In the mood for some extreme adventure? With its abundant trees and gorgeous scenery, Hocking Hills has become the Midwest’s premier ziplining destination. Here are four top spots where you can soar through the treetops or, if you’re brave, over one of the area’s natural gorges.
Established in 2007, Hocking Hills Canopy Tours was the first zipline of its kind in Ohio, and it remains one of the best. They have five tours available. The original Canopy Tour is more than just a zipline—on this three-hour adventure, thrill-seekers complete ten ziplines, cross five sky bridges and rappel back to the ground. The observation platforms are built directly into trees, giving travelers the feeling of being very close to nature, and the tours are led by guides who are well-versed in local ecosystems and history.
More serious adrenaline junkies will enjoy the SuperZip, a quarter-mile race through the tree canopy at speeds reaching 50 mph. Hocking Hills Canopy Tours also offers sunrise, twilight, and night tours as well as the Dragonfly adventure for kids.
Hocking Peak Adventure Park features Ohio’s largest zipline course. The park has a variety of canopy tours as well as an Aerial Challenge Tour, which is an obstacle course containing 16 ziplines and 30 challenges including sky bridges, cargo nets, and more. The park also has activities for people whose adventure tastes are a bit more down-to-earth, including paintball, disc golf, and OGO balls.
Are you ready to take it up a notch? In addition to the standard zipline fare and a couple of extra-long “Monster Zips,” the course at Valley Zipline Tours features “The Duel,” a 565-foot race that pits two brave souls against each other. If that doesn’t get your heart rate up, the “Giant Swing” certainly will! On this attraction, you will experience free fall for a couple of seconds before being caught by a swing. Click here to see how you can save $15 per person at Valley Zipline Tours when you make your reservation online.
After your heart stops pounding, visit the nearby Catfish Valley Paylake to test your skills with rod and reel. The valley features two lakes stocked with thousands of pounds of fish. A separate entry ticket is required to enter the park.
Ziplining, hiking, and lessons in Ohio’s natural history all come together at Soaring Cliffs, the newest member of the Hocking Hills zipline family. The two-and-a-half hour tour includes five ziplines over a natural gorge, as well as hiking and cave exploration. Be prepared to be stunned by the region’s beauty and keep your eyes peeled for wildlife!
Hocking Hills canopy tours and other ziplining adventures are fun for the whole family. Most of the lines shut down for the season at the end of November, so unless you want to wait until next March, make your reservation now! If you’re staying in the area, check out our cabin rentals. We currently have great deals available on rentals through December 31.
