Dollywood is full of water rides and during the summer you will find that they are a respite from the heat of the day and loads of fun. The Mountain Slidewinder is one of those water rides. Based out of the Owens Farm section of the park, you climb the actual hillside itself to get to the Slidewinder and then you and a set of friends enjoy the fast, exhilarating ride down the mountain.
Owens Farm is the section of Dollywood is where the new Barnstormer ride is located. Once you are in this section, look over behind the Pig Pen play area and you will see signs directing you to the entrance for the Mountain Slidewinder. You will start your journey to the top of the slide from there but you can also watch the other people come down from the same spot. The last of the ride is right in front of you, a huge ride down on a raft with a splash down at the bottom before the riders walk up one way and the rafts go up the other way. Continue walking up the small mountain path, following the signs and maybe stopping to rest on the way up, it is a bit of a hike.
When you get to the top, prepare to get in line and wait for a few minutes. The loading of this ride takes a little longer then some of the others in the park but it is worth the wait. They will line you up and determine by the weight of the group of people who goes in what line and on which sled. After you have been divided up, they help you get onto the sleds and then you begin your descent. The speed you pick up on this ride is amazing. After the long walk up the mountain, you will be surprised at how quickly you wind your way back down. Twisting and turning, gravity causing you to pick up speed as you fly down the waterslide. As you go you will feel like you are going to fly off the slide, but trust me, that is why they weighed you, to make sure that you r group was the perfect size to give you speed and safety on your way down.
This is one of those hidden treasures in Dollywood. People walk right past this ride all the time without realizing it is there. Take the time to make the climb. Enjoy the sense of exhilaration on your way back down. Take your friends up and down the Mountain Slidewinder as any times as you can.