10 Zip Line Adventures That Should Be On Your Bucket List

By Lindsey Holliday

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Aerial runway, death slide, flying fox; whatever you want to call it, zip lining is often a top priority on the thrill-seekers bucket list. And for good reason! What’s more thrilling than zipping through the canopy of the Amazon or off of a 700 ft. tall skyscraper? Even if you’re not looking for an adrenaline rush, there is a zip line experience for you. From the daring to the laid back, here we explore 10 of the best zip lining adventures nationwide.

1. Durango, Colorado

One of the coolest little towns in Colorado is also home to the longest zip lining course in the world. With over a mile and a half of cable on 27 different zip lines, Soaring Tree Top Adventures is a top destination for zip lining enthusiasts. As if the 5 hour-long adventure wasn’t enough, they throw the cherry on top with a four-course gourmet lunch on the Animas River. Also, the entire course is built without bolts, hooks and screws that could penetrate the trees. The sustainable, eco-friendly system, helps preserve the rare old growth forest. This way, growth will never be disrupted and the Ponderosa forest will remain healthy.

2. Maui, Hawaii

Founded in 2002, Haleakala Skyline Adventure is America’s first zip line. This one is meant for the daredevils. With five zip lines available, you get to soar over Maui’s canyons and through its eucalyptus tree canopies. There is also an up and back line, called the “Pendulum”, where you can reach speeds of over 45 mph! This is a great one to get a different perspective on Hawaii’s native wildlife and amazing scenery. What can beat a bird’s eye view!?

3. Big Sky, Montana

One close to my heart, Big Sky Resort offers a ride in the rocky mountains unlike any other. Only about 20 minutes from Yellowstone National Park, Big Sky Resort is home to a twin zip line where you can challenge your fellow zip liners to the finish line. Or jump on the nature zip, which has three zip lines that are 30 to 60 feet in the air. The landscape is breathtaking and you won’t miss out on any of it while you are soaring past Lone Mountain and the Madison Mountain range.

4. Sturgeon Bay, Wisconsin

Have an adventure under the stars at DC Adventure. This is one of the only courses that is ran at night. Your route is lit by glow sticks and you are accompanied by certified guides. Whether you are a zip lining pro or a beginner, DC Adventure welcomes you. They accommodate guests of all ages. This is a perfect zip line for families and singles alike.

5. Smugglers’ Notch, Vermont

ArborTrek is a one stop shop for the adventurer in all of us. They are located at the Smugglers’ Notch Resort in Vermont. Some of the things they offer include climbing, treetop obstacle courses, and three zip lining courses. ArborTrek has a zip line for every season. The winter zip line course is award-winning and shouldn’t be missed if you are a cold weather explorer. You can spend one to three hours gliding through the canopy with a guide educating you on the local ecology and history.

6. Gaston, Oregon

Located just outside of Portland in the Willamette Valley, Tree to Tree zip lining is an adventure for the whole family. A highlight of this one is a tour across the “Super Zip”, a 1,200 foot long zip line. Safety is a main focus at Tree to Tree and guides are always around for support. To really push your self, try the aerial obstacle course. This comes complete with tight ropes, ziplines and unbalanced bridges. For a longer stay, you can get the Sip and Stay adventure package which includes a suite at a local hotel, zip line adventure, gourmet lunch and wine tasting.

7. Eagle Creek Park, Indiana

Go Ape is only minutes outside of Indianapolis, IN in Eagle Creek Park. Which happens to be one of the largest parks in the nation with 1,400 acres of water and over 3,900 acres of land. The higher you go in this adventure park, the more thrilling the experience. At Go Ape, you will find a treetop obstacle course with five sections of rope ladders, platforms and multiple crossings. The name says it all!

8. Rockbridge, Ohio

If you feel the need for speed, then zip on over to Hocking Hills Canopy Tours. They can get you up to speeds of 50+ mph! Hocking Hills is also famous for their “Super Zip”, which is incredibly steep. The terrain is diverse with streams, cliffs and caves. Separate trips are available for the young ones and this is another course that offers nighttime rides!

9. Park City, Utah

Hocking Hills Super Zip may be nothing in comparison to Utah Olympic Park’s XTREME ZipRider course. They boast a 500 foot vertical drop, which makes it the steepest zip line in the world! The XTREME ZipRider runs parallel to the Nordic Jump (120 meters). If that seems like too much to handle, they got you covered with the “Ultra ZipRider”. This course is shorter (750 feet long) and includes four cable zip lines for the more leisurely adventurer.

10. Charlemont, Massachusetts

On a budget? The Berkshire East Zip Line offers tours starting at just $30. They have three family friendly tour packages and one for every experience level. The Base Tour is great for beginners while the Mountain Top Tour has seven zip lines, hikes and ski lift rides that take you to extraordinary views of the valley. For the more experienced zip liners, they have the Valley Jump. Two ½ mile long zip lines almost 200 feet off the ground take you soaring through the valley with a view unparalleled. Take a trip here during the fall to see some amazing colors as you soar by.

 

 

Lindsey Holliday is a Montana native now based in Denver. If she’s not prancing around the city, you can find her in the mountains. Passions include music, travel, writing and sharing her adventures with loved ones.