North Georgia & Blue Ridge Adventures: 4 Epic Zip Line Destinations

Looking for an unforgettable way to experience the beauty of North Georgia and the Blue Ridge Mountains? Whether you’re seeking jaw-dropping mountain views, adrenaline-pumping zip lines, or a weekend escape surrounded by nature, we’ve got four incredible locations to choose from—each one uniquely designed to immerse you in the landscape.

From the misty ridges of North Georgia to the river-carved hills of Northeast Alabama, every destination offers a thrilling zip line adventure—and a chance to stay, play, and explore.

Historic Banning Mills is our flagship location and is the ultimate adventure resort! We then formed Screaming Eagle Aerial Adventures to provide a thrilling way to experience more epic locations! To do that, we partnered with 3 North Georgia and Alabama State Parks along the Blue Ridge Mountains.

At each of our locations, you’ll find:

  • Zip line canopy tours built into the forest landscape
  • Access to stunning trails, lodging, and dining
  • A chance to experience the outdoors from a whole new perspective
  • Free pictures of your adventure

Let’s take a closer look at each destination:


Amicalola Falls Zip Line Adventure

Location: Amicalola Falls State Park, Dawsonville, GA

Soar above the treetops and take in sweeping views of Amicalola Gorge Valley. Take on Level 3 to ride “Ralph” – our famous 2,000-foot-long zip line reaching heights of 200 feet in the air!

Zip Line Highlights:

  • 3 levels of zip line canopy tours
  • Views of the State Park and Blue Ridge Mountains not accessible any other way

Amicalola Falls Lodge Highlights:

  • Just 8 miles from the Appalachian Trail
  • Just up the road from the infamous 729-foot Amicalola Falls – third-highest east of the Mississippi
  • On-site lodging at Amicalola Falls Lodge with cabins, glamping, tent & RV sites.

This location is perfect for hikers, nature lovers, and anyone craving mountain views with a wild side.


Unicoi Zip Line Adventures

Location: Unicoi State Park in Helen, GA. Surrounded by nature but just minutes from downtown Helen.

Nestled just 2 miles from the charming alpine town of Helen, Unicoi offers thrills, scenery, and Bavarian-style fun all in one trip.

Zip Line Highlights:

  • 3 levels of canopy tours,
  • Level 3 offers thrilling zip lines over Lake Unicoi!
  • Views of the State Park and lake not accessible any other way

Unicoi Lodge Highlights:

  • Hiking trails to Anna Ruby Falls
  • Smith Creek trout fishing
  • Near Helen’s famous Oktoberfest (Sept–Oct)
  • Lodging at Unicoi Lodge, plus tent, RV, and glamping options

With lake views, fall color, and proximity to downtown Helen, Unicoi is the perfect weekend getaway for families, couples, and friend groups.


Historic Banning Mills Adventure Resort

Location: Snake Creek Gorge in Whitesburg, GA. Just 45 minutes from Atlanta but feels like a world away!

Set within the rugged Snake Creek Gorge, Banning Mills is the ultimate destination for outdoor adventure. It’s home to two world records, over 11 miles of zip lines, and countless ways to explore.

Highlights:

  • World’s longest zip line canopy tour (Guinness-certified!)
  • Stunning suspension bridges, including Georgia’s longest at over 600-feet long!
  • Lodging in Tree Houses, Cabins, and Lodge Rooms
  • Gourmet dining options and miles of hiking trails
  • Additional adventures: kayaking, horseback riding, and unique Eco-Spider off-road SWINCAR tours
  • Explore the Banning Mills Historic District consisting of 1800s mill, dam, and water raceway ruins!

If you want it all—thrills, history, nature, and variety—Banning Mills is the place to be.


Lake Guntersville Zip Line Adventures

Location: Lake Guntersville State Park, Guntersville, AL. The place for stunning lake views!

Set on the shores of Alabama’s largest lake, Lake Guntersville offers soaring views and peaceful beauty. Located just over the Georgia line, this hidden gem is still part of the southern end of the Blue Ridge boasting views of rolling hills and miles of water.

Zip Line Highlights:

  • 2 levels of zip line canopy tours
  • Level 2 includes three “super zips” over 1,000 feet long and unmatched views
  • Views of the State Park and lake not accessible any other way

Lake Guntersville Lodge Highlights:

  • Lodging and dining at Lake Guntersville State Park Lodge
  • Nature center, beach complex, championship golf course, and more
  • 36 miles of trails, fishing, and regular guided hikes

It’s an outdoor lover’s paradise with something for every age and interest.


Which Location Is Right for You?

Best location for families

This is a tough one! Here are some family friendly suggestions:

Banning Mills offers aerial adventure for kids ages 4 and up on our Crazy Squirrel Aerial Course. Children as young at 8 can enjoy the Level 1 zip line course. Families can enjoy staying in an iconic Tree House and taking advantage of free amenities like the seasonal pool and free putt-putt courses.

Children as young as 8 can enjoy Level 1 courses at Amicalola, Unicoi, and Lake Guntersville. Outside of our adventures, young children would likely enjoy the watersports offered at Unicoi and Lake Guntersville State Parks.

Best Hiking Opportunities

This depends on what you want to see and each hiker’s abilites.

Amicalola Falls offers the opportunity to hike to the falls and the head of the Appalachian Trail. These hikes can be strenuous but offer great views.

Unicoi State Park has trails around Lake Unicoi or nearby Anna Ruby Falls, ranging from a 1/3-mile nature trail to the six-mile roundtrip Unicoi/Helen Trail,

Banning Mills offers over 10 miles of trails winding through Snake Creek Gorge, along Snake Creek and over some amazing suspension bridges! You can explore historic ruins of 1800s era mills and dams and even walk along raceways that once supplied the mills with immense waterpower.

Lake Guntersville has many trails to choose from and the park has become a focal point of Eagle Awareness in the state with multiple nesting sites.

Most Intense Zip Lines

This one is easy – Banning Mills of course! We hold the Guinness World Record for the Longest Continuous Zip Line Canopy Course with over 100 zip lines that stretch over 11 miles if set end to end. We offer 5 Zip Line Canopy Tour Options, 2 All-Day Tour options, and a Two-Day Tour! Cross the 600-foot-long Sky Trek suspension bridge, towering over 100 feet above the creek, for unmatched aerial views. Zip back across the creek on the 1,000-foot-long Predator zip line, then ascend our 100-foot-tall tower to launch down Screaming Eagle — a breathtaking 2,500-foot-long zip line reaching speeds of 70-75 mph. Not to be outdone is the Amazing Flight of the Falcon zip line where riders fly like superman for 3,400 ft, parallel to Snake Creek Gorge!

Honorable mentions:

Level 3 at Amicalola Falls features a zip line that soars 200 high and 2,000 feel long with endless views of the North Georgia Mountains.

Level 2 at Lake Guntersville features 3 super zips that range from 1,000 to 2,100 feet and a thrilling take off from a 60-foot tower.


Zip Line Adventures for Every Season

No matter when you visit, each Screaming Eagle location offers a unique view of nature’s beauty—and an unforgettable way to experience it.

🍁 Fall

Fall is our most popular season for a reason. Rich reds, oranges, and golds sweep across the mountains and forested valleys. From mid-October to mid-November, the canopy becomes a kaleidoscope of color—best experienced from above the trees.

❄️ Winter

Don’t overlook winter! With the leaves gone, you’ll see further than ever before—across valleys, ridgelines, and winding rivers. Winter is one of the best times to appreciate the true shape of the land, with wide-open views and fewer crowds.

🌸 Spring

Spring brings an explosion of color and life back to the forest. Look for blooming Piedmont Azaleas, Mountain Laurel, and a chorus of birdsong as you fly through the warming air. It’s a vibrant, refreshing time to reconnect with nature.

☀️ Summer

The forest canopy comes alive in summer, offering welcome shade from the Southern sun. Cool breezes rush past your face as you zip from tree to tree—and every landing platform gives you a chance to pause and take in the view.


📸 Don’t Forget—FREE Photos Are Included!

Every zip line tour at our parks includes free photos, taken by our amazing guides on your adventure. We believe you should be able to live the moment and keep it, too—without having to pay extra or carry a camera.

You’ll leave with unforgettable memories and the pictures to prove it. Here is a gallery of photos taken on tour!


Stay, Play, and Zip in the Mountains

No matter which park you choose, you’ll be surrounded by natural beauty, thrilling adventures, and the opportunity to stay right where you play. Lodging, dining, and unforgettable views are part of every experience.

So what are you waiting for?
Adventure is calling—and the tree canopy is the best seat in the house.

Believe it or not, these aren’t our only locations! We have 2 more in Alabama–DeSoto and Wind Creek State Parks, and 2 in Kentucky– The Creation Museum and the Ark Encounter!

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