Runaway Mountain is an enclosed steel roller coaster that is set in complete darkness. Located in the Old South & France section of the park, the ride’s queue is themed to a mining operation in a swampy area.

The ride’s layout includes hills, helixes and large, swooping turns. In fact, one highly-banked twisting drop feels so intense many riders incorrectly assume it’s an inversion.

When Runaway Mountain first debuted, as riders entered the cave of the “roller coaster that dares the darkness,” an eccentric character known as Gator McGee would claim ownership to the mountain and give riders boarding instructions. Next to the ride, Gator McGee’s Mountain Grill served up hamburgers in the building which has since turned into JB’s Smokehouse BBQ.