Where to Go Zip Lining in Minnesota
Where to Go Zip Lining in Minnesota
By Brian Fanelli
Soaring through the air on a Minnesota zip line is the ultimate blend of adrenaline, adventure and excitement. Experience the thrill of the zip as you glide among tree tops and take in aerial views from the safety of your harness!
See Minnesota's 10,000 lakes from a new perspective on a zip line / Brainerd Zip Line Tour
Zip Line Tours in Greater Minnesota
For a zip lining experience among the old-growth forests and pristine lakes of northeast Minnesota, head to the Towering Pines Canopy Tour along the Gunflint Trail. The scenic, two-hour tour spans eight different zip lines and takes you on an exhilarating adventure overlooking the Gunflint Lodge, Lonely Lake and lush forest. And, as you zip between 200-year-old white pines, you'll learn snippets of historical and naturalist information from your trusty zip line guide.
Looking for something a little more extreme? Test your limits at the Character Challenge Course near Park Rapids, where three different levels of zip lining packages cater to every comfort level. All three tours include an obstacle course and ride on the 370-foot zip line, but you'll have to try the "extreme" package to experience a face-first free fall from 30 feet in the air.
Walk through the treetops at Kerfoot Canopy Tours / Jim Henderson
A group gets ready to tackle an adrenaline-pumping suspension bridge / Brainerd Zip Line Tour
Zip through the Minnesota River Valley at Kerfoot Canopy Tours / Jim Henderson
Go zip lining with the whole family at Kerfoot Canopy Tours / Jim Henderson
Fly down Duluth's Spirit Mountain on the 700-foot Timber Twister ride
Beyond the north woods, Kerfoot Canopy Tours in southern Minnesota offers 2.5 hours of high-flying fun across 14 zip lines. The original Kerfoot can be found in the beautiful Minnesota River Valley, while its sibling company, Brainerd Zip Line Tour, brings its high flying excitement to the Brainerd Lakes area.
Still not sure about this whole zip lining thing? Try the Timber Flyer zip line at Spirit Mountain in Duluth. Unlike the harness mechanism found on traditional zip lines, the Timber Flyer traverses its 700-foot zip line on a single or double bench-style seat secured with safety belts. For anyone dipping their toes into zip lining, the Timber Flyer is a great place to start.
Barnacle Blast is the longest indoor zip line in the country / Nickelodeon Universe at Mall of America
Zip Line Tours Near Minneapolis
For more places to fly closer to Minneapolis, go no further than Nickelodeon Universe at Mall of America, where you can ride the longest indoor zip line in the country. The SpongeBob-themed Dutchman's Deck Adventure Course features a ropes challenge, spiral slide and, of course, the 55-foot high Barnacle Blast zip line.
You can also visit Sand Creek Adventures just southwest of Minneapolis in Jordan, where three zip lines and a high ropes challenge course await intrepid visitors.
Brian Fanelli is a Minneapolis-based writer. You can reliably find him browsing the sci-fi shelves in a local bookstore or biking one of Minnesota's spectacular trails.