If you're planning a family adventure, you may be wondering: where is the best place to zipline in Pennsylvania? The answer depends on how big a thrill you want. The state offers everything from gentle kids' courses to a 4,000-foot ride high above the Poconos.
Pennsylvania's forested hills make it a natural fit for ziplining. You can glide through hardwood canopy, race a friend down a mountain, or tackle rope obstacles between zips.
This guide covers the best ziplines in Pennsylvania by region, how zipline experiences differ, what to expect on a course, and how to prepare for your first tour.
Why Is Pennsylvania a Great Place to Zipline?
Pennsylvania is a great place to zipline because of its dense hardwood forests, rolling mountain terrain, and the number of parks within a day trip of Philadelphia, Pittsburgh, Baltimore, and New Jersey. You can find a Pennsylvania zipline course in nearly every corner of the state.
Most courses fall into four regions:
- The Poconos: mountain resorts with the state's longest and fastest rides.
- The Philadelphia area: family adventure parks a short drive from the city.
- Lancaster County: wooded canopy tours in the middle of the state.
- Western PA: resort ziplines in the Laurel Highlands.
The terrain does the heavy lifting. Mature trees support platforms and sky bridges, and mountain slopes create the drop that long, fast lines need.
When Is the Best Time for Ziplining in PA?
The best time for ziplining in PA is fall, from late September through early November, when the forest canopy turns red, orange, and gold. Summer works well for families and beginners, and spring brings fresh green views with smaller crowds.
A fall trip to Lancaster County can pair your zipline tour with Refreshing Mountain's Fall Fest Days. Several parks close for winter, but Refreshing Mountain operates year-round and offers after-dark options, such as Christmas Light Zips that are evening rides through more than half a million holiday lights from November through December, as well as Glow Nights. Weather matters in any season, so check the forecast and your park's policy before you go.
What Are the Different Types of Zipline Experiences?
There are four main types of zipline experiences: guided canopy tours, aerial adventure courses, single long-distance rides, and kids' courses. Each offers a different pace, thrill level, and time commitment, so the right choice depends on your group's ages and comfort with heights.
- Canopy tours: guides lead your group from platform to platform through the forest canopy. The pace is relaxed, which makes them a favorite for first-timers.
- Aerial adventure courses: zips mixed with rope bridges, cargo nets, and swinging logs. They're more physical, and some are self-guided after a safety briefing.
- Long single rides: one or two big lines that last a minute or two at high speed. These are about the rush and the view.
- Kids' courses: short, low lines for kids who want a first taste of flying.
Guided tours handle every clip for you. At self-guided parks, staff fit your harness and train you, then you clip yourself in as you move through the course.
What Are the Best Ziplines in Pennsylvania?
The best ziplines in Pennsylvania include Camelback Mountain Adventures for the longest ride, Refreshing Mountain for families, Skytop Lodge for a treetop challenge, Treehouse World near Philadelphia, and Nemacolin for a resort getaway. The table compares six top parks by region, zipline count, and minimum age.
| Park | Region | Type | Ziplines | Standout line | Minimum age | Best for |
| Camelback Mountain Adventures | Poconos | Long single rides | 2 | 4,000 ft, 180 ft up | 6 (1,000-ft line) | Longest ride |
| Skytop Lodge | Poconos | Aerial course | 7 to 17 | Treetop course up to 50 ft high | 10 | Older kids and teens |
| Summit Adventure Park at Blue Mountain | Poconos | Aerial park | 4 | 500 ft from a rock wall | Check with park | Climbing plus zipping |
| Treehouse World | Philadelphia | Kids' and canopy courses | 3 courses | Valley Creek Zipline Tour | Check with park | Young kids |
| Refreshing Mountain | Lancaster County | Guided canopy tours | 14 across 3 courses | Up to 800 ft | 5 | Families |
| Nemacolin | Western PA | Dual racing spans | 2 spans | 1,380 ft at 30 to 45 mph | 4 ft height minimum | Resort getaway |
Requirements change often, so confirm age, height, and weight rules with each park before you book.
Best Ziplines in the Poconos
The Poconos are home to the most ziplines in the state, and the biggest drops. If you're searching for a zipline in the Poconos, these three parks lead the list.
