ZIP LINE CANOPY TOUR FAQ'S

What do you need to do to reserve your Zip Line Canopy Tour Adventure?

You may reserve your tour online by clicking any of the Booking Buttons on our website, choosing your desired tour, time, date, and number of participants and filling out the necessary information.

You may also email us with your requests at [email protected] or call us at 770-834-9149 for help with setting up your reservation. Please remember that email is not secure and we do not recommend you emailing any credit card information to us.

Banning Mills was the first high speed zip line course in the southeast. We have years of experience and our guides are all CPR, Wilderness First Aid, and High Ropes Rescue Trained. We meet or exceed all ACCT and PRCA guidelines. Our course is constantly checked and rechecked as well as inspected by an outside ACCT certified inspector. You will not find a safer or more experienced zip line canopy tour course in the United States. Guaranteed!

Aerial Adventures are experiential and do require certain safety gear to be placed on all guest to include: full or half harnesses, lanyards, pulleys, helmets, and gloves. Most of the gear does require tightening which secures the gear in place before going out on the aerial adventure. Keep in mind that if you need assistance when tightening gear, there may be unintentional touch to lower and/or upper extremities, waist area and/or head area when performing these safety checks on the gear.

Our course uses the Vertical Trek Innovations Continuous Belay System to keep guests connected to the course at all times while at height. This belay safety system holds the highest safety ratings in the industry and is trusted by over 500 zip line courses world wide. Unlike some other belay systems, Vertical Trek Innovations does not allow guests to remove a safety hook at any point while at height. The system operates using a C shaped hook which slides seamlessly from one element of the course to the next, never giving the opportunity to disconnect intentionally or by accident without the direct intervention with a tool, carried by our guides for course rescues only.

This is not a requirement but our guides work very hard before, during, and after each tour to provide a safe and fun atmosphere for our guests. Any tip you would like to give is greatly appreciated but not expected! Many of our guides are college students!

We take Visa, Mastercard, and Discover Cards. Your card will be charged at the time of the reservation for the full amount. If you cancel outside of the cancellation policy, your card will be refunded in full minus a $20 processing fee. If you cancel within the cancellation policies, your card will be charged 50% of your total plus a $20 processing fee with the remaining balance refunded back to the card used to reserve the tours. No refunds will be given for “day of” cancellations or no-shows. Cash payment options are available. If you wish to pay with cash, it must be prepaid in order to make the reservation. Please note with cash payments we require a credit card to be on file to hold the slots. We require this because out tours are in sequence and for the guests convenience, we allow upgrades while out on the tours. The Credit Card on file covers upgrades so our guests do not have to come off the tours to pay for each upgrade. Guests may come back and pay cash for upgrades, but if they do not come back to check out, the card will cover any and all upgrades completed. We do not take personal checks.

Are there special considerations for group zip line canopy tours?

If you have a group of 10 or more guests that want to come, we give 10% off the regular tour rate. Please note that level 1 is already discounted and we do not give discounts on the level 1 tour. Groups must make one payment, not individual payments. Whomever books the group will be responsible for the group payment. You must get your group to reimburse you. Please remember that you will be charged for cancellations within the cancellation period and no shows.

We are an extreme outdoor adventure opportunity. We do understand that sometimes people are not able to overcome their fear of heights and choose not to participate in the tours. Unfortunately, we are not able to rebook the slot for another guest. The guest will be charged the price of the first tour only.

You will be able to take a short break at the end of each level for water or to use the bathroom. We do have water stations and a few port o potties out on the course periodically once you get past level 2.

Dress consideration when embarking on a zip line canopy adventure?

DO NOT wear sandals, flip flops, open-toed or open-backed shoes, or five finger shoes (shoes with the toes cut out). If you do, you will not be allowed onto the tour and will still be charged for your tour slot. This is to protect your feet as you come into each platform.

If you have long hair, please wear it in a ponytail so it does not get sucked into the pulley while riding down the zip lines. Our guides keep extra ponytail bands in case you lose or forget yours.

Shirts and Shorts or Pants are required on your tour. You will be putting gear on over at least the bottom half of your body, so keep in mind that straps will be tightened around your thighs and waist. No nude zipliners here!

Make sure you have deep pockets or pockets with a zipper or velcro if you will be bringing your keys, wallets, phone, or anything else you do not want to lose. We recommend leaving any unnecessary items in your car or room. If you lose something from 200 feet up, you most likely will not be getting it back.

