happyly approved

The Mountain Coaster at Wisp Resort

296 Marsh Hill Road, McHenry, MD 21541

Open 8:00 AM - 6:00 PM

$$$

fun-paid-activities

This fun ride is great for all ages.

This adventure in McHenry was a huge hit for our family. (Our calls to figure out whether or not the ride was open, however, went unanswered so we just took our chances.) Once strapped into the cart of the mountain coaster (a gravitational hybrid of an Alpine slide and a roller coaster), the ride lasts less than 10 minutes. To start, a motorized pulley carries the cart uphill offering awesome views of the lake and wooded area. At the top, the cart releases – the rider controls the speed with a set of hand-operated breaks – and takes you on curvy descent on the mountain. The top speed doesn’t surpass 30 and, we promise, if you’re nervous about the ride, it’s not at all scary, but it sure is a lot of fun. 

Kids as young as three (and at least 38 inches tall) are allowed on the ride, with an adult. Children seven and under must be accompanied by a rider 16 years of age or older, but eight-year-olds over 54 inches can ride alone if they desire once they prove they can safely operate the hand breaks. Adults and teenagers must ride alone. Rides cost $14 each for single riders, $19 for a double; the resort also offers a three-ride package for $29 or $44 respectively. It’s worth noting, however, that the line to enter the ride can take some time. There’s no shade while you wait so dress accordingly and wear sunscreen. Onsite bathrooms are available and feel clean and well-ventilated.

Though we didn’t try out the other activities offered onsite, Wisp Mountain in the summer also features several ropes courses including the Chipmunk Challenge Course for kids four and up weighing at least 40 pounds, and the Spider Monkey Adventure for kids six and up. From the looks on the faces of the kids we passed during our visit, these courses are a heck of a lot of fun too. 

Features

Good for All Ages
Thoughtfully captured by:
Sarah Marloff
More activities by Sarah
A beautiful park for hiking, water views, and bonding with peacocks.
A laid back and family friendly restaurant!
An historic farm in East Austin.

Recommended Gear