FROM APPLE CIDER TO ZIP-LINES IN SEVIERVILLE, TENNESSEE
Spend several adventurous days in Sevierville, Tennessee chasing an adrenaline rush, as four daredevils recently video recorded themselves doing, and Foxfire Mountain Adventure Park is an essential stop.
“The zip-lining was super cool,” says Darby Bollinger, one of the adventurers. “The guides were super engaging and fun. It was a really interesting course with lots of variations in the zip-lines and amazing views.”
Her friend and fellow adventurer agrees. “Being 600 feet in the air dangling from a wire from mountain to mountain is really cool,” says Preston Collum. “The staff at Foxfire Mountain Adventure Park really made the experience what it was. They were super personable with huge personalities, made lots of jokes, and were simply fun to be around.”
Foxfire Mountain Adventure Park is home to 150 acres of excitement. In 2010, the Postlewaite Family converted their Hereford cattle farm to an adventure destination with a seven-line zip-line course, ATV tour, 335-foot long Bridge to Prosperity, and more. Even more adventures have been added to the park since it opened.
To learn more about the adventurous experiences available at Foxfire Mountain Adventure Park, we talked to Lena Marler, director of sales.
When the four adventurers visited Foxfire Mountain Adventure Park, what did they do?
They crossed America’s longest swinging bridge, zip-lined our famous Goliath zip-line, which is the highest and longest line in the Smoky Mountains, plus our Waterfall Canopy Tour of seven amazing zip-lines over rivers, creeks and pristine forest canopy. They also tackled our Tree Climber Aerial Ropes Course, a self-guided challenge with 12 elements including balance beams and tight rope walks, and scaled our Gorilla Climbing Wall, which is the largest climbing wall in the Smoky Mountains.
In the video, a zip-liner is shown leaping off the platform by jumping into head-over-heels summersaults. Is this allowed?
It’s up to the individual zip-liner, but yes we allow it. Most of the time, it’s our guides who do that, but some guests do it as well or hang upside down. It’s safe as long as you listen to the guides’ safety instructions and use the proper safety equipment.
There are so many different types of zip-line systems. What equipment do you use?
Safety is our number one concern. We use all the required equipment related to safety, including a harness and a helmet—some helmets can accommodate a GoPro camera. Closed toe shoes are required; no sandals or flip-flops on any of our adventures.
How many people comprise a zip-line group?
Two guides accompany up to 10 guests.
Do the zip-liners manage their own transfers around the course?
The guide makes the transfers. The guides also manage all the braking with the automatic braking system. Guests hold onto the T-bars while zipping. We do not offer tandem zip-lining.
What speeds can be reached on the zip-line course?
Up to 55 miles per hour.
Are there weight/age requirements?
For the waterfall course you must be at least seven years old and weigh 45 to 265 pounds. For the Goliath you must be at least 10 years old and weigh between 100 and 250 pounds.
How long does it take to complete the zip-line course?
The waterfall course takes about two hours. The Goliath course also takes about two hours. Some guests do both courses—it depends how much adrenaline you want.
Do the zip-line courses involve some other obstacles or challenges?
The Goliath includes climbing some steps. The waterfall course includes two sky bridges.
What other adventures do you offer?
The Tree Climber Aerial Ropes Course is a self-guided challenge, but you are securely tethered throughout each of the 12 elements. There are balance beams, tight rope walks, invisible steps, two zip lines that zig zag over Dunn Creek and more to test your balance and agility.
The Gorilla Climbing Wall is the largest climbing wall in the Smokies. It’s a state-of-the-art climbing wall that’s over 60 feet high with five climbing lanes of varying degrees of difficulty. There are molded hand grips and foot rocks plus an automatic belay system so if you let loose you’re gently lowered to the ground.
The Bear Crawler Adventure is an extreme eight-wheel ATV drive on rugged off-road trails. It’s an hour-long tour that drives past a waterfall, mine, and up to the top of the mountain. The vehicle holds up to five people plus the driver—one of our drivers is behind the wheel.
The Bridge to Prosperity is America’s longest swinging bridge and stretches 335 feet across Foxfire Gorge. You can cross it and also hike several trails and other bridges throughout the 150 acres.
Plus, you serve some great tastes.
Right. We have Wyile Cider House, the only craft cidery in the state of Tennessee. It makes hard and soft ciders, handcrafted here (though the apples aren’t grown on the farm). There are several different flavors to sample and tastings are free.
Zippin’ Pig Barbecue is open from Memorial Day through Labor Day and serves smoked barbecue pork and chicken plus potato salad, cole slaw and chips. It’s delicious! We use an old smoker and instead of shredding the meat real fine it’s cut into chunks. Beef hotdogs, veggie burgers and ice cream are also available on the menu.
Get There…
Foxfire Mountain Adventure Park
3757 Thomas Lane
Sevierville, Tennessee 37876
865-446-5149
In addition to Foxfire Mountain Adventure Park, several whitewater rafting opportunities welcome adventurers in the Smokies, including…
Adrenaline Park operates the longest zip-lines over water in North America. Race three other adventurers down a half-mile cable.
Anakeesta boasts dual zip-lines, each over 1,000 feet long, so you can zip alongside a companion. Rappel 60 feet down to a cushioned platform.
Climb Works boasts a nine-zip course with three sky bridges.
Legacy Mountain Ziplines boasts seven zip-lines over 4.5 total miles, each one up to 2,500 feet long and 300 feet high.
