Girl completing a ropes course

Trip Planning

Campgrounds With Ziplines and Ropes Courses

Looking to add some adventure to your camping trip? Check out these sites that feature ropes courses and ziplines!

In the old days, RVers were happy when they found a nice campground with a swimming pool. Nowadays, growing numbers of campgrounds are not only distinguishing themselves with resort-style swimming pools, but waterparks, complete with multilevel play structures with water cannons, waterslides and splashpads for the little ones. Some campgrounds even offer ziplines and ropes courses, such as the Ventura Ranch KOA in Santa Paula, California, which has 12 ziplines and 12 ropes' elements.

We have two courses: the first is the Adventure Course with 8 zips and 12 ropes' elements,” said Ventura Ranch KOA owner Scott Cory. “The second course, called Eagles Nest, is ziplines only with 4 zips.  These ziplines are a little faster and longer.”

It’s not just kids that are enjoying the ziplines and ropes courses. (People) 50 and below love the challenge of the ropes' elements and the mix of the ziplines,” Cory explained, adding, “The course has a great value to the guest since it can take 35 to 45 minutes to run. Everyone feels accomplished when they finish, since its safe, but not necessarily easy on the ropes' challenges.”

The ziplines only course is quicker and easier, since there are not any agility challenges. “The (ziplines) course is higher and faster than Adventure Course and thus the height and speed tend to be the adrenaline rush on this course,” Cory said. Both courses are designed to be family friendly and safe for guests from 8 to 75 years old. They also offer excellent views of the campground. “On our courses you fly over the pool, the arts and crafts area, the bike track, and gem mining.  You get a bird’s eye view of the river, the highest peak in Ventura, and the lemon groves,” Cory said.

If you’re looking for fun entertainment for people of all ages, Cory said, there’s nothing better than ziplines and ropes courses. A few years ago, I had a group of high school classmates all come up and celebrate our 65th birthdays together,” Cory recalled. “It was a riot watching everyone navigate through the two courses.  Everyone loved the time together on the course, and definitely was the most talked about event during their stay.  Most had sore muscles the next day.”

The good news for RV enthusiasts is that you can find campgrounds with ziplines and/or ropes courses across the country. There are also campgrounds that have mini-zipline-type rides just a few feet off the ground for little kids. Here’s a sampling of campgrounds across the country with descriptions of the types of zipline rides and ropes courses they offer for their guests:
 

  • Ventura Ranch KOA in Santa Paula: This park’s Adventure Course has 8 ziplines and 12 ropes' elements. It’s second course, called Eagles’ Nest, has 4 ziplines, which are a little faster and longer.

  • La Jolla Indian Campground in Pauma Valley: This campground says its home to California’s fastest and longest zipline, which is located on the La Jolla Indian Reservation.

A group of people at a zipline
Photo courtesy of Ventura Ranch KOA

 

  • Royal Gorge Zipline Tours near Canon City: This adventure park promotes itself as offering “the fastest zipline in North America.” According to the park’s website, “Our highest speed line comes in at a crazy 1,700 feet! The final line is a dual side-by-side 1,200' racing line that lands on a massive 7-story tower. You pick your epic finish off the tower. Choose from the Flightline Free Fall to leap off the tower and free fall 30 feet while the system slowly lowers you to the ground below. Or pick the True Blue belay used by firefighters and military tactical teams. We use it as an alternative for those not ready for the leap of faith factor with the Flightline Free Fall. Both options are epic!” The park complements its zipline tours with rafting tours on the Arkansas River. The park also has luxurious Airstream travel trailer rentals as well as other glamping accommodations.

     
  • Sun Retreats Wild Acres in Old Orchard Beach: This campground is home to Wild Acres Aerial Adventure Park, which offers a far-reaching zip line course with seven zip stations that whisk you around the resort. You'll fly past tall pines, over ponds, and across meadows as you traverse the skies! The park also offers special glow nights! Decorate yourself in glow-in-the-dark apparel and soar like an owl on our guided zip line tours at night. Additionally, two high ropes courses offer a challenging way to navigate the canopy. Maneuver around obstacles and balance precariously on narrow walkways and swaying ropes. Options are available for every skill level, including the easy Sunshine course, intermediate Forest Run, and The Grove, the park’s toughest course.
  • Sun Outdoors Frontier Town in Berlin. This resort is known for its theme park and water park, but it also boasts high ropes courses. “Our ropes course is a challenging outdoor activity that is perfect for family reunions and team building,” the campground states on its website. “Weave, climb, and race your way around our high-flying obstacle adventure. In this one-of-a-kind experience, reach new heights and push your limits. Participants will be required to wear a helmet and harness while attached to a self-belay system as you navigate swinging bridges, beams, tension traverse, vine walk and more.”

