If you’re looking for one of the most unique and fun destinations in the Smoky Mountains, you won’t want to miss Gatlinburg SkyPark! This mountaintop park features several exciting activities for your family to enjoy, ranging from an elevated hike with scenic views to the longest pedestrian cable bridge in North America! Here are 4 fun attractions that you need to experience at Gatlinburg SkyPark:
1. Gatlinburg SkyLift
If you ever heard that “getting there is half the fun”, this is certainly true with a visit to Gatlinburg SkyPark! Your visit starts with a journey on the Gatlinburg SkyLift, an iconic chairlift ride that transports you from the heart of downtown Gatlinburg up 1,800 feet above sea level to the top of Crockett Mountain! This chairlift is the longest-running attraction in Gatlinburg, and it was the first four-season chairlift in the South when it opened in 1954. Today’s SkyLift is a smooth, comfortable, three-seat chairlift that was built in 2017.
2. Gatlinburg SkyBridge
Once reaching the peak of Crockett Mountain, see if you have what it takes to stroll across the magnificent Gatlinburg SkyBridge! This pedestrian cable bridge stretches nearly 700 feet across a deep valley in a single span, which is longer than two football fields! You can walk across the bridge at your own pace while soaking in the stunning views of the valley below, and you might even see a black bear if you are lucky! In the middle of the bridge, you’ll come across 30 feet of glass where you can look directly down beneath your feet!
3. Gatlinburg SkyTrail
Take your hiking adventures to new heights with the Gatlinburg SkyTrail, a scenic walkway that connects both ends of the Gatlinburg SkyBridge! This unique path allows you to take a leisurely hike in the mountains and is just one-third of a mile long, making it an easy choice for adults and kids alike! You’ll find an elevated boardwalk section with interactive signage about the engineering of the SkyBridge, the history of the Gatlinburg SkyLift, and the wildfires of 2016 that swept across Crockett Mountain. The other part of the trail is a non-boardwalk path that cuts into the natural hillside and offers tremendous views of the Smoky Mountains with every step!
4. Tulip Tower
When it comes to the fun attractions at Gatlinburg SkyBridge Park, don’t miss the Tulip Tower for the most amazing views in the Smokies! The Tulip Poplar Tree is the state tree of Tennessee, and this 70-foot-tall steel tower is in memory of the sole Tulip Poplar Tree that survived after the Gatlinburg Wildfires in 2016. The tower is set back in a ravine and is accessed by two rope bridges. There are four elevated viewing platforms, each of which has its own theme with a special story! You’ll get to learn about the flora and fauna of the Smoky Mountain region, so the Tulip Tower is both an entertaining and educational experience!
Check out all of the rooms at our hotel in Gatlinburg TN today to stay just minutes away from Gatlinburg SkyPark and dozens of other exciting Smoky Mountain attractions! We look forward to seeing you soon!