You can bring a camera. Just make sure it has a wrist or neck strap on it. Yes, you can wear a fanny pack or lightweight backpack.

Please arrive 30 minutes BEFORE your tour time. If you are late, you will not be able to go out on your tour and you will be charged in full for each slot scheduled. We can’t delay the tour because you are late. This is not fair for our on-time guests. We will not guarantee you a spot on any other tour either. Please plan your travel time wisely and remember any time zone changes. We are in the Eastern Time Zone.

Yes. We fill up our tour slots quickly and if you do not make a reservation you will not be guaranteed a spot on the tours. We do our best to fit walk-ups on the next available tour time, but we cannot guarantee tours to those without reservations and it is very awkward for everyone when a guest arrives and we don’t have a tour for them!

Zip Line Tour Cancellation Charges.

Please remember that we have held the slots for you, and this has kept others from being able to reserve spots while protecting your right to have a tour time. When guests have to cancel, it is difficult to rebook those slots last minute. We have already scheduled our tree flight canopy tour guides to assist you on your tours.

We will go out in the rain. It’s fun and you go faster! If there are very heavy and prolonged rain storms, severe thunderstorms with lightning, severe cold or icing, Banning Mills will call each scheduled guest to cancel the tours. Please remember, if we do not call you, that means the tour is still going out. Even if there is bad weather where you are, that does not necessarily mean there is bad weather at Banning Mills. Sometimes tours may be delayed for a short time for “pop-ups”. Please keep this in mind when planning your day.

You must be at least 8 years old and at least 50 lbs for the level 1 tour. You must be 10 years old and at least 90 lbs for the higher level tours. We reserve the right to weigh anyone we think may be over or under the weight limits. Weight limits are designed to protect you as you travel down the zip lines.

The maximum weights we allow are:

Females: Under 250 lbs

Males: Under 285 lbs

(These differences were determined due to difference in BMI and typical muscle/weight distribution for the average individual and how that impacts rider position and safety envelope while traversing the zip lines)

You must be able to climb stairs on multiple towers. You need to have good balance capabilities, be able to walk on uneven terrain, and have full range of motion in your upper and lower extremities.

You must be able to control your speed of travel along the zip lines by resting your gloved hands on the pulley and cable systems. It is required that you are able to understand verbal instructions and to pull yourself along cables in case you lose momentum before reaching said platform. You must be able to see our guides and recognize hand motions.

This is not recommended for those with moderate to severe heart and/or respiratory difficulties, recent surgeries, second or third trimester pregnancies or those with moderate to severe musculoskeletal problems. This is considered a moderate to heavy physical workout!

Zip Lining is generally safe in the first two trimesters. If, at any point, your pregnancy is classified as "high risk" or you are in your third trimester, zip lining is not recommended. While safety is our primary concern, comfort is very important. You will be wearing a harness that is fastened around your waist with the connection for your safety lanyard and zip line trolley at your naval area.

Forest Tour ( Level 1): You will experience one sky bridge and 9 shorter zip lines which range from 250 ft to 650 ft in length and heights up to 60ft. We allow a minimum weight of 50lbs on this tour but to continue to the other tours, a guest must weigh at least 90 to 100lbs minimum. Maximum weights: ladies under 250lbs and guys under 285lbs. Cost is $59 per person. We do not allow discount/coupons on this tour.

Pattern Tour (Level 2): You will finish the Forest tour and continue on. There is one 65 ft tower, three more zip lines with two that are 1000 feet in length and up to seven to eight cable and wood sky bridges with amazing views. You will be at heights from 65 ft to 200 feet in the air. Cost is $89 per person

Pattern Plus Tour (Level 3): You will finish the Pattern tour and continue on: There will be a total of two 65 ft towers, 15 zip lines including our high-speed Big Daddy zip line that goes down the gorge and our Swoop line that takes you right along the beautiful, rushing Snake Creek. There are also up to 8 to 9 cable and wood sky bridges. Our guests can hit speeds of up to 60mph! You will be at heights of 65 to 200 feet in the air. Cost is $109 per person

Extreme Tour (Level 4): This is the ultimate in zip line canopy tours! You will experience both the pattern and pattern plus tours (excludes the Swoop line) and then continue on to the high, extreme bridges that criss-cross back and forth over the Snake Creek Gorge at heights up to 100 feet. This is a true adrenalin rush! Then you will go on to the amazing Sky Trek bridge that is 600 foot long and 170 feet above the gorge. End with four more long and fast zip lines which includes the Screaming Eagle half mile long zip line! Cost is $169 per person.

