After wrapping up our first visit to Silver Dollar City it was time for Sam and I to go into Branson and experience some of the area’s other coasters. There was an SBF Visa credit to claim, but more importantly, three different mountain coasters.
I have always enjoyed mountain coasters after riding my first one about eight years ago. Since then I’ve gone on to ride so and doing so throughout several states, including: Maryland, Pennsylvania, New York, Tennessee, now Missouri, and an upcoming one in Illinois later during this trip. That trip report is coming soon, as are ones for each and every one of Missouri’s mountain coasters.
The first mountain coaster we’d ride would be the Copperhead Mountain Coaster located at Shepard’s Adventure Park. Prior to our trip I had reached out to this and all the other mountain coaster establishments asking about filming on-ride POV’s. All of them except this one replied that I could with properly secured equipment. I did not hear back from Copperhead, so I decided to ask in person instead. I was told by the cashier that it would be okay as her and a co-worker looked at my camera set up. When I was in line and about to board, however, I was told I could not. I was confused on who was right, but I wasn’t there to argue policies. I returned to my car and focused on enjoying my ride. Little did I know, we’d end up getting two rides.
Some Confusion to Start
The first mountain coaster we’d ride would be the Copperhead Mountain Coaster located at Shepard’s Adventure Park. Prior to our trip I had reached out to this and all the other mountain coaster establishments asking about filming on-ride POV’s. All of them except this one replied that I could with properly secured equipment. Since I did not hear back from Copperhead, I decided to ask in person instead. I was told by the cashier that it would be okay as her and a co-worker looked over my camera set up. When I was in line and about to board, however, I was told I could not. I was confused on who was right, but I wasn’t there to argue policies. I returned to my car and focused on enjoying my ride. Little did I know, we’d end up getting two rides.
Ride #1: The Slow Winding Snake
One thing I love about mountain coasters is the feeling of being alone, out in the woods, and experiencing scenic views. And right away, after leaving the station, I realized that I was going to be getting all three of those things with this one. At least I was until about half way down.
I’m always one to push the levers all the way down and let the coaster rip down the course at top speed, or at least close to it. There is one thing you have to worry about running into on these mountain coasters, though. That one thing is other riders. Some riders decide to go slow and even stop on the course, which is not good. Sam and I both experienced this and with more than half the ride left to go, barely moving was nerve wracking.
Once the disappointing ride was over, we approached the station and were greeted by a staff member. He asked how our rides went. We were honest and said good until about half way down. We told him how we both came to complete stops several times and he shook his head. He then reached into his pocket and gave us two free ride passes, telling us to ride again. Wow! That was so nice of him.
Years ago I ran into this on the Camelback Mountain Coaster at the Camelback Resort in Pennsylvania. It was the first time I rode it and ended up with a very similar to ride as this one. When I came back to the station I was shaking my head. When asked if I was okay, I expressed how I had to stop so many times coming down. The ride operator shook his shoulders and said there’s always next time. It was kind of off-putting, to be honest.
I would get a redo on it several years later when visiting again, but here I was getting to go right back out on this one immediately. That meant the world to us since we live nowhere near Branson, Mo.
Ride #2: The Quick Striking Snake
When Sam and I went to board for our second ride, there was no one else in line immediately before us. Anyone who went ahead of us had been out for a bit, so catching up with them seemed unlikely. At least we hoped that would be the case. And it was.
On this second ride I got to experience every bit of that alone feeling, surrounded by trees, and catching scenic views off in the distance. And since you don’t start this coaster off with one of those long lift hills, I got to experience all that right off the bat. Yes, this is one of those mountain coasters where the lift hill is at the conclusion of the ride. At first I preferred the lifts at the start of my ride, but having experienced so many more mountain coasters now with lifts at the end, I can say I don’t have a preference now. With this one you get to sit there and think about the awesome ride you just had as you take that long trek back up through the trees. And yes, it was an awesome ride. I’m so glad we got to experience it at its best.
Final Ride Counts
Copperhead Mountain Coaster (2)
When Staff Go Above & Beyond
Although things kicked off with some confusion over my GoPro, I want to say that this staff was nothing short of awesome. Even the staff member who told me I couldn’t film, asked me about We Were Inverted and told me he wished his supervisor was there to see if he could clear filming for me. Between his honesty and them going out of our their way to make sure we had a worthy ride, I can’t thank them enough. When I get back to Branson, you best bet I’ll be headed back to this mountain coaster again. Maybe for a night ride? I hear they’re amazing. I’m sure it’ll be pitch black out there too. Yeah… definitely getting a night ride. Let’s go back, Sam!
Copperhead Mountain Coaster Photo Gallery - May 30, 2025
If you would like to use any of the images in the gallery above for your commercial and/or non-commercial projects, feel free to do so. I ask that you credit We Were Inverted whenever they’re used. I also ask that you do not alter the image or remove the watermarks. If you need any images/video resized or without the watermarks, please contact me directly.
CREW MANIFEST
The following flight crew members attended this park, & earned the respective credits below:
Patrick
CAG
New Credit(s): Copperhead Mountain Coaster
Sam
Admiral
New Credit(s): Copperhead Mountain Coaster