POLICIES
PLEASE NOTE: The card you use to book AND the cardholder's government-issued photo identification MUST be present at check-in for BOTH activities and lodging. We cannot check you in without verifying both your ID and the card used to book the reservation.
The full charge at the time of booking is required.
Cancellation Policy
Requests to cancel must be emailed to info@historicbanningmills.com. We do not accept cancellations over the phone though we do welcome you to call with any questions first. Once processed, we will send you an emailed cancellation confirmation—please retain this for your records. If you do not receive the confirmation email, contact us right away to have it resent.
Cancellations made 7 days or more in advance of the reservation date will receive a full refund minus a $20 processing fee. You may also reschedule your reservation (change to a later date) at no charge if done 7 or more days in advance.
No refunds, changes, or transfers are available for cancellations made within 24 hours of your reservation. Weather-related cancellations are determined by our staff. View our weather policy below for more information.
Cancellations made less than 7 days but more than 24 hours in advance of the reservation date will receive a refund of the balance after the following fees:
- Overnight accommodations: The amount of the first night stay will be retained
- Activities: 50% of total activities cost will be retained
- $20 processing fee
Transfer and Rescheduling Options (within 7 days)
Less than 7 days but more than 24 hours in advance of the reservation date, you may either transfer your balance to a gift card (valid for 5 years), or reschedule your reservation for a later date, after the following fees:
- $25 for accommodations
- $5 per person per activity
Important Notice: Transfers and rescheduled reservations made within the 7-day cancellation window are subject to the less than 7-day cancellation policy for any future changes and are not eligible for a full refund.
No Refunds or Transfers are Offered For:
- Cancellations or “no-shows” on the day of your reservation
- Participants who don’t meet the listed physical requirements or are under the influence of drugs or alcohol
We encourage you to buy travel insurance which will assist you in case of last-minute cancellation needs. Because we are a small country inn, cancellations within 7 days make it extremely difficult to rebook those openings we have held for you. Sometimes, unforeseen things come up. Being prepared with travel insurance helps alleviate those last-minute surprises.
The credit/debit card used at booking and a government-issued photo ID matching the cardholder's name are required at check in. If you are unable to provide both of those at check in, or email us photos of those prior to check in, the reservation will be forfeited with NO refund.
Group Reservation & Cancellation Policy
We welcome groups and offer a discount for groups of 10 or more. Bring your company, camp, church, or any group of friends and family!
There can only be one point of contact and payment for your group. The person who made the reservation must be present to check-in and have the card used to make the reservation and an ID with the name used to make the reservation.
When making your reservation, we require 25% of the payment (non-refundable) at the time of booking and the remaining %75 must be paid at least 14 days prior to your reservation date.
For group cancellations less than 14 days prior to your reservation we will refund 50% of the total reservation cost minus a processing fee to the card used to make the reservation. This request is valid beyond 24 hours from the start of your reservation.
We offer a transfer option 24 + hours in advance of the reservation date. A transfer fee of $250 will be charged at the time of the transfer and a new date must be booked within 6 months of the original date.
Under 24 hours all reservations are considered final, and no refund will be given. Much preparation is required, and expenses are incurred to accommodate each scheduled tour and due to limited space others have likely been turned away for your tour time. Please notify us as soon as possible if changes need to be made to your reservation.
Requests for cancellations/transfers must be submitted via email. The easiest way to do so is to reply to your confirmation email. You may also email directly to info@historicbanningmills.com
Gift Card & Gift Certificate Terms & Conditions
Gift Cards
- Gift cards are valid toward any service, activity or lodging at Historic Banning Mills excluding dining.
- Paid dollar amount will hold its value for five years from the date of purchase.
- CLICK HERE TO PURCHASE A GIFT CARD.
- Must be redeemed by a person 18 years of age or older.
- Gift cards cannot be used to purchase gift cards/certificates.
- Gift cards cannot be redeemed for cash.
- Please view the website for weight and physical limitations.
- Restrictions may apply for adventure tours.
- Prices are subject to change without notice.
- Gift cards that have been redeemed WILL NOT be transferred, reused, or reissued.
- Our standard cancellation policies apply.
Gift Certificates
- Gift Certificates are specific to a certain activity or lodging option. If you purchase a discounted gift certificate it must be used for the service matching the certificate.
- Gift certificate promotions expire one year from the issue date and cannot be used toward existing reservations.
- After expiration, the value on the gift certificate can be used like a gift card for 5 years. The gift certificate will no longer discount the service it was purchased for, but the value can be used for any service. Example: If you purchase a level 4 for $99 deal and it expires, the gift certificate is still good for $99 but the level 4 tour is normally $169 so the certificate will take $99 off, making the amount you must pay $70.
- Customer will be responsible for costs and fees associated with dormancy, non-use or difference in promotional vs current pricing after the one-year expiration.
- Gift certificates cannot be redeemed for cash.
- Please view the website for weight and physical limitations for your desired activity.
- Restrictions may apply for adventure tours.
- Gift certificates that have been redeemed WILL NOT be transferred, reused, or reissued.
- Our standard cancellation policies apply.
Adventure Policies
Times:
Please arrive at Banning Mills at least 30 minutes before your scheduled event. We do try to leave as promptly as possible and if you are late, you may miss your tour time. We cannot guarantee you a place on the next tour. If you miss your tour time, there will be no refund given. Please understand that we DO NOT guarantee that you will go out promptly at your scheduled time. We have no control over weather pop- ups, unforeseen circumstances, or how guests will react to the course. Some adventures are quicker or shorter than the estimated tour time while others may take longer, depending on group size and physical abilities. Tour times are estimated and include gear-up and training. Make sure you take this into consideration as you plan your tour with us: please be patient, especially with others in your group, because you are going to be glad you did!
Dress Code:
Spring/Summer/Fall/Winter - Loose, comfortable clothing. Shorts/Capris/Jeans are acceptable. We would suggest a longer short. Please remember you are wearing a lower body harness that will lift your clothing up somewhat. Please do not wear short shorts, tube tops or halter type tops due to the gear you must wear. Shoes - No open toed, flip flops, sandals, or backless shoes. We do not allow fived-toed shoes either. Tennis shoes, walking/hiking boots are acceptable. Kayaking: water shoes or shoes with a back strap are required. No bare feet or flop flops allowed. Please feel free to bring your camera, only if you have a neck or wrist strap though. Remember: if you have the wrong shoes on, you will not be able to go on the tour, but you will be charged!
Weather Policy:
We will not run tours in thunderstorms, high winds, or "close-in" lightning (3 miles). It is important to remember that foul weather in your area does not necessarily mean foul weather at Banning Mills. Please call first if you have concerns about the weather. We will call only if we are certain your tour will not run. In some cases, tours may be postponed, allowing for some weather systems to pass. Sometimes tours might end up being on hold from 45 to 60 minutes due to weather pop ups. When you are planning a tour with us, please take this into consideration. If we do not call you, the tour is still " a go". If you do not show up, that will be considered a no show and the cancellation policy will kick in.
Participant Restrictions:
Each of our adventures have different age, weight, and/or height limits. Please refer to the specific adventure descriptions and review all weight requirements before booking each activity.
Zip line weight limits:
- Maximum Weight: 250 lbs. for females, 285 lbs. for males
- Minimum Weights: Vary depending on the tour level
Zip line safety is a complex science that involves more than just weight—it includes height, center of gravity, braking mechanics, and harness fit.
At Historic Banning Mills, we don’t just send you down a zip line—we teach you how to control your own speed and participate in the process. This is why our weight limits are designed with physics, safety, and guest capability in mind.
Our limits are based on typical differences in BMI, muscle mass, and weight distribution for the average person, all of which affect rider positioning and braking ability. Taller individuals tend to carry weight differently and have better leverage when braking, allowing them to participate at a higher weight threshold.
Rather than limiting everyone to 250 lbs., we’ve found that allowing a higher maximum for males provides a fair opportunity for all participants while maintaining the highest possible safety standards.
Our approach has worked effectively for over 20 years, helping us create a thrilling yet secure experience for all guests.
How do zip lines work and why do weight limits matter? Find out here.
General Requirements
We recommend you be in moderately good health.
You should be prepared for some light physical activity such as climbing stairs, crossing bridges, and walking short distances over uneven terrain. A certain level of physical mobility is required for participation.
Participants are required to have full range of motion, average balance capabilities, use of both of their upper and lower extremities (Eco-Spider SWINCARs do not require the use of lower extremities), be able to hear, see and understand verbal commands and hand signals, and must be capable of understanding, retaining and obeying verbal instructions.
Medical
Our adventure tours are not for those with recent joint or bone injuries, heart conditions, pregnant women (beyond the first trimester), moderate to severe muscular-skeletal problems or severe arthritis. This list is not complete and any guest with medical problems should notify the staff and consult their own MD for participation recommendations. If you require fast-acting medication (like epinephrine), bring the medication with you on the tour and make your guide aware of your condition prior to departure.
Some of our Eco-Spider SWINCARs are equipped for persons with reduced mobility. These must be requested upon making your reservation.
