Ropes Courses in Gatlinburg and Pigeon Forge

There are several Ropes Courses in the Smoky Mountains area around Gatlinburg and Pigeon Forge. Many of them are part of larger networks of ziplines, sky bridges and play areas in the tree tops, with net tubes, swings and actual tree houses. Some of these are in the trees, some are on framework structures, and some of them are even indoors.

While kids love to climb, and these tree-top adventures certainly offer that, ropes courses are fun for all ages, acclaimed for providing many positive personal achievements. From the very young to the corporate teams, ropes courses provide the variable degree of challenge and exhilaration to suit everyone. And the view, of course, is usually pretty inspiring.

Ropes Courses in the Smoky Mountains

Anakeesta

Anakeesta is a little world on the mountain with several attractions including dining, and an enclosed gondola leaving from downtown Gatlinburg to get up there (see our feature story on Anakeesta). Anakeesta has created a Tree Canopy Walk of 16 connected sky bridges, more than forty feet above the ground in the tree tops. It’s educational with extensive signage, immersive in nature, and with stunning views.

There’s also a Children’s Treehouse Village Playground that kids will love. They’ve built in physical and educational elements, with multiple bridges, a log walk and a plank walk, a tube net crawl and a climbing adventure.

Web: anakeesta.com
Phone: 865-215-9238

Rafting in the Smokies

This operation is out at Hartford, about a 35-minute drive from Pigeon Forge. The ropes course is definitely in the trees, and offers a fully harnessed and safe experience. You might not drive that far just to play in the trees, but Hartford is also the start of some of the best river rafting adventures. You might want to plan for some river action and follow it up with a climb in the trees, for an exhilarating day out from the cabin. The course offers 12 different activities for different skills, including climbing nets and rope bridges.

Web: raftinginthesmokies.com
Phone: 800-776-7238

The Island

Closer to home, The Island offers two ropes course. One is lower to the ground and made for the small ones in the family, with lots of different elements, and low enough that parents can walk alongside the kids while they test their skills. The other course reaches 3 stories in height and offers multiple challenges and attractions. There are also two ziplines and a Free-Fall simulation!

In all cases, participants are fully harnessed and with certified staff in attendance. 

Web: islandinpigeonforge.com
Phone: 865-286-0119

Wonderworks

For an indoor experience, as part of a trip to WonderWorks in Pigeon Forge, you can enjoy the indoor ropes course. It’s four stories tall, with 50 challenges of different kinds, including swinging steps and a tremor bridge. It’s a thrill to conquer your fears and build balance – it’s also a black-light, glow-in-the-dark experience!

The ropes course is part of general admission to this educational and astonishing science museum. 

Web: wonderworksonline.com/
Phone: 865-868-1800

Gatlin’s Fun Center

Meanwhile in Gatlinburg, Gatlin’s Fun Center offers an indoor framework structure designed to test your agility in complete safety. The Rugged Ropes Adventure Course is fully harnessed to an overhead track so falling is not and issue and any slips are fun and harmless.

Web: gatlinsfuncenter.com
Phone: 865-219-2211

As with all the overhead adventures in the area, all participants are always safely harnessed or enclosed, and experienced and accredited staff are always on hand. Safety comes first, and certain medical or other conditions may not be allowed.

Some of these venues require reservations, and most of them are worth calling ahead anyway to check the lie of the land – even in the air!