If you've ever driven into Gatlinburg from the Pigeon Forge side, you've seen it. That bright orange incline car creeping up the mountainside like some sort of Appalachian roller coaster. It looks a little kitschy. Maybe a little dated. Honestly, that is exactly why people love it.
Hillbilly Golf in Gatlinburg TN isn't just another putt-putt place. It’s a local institution that’s been around since 1971, surviving wildfires, recessions, and the ever-changing trends of the Smoky Mountains. It basically laughs in the face of modern "glow-in-the-dark" or "high-tech" mini-golf.
The Mountaintop Gimmick That Actually Works
Most mini-golf courses are built on flat concrete slabs next to a busy road. This one? You have to take a funicular tram 300 feet straight up a mountain just to reach the first hole.
The ride is short, but it's steep. Like, "don't look down if you're squeamish" steep. It's an old-school cable car that once belonged to a Coca-Cola bottling plant. Once you hit the summit, the air feels a couple of degrees cooler, and you're surrounded by actual woods, not just plastic palm trees.
Choosing Your Path
There are two 18-hole courses.
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- The A Side: This is the original course that opened on July 4, 1971.
- The B Side: Added about eighteen months later.
Which one is better? It’s a toss-up. Some say the right-side course has slightly fewer steps, which is a lifesaver if you're chasing a toddler or your knees aren't what they used to be. But let’s be real: both are built on a 45-degree angle. You’re going to be walking downhill the whole time.
Why the "Hillbilly" Theme Isn't Just for Show
The name might sound like a trope, but the owners, Nancy Howard and Rande Hackler (daughters of founder Shelby Boyd), have kept the Appalachian spirit alive in the details. You aren't putting through windmills. You're putting through:
- Moonshine stills (disturbingly realistic ones).
- Vintage tractors that have seen better decades.
- Outhouses that serve as surprisingly difficult hazards.
- Wagon wheels and old farm equipment.
The ball might drop into an underground tube and pop out near a "Hillbilly Pickup Sticks" exhibit made of actual fallen branches. It's quirky. It's a little bit "Hee Haw." And it is surprisingly well-maintained for a course that sits in the middle of a literal forest.
Watch Out for the Locals (The Furry Kind)
Here’s something the brochures don't always emphasize: you are in bear country. It’s not uncommon to see a black bear wandering near the lower holes or hanging out in the trees above the tram.
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The staff keeps a sign posted with the date of the last bear sighting. If you see one, don't try to get a selfie with it. Call the staff. They have a system. Generally, the bears are just passing through, looking for a snack that isn't a neon-colored golf ball.
The Logistics: Price, Parking, and Pitfalls
Let’s talk money. In 2026, you're looking at about $14.50 to $17.00 for adults, depending on tax and current seasonal adjustments. Kids (4-12) are usually around $10.50.
Pro Tip: If you finish 18 holes and decide you want to tackle the other side, keep your scorecard. You can usually play the second game for about half price within three days. It’s the best deal in town if you've got a competitive family.
The Restroom Situation
This is the "what most people get wrong" part. There are no bathrooms at the top of the mountain. None. Zero.
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If you take that tram up and realize you should have gone before you left the ticket booth, you’re in for a long, uncomfortable hour. Use the facilities at the base. Trust me.
Parking 101
Hillbilly Golf has its own free parking lot right at Traffic Light #2. It’s small. On a Saturday in July, it’s a nightmare. If the lot is full, there’s a paid lot right behind it for a few bucks. Most people waste twenty minutes circling the free lot when they could have just paid the $2 and been on the tram already.
Survival Tips for the Mountainside Course
- Wear real shoes. Flip-flops are a recipe for a twisted ankle on these slopes.
- Bring water. They sell bottles at the top (on an honor system sometimes!), but it gets humid under those trees.
- Go late. The lines are shortest between 8:00 PM and 10:00 PM. Plus, the course is lit up, and you can see the lights of Gatlinburg through the leaves.
- Watch your ball. Since everything is on an incline, a bad bounce doesn't just put you in the rough—it might send your ball halfway down the mountain.
Hillbilly Golf in Gatlinburg TN isn't trying to be the most sophisticated attraction in the Smokies. It’s not Dollywood. It’s a piece of history that happens to involve a putter and a moonshine still. It’s noisy, it’s steep, and it’s arguably the most fun you can have for under twenty bucks in Sevier County.
Next Steps for Your Trip:
- Check the weather forecast; the tram won't run during lightning or heavy ice.
- Pack a pair of sneakers specifically for this outing.
- Arrive at least 15 minutes before they open at 9:00 AM if you want to beat the first tram rush.
- Grab your scorecard and head to Traffic Light #2 to start the climb.