Hey Kids! Zip It for Your Summer Fun!
Zip it kids, and we don’t mean zip your mouth. It’s time to fly through the air on a cable, wind in your hair, while you laugh and yell at the incredible fun. Northwest and North Central Arkansas offer several high-wire adventures.
Here are six zip lines in the Ozarks that should be part of your summer fun:
Buffalo River Canopy Zip Line Tour, Ponca
Guided zip line canopy tours allow guests to experience flora and fauna unique to Ozark Mountain hardwood forest. Two tours are offered, each consisting of six zips. Elevation ranges from 40-60 feet above ground. Reservations required. Group discount and private group tours available.
Fort Rock Family Camp & Cabins, Combs
This 1800s-style fort and Old West town offers family camp weekends and all types of retreats, It has one of Arkansas’s longest zip lines at 1,050 feet in length. Also enjoy horseback riding, archery, rifle ranges; cabin rental; Ozark National Forest ATV trail access; home-cooked meals served in diner that seats up to 300; and a library and trading post.
Iron Horse Zip Line at Horseshoe Canyon Ranch, Jasper
A 2,300-foot zip line at Horseshoe Canyon Ranch provides 50 mph zips in a harness along a cable over the Ozark Mountain region near the Buffalo National River. The ranch is all-inclusive with rates covering lodging in well-furnished log cabins, meals, and varied activities for all ages with group discounts.
Loco Ropes at the Ozark Folk Center State Park, Mountain View
This adventure park features 30-plus treetop elements, including zip lines, Tarzan swings, rope bridges and swinging logs, offering mild to extreme challenges. Tower adventures include the round-trip Flying & Screamin’ Pig zip lines, the HotShot free fall and the Planks Peak climbing wall.
Ozark Mountain Ziplines, Eureka Springs
Enjoy two hours per tour for anyone ages three and older. The zip line is open for families, couples, groups, and individuals. It includes 10 zip lines, ranging from 120 feet to 1,800 feet in length with suspended tree platforms, one suspended sky bridge, and two short hikes.
Zippin Griffin, Hardy
This is a monster 5,000-foot zip line located at Griffin Park. It has five sections, the longest being 1,800 feet where speeds can approach 55 miles an hour depending on your size. There is also an Easy Soar Tour for kids.
If You Go: While each locale is unique, there are common suggestions regarding your visit. Call ahead for reservations and hours of operation. Some of these attractions are closed in winter months or offer reduced hours of operation. Each also has different restrictions regarding age, adult supervision, or height and weight requirements for participants.
What to Wear: Comfortable outdoor clothing (dresses are not advisable) and shoes that secure to your feet (flip flops and slide sandals are not permitted). Sunscreen, a hat, and insect repellent are also wise additions to your “wardrobe.”