Updated May 2026
If you're searching for ziplining in Pennsylvania, Refreshing Mountain Retreat and Adventure Center is where most PA residents and visitors end up, and for good reason. Located just 25 minutes north of Lancaster and about 90 minutes from Philadelphia, Refreshing Mountain sits on 80 acres of hardwood forest in the heart of Lancaster County and offers ziplining packages open to people of all skill and experience levels.
Whether you're a long-time Pennsylvania resident planning a day trip, a family visiting from out of state, or a group looking for a unique outdoor adventure in PA, ziplining at Refreshing Mountain creates lasting memories for everyone involved. Our courses are designed for all ages and abilities. You don't need to be a thrill-seeker or an athlete to love it.
Why Zipline in Lancaster County, PA?
Pennsylvania's terrain is well-suited for ziplining in a way that flat-state alternatives simply aren't. Lancaster County in particular offers dense hardwood forest canopy, natural elevation, and the kind of scenery that makes every run feel like something out of a nature documentary. Except you're the one in it.
Refreshing Mountain's 80-acre woodland property sits at the center of all of it. When you're gliding through the treetops here, you're looking at mature forest, open sky, and (in the warmer months) a fishing pond below. Fall is especially spectacular: if you can visit between late September and early November, the foliage turns the canopy into a full-color backdrop that makes ziplining in Pennsylvania during autumn a completely different experience than any other time of year.
Beyond the scenery, the location makes Refreshing Mountain one of the most accessible zipline destinations in the state. We're a convenient day trip from:
📍 Philadelphia and the surrounding suburbs (~90 minutes)
📍 Baltimore, MD (~2 hours)
📍 Harrisburg and Hershey (~45 minutes)
📍 York, PA (~30 minutes)
Our Zipline Packages
Refreshing Mountain is a family-friendly facility with endless opportunities for fun and bonding as you work through obstacles and step off zipline platforms with your group. All of our ziplining packages are appropriate for ages five and up, making them accessible to families looking for an engaging activity that the whole group can do together.
Never ziplined before? That's okay. Our packages are built with all ages and experience levels in mind and are geared toward providing an adventure that anyone and everyone can enjoy. One of our favorite things to see is the look of triumph on our guests' faces when they step off the platform for the first time and realize they just did it.
Aerial Excursion Zipline Tour - 7 Ziplines
Aerial Excursion Tour- Looking for a fun way to ease into ziplining? Our Aerial Excursion Tour is a relaxed canopy-style tour complete with seven ziplines (with lengths anywhere from 300 feet to 800 feet), three skybridges that transfer you from platform to platform, and a controlled 40-foot descent. This tour can hold a maximum of eight people, and children under the age of thirteen are required to be accompanied by an adult.
Challenge Adventure Zipline Tour - 5 Ziplines + High Ropes
The Challenge Adventure Tour (the CAT for short!) is our most popular ziplining package for a reason. With five ziplines and the top level of our Elevated Obstacle Course, patrons who book this package get to try a little bit of everything. If you’re looking for a good balance between ziplining and our high ropes course, this is the package for you! This tour can hold a maximum of up to eight people, and children under the age of thirteen are required to be accompanied by an adult.
Glow Night Ziplining: Zipline After Dark
For a few special weekends each summer, the forest at Refreshing Mountain transforms into something you have to experience to believe. Glow Night Ziplining is an after-dark adventure offered exclusively on Memorial Day weekend, Independence Day holiday weekends, and Labor Day weekend. The property opens at 6pm and runs until 11pm, with reservations required.
Guests strap in with glow sticks and glow necklaces, and special lighting turns the trees and ziplines into a glowing, color-saturated course through the night forest. It's the same ziplining experience you'd get during the day, amplified into something that feels completely different once the sun goes down.
Bonus and Christmas Light Zips
The Ascent Package- Last but not least, we wanted to give an honorable mention to our Ascent Package. This package includes our Flying V Bundle as well as unlimited access to our Climbing Tower, Pedal Carts, Sling Shots, Wildlife Center, and Farm Animal Area. When booking the Ascent, you get to choose between our morning session (9am-12:30pm) or afternoon session (1:30pm-5pm), and then you will choose the time you want to do your ziplines and Elevated Obstacle Course (referred to as our “RefreshPass”). This is an extremely popular package due to including a plethora of activities outside of our ziplines and our Elevated Obstacle course.
Starting in August we start to ramp up for the Christmas season, meticulously laying out over half a million Christmas lights across our property.
A picture says a thousand words, but a video says a million. Check out the video below to see what we do for the Christmas season from late November through December.
Safety and What to Expect
We want every guest to have a great experience at Refreshing Mountain, and your safety is at the center of everything we do. All of our zipline tours are accompanied by two expert guides who have completed extensive training. They handle all the equipment and walk you through everything, so your only job is to follow their lead and step off the platform when they say go.
In addition to guide supervision, we conduct frequent inspections by our own staff, third-party experts, and state officials.
What to wear: Closed-toe shoes are required, no exceptions. Sneakers or hiking shoes work great; leave the flip-flops in the car. Tie back hair that's shoulder-length or longer. Remove any dangly jewelry before your tour. During warm-weather months, wear shorts no higher than mid-thigh and a t-shirt rather than a tank top, as the harness can cause friction discomfort against bare skin. Otherwise, bring your spirit of adventure and have fun.
Frequently Asked Questions About Ziplining in PA
What is the minimum age to zipline at Refreshing Mountain?
Most of our packages are open to ages 5 and up. The Flying V Bundle requires children under 8 to be accompanied by an adult; the Aerial Excursion and Challenge Adventure tours require children under 13 to be accompanied by an adult.
Do I need experience to zipline in Pennsylvania?
No prior experience is necessary. Our guides walk every guest through the process before departure, and all of our packages are designed for first-timers and experienced zipliners alike.
What is the best time of year to zipline in Lancaster County?
Every season has something to offer. Fall (late September through November) is the most popular time to zipline in PA, as the foliage on the hardwood canopy is spectacular. Summer is ideal for families and first-timers. The Christmas light ziplines in late November and December are a unique evening experience. Winter and spring sessions are available and tend to be less crowded.
How far in advance should I book?
Our activity calendar opens five to six weeks in advance. Weekend slots and fall foliage season dates fill quickly, so book as early as you can. If your preferred dates aren't showing availability yet, contact us to be added to the waitlist.
What are the weight limits for ziplining?
Please contact us directly for current weight requirements, as these can vary by package and tour. Our office team is happy to walk through any specific requirements before you book.
Large Group and Field Trip Adventures
Looking to book ziplining for a larger group of 9 or more? Refreshing Mountain facilitates large-group zipline experiences for youth groups, school field trips, corporate team-building events, church groups, and more.
Our Ascent and Basecamp Packages are designed naturally for larger groups and include a variety of activities beyond the ziplines. We also offer large-group versions of the Challenge Adventure Tour, as well as activities exclusive to large groups: Rappelling, the Giant Swing, and the Giant Ladder.
Large-group bookings are structured differently from day-to-day reservations and require advance notice. Pricing is per hour rather than per individual. Contact us to discuss your group's needs and get a custom quote.
How to Book Your Pennsylvania Zipline Experience
You can book your zipline tour entirely online or by phone. To book online, visit the Zipline page on our website, choose the tour that fits your group, and select a date and time. Our calendar opens five to six weeks in advance. If your dates aren't available yet, call us to be added to the waitlist.
There is nothing quite like stepping off the platform and finding yourself flying through the treetops, just you, the cable, and 80 acres of Lancaster County forest beneath your feet. Whether you're planning a family adventure, a date, a school field trip, or a team outing, ziplining in Pennsylvania at Refreshing Mountain is an experience worth making time for.
Ready to book? Check availability and reserve your zipline tour.
Refreshing Mountain is located in Stevens, PA, 25 minutes north of Lancaster, 90 minutes from Philadelphia, and 2 hours from Baltimore.