Mystic Timbers is a wooden roller coaster at Kings Island in Mason, Ohio, built by Great Coasters International and opened on April 15, 2017. The ride winds through 3,265 feet of track at up to 53 mph, cresting a 109-foot lift hill before plunging 98 feet into a wooded landscape.
Set against the lore of the abandoned Miami River Lumber Company, the coaster delivers 16 moments of airtime through forested terrain before pulling into a darkened shed — where one of three randomized finales (bats, a snake, or an elusive tree creature) awaits unsuspecting riders. The ride won the Golden Ticket Award for Best New Ride of 2017.
Stats at a Glance
- Park: Kings Island, Mason, Ohio
- Manufacturer: Great Coasters International
- Opened: April 15, 2017
- Height: 109 ft (33 m)
- Drop: 98 ft (30 m)
- Top Speed: 53 mph (85 km/h)
- Length: 3,265 ft (995 m)
- Inversions: 0
- Duration: About 2 minutes
The Ride Experience
After a chain-lift ascent to 109 feet, Mystic Timbers drops 98 feet at a 53.7-degree angle and launches into a relentless sequence of hills and curves through mature woodlands. The layout was engineered to maximize ejector airtime — riders experience 16 distinct moments of negative-G lift across the roughly two-minute run.
The signature finale arrives as the train plunges into an enclosed shed. Inside, a random projection sequence plays out: riders may encounter a swarm of bats, a menacing snake, or the mysterious creature of the Miami River Lumber Company legend. The randomized ending keeps repeat riders guessing and has made the shed one of the most talked-about elements of any wooden coaster in North America.
Awards and Legacy
Mystic Timbers earned the Golden Ticket Award for Best New Ride of 2017 from industry publication Amusement Today, validating its instant status as one of the finest wooden coasters in the country. Its arrival allowed Kings Island to reclaim the world record for most wooden roller coaster track at a single park — a combined 18,804 feet across four wooden coasters.
The ride’s combination of immersive theming, terrain-hugging layout, and mystery-driven narrative set a new benchmark for modern wooden coaster design. It remains a cornerstone of the Kings Island lineup and consistently ranks among the top wooden coasters in annual enthusiast polls.
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Mystic Timbers FAQs
What happens in the shed at Mystic Timbers?
The shed is an enclosed finale structure where one of three randomized projection sequences — bats, a snake, or a mysterious tree creature — plays out. The sequence is chosen at random each cycle, so riders rarely experience the same ending twice.
How tall do you have to be to ride Mystic Timbers?
Riders must be at least 48 inches (122 cm) tall to board Mystic Timbers.
Who built Mystic Timbers?
Mystic Timbers was designed by Skyline Design and constructed by Great Coasters International (GCI), a Pennsylvania-based manufacturer known for fast, airtime-focused wooden coasters.
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Photo by Susanne Koppert on Pexels.