Ziplining is an unforgettable, heart-pumping adventure that’s perfect for thrill-seekers and first-timers alike 🎢🌲. There’s nothing quite like stepping off the platform and soaring high above the treetops, with fresh mountain air rushing past you and jaw-dropping views in every direction.
It’s equal parts exhilarating and awe-inspiring 😲✨ — a little nerve-wracking, a lot of fun, and absolutely worth it. With sweeping vistas of the Smoky Mountains below, ziplining offers a one-of-a-kind way to experience the landscape from an entirely new perspective.
Ready to fly? 🦅🌄
Here are some of the top ziplining adventures around Franklin 👇
Highlands Aerial Park
Right here in Macon County, the 95-acre Highlands Aerial Park borders the Nantahala National Forest. And it’s more than an aerial adventure. The park offers zip lines, UTV tours, a challenge course, nature trails, and a giant mountain swing for adventurers aged 5 and up. There’s literally an adventure for everyone!
For zipliners, the park’s two zip line tours provide breathtaking views and thrills for every skill level.
The Full Mountaintop Zipline Tour features eight thrilling lines up to 250 feet high, 17 aerial elements, and expert guides. For beginners, the Half Mountaintop Tour offers a gentler experience with four slower, lower zip lines. This adventure is a one-of-a-kind, adrenaline-pumping journey through the Smokies!
Nantahala Outdoor Center (NOC)
With Franklin as your Heart of Adventure, thrills of all kinds are a short drive away. At NOC‘s 500-acre Bryson City campus (about a 45-minute scenic drive), you can experience half or full-day adventures. One highlight is the Mountaintop Zip Line, where you’ll soar over 350 feet above the Nantahala River, taking in breathtaking 360-degree views of the Great Smoky Mountains National Park and the gorge.
For a more relaxed thrill, NOC’s Zipline Adventure Park (ZLAP) offers 16 aerial elements, from beginner to advanced, including a 600-foot dual zipline, and all just a short walk from the river.
Wildwater – Nantahala Gorge Canopy Tours
Another option is the Nantahala Gorge Canopy Tours. Just about 25 miles from Franklin, it offers one of the longest zipline courses in the area. Kids eight-years-old and up (minimum 60 lbs) can join glide through various ecosystems with stunning views of Kuwohi (formerly named Clingman’s Dome) the tallest peak in the Smokies, Fontana Lake, and waterfalls. All tours are led by trained rangers and meet ACCT standards for safety and fun. For your younger adventurers, the Nantahala Kid Zip is an aerial playground designed for kids ages four to 12, with three courses to zip, climb, and play for hours (while parents can relax and enjoy a picnic while watching the fun!).