Camelback Mountain Adventures (Tannersville). Camelback bills its 4,000-foot line as the longest zipline in Pennsylvania, with riders dangling about 180 feet above the slopes. Its 1,000-foot Double Barrel line lets two people race side by side. Riders under 18 need a participating adult.
Skytop Lodge (Skytop). Skytop's Adventure Center offers a 7-line zipline course that takes about an hour. Its full Treetop Adventure Course packs 17 ziplines into roughly four hours of bridges, ladders, and nets. Riders must be at least 10, and kids under 16 need an adult on the course.
Summit Adventure Park at Blue Mountain Resort (Palmerton). Four ziplines start at the top of the park's rock wall and cover 500 feet. A zipline-only ticket includes three rides, and longer tickets add a five-level high ropes course.
Best Zipline Near Philadelphia
Treehouse World (West Chester). This treehouse-themed adventure park just outside Philadelphia offers three zipline courses:
- Buccaneer Zipline: a starter course designed for younger riders.
- Canopy Zipline: a two-zipline course for a mid-level challenge.
- Valley Creek Zipline Tour: the park's premier aerial adventure high in the trees.
Best Zipline in Lancaster, PA
Looking for a zipline in Lancaster, PA? Refreshing Mountain is about 25 minutes north of Lancaster and 45 minutes from Hershey and Harrisburg, making it an easy central stop for groups across the region.
Featured: Refreshing Mountain Retreat and Adventure Center (Stevens)
Refreshing Mountain sits on 80 acres of Lancaster County woodland and offers three guided zipline courses for ages 5 and up.
- Flying V: 2 ziplines and about 600 feet of zipping, an easy introduction to ziplining. It's included in the Ascent Package.
- Challenge Adventure Tour: 5 ziplines plus the top level of the Elevated Obstacle Course. It's the most popular tour.
- Aerial Excursion: a relaxed canopy tour with 7 ziplines from 300 to 800 feet, 3 sky bridges, and a controlled 40-foot descent.
Two trained guides lead every tour, and the Aerial Excursion and Challenge Adventure Tour each hold up to 8 guests.
Check availability and book your zipline tour
Best Zipline in Western PA
Nemacolin (Farmington). This Laurel Highlands resort offers two side-by-side racing lines. The first span runs 1,380 feet and the second 700 feet, at speeds of 30 to 45 mph and heights up to 75 feet. Riders need to be at least 4 feet tall and 75 pounds.
Is Ziplining Safe?
When choosing a zipline park, look for trained guides, regular equipment inspections, a full safety briefing, and clear weather rules. Parks also set age, height, and weight limits so every rider fits the system's design.
Before you book, check these signs of a well-run park:
- Trained staff: guides who fit your gear and supervise each platform.
- Inspections: regular checks by staff and outside inspectors.
- Clear limits: posted age, height, and weight requirements.
- Weather calls: a policy for storms and high winds.
At Refreshing Mountain, two trained guides accompany every tour. The courses are inspected by staff, third-party experts, and state officials.
Worried about freezing up? That's normal. Guides are skilled at calming nerves, and if you decide ziplining isn't for you, they'll help you get down safely. The retreat center answers more common questions in its You Asked, We Answered guide.
What Should You Wear Ziplining?
Wondering what to wear ziplining? Choose closed-toe athletic shoes, comfortable fitted clothes you can move in, and tie back long hair. Skip anything loose or dangling, like scarves or jewelry, that could catch on gear.
- Shoes: closed-toe shoes are required. Sneakers or hiking shoes work best.
- Bottoms: shorts should hit mid-thigh or longer, since harness straps can rub bare skin. Some parks, like Nemacolin, require pants or long shorts.
- Tops: a T-shirt works better than a tank top. Nemacolin requires sleeves.
- Hair and jewelry: tie back shoulder-length hair and remove dangly jewelry.
- Layers: fall mornings in the woods can be cool, so bring a light jacket.
You don't need to bring much else. At Refreshing Mountain, you can store your belongings while you zip, and several platforms have water stations.
How Old Do Kids Have to Be to Zipline?
Ziplining for kids usually starts between ages 5 and 10, depending on the park. Some venues also offer separate courses for little ones. Longer lines and treetop courses often add height, reach, and weight minimums.
| Park | Minimum age | Other rules |
| Treehouse World | Check with park | Offers a kids' course, the Buccaneer Zipline |
| Refreshing Mountain | 5 | 280-lb maximum; adult required under 13 on the Aerial Excursion and Challenge Adventure Tour, ages 7 and under need a parent on the Flying V. |
| Camelback Mountain Adventures | 6 (1,000-ft line) | 60-lb minimum; adult required under 18 |
| Skytop Lodge | 10 | 5-ft-11-in reach, under 275 lbs |
| Summit Adventure Park at Blue Mountain | Check with park | Check with park |
| Nemacolin | Check with park | 4-ft height and 75-lb minimum |
At Refreshing Mountain, each child rides in their own harness. The 5-year minimum is firm, regardless of a child's height or maturity.
What Should First-Time Zipliners at Refreshing Mountain Know Before They Go?
New zipliners should book early, choose a course that fits the least confident person in their group, and arrive with time to spare. A little planning keeps the day relaxed and fun for everyone.
- Book ahead. Weekends and fall dates fill fast. Refreshing Mountain opens its calendar five to six weeks in advance.
- Start with the right course. A relaxed canopy tour, like the Aerial Excursion, is a great first ride.
- Arrive early. Leave 15 to 30 minutes for check-in.
- Check the weather policy. See the rain FAQ below for how weather calls work.
- Know the cancellation rules. At the retreat center, you can change or cancel up to 3 days before your activity.
- Eat and hydrate. Have a light meal beforehand and bring water.
- Make a day of it. Plenty of parks have other activities to fill the rest of your visit.
- Book groups in advance. Groups of 9 or more should contact the park first. The retreat center offers large group activities for youth groups, schools, churches, and teams.
Experience Ziplining at Refreshing Mountain
There's nothing quite like stepping off the platform and flying through the treetops. At Refreshing Mountain, 80 acres of Lancaster County forest stretch out beneath your feet.
Whether you're planning a family day trip, a youth group outing, or a team adventure, a zipline in Pennsylvania's Lancaster County is worth making time for. Guided tours, three course levels, and a welcoming team make it easy for everyone ages 5 and up to join in.
Check availability and book your zipline tour
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the longest zipline in Pennsylvania?
Camelback Mountain Adventures in Tannersville bills its 4,000-foot zipline as the longest in Pennsylvania. Riders soar about 180 feet above the Pocono slopes. For a longer guided tour, Refreshing Mountain's Aerial Excursion links 7 ziplines of 300 to 800 feet with 3 sky bridges.
Where is the best zipline in the Poconos?
It depends on your group. Camelback offers the longest single ride, Skytop Lodge offers a treetop course with up to 17 ziplines, and Blue Mountain's Summit Adventure Park pairs four ziplines with rock climbing. Families with younger kids may prefer a guided canopy tour with a lower age minimum.
Can you zipline in the rain?
Often, yes. Most parks run in light rain but pause for thunderstorms or high winds. Refreshing Mountain operates rain or shine and makes weather calls on the day of your activity. If it cancels for weather, you can reschedule or receive store credit.
Do you need experience to zipline?
No experience is needed. Guides walk every guest through the gear and process before the first platform. At Refreshing Mountain, all packages are designed for beginners and experienced zipliners alike, and the Aerial Excursion is a gentle place to start.
Where is the best spot for ziplining in PA for kids?
The best spot depends on your child's age. Treehouse World offers a kids' course, the Buccaneer Zipline. Refreshing Mountain welcomes kids 5 and up on every zipline course, with guides on every tour and plenty of other activities for the whole family.
Can groups book ziplining in Pennsylvania?
Yes, with advance notice. Refreshing Mountain welcomes groups of 9 or more, including youth groups, school field trips, church groups, and corporate teams. Group pricing is per hour, so contact the team for a custom quote.
About Refreshing Mountain
Refreshing Mountain is a year-round, non-denominational Christian retreat and adventure center in the woodlands of Lancaster County, PA. Founded in 1983, it welcomes families, church groups, schools, and corporate teams for overnight retreats, day adventures, and getaways.
Guests enjoy ziplines, an elevated obstacle course, escape rooms, a wildlife center, cabins, and home-cooked meals, all at 455 Camp Road in Stevens.