Best Ziplining in the Great Smoky Mountains: Our Top 9

Ziplining at Anakeesta

Anakeesta offers dueling ziplines within the park (photo by Morgan Overholt/TheSmokies.com)

You haven’t been ziplining if you haven’t been Smoky Mountain ziplining. If you’re visiting East Tennessee or Western North Carolina, definitely consider doing a zipline activity while you’re here. If you’ve never tried it before, it’s a tour in which you’re strapped to an aerial runway with a pulley suspended on a cable, and then you fly through the treetops and take in the beautiful mountain scenery. Sounds scary? You’ll surely be having too much fun to notice.

What is the best zipline in the Smoky Mountains?

The answer to this question is in the eye of the beholder. Maybe you want a convenient location, or maybe you want to see a waterfall while you’re on a zipline. Perhaps your budget is at the forefront of your mind. We made a list of the top places in the Great Smoky Mountains so you can choose which is best for you. With these, you can’t go wrong.

How much does it cost to zipline in Gatlinburg?

If you go ziplining in the Gatlinburg area, it will likely cost about $80 on average. Of course, there are combo passes available, and each attraction is a little bit different. Below, we list some of the top attractions along with the adult admission starting prices so you can easily compare which zipline will be best for you. Also, prices are subject to change. Be sure to bring snug, closed-toed shoes!

Note: Each zipline attraction will have weight and age requirements that may or may not be mentioned within this article. Please check the respective websites for more details.

1. CLIMB Works Smoky Mountains

CLIMB Works offers two world-class zipline tours: The Mountaintop Zipline Tour and the Mountaintop Zipline Night Tour. The Mountaintop Zipline tour is a two-hour tour for ages 7 and up. It is rated moderate and includes a variety of side-by-side ziplines, skybridge traverses, a rappel and a UTV trip to the top of the mountain. The Night Tour provides a thrilling illuminated adventure.

Zipliner at Foxfire Mountain
Foxfire is a top-rated place to zipline and also offers discounts via Groupon (photo courtesy of Foxfire Mountain Adventure Park)

2. Foxfire Mountain Adventure Park

Foxfire Mountain offers ziplining, ATV rentals and a swinging bridge onsite. They also offer a Waterfall Canopy Tour, the only zipline in the Smokies that zips over a waterfall. Its duration is 45 minutes-2 hours and fit for ages 7 and up. The Goliath tour is one of the longest and highest in the Smokies at 475 feet high and 55 mph for ages 10 and up. Or combine both courses at a discount rate (ages 10 and up only).

3. Legacy Mountain Ziplines

Legacy Mountain Ziplines is a zipline complex only minutes from Pigeon Forge and Gatlinburg. This high-flying adventure is for anyone 3 and up. Zipliners will fly through the air at speeds up to 50 mph and up to 500 feet high. The tour is about 2.5 hours and includes 7 lines. You can book with Viator and get a best-price guarantee.

4. Rafting in the Smokies – TEMPORARILY CLOSED

Rafting in the Smokies is an adventure center where you can raft, zip, rope and rock, all in one place. The canopy tours offer 6 lines that range from 60-80 feet off the ground and are a total of 2400 feet long. Be sure to check out Groupon for discounts. (NOTE: This facility is temporarily closed at the time of this writing due to Hurricane Helene).

5. Smoky Mountain Ziplines and Canopy Tours

Smoky Mountain Ziplines offers 7 lines and two hours’ worth of thrills for a scenic family adventure through Pigeon Forge. This attraction is centrally located for convenience. Reservations may be required.

Zipliners begin their tour at Adventure Park Ziplines (photo by Alaina O’Neal/TheSmokies.com)

6. Adventure Park Ziplines

Adventure Park Ziplines offers a zipline tour on its 70-acre nature park with 8 lines that are 2,000 feet long. The Adventure Park also offers a horseback riding combo. Adventure Park allows riders as young as four to ride (but children under 16 are not allowed to zip alone). You can book with Viator and get the best price guarantee.

7. Wahoo Ziplines

Wahoo Ziplines offers 6 signature lines totaling 2 miles at speeds up to 40mph with heights between 45 to 250 feet off the ground. Itโ€™s also a great way to get fantastic views of the Smoky Mountains. Big discounts can be found on their Groupon page which allows guests to save up to 20% off.

8. Jayell Ranch

Jayell Ranch is a ranch that offers ziplines, horse rides, ATV rentals, a slide and also cabin rentals. Choose a single activity or do combo passes to pick and choose your adventure. The 3-line course starts at $44.99 and the 6-line course starts at $69.99 Ages two and up may participate in ziplines.

Ziplining at Anakeesta
If you zipline at Anakeesta, make sure you arrive at least 1.5 hours in advance (photo by Morgan Overholt/TheSmokies.com)

9. Dueling Ziplines at Anakeesta

Anakeesta is an outdoor adventure spot located in the treetops of Gatlinburg with a treetop skywalk, a mountain coaster, play areas, shopping and dining … and of course a dueling zipline. Guests can soar from tree to tree while enjoying beautiful views of the Smoky Mountains with rappels over 50 feet. Anakeesta is its own theme park, so be sure to arrive at the Chondala base station at least 1.5 hours in advance. Riders must be 7 years old and 70 lbs.

  • Adult ticket prices: $59.99 (add-on price to general admission may vary by season, subject to change)
  • Address: 576 Parkway, Gatlinburg, TN 37738
  • Phone: (865) 325-2400
  • Website: anakeesta.com
  • Insider tip: It can take some time to get back down the mountain if itโ€™s crowded. Plan accordingly!

Have you tried any of these zipline adventures? If so, let us know in the comments.

2 thoughts on “Best Ziplining in the Great Smoky Mountains: Our Top 9”

  1. I get that “the best” is in the eye of the beholder but from a locals perspective who has zipped at most or all of these, which one clearly stands out as the best? You know, with the best view/experience while zipping?

    I don’t care about price or location, just care about the best view and experience. Anyone have this insight they can share?

    Thanks,

    Reply

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