All Day Rush Tour (Level 5): You get all the above plus our NEW Ridge Runner tour and the Aerial Challenge trek: the Terminator and the 100ft Free Fall. The Ridge Runner is the ultimate zip line. You step off the Screaming Eagle tower and hurdle down through a tunnel of trees. Before you realize it, you are at one of the ridges of the gorge and are suddenly shot out into the open air. This is a 1/2 mile long zip line that will surely get your heart racing and a big smile on your face! That is up to 40 zip lines and 42 sky bridges. Nothing twice, unless you want to and have time. Tour times start only in the morning and price includes a full lunch back at the main lodge! Cost is $279 per person. Price includes lunch. No discounts allowed on the Level 5 tour.

We do not offer charging stations for electric vehicles. Running cords from outlets is not permitted. 

Presently, there are the following five tour options with different time lengths.

1. Level 1: Forest Tour – about 1 to 1 1/2 hours long

2. Level 2: Pattern Tour – 2 to 2 1/2 hours long

3. Level 3: Pattern Plus Tour – 2 ½ to 3 ½ hours long

4. Level 4: Extreme Tour – 4 to 5 1/2 hours long

5. Level 5 The All day RUSH – 8 hours long

6. Two Day Rush – 16 hours long (two days)

7. Two Springs Tour – 1.5 – 2 hours long

8. Two Springs All Day – 5-6 hours long

9. Crazy Squirrel Tier 1 – 1.5-2.5 hours long

10. Crazy Squirrel Tier 2 – 2-3 hours long

Length of Tour times depends heavily on the number of guests on the tour, physical ability, and fear factor. Please know that some guests will be faster/slower than others. Tour times include gear up and safety briefs and zip lines and tree walk according to your tour chosen.
Remember: this is an Eco tour in the trees and not a race. Take time to enjoy the scenery, the adrenalin rush and the challenge of it all.

Our staff is professionally trained and care about your safety very much.

Banning Mills reserves the right to refuse anyone access to the tours if we feel it would be unsafe for them, our other guests or our staff. Some examples of someone we might turn away would be a guest under the influence of drugs or alcohol, someone who is over the weight limits, someone that will not or can’t understand or obey the rules, and those who are physically unable to do a zip line canopy tour. We do everything in our power to get guests out on a tour and give them safe access to our tours. However, Banning Mills and their staff will have the final say on any participant going out or continuing on a tour.

You will be required to sign a liability release form before going out on the tour. If you would like for us to email a copy to you, just call or email us your request. Minors must have a parent or guardian to sign this form. The minor must sign the waiver also. Again, we can email this form to you so that you can bring a signed copy with you. Just ask us!

More questions? Feel free to call us at 770-834-9149.

FREE pictures: We provide free pictures taken by our amazing guides! 

We partner with Fotaflo to upload and send you the pictures we take of your adventure. After your tour, we upload the pictures and Fotaflo will send them to the email provided on your waivers. Each person in your group will receive the email. If you do not receive them in 2 days, you may call the front desk and we will ensure they were sent. Please check your spam folder as well. The email will be from Historic Banning Mills and originate from [email protected]  

Viewpoint Helmet Cameras:

We partner with Viewpoint to provide this service. After you are done with your tour, our staff will dock the helmet cam and will print out a receipt with a QR code that links directly to your video. There is also an option to go to their website vt3.io and enter the code found at the bottom of your receipt. You can download the video by clicking the three dots in the bottom right of the video as it's playing. The upload is generally quick, and should be viewable within a few hours. We do not have access to the footage, so if you lose your receipt or have issues accessing your video, please email [email protected] and they will help you with any issues.

What is a Viewpoint Camera? Viewpoint Cameras are lightweight, wide-angle video cameras that record your experience in full HD. They are positioned directly on top of your helmet, providing a unique Point-of-View (POV) perspective of what your experience was actually like!

Sometimes! Photographs or videos may be used in various marketing materials to showcase the unique experiences provided by our tours. We will ensure that your privacy is respected and will not disclose any personal information along with these pictures or videos. If you have any concerns regarding your media usage or would like to opt out of this agreement, please notify us in advance. Your participation in our tours implies your acceptance of these terms. You may read the Media Release Policy for more information. Thank you for understanding and being a part of our exciting journey!