The Most Amazing Ziplines in the United States

When researching to figure out what to do on vacation, you will quickly discover that ziplines are almost always ranked as the number one outdoor activity in many areas. This is because ziplining is such a unique, exciting, and unforgettable adventure. There are many ziplines around the U.S. and all of them are unique. Whether you have a goal of taking on every zipline adventure in the country or if you simply want to know where the best ziplines are, this is the perfect place to start.

As the first zipline company in the United States, we have had the privilege of watching the industry grow from the very beginning. With each new zipline that gains popularity, there is usually a unique element that makes the course unforgettable and extremely popular. In some cases, the scenery is what makes it so amazing, sometimes it's a combination of ziplining with another adventure that the company offers, and sometimes the zipline offers a unique riding experience that you cannot find anywhere else.

Without further adieu, here are some of the most amazing ziplines in the United States.

Climb Works Smoky Mountains

Climb Works Smoky Mountains Zipline Tour is located in Gatlinburg, Tennessee. This course opened in June 2010. This course is ranked as the #1 zipline in Tennessee. It is located right outside of the Great Smoky Mountains National Park and offers you the chance to see the Smoky Mountains from a whole new perspective. Top of the Great Smoky Mountains in fall. You can also experience true mountain biking in the Smoky Mountains here. They provide the gear that you need and a clear path to ride on. The flagship feature that is part of this adventure is called “The Curliest”. It is a wooden roller-coaster style bike trail that is fun for beginners, experts, and everyone in between. The best part is that you can take on “The Curliest” as many times as you want while you are here. People frequently share in reviews that ziplining through the trees and mountains is the highlight of their trip to the Smoky Mountains. Climb Works Smoky Mountains is open all year and the chilly winter weather in Tennessee doesn’t cause people to shy away from this unforgettable experience.   

Hocking Hills Canopy Tours

Hocking Hills Canopy Tours is a world-class zipline course located in Rockbridge, Ohio. They offer an X-treme tour and a Moonshine Tour among many others. People who have done both the original canopy tour and the X-treme tour share that the X-treme is more out in the open and the line speeds are faster. This X-treme tour is a 3-hour expedition. It has eleven ziplines and features not one but two Hocking River cross-overs. Kids five to 12 years old who weigh between 35 and 140 pounds will have a blast here too on a course made just for them. So, when they say it’s fun for the whole family, they really mean it. Hocking Hills Canopy Tours offers a course for kids called DragonFly Zipline Adventure. Hocking Hills River Canyon In addition to the zipline adventures, they also offer Off-road Segway adventure tours where guests can ride a Segway through the historic Hocking Hills area. Hocking Hills Canopy Tours is open seven days per week from Memorial Day to Labor Day and on weekends during all other times of the year.  

Icy Strait Point

This unique zipline is located in Icy Strait Point, Alaska opened in May 2007. The ZipRider zipline is an incredibly simple line to ride, it doesn’t require riders to wear a helmet or train for the ride. They can just simply sit back in a chair-style harness and enjoy flying through the air. Scenic landscape from Icy Strait Point, Hoonah, Alaska, USA Icy Strait Point has six side-by-side ziplines that descend 1,320 feet. Because of the zipline set up, all six lines can be in use simultaneously which allows riders to race to the base of the line. It is important to note that this is a zipline rather than a zipline course, meaning that there is only one line to ride on and no hiking is required. The tour is about an hour and a half long so be sure to wear warm clothes because you are in Alaska, after all. Icy Strait Point is a popular cruise ship port. So, when you are on the zipline you will get an amazing view of the ocean, tree-covered hills, Alaskan tundra, and probably a cruise ship too! If you want to take part in this adventure, be sure to book it in advance because it tends to sell out very quickly.

Skyline Eco-Adventures Haleakala

As the first commercial zipline operator in the United States, we created the first zipline course in the country, and it's still a 5-star rated treasure 15 years later. The Skyline Eco-Adventures Haleakala zipline tour on Maui was established in 2002. Haleakala National Park Views In addition to our zipline adventure tours, we also offer tours that combine the most-loved aspects of Haleakala National Park with our unforgettable ziplines. These include our Sunrise n’ Zip Tour where you can witness the number one attraction on Maui, the Haleakala Sunrise, and then zip through the subtropical rainforest landscape of Haleakala. As if this isn’t enough to make you want to book a tour right now, our zipline course also features an Indiana Jones style swinging bridge that will leave you feeling like a true adventurer.

Soaring Tree Top Adventures

Soaring Tree Top Adventures is located in Durango, Colorado. This course opened in 2004. The tour takes you soaring over the San Juan Mountains on the longest zipline course in the United States. In fact, there are 27 ziplines in this course! The adventure begins with a train ride on the Durango and Silverton train through the mountains to a remote Alpine location. This mountain terrain is virtually untouched by the public, making it unlike anything else you have ever seen. Durango, CO in the Autumn viewed from overhead This zipline course is only open during the summer months because of its mountainous location. During their zipline season, you will be able to enjoy very comfortable temperatures and low humidity with averages in the 70’s.

Stowe Mountain ZipTour

The Stowe Mountain ZipTour course is located on a mountain resort in Stowe, Vermont. On this tour, you descend from nearly the summit of Vermont’s highest peak, Mt. Mansfield. Each line stretch of the course features two side-by-side lines, offering the unique experience of being able to ride with a friend by your side. The final line on this course is known for its high speeds and low-dangling line that hovers just above the mountainside treetops. Stowe Vermont Another amazing element of this ZipTour is that riders are transported to the top of the mountain on a gondola offering a 360-degree view of the area on the way up and on the way down. This ZipTour is open annually from the end of June through the middle of October.

New York Zipline Canopy Tours

Located in Hunter Mountain, New York, New York Zipline Canopy Tours is an outdoor adventure in the Catskill Mountains. On their Summit SkyRider Tour, you travel 600-feet above the ground from mountain peak to mountain peak for three hours. The unique zap line is a self-powered option that requires riders to run and jump in order to keep momentum going between lines. New York Zipline Canopy Tours Another course is the Mid-Mountain Adventure Tour which is located near the base lodge. This is a great option for families who want more variety during their adventure with its ziplines, rope bridges, tree platforms, and 65-foot rappel. New York Zipline Canopy Tours is open all year so you can experience the beautiful mountains during all four seasons. More About the Author: Skyline Eco-Adventures, the USA’s first Zipline Company, operates zipline tours on Maui and Kauai. Seeking an experience for the whole family? Check out www.skylinehawaii.com for more info, now! Start Planning Your Adventure Now

Try One of Our Tours!

See All Tours