Outdoor & Aerial Adventures At
Historic Banning Mills
Historic Banning Mills offers a wide range of outdoor adventures in Georgia, from record-breaking zip line canopy tours to serene kayak trips. Located just outside Atlanta in the Snake Creek Gorge, our adventure park has something for everyone, from extreme thrills like the world’s longest zip line canopy tour and the tallest freestanding climbing wall, to family-friendly hikes, nature programs, and more. Explore all of our adventures below!
Historic Banning Mills was the first zip line and aerial adventure park in North America and still holds multiple Guinness World Records. Our canopy tours span miles of cable through Snake Creek Gorge, combining thrill and scenery in one unforgettable adventure. Whether you’re just starting out or looking for extreme heights, we have a course for you.
- 100+ zip lines with nearly 11 miles of cable to explore
- Guinness World Record: longest continuous zip line canopy tour in the world
- Range of courses: beginner-friendly and kids’ lines to 3,000+ ft extreme zips hundreds of feet in the air
- It takes two full days to experience every line
- Stunning views of Snake Creek Gorge and forest canopy crossings
Along your zip line tour, our guides will assist you in following our three main rules:
1. Be Safe
2. Have Fun
3. Learn Something
We use the Vertical Trek Innovations (VTI) Continuous Closed Belay System as our Primary Safety while at height. VTI is trusted by hundreds of zip line and adventure courses around the world and eliminates the potential of accidental disconnects during your tour. This means you are as safe as you can possibly be, leaving you to sit back, relax, and enjoy the adventure!
The Eco-Spider SWINCAR is our newest outdoor adventure! The SWINCAR is a fully electric, off-road vehicle designed to tackle rugged terrain with ease. With independent motors and suspension on each wheel, the SWINCAR glides over rocks, boulders, and uneven ground while keeping you upright and comfortable. Several cars are ADA-accessible, with pivoting arms that allow guests with limited mobility to transfer in and experience the trails.
- 60–90 minute guided tours through Snake Creek Gorge
- Choice of single or tandem cars
- Cross a 170-foot suspension bridge above Snake Creek
- See historic ruins and scenic overlooks along the trail
- All-electric vehicle with independent suspension and motors
- ADA-accessible models available
Our week-long summer day camps combine nature-based learning with outdoor adventure. Kids and teens spend their days exploring, building confidence, and making friends while enjoying a wide variety of activities. We offer two camp programs designed for different age groups: Camp Adventure for ages 8–13 and Camp Extreme for ages 13–16.
- Camp Adventure (ages 8–13)
- Camp Extreme (ages 13–16)
- Activities include:
- Archery
- Fishing
- Paddle boarding
- Swimming
- Team-building challenges
- Zip lining
- Nature walks & programs
- Kickball and outdoor games
- Week-long summer day camps (Monday–Friday)
Strengthen teamwork and leadership skills while enjoying the outdoors. Our professional facilitators lead groups through unique challenges, puzzles, and GPS-based adventures designed to improve communication, problem-solving, and overall group performance. Each activity blends fun with professional development, giving your team practical takeaways they can apply at work or in daily life.
Program Highlights
- Led by professional facilitators with team development expertise
- Outdoor challenges, puzzles, and games that require collaboration
- Focus on communication, efficiency, and problem-solving
- GPS adventures and interactive scavenger hunts
- Lessons tied back to the workplace or personal growth
- Customizable programs to fit your group’s goals and outcomes
Take on the challenge of climbing the tallest freestanding artificial climbing wall in the world, right here at Historic Banning Mills. Standing at 140 feet tall, this wall offers multiple routes for all skill levels. Whether you’re a first-time climber or a seasoned pro, our professional facilitators are there to guide and encourage you every step of the way. And when you reach the top, you’ll earn a certificate of achievement to mark your world-record climb.
Climbing Highlights
- Guinness World Record: tallest freestanding climbing wall (140 feet)
- Four unique climbing routes to match different skill levels
- Guided by professional climbing facilitators
- Earn a certificate of completion when you reach the top
- Thrilling views from the summit of Snake Creek Gorge
Discover Georgia’s native wildlife up close with our engaging nature programs at Historic Banning Mills. Led by experienced staff, these shows introduce guests to fascinating local species in a way that’s both educational and fun, perfect for families, school groups, or anyone who loves the outdoors.
- Learn about indigenous reptiles, mammals, and raptors
- Hands-on, interactive presentations designed for all ages
- Educational focus blended with fun, exciting demonstrations
- Great for families, schools, or group events
Experience horseback riding along historic trails and peaceful woodlands at Historic Banning Mills. Riders follow the old water raceway systems beside Snake Creek and pass the ruins of the paper mill, making this a truly unique ride through both nature and history. Our experienced instructor, Lara, has over 20 years of horseback riding expertise, ensuring you’re in safe hands throughout the journey.
Ride Highlights
- Scenic trails along Snake Creek and historic mill ruins
- Guided by Lara, an instructor with 20+ years of experience
- Rides range from 1–2 hours
- Peaceful and unique experience year-round
- Riders must be 10 years or older
Step back in time as you hike the old town roads, Creek Indian paths, and water raceways that crisscross Snake Creek Gorge. Along the way, you’ll encounter the ruins of a historic paper mill, walk over century-old raceways, and immerse yourself in the rich history of Historic Banning Mills. Trails range from mild to moderately strenuous, making them accessible for most visitors.
Before or after your hike, visit our lodge museum to learn about the area’s past — then take to the trails and see the history firsthand. You may even spot adventurers zip lining through the trees or riders on horseback as you explore the acres of forest and waterways.
Trail Highlights
- Paths include old town roads, Creek Indian trails, and water raceways
- Explore historic mill ruins along Snake Creek
- Trails vary from mild to moderately strenuous
- Interpretive history at the lodge museum
- Opportunities to spot wildlife, zip liners, and horseback riders
Paddle through history and nature on a peaceful kayaking trip at Historic Banning Mills. Our stable, unsinkable kayaks are designed for safety, they’re harder to tip than boats or canoes and require no roll training, making them perfect for beginners and families. As you float, you’ll have the chance to experience the native heritage of the Creek and Cherokee tribes, who paddled these same waters generations ago.
Kayaking Highlights
- Unsinkable kayaks: safer and more stable than canoes or boats
- No roll training required — beginner-friendly
- Paddle the Chattahoochee River or our on-site lake
- Relaxing way to observe wildlife and natural scenery
- Explore waters once traveled by Creek and Cherokee Indians
Adventure FAQs
Historic Banning Mills offers a wide variety of outdoor activities including zip line canopy tours, Eco-Spider SWINCAR off-road tours, summer camps for kids and teens, team-building challenges, the world’s tallest climbing wall, scenic hiking trails, horseback riding, kayaking, and live nature shows.
Minimum age is 4 years old for the Crazy Squirrel Aerial Course and 8 years old for the Level 1 Zip Line Canopy Tour, with specific courses for kids, families, and advanced riders. View our Adventures by Age page to help guide your activity choice!
The longest zip line at Historic Banning Mills is the Amazing Flight of the Falcon at over 3,400 feet long, part of the Guinness-record canopy tour. It soars hundreds of feet above Snake Creek Gorge.
Historic Banning Mills is located in the Snake Creek Gorge, about 45 minutes from Atlanta, Georgia.
Yes, guests can stay in cabins, treehouses, or lodge rooms and bundle lodging with activities like zip line tours and kayaking. Check out all lodging options and if you want to stay and play, book an adventure package!
Yes. Several of our Eco-Spider SWINCARs are ADA-accessible with pivoting arms, allowing guests with limited mobility to transfer into the vehicle and join the guided adventure.
We offer two day camp programs: Camp Adventure for ages 8–13 and Camp Extreme for ages 13–16. Both camps run for a full week and include activities like zip lining, archery, paddleboarding, and nature programs.
Our Adventure Tower stands at 140 feet tall, making it the tallest freestanding climbing wall in the world. Climbers can earn a certificate once they reach the top.
The prices for activities at Historic Banning Mills differ between each. Check out our Adventure Prices menu to quickly look through price options by activity!
Yes. Guests can explore miles of historic trails along Snake Creek, including old town roads, Creek Indian paths, and water raceways. Trails range from mild to moderately strenuous, with opportunities to see mill ruins, wildlife, and other adventurers.
Yes, but riders must be 10 years or older. Our guided horseback rides are 1–2 hours long and led by an experienced instructor along scenic historic trails.
Guests can enjoy peaceful kayaking on the Chattahoochee River or our on-site lake. Our unsinkable kayaks are beginner-friendly and perfect for observing wildlife and learning about the Creek and Cherokee heritage of the region.
We want your stay at Historic Banning Mills to be as enjoyable as you could possibly imagine. We are situated in the 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 Wi-Fi while you are out enjoying the natural environment of Historic Banning Mills. You will have Wi-Fi service in certain areas around the property, but it is not high speed. We do have high-speed Wi-Fi available at the main lodge with dedicated Wi-Fi in our meeting spaces for our corporate guests.