A trusted name in Pigeon Forge, Smoky Mountain Ziplines boasts a long history of entertaining tourists and locals alike. This top destination is home to the region’s longest continually operated canopy tour. Located less than two miles away from the Parkway, the attraction is easy to access — but it also feels just removed enough to give you a true sense of the local mountain charm.
The fun begins and ends at base camp, where you will be outfitted with high-quality, comfortable gear designed to make you feel safe and secure through every second of your journey. Once you’ve received the necessary gear, you’ll ride one of the attraction’s M35a3 military trucks to the beginning of the course. This military truck journey is fun in and of itself, but it’s only the beginning of what is sure to be a thrilling adventure.
Next up: seven vast lines of cable spanning over 4,200 feet. Each line is long enough to grant you a true sense of wonder, not to mention, a lovely view of the local foliage. Some of the individual lines span 800 feet — and some take you a full 150 feet above the forest floor. Along the way, keep your eyes out for further breathtaking views from the course’s huge pole towers. While some zipline adventures feel like they’ve ended just as they’re beginning, this particular excursion offers you plenty of time to relax and enjoy.
The attraction’s helpful staff members will remain by your side throughout the entirety of your canopy tour to ensure that you feel comfortable and completely at ease. Don’t hesitate to let the guides know if you feel nervous. They can provide words of encouragement or even a little humor to get you feeling excited, or, at least, capable of taking on this challenge. Along the way, they will hook and unhook you as necessary and take care of a variety of other details to ensure that you are completely safe — and to allow you to focus on having fun.
In addition to several high-flying horizontal maneuvers, you’ll enjoy an exciting vertical journey involving a controlled, 30-foot descent. You’ll eventually return to base camp in the military truck that brought you to the zipline course — this time flush with excitement and eagerness for a return trip.
Insider Tips:
– Be sure to make use of the restrooms located at the base camp prior to your tour. Keep in mind that the excursion can last for up to two hours — and during that time, you will not enjoy access to additional restroom facilities.
– Food is not allowed during the tour, but you’re encouraged to pack a lunch or tasty snacks to leave at base camp. After your zipline adventure, you can return to the base camp’s porch for an enjoyable picnic — the perfect opportunity for recounting your adventure while the memory remains fresh.
– Many local zipline tours prevent visitors from carrying cell phones and cameras during their journeys, but this is not the case at Smoky Mountain Ziplines. Rather, you’ll be instructed to keep these essentials in special pouches, where they can remain safe throughout the duration of your adventure.
– Booking in advance is highly recommended — especially if you intend to enjoy a weekend zipline tour during peak season. Because Smoky Mountain Ziplines is so highly regarded, the attraction regularly books up several days in advance. That being said, day-of bookings aren’t always impossible to achieve. Don’t hesitate to try to snag a spot if you’d like to experience this excursion on short notice — but don’t be surprised if the popular destination is completely booked.