Mondays through Thursdays from 10 AM to 4 PM.

Ghost Town has daily admission tickets, season passes, and gift certificates. There are also discounts for groups of 20 or more, with advance reservations. The daily admission ticket gives the guest unlimited access to all rides, shows, a ride on the chair lift, and access to Heritage Town Square. A season pass gives the same access as a daily admission ticket along with 15% discount on food and beverages, 10% discount on souvenirs, admission to a special party in September and other exclusive offers and discounts.

The ticket pricing is different for adults, children ages 3-10, and children 2 and under. Also, tickets and season passes are cheaper when purchased online. Single strollers, wheelchairs, and Electronic Convenience Vehicles are available for rental.

The park offers a variety of attractions. Geronimo Drop Tower is the newest thrill ride at Ghost Town. Located at one of the highest points in the park, guests are taken 98 feet in the air and then released into a free fall before being stopped by magnetic brakes. The ride is two minutes in length. Tumble Weed Coaster is another roller coaster at the park. It allows children of all ages to enjoy. The ride is rated as passive and is 1 minute long. The Ghost Town Chair Lift is a gentle, gliding attraction that gives guests the ability to see all the nature below as they are lifted 3,300 feet in the sky during a 20 minute ride. Children under 36 inches must be accompanied by an adult. A new thrill ride, the Cliff Hanger Roller coaster, is opening soon.

Guests can also enjoy hourly shows of Wild West shows, can-can girls, and live music.