The Complete Guide to Southern Indiana Ziplines
If you and your significant other, your family, your friends, or whoever is looking for something a little different and really fun to do, flying through the air on a zipline definitely fits that bill. Fortunately, we have several places around southern Indiana where you can experience that thrill of flying through the air on a steel cable with nothing more than a strap and metal clip keeping you from falling to the ground.
What Does it Feel Like to Ride a Zipline?
I've only been ziplining once and would love to do it again. The best way I can describe it is like a roller coaster. Except, instead of sitting in a seat and being propelled forward by the wheels on the cars, you're dangling above the track. While a zipline won't go nearly as fast as some coasters, many are set up high above the ground, usually in a wooded area where they can be attached to trees over valleys or bodies of water. Watching the ground fall away from you as you glide down the line only adds to that thrill.
Here's how my one and only trip went a few years (and apparently 20 extra pounds) ago when a coworker and I made our way to French Lick to ride the lines at Lark Valley Ziplines.
Where to Zipline in Southern Indiana
If watching that video fueled your desire to give ziplining a try, check out one of these eight locations to get your adrenaline fix.
Lark Valley Ziplines
Location: 10400 US-150 Shoals, IN 47581 (Map)
Lark Valley offers two ziplining options. The Canopy Tour features 10 ziplines zig-zagging their way through the forest and the Mega-Zip Canopy Tour features the same 10 ziplines along with 3 "mega lines."
Book your ride on the Lark Valley website.
Squire Boone Caverns Zipline Adventures
Location: 100 Squire Boone Rd SW, Mauckport, IN 47142 (Map)
Squire Boone Caverns offers two different ziplining adventures. The Canopy Tour features lines that will take you "above scenic forests and ravines," while the Long Course Canopy Tour features "7,200 feet of zipline consisting of eight lines and two bridges."
Book your trip on the Squire Boone Caverns website.
eXplore Brown County at Valley Branch Retreat
Location: 2620 Valley Branch Rd, Nashville, IN 47448 (Map)
eXplore Brown County offers 15 ziplines and claims them all to be, "the longest, fastest, [and] tallest in Indiana.
Book your ride on the eXplore Brown County website
Louisville Mega Cavern - Louisville, KY
Location: 1841 Taylor Ave, Louisville, KY 40213 (Map)
Although it's not in southern Indiana, Louisville is a popular destination for residents in this area of the state for weekend getaways or day trips. Louisville Mega Cavern offers one of the most unique experiences on this list as riders zip down lines through the caverns underneath the city.
Book your ride on the Louisville Caverns website.
Indiana Zipline Tours
Location: 4641 W 450 S, Crawfordsville, IN 47933 (Map)
Located just northeast of Indianapolis, Indiana Ziplines offers day and night rides on "8 ZipLines, ranging from 150 to 2000 feet in length"
Book your ride on the Indiana Ziplines website.
Zip City Indy
Location: 6650 Bluff Rd, Indianapolis, IN 46217 (Map)
Like Louisville, Indianapolis is obviously not located in southern Indiana. However, the city is a popular destination for southern Indiana residents looking to get out of town for a few days. Unlike the other zipline locations on this list, Zip City's lines are all indoors, and feature four lines "each spanning almost 275 feet long and 3 Stories High" zipping riders up to speeds of 20 mph.
Learn more on the Zip City Indy website.
Go Ape Zipline and Adventure Park
Location: 5855 Delong Rd, Indianapolis, IN 46254 (Map)
Go Ape offers not only standard ziplines, but some with aerial obstacles you'll have to navigate to get from one end of the line to the other.
Learn more and book your trip on the Go Ape website.