Right of Refusal:
DO NOT consume alcohol or other illegal drugs the day of your tour. We reserve the right to cancel your tour due to alcohol/drug consumption and you will be charged for the tour if this occurs.
We want you to enjoy your tour experience, however we also want you to be safe. For this reason, we reserve the right to refuse access to the tours to anyone. If it is determined that a guest’s participation on a course would compromise their safety, the staff’s safety, or the safety of other participants, they will be denied access to the tour.
Being under the influence of drugs or alcohol, demonstrating the inability to understand the rules, failing to obey the rules, being found to be over the weight limit, or determining a physical inability to complete an element of the tour are some, but not all, of the reasons a guest may be denied tour access. Our staff has the final say on any participant starting or continuing a tour. No refund is available to those refused access to the tour.
Please understand that this is for your safety and the safety of our guides and other guests.
"No Go" Policy:
Please understand that there are no refunds for guests who are unable to complete their chosen course. This is an aerial adventure designed to help confront and overcome fears while providing thrills and fun. Please consider what this activity is and how you/your child might react to heights and challenges before purchasing a ticket.
Should you discover that a course is too much for you, you may opt out of completing it. However, please keep in mind that by booking your course you took the slot of another paying guest. The guides scheduled for your course still must be paid. As such, you will still be charged for the basic level plus a credit card processing fee. Thanks for your understanding of our “no go” policy.
Free Photos:
We currently offer a small selection of free photos of your group. Our team of experienced guides will capture your zip line and Eco-Spider adventure while on the course. We will send you all the photos taken while on your adventure to the email address provided on your waiver.
If you do not receive our pictures in two business days, check your spam folder and then call us so that we can ensure the email entered is correct.
We do not consider our free photos service a part of your tour package. Occasionally technical failures, weather, or other problems arise. Unfortunately, due to the unreliable nature of this service, we cannot offer any compensation in case of unavailability or poor quality.
Media Release:
All free photos will be accessible to Historic Banning Mills and its affiliates and may be used in advertising materials in accordance with each guest’s waiver. 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 media usage or would like to opt out of this agreement, please notify us in advance. For more information, please contact us.
Lodging Policies
- Check in is between 4 p.m. and 10 p.m. Please note that we do NOT guarantee check in at 4pm. We will do our best but sometimes things happen, and rooms may be delayed for checking in. Because we are not a 24-hour facility, you must be here by 10 p.m. for guest services to check you in. Lodging guests receive a gate key for reentry after hours and gates close at 10 p.m.
- Check out is 11 a.m.
- If you must cancel, you must email that request to us.
- Please note that coupons cannot be combined with any other discount/promotion offered.
- We cannot not guarantee specific room numbers. We reserve the right to move rooms as necessary as long as it is the same type.
- We have free Wi-Fi in the main lodge and surrounding area. There are many locations on property that do not get a signal. We do not guarantee you will have Wi-Fi in your room.
- Room rates posted on the website are for double occupancy. Additional charges will be applied as follows: $20 per person per night for ages 5 years and older. This will include a full breakfast the following morning.
- Family Size Cabin prices are based on four people and do not include breakfast. Additional guests ages 5 and up will be an additional $20 per night. Full breakfast is not included with Family Cabin reservations but may be added upon check-in for an additional fee of $14.95 per person, $7.48 for kids ages 5-9 years, and free for kids 4 years and under.
- The number of guests using the premises shall not exceed the total number reserved on the reservation. You may not exceed the total number of people reserved. We do NOT allow extra outside guests on site unless this has been pre-arranged. Please see our website or call us at the main office if you need clarification. Lodging amenities are for reserved guests only.
- Any guest under the age of 18 must have an adult in attendance.
- Family Cabin Cleaning: To avoid a $250 cleaning/damage fee, please leave the cabin in good repair, clean, and remove all food. The cleaning fee will be applied if cabin is left uncleaned or damaged.
- Lost Room or Gate Keys: Please note that if you lose your room key, it is a $25 charge and if you lose your gate key, there is a $50 charge.
- Damages to the room/property may incur damage fees.
- We do not offer charging stations for electric vehicles. Running cords from outlets is not permitted.
Property Policies
Still have questions? Visit our FAQ page!
We want your stay at Historic Banning Mills to be as enjoyable as you could possibly imagine. We are situated in historic Snake Creek Gorge. When you visit Historic Banning Mills you can expect to be greeted by a serene natural environment. While we offer modern amenities, being in a gorge presents challenges for modern conveniences like high speed WIFI while you are out enjoying the natural environment of Historic Banning Mills. You will have WIFI service in certain areas around the property, but it is not high speed. We do have high speed WIFI available at the main lodge with dedicated WIFI in our meeting spaces for our corporate guests.