While city living can be quite thrilling, nothing compares to flying through the trees 40-50 feet above the ground. Chicago is a bustling city, but the surrounding suburbs are full of dense forests that are perfect for ziplining. Whether you’re a local or a tourist, you may be wondering where to go ziplining in Chicago, don’t worry I have you covered.
There are several great ziplines in the Chicago area. Because Chicago is a packed city, many of the best ziplines require you to drive at least 30 minutes in the suburbs. Let’s look at the best places to go ziplining in and around Chicago:
1. Go Ape Zipline Chicago
Location: 1100 Ogden Avenue Western Springs, IL 60554
Head to Go Ape Zipline in the suburbs of Chicago for an unforgettable ziplining experience. Located in Western Springs, Illinois, in the Bemis Woods Forest Preserves, Go Ape Zipline Chicago is home to 45 unique aerial obstacles, including a zipline that spans 553 feet. There are several packages to choose from, but the Treetop Adventure is the most popular.
The Treetop package takes 2-3 hours to complete and features the longest ziplines and tallest platforms. The tallest platform at Go Ape Zipline stands 43 feet tall. Treetop Adventure packages cost $48 per person for kids and $64 per person for adults.
You can also sign up for the shorter Treetop Journey experience, which is shorter and costs less per person for all age groups. This package only entails 21 obstacles and takes roughly 1 ½ hours to complete. Children will love the Treetop Nets package which features nets, slides, and treehouses.
You can also throw axes at Go Ape Zipline for $20 per hour. The 60-minute Forest Escape is the most unique experience at Go Ape Zipline, and it costs $20 per hour as well.
2. Zip Chicago
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Location: 2681 E Rte. 6, Marseilles, IL 61341, United States
Zip Chicago is home to 8 thrilling ziplines, and the longest one measures 1,000 feet long. You will take off on platforms as tall as 85 feet, and you can fly as fast as 45 miles per hour on some of the lines. There are also two sky bridges to traverse during your journey between ziplines. This Zipline is EBL Zipline created, a company that built the first zipline tour in the USA in Hawaii in 2002 and has completed many since to the highest standards.
The parallel racing ziplines add a sense of competition to the course, and the dual lines span 800 feet. Zip Chicago is unique for its dense forest setting. As you make your way across the sky bridges and ziplines, you get the chance to soak in the beautiful setting, and that’s one of the highlights of the experience.
It can take up to 2 ½ hours to complete the course, but it varies based on your pace and group size. You will be accompanied by at least 2 tour guides who will help make you comfortable and guide you through the course. The standard zipline tour costs $69 per person, and the nighttime tour costs $99 and takes 30 minutes longer to complete.
3. The Forge Adventure Park & Zipline
@theforgelemontSend to someone you’d go on an Adventure Date with! 🧗🏾♀️ You don’t want to miss this incredible deal, save big on the Climb & Zipline Adventure AND get a free beverage at the end! Look for the “Zip N Sip” deal when you book your Climb & Zipline Adventure!♬ Never Too Much Remixx – Krishan Singh
Location: 227 Heritage Quarries Dr, Lemont, IL 60439, United States
Located in Lemont, Illinois, The Forge Adventure Park & Zipline is a mandatory destination for thrill-seekers near Chicago. It only takes 47 minutes to drive from Chicago to Lemont, and it’s worth it for the 1,000-foot zipline alone. Besides the massive zipline, you can also find over 200 ropes course obstacles at The Forge Adventure Park with the Climb & Zipline Adventure.
This package costs $80 for adults on weekdays and $95 on weekends. Children’s admission is $70 on weekdays and $85 on weekends. If the zipline and ropes courses aren’t thrilling enough, you can also play laser tag and go kayaking, go-karting, and axe-throwing for $40-$55 per day for weekdays and weekends, respectively.
However, the most comprehensive offer is the Ultimate Adventure Pass, which costs $99-$119 per person. This gives you access to all the activities on the property, and I recommend it for any thrill-seeker in Chicago.
4. Boundless Adventures
Location: 9800 County Hwy M B, Bristol, WI 53104, United States
The 1 ½-hour drive from Chicago to Bristol, Wisconsin is worth every minute if you’re a thrill-seeker. Bristol is home to Boundless Adventures which features 9 unique courses with ropes, aerial obstacles, and ziplines. The 9 courses are split into 4 types based on age and difficulty.
They recommend that children choose the Sunriser course which features 3 ziplines and 12 obstacles. As each tier increases in difficulty, you will face more unique obstacles that are higher in the air. For example, the Conqueror course takes you 30-40 feet in the air and focuses on balance.
There are 20 total ziplines at Boundless Adventures spread throughout all the courses. The massive property also features 100 rope bridges. Each of the course packages takes 2-3 hours to complete. A 3-hour pass costs $62 per person, and a 2-hour pass costs $52 per person.
I recommend going on weekdays when it’s less busy and 2-hour passes only cost $45. You can also book axe-throwing lanes at Boundless Adventures for $50 per hour.
5. ClimbZone Chicago
Location: 2500 W Bradley Pl Suite M, Chicago, IL 60618, United States
Look no further than ClimbZone Chicago if want to find a beginner-friendly indoor zipline for children. They offer the perfect gateway zipline for young thrill-seekers that may be apprehensive to try a massive outdoor zipline. While the zipline only runs 60 feet long, it provides a great thrill to fly above your friends in the comfort of air conditioning.
ClimbZone Chicago also features a fun indoor ropes course, and it’s a great introduction to what you’d find at an outdoor adventure park. You can also try out the exciting and well-themed climbing walls that feature fun backdrops, such as a lighthouse and a skyscraper. Laser tag and bumper cars round out the many attractions at ClimbZone Chicago.
The Everest Package costs $42 per person and includes access to everything at ClimbZone, including the fun zipline. This package covers 3 hours of fun. The Rainier Package takes 2 ½ hours, and it includes access to the ropes course, zipline, and climbing walls.
6. Lake Geneva Ziplines & Adventures
Location: N3232 Co Trunk H, Lake Geneva, WI 53147, United States
About 2 hours of driving distance from Chicago, you can make your way to the thrilling Lake Geneva Ziplines! In this 100-acre property, you will find a 9 line zipline course that will take up to 2.5 hours long. The best thrill is the 1200-foot dual line racing zipline, where you will reach high speeds and experience a good adrenaline rush.
Enjoy the high heights on the 5 tall sky bridges and 4 spiraling staircases!
If you finish up the ziplining and are looking for more thrill then you are in luck, there is a high ropes course, climbing tower, and mountain biking is available too.
The ropes course is a true challenge, you get to test your physical limits on the 17 obstacles throughout the high platforms.
You can book each adventure alone, or mix and match to save a few bucks and get twice the thrills!
Find more ziplines near Chicago in our related ziplining locations posts below:
- 14 Ziplines in Michigan for Thrill Seekers
- 7 Thrilling Places to Go Ziplining In Iowa
- 6 Thrilling Places to Go Ziