Outlaw Run

Outlaw Run is a premier roller coaster located at Silver Dollar City, an amusement park nestled in the scenic Ozark Mountains of Branson, Missouri. Known for its thrilling and innovative design, Outlaw Run is one of the park's standout attractions and has garnered a reputation for being a groundbreaking wooden coaster. It opened to the public on March 15, 2013, and has since attracted adrenaline enthusiasts from around the world.

History and Design

Outlaw Run was designed by Rocky Mountain Construction (RMC), a company renowned for revolutionizing the coaster industry by creating hybrid wood-steel coasters. It was billed as the first wooden coaster with multiple inversions and was Rocky Mountain Construction's first wooden coaster, built with the company's Topper Track system.

The inspiration for the ride's theme comes from the 1880s Old West, in line with Silver Dollar City's historic Americana theme. Outlaw Run evokes the thrill of a wild stagecoach chase, complete with daring twists, turns, and a relentless pace that mimics the rush of outlaws on the run.

Key Statistics

Outlaw Run boasts several record-breaking and unique features:

• Height: 107 feet
• Drop: 162 feet (steepest drop for a wooden coaster at 81 degrees when it opened)
• Top Speed: 68 mph
• Track Length: 2,937 feet
• Inversions: 3 (a 153-degree overbanked turn and a double heartline roll, which counts as two)
• Duration: Approximately 1 minute and 27 seconds

Ride Experience

The ride begins with an ascent up a 107-foot lift hill, offering panoramic views of the surrounding park and woods. Riders then plummet down a jaw-dropping 162-foot drop at an 81-degree angle, one of the steepest for a wooden coaster, propelling them into a high-speed journey through forested terrain. The ride features rapid transitions, overbanked turns, and an exciting double barrel roll that leaves riders feeling weightless as they twist and turn through the track.

Outlaw Run's intensity comes not just from its speed but from the innovative inversions, which were groundbreaking for a wooden coaster when it first opened. The layout combines the classic appeal of a wooden structure with the high-thrill elements more commonly found in steel coasters, making it a must-ride for coaster enthusiasts.

Records and Accolades

Upon its debut, Outlaw Run set new benchmarks for wooden roller coasters and was celebrated as one of the best wooden coasters in the world. Some of its accolades include:

• Steepest drop of any wooden roller coaster when it opened, a record it held until Goliath at Six Flags Great America opened in 2014
• Golden Ticket Award for Best New Ride of 2013
• Ranked between 7th and 11th among wooden coasters in the Golden Ticket Awards since 2013.

Theming and Setting

Silver Dollar City is known for its immersive theming, and Outlaw Run is no exception. The coaster is set amidst thick woods, adding a sense of isolation and speed as it weaves through the dense trees. The ride’s station is themed as a Western outpost, complete with rustic buildings, weathered wood, and signage that harkens back to the days of frontier justice. The queue line itself is an experience, offering glimpses of the coaster in action and setting the stage for the excitement to come.

Outlaw Run is a game-changer in the world of wooden roller coasters, combining the nostalgic feel of a classic coaster with the thrill and innovation of modern technology. Its daring design, record-setting elements, and intense ride experience have made it one of Silver Dollar City's most beloved attractions. For thrill-seekers looking to push their limits and experience the best of what wooden coasters can offer, Outlaw Run is a must-ride destination.