A new adventure has officially taken flight at Dollywood. On August 14, 2026, Dollywood opened the doors to NightFlight Expedition for a pass holder preview. The groundbreaking new attraction in Wildwood Grove at the Pigeon Forge, Tennessee, theme park.
With an investment of more than $50 million, NightFlight Expedition is the largest single attraction investment in the history of Dollywood Parks & Resorts. The immersive experience combines a roller coaster, whitewater rafting, boat ride and multimedia adventure into one five-and-a-half-minute journey through the nighttime Smoky Mountains.
A New Kind of Dollywood Adventure
Created by Dollywood, Herschend Creative Studios and esteemed ride manufacturer Mack Rides, NightFlight Expedition is the world’s first indoor family hybrid coaster and whitewater river raft ride.
Guests board a custom-designed amphibious ride vehicle that moves through a combination of water, coaster track and immersive environments. The experience incorporates vivid multimedia projections, onboard and offboard audio, special lighting effects and more than 500,000 gallons of surging water.
Mack Rides’ ride system used for NightFlight Expedition was also recognized with the 2025 Amusement Today Golden Ticket for Best New Innovation.
Search for Secret Lake
NightFlight Expedition takes guests on a nighttime journey through the Smoky Mountains in search of bioluminescence and a mysterious destination known as Secret Lake.
According to the story behind the attraction, Secret Lake is believed to be the water source that gives the Wildwood Tree in Wildwood Grove its colorful glowing canopy. Guests join twins Cora and Jasper Oakley, two young scientists who have developed a device called the Bioluminator. The device is designed to detect and amplify bioluminescence, helping the pair follow the glowing roots of the Wildwood Tree toward Secret Lake.
The journey begins inside Hidden Hollow Aviation, where the twins prepare their family’s one-of-a-kind amphibious aircraft for the expedition.
Four Experiences in One Ride
NightFlight Expedition combines four distinct experiences into one approximately five-and-a-half-minute adventure.
Guests first soar on a nighttime flight over the Smoky Mountains before plunging into a thrilling whitewater rafting experience. The ride then transitions into a roller coaster journey across a mountain ridge before becoming a mysterious boat ride across a shimmering lake.
The entire experience takes place inside a 44,000-square-foot, temperature-controlled facility, allowing guests to enjoy the attraction regardless of the weather outside.
With a minimum height requirement of 39 inches, NightFlight Expedition is designed to appeal to families while still delivering plenty of thrills.
Bringing the Smokies to Life After Dark
The attraction also reflects Dollywood’s deep connection to the Great Smoky Mountains. Dolly Parton shared her excitement about the new ride, noting that nighttime is when she feels the mountains truly come alive—from owls and frogs to stars and the famous synchronous fireflies.
That connection to the natural landscape is central to NightFlight Expedition. Rather than simply adding another thrill ride to the park, Dollywood uses technology, storytelling, water and special effects to create an immersive nighttime journey inspired by the natural beauty of East Tennessee.
Now Open at Dollywood
NightFlight Expedition is open to for eligible season pass holders from August 14 through August 18. The ride is open to the general public on Wednesday August 19th giving Dollywood guests the opportunity to experience the park’s largest attraction investment to date.
The new ride adds another major experience to Wildwood Grove and expands Dollywood’s lineup with an attraction unlike anything currently found at the park.
For families visiting the Great Smoky Mountains, NightFlight Expedition is now another must-try attraction at Dollywood. Combining innovative ride technology with an imaginative story rooted in the Smokies, it offers a completely new way to experience the beauty and mystery of the mountains—after dark.