5 Fun Things to Do at the Gatlinburg SkyLift Park
Published Mar 10, 2020
If you’re feeling adventurous, the SkyLift Park may be the perfect cherry on top of your Gatlinburg stay. This park isn’t for the faint of heart, but if you want to get the best view possible of the Smoky Mountains, the Gatlinburg SkyLift Park is a must-see!
There are a lot of things to do at Gatlinburg SkyLift Park, including a lift ride, an expansive deck and the longest SkyBridge in the South. You can easily spend the whole day at this park, so mark off some time on your vacation calendar. For a glimpse of what your day at the Gatlinburg SkyLift Park might look like, here’s a rundown of the five major attractions.
1. SkyLift
Fancy a view from five hundred feet in the air, slowly soaring over Crockett Mountain? Well this is where you’ll get it!
Although the SkyLift has been around since the 1950’s the current machines are all state of the art, built in 2017. The SkyLift is the safest and easiest way to scale the Smoky Mountains.
And don’t worry about wasting time messing with your camera or phone. At the top of the mountain, you’ll get your group’s photo taken by park photographers.
When to ride: The SkyLift should be your first stop at the Gatlinburg SkyLift park, and not just because it’s in the park’s name. You have to ride the SkyLift to get to some of the other attractions, and if you wait too late in the day, you may not have time to enjoy everything.
2. SkyDeck
As soon as you step off the SkyLift, you’ll be greeted with the spectacular SkyDeck. Positioned precisely at the top of Crockett Mountain, the SkyDeck is a chance to relax. Grab a snack or a beer and soak in the gorgeous view.
The SkyDeck is a very relaxing activity. There’s no rush up here. You can choose to stay for five minutes or five hours. You might want to spend some time enjoying the SkyDeck right after you first get to the top of the mountain, or you can dash off to the SkyBridge first and hit the SkyDeck on your way back down (and there’s no law saying you can’t do both!).
3. SkyBridge
The SkyBridge is the SkyLift Park’s grand attraction. This pedestrian suspension bridge is the longest in the United States and gives you a spectacular walking tour of the Smoky Mountains’ greatest heights.
The SkyBridge is an amazing experience that doesn’t require any special skills. Anyone can traverse the SkyBridge and look down over all of Gatlinburg.
Walk 680 feet across a grand valley from a staggering height of 140 feet! The best part about the SkyBridge is that you can set your own pace. So whether you’re looking for a brisk walk or a leisurely stroll with your whole family, you can enjoy your time on the SkyBridge.
4. SkyCenter
The SkyCenter is also at the top of Crockett Mountain. It’s here that you’ll be able to grab your souvenir photo (the one that was professionally taken for you at the top of your SkyLift journey). There’s a lot of other fun gifts and snacks to purchase here, too.
From the cozy inside bar you can gaze out over the mountains and enjoy the breathtaking view. This is also a great way to cool down if you’ve been outside in the southern heat all day.
Take your snack out onto the SkyDeck, and don’t forget to grab some souvenirs before you head back down the mountain. The Gatlinburg SkyLift Park is a trip you’ll definitely want to remember.
When to visit: Put the SkyCenter in the middle of your park day. It’s a great recharging station.
5. SkyPark
The top of the summit marks the Gatlinburg SkyPark. Spend your day perusing the top of the mountain and enjoy a view that most people never get to experience. The park doesn’t close until 10 pm, so you can spend a good deal of time up here soaking in the scenery if you choose to.
There are no limits or guidance up here, the adventure is up to you! So feel free to dash around or leisurely stroll by, whatever helps you get your fill of the mountain.
A visit to the Gatlinburg SkyLift Park marks a great yearly tradition for a lot of people. You won’t want to travel through Tennessee without seeing it at least once. The SkyPark is continually adding new attractions and activities, so be sure to check it out again if you ever head back that direction.
Be sure to buy your tickets early, so you can take advantage of cheaper prices!
After an exhilarating day at SkyLift Park, unwind in one of our comfortable Gatlinburg cabin rentals. Reserve your cabin now to complete your perfect mountain getaway!