  • Indian Creek Campground and Conference Center in Tecumseh: Adventure activities at this campground include a 700-foot-long dual zipline and a 45-foot climbing wall. Activities also include a Boulder Wall to test your strength and endurance. According to the park’s website, “An expert belayer will tie the climbing rope to your harness and help guide your climb up the rock wall. When you reach the top or have gone as far as desired, simply sit back in your harness as the belayer allows you to gracefully descend to ground level.” The campground also has another adrenalin-inducing attraction called the “Leap of Faith.” “This adventure is for the bravest only,” the park states on its website. “The challenge begins with a climb straight up the pole to a height of 25’, then find your balance to stand atop the pole and take in the view from the treetops. Once ready, you will leap out to hit the goal (or really, just make the biggest jump you can stomach)! Then our expert belayer will allow you to gracefully float back to the ground.”

  • Branches of Niagara in Grand Island: This park has two ziplines, one for kids under 12, which glides over the water and lands on the beach. The other, called the Eagles Nest Zipline, is designed for the avid adventurer. It features a 550-foot double cable ride that starts 30 feet high and soars you over the lake.

Ropes course in North Carolina
Photo courtesy of Jellystone Park in Bostic, North Carolina

 

  • Kittatinny Ziplines and Campground in Milford: Located in the Pocono Mountains, this campground provides access to one of the largest and most thrilling ziplines in the U.S. “A Ride Sure to Thrill the Zip out of the entire family!” The campground asserts on its website, noting that the zipline is 3,000 feet long. “Whether you are zipping to take in the view, or for bragging rights, this ride is sure to excite you. Drop 36 stories from the top of our own private mountain. Zip 150 feet in the air, through and above the tree tops, for over ½ mile (on) one of the longest zip lines in the U.S. Overlook the Delaware River and reach speeds of 40-60 mph! This Zip ride will thrill even the most daring adventure seeker, but participants need no special skills or abilities to enjoy the ride.”

  • Jellystone Park in Harrisville: This park has a small zipline for children.

  • Lebanon KOA Holiday in Lebanon: This campground has an on-site adventure ropes course that’s open Tuesday, Friday and Saturday, weather permitting, according to the park’s website.

Jellystone Park in Harrisville
Photo courtesy of Jellystone Park in Harrisville, Pennsylvania

 

  • Sun Outdoors Pigeon Forge in Sevierville: This campgrounds has an aerial adventure park with five ziplines and 56 obstacle courses which is used for everything from team-building activities to wholesome fun with family and friends. The Aerial Adventure Park offers different challenges for each skill set for ages nine and older.
Kids rope course in Waco TX
Photo courtesy of Camp Fimfo in Waco, Texas

 

  • Adventures on the Gorge in Lansing: This adventure park has its own campground for RV and tent camping enthusiasts who come to enjoy whitewater rafting in the New River Gorge as well as ziplining. The park offers obstacle courses with nets, bridges, ziplines and above-ground tunnels for children 4 and older as well as a Moontrek nighttime adventure course for children 6 and older. The park also offers high-adrenaline, gravity-powered ziplines for children 12 and over, including a 3,150-foot zipline on which you can reach speeds of up to 65 miles per hour! A minimum of two guides stay with travelers on high-speed adventures at all times.
Jeff Crider

Author

Jeff Crider, President and CEO of Crider Public Relations, has been involved in covering the campground industry for over 25 years. Jeff has worked as a freelance writer for publications such as RV Business, Motor Home Magazine, Trailer Life, Highways and other Affinity Group Inc. publications since 1995. He has also successfully pitched many of the nation's top tier media outlets, including CNN, The New York Times, The Wall Street Journal, The Washington Post, the Los Angeles Times, USA Today, The Financial Times, Reuters, The Associated Press and National Public Radio. In addition to writing, Jeff is also a talented photographer and humanitarian.