Living in Franklin makes it easy to enjoy some of Western North Carolina’s best outdoor attractions without planning an overnight trip. One memorable option is Highlands Aerial Park, located in Scaly Mountain between Franklin and Highlands.
From Sanctuary Village, the park is an easy drive for a morning or afternoon excursion. Visitors can choose an activity that fits into a half-day outing or combine the park with lunch and sightseeing in Highlands for a full day in the mountains.
Mountain Adventures for Different Ages and Comfort Levels
Highlands Aerial Park offers more than one way to experience the mountain. Its activities range from guided zipline tours to a children’s treetop course, scenic UTV rides, climbing challenges, a mountain swing, and a nature trail.
This variety can be especially helpful when a family or group includes people with different interests. Some may want the excitement of traveling through the forest canopy, while others may prefer to see the mountain from the ground or enjoy a guided ride.
Current activities include:
- Mountain zipline tours
- Zippy’s Treetop Adventure
- Scenic UTV tours
- Giant Mountain Swing
- Dual Tree Climb
- Hidden Falls Nature Trail
Because availability, operating days, and participation requirements may change seasonally, visitors should review the Highlands Aerial Park activities and make reservations before leaving Franklin.
Experience the Mountain Zipline Tour
The Mountain Zipline experience is the park’s signature adventure. The complete course includes eight ziplines and 17 aerial elements, with lines extending across the mountain terrain and forest canopy.
Visitors may be able to choose between a half tour and the full mountaintop experience. According to the park, the half tour generally takes approximately 1 to 1½ hours, while the full experience takes approximately 2 to 2½ hours.
This is an active outdoor activity rather than a passive ride. Participants should be prepared to walk on uneven or steep terrain, climb stairs, cross moving bridges, and use their hands to help manage their speed. Guides provide instruction and are positioned along the course to help participants complete each line safely.
The park has specific age, height, weight, health, and physical ability requirements for its zipline tours. Check the current Highlands Aerial Park frequently asked questions before booking, particularly if children or anyone with physical limitations will be participating.
Treetop Adventures for Younger Children
Families with younger children can consider Zippy’s Treetop Adventure. Designed primarily for children ages four to ten, the course includes suspension bridges, aerial obstacles, and two smaller ziplines.
The course uses a continuous safety system that keeps participants connected to the safety line as they move through the obstacles. Children ages four and five must be accompanied on the course by a paying adult, while older children may be able to participate independently.
Adults, including parents and grandparents who meet the participation requirements, may also join children on the course. Those who prefer to watch can use designated observation areas below it.
Enjoy the Views Without Ziplining
Not everyone wants to travel through the treetops, and Highlands Aerial Park provides alternatives.
The guided Scenic UTV Tour carries guests across the mountain terrain and toward summit views without requiring them to wear a zipline harness. It can be a good choice for family members who want to share the outing but prefer a less physically demanding activity.
Visitors can also explore the Hidden Falls Nature Trail, a self-guided walk through the park’s forest to a secluded waterfall. The trail is available when the park is open, although visitors must complete a digital waiver.
More adventurous guests can add the Giant Mountain Swing or Dual Tree Climb to their visit. Each activity has separate height, weight, age, or physical requirements, so confirm the details directly with the park when planning your trip.
Plan a Half Day Adventure from Franklin
A half-day visit works well for people who want an outdoor experience while leaving part of the day open for other plans.
For a morning outing, leave Sanctuary Village with enough time to arrive at the park before the scheduled check-in. The park generally asks visitors to arrive 30 minutes before their activity, or 15 minutes early when everyone has already completed the required digital waivers.
After a zipline tour, treetop course, or UTV ride, return to downtown Franklin for lunch, shopping, or a walk along the Little Tennessee River Greenway. Starting from Sanctuary Village makes this an easy combination because Historic Main Street, local restaurants, and the Greenway are only a few blocks from the community.
An afternoon reservation can work equally well. Spend the morning in Franklin, have an early lunch downtown, and then drive to the park for an afternoon in the trees.
Turn the Visit Into a Full Day Mountain Excursion
Highlands Aerial Park can also serve as the centerpiece of a full-day trip.
Begin with a morning activity at the park, when mountain temperatures may be cooler and afternoon showers may be less likely. Afterward, continue into the town of Highlands for lunch and an afternoon exploring its shops, galleries, and walkable downtown.
Another option is to pair the aerial park with a scenic drive and one or two short stops along the way. Waterfalls, overlooks, and forest scenery are part of what makes the Highlands area so appealing, but road conditions, parking availability, and trail conditions should always be checked before visiting an unfamiliar location.
A flexible itinerary might include:
- Morning zipline, treetop, or UTV reservation
- Lunch in Highlands
- Time to explore downtown Highlands
- A scenic stop on the return trip
- Dinner or a quiet evening back in Franklin
Keeping the itinerary simple allows time to enjoy the scenery without turning the day into a rushed checklist.
Ask About Local Resident Specials
Macon County residents should check with Highlands Aerial Park for local promotions before booking. The park periodically offers special rates for full-time residents of nearby counties.
For example, September 2026 is Locals Month. Through September 30, full-time residents of Macon, Jackson, or Rabun County can receive 50% off the Full Mountaintop Zipline Tour. Residents can use their home ZIP code as the promotional code when booking online or by phone, and the discount applies to as many as eight people on one reservation.
Offers and eligibility requirements can change, so confirm the current promotion directly with Highlands Aerial Park before making a reservation.
What to Know Before You Go
Mountain weather can change quickly, so clothing that can be layered is useful. Closed-toe, closed-heel shoes are required for the aerial activities. The park also recommends comfortable athletic clothing and a rain jacket when showers are possible.
Phones, cameras, and personal items are not permitted on the zipline course. Guides photograph the experience, and visitors may have the option to purchase the images afterward.
Reservations are strongly recommended. Participants should also review the cancellation policy, complete waivers in advance, and confirm that everyone meets the requirements for the selected activity. Restrooms are available at the lodge but not along the zipline course or in the gorge.
Highlands Aerial Park is located at 9625 Dillard Road in Scaly Mountain, North Carolina. Although Highlands is part of its name, the park is outside the town of Highlands, so entering the complete address into your navigation system is important.
Outdoor Adventure Within Easy Reach of Sanctuary Village
One advantage of living in Franklin is the ability to enjoy a wide range of mountain experiences while maintaining a convenient home base close to everyday services, restaurants, shopping, and community events.
From Sanctuary Village, residents and guests can leave downtown Franklin for a treetop adventure, scenic tour, waterfall walk, or day in Highlands and still return home the same evening. Highlands Aerial Park is one example of how Franklin’s central location makes both spontaneous outings and full-day excursions easy to incorporate into life in the mountains.
For current activities, reservations, and participation requirements, visit the Highlands Aerial Park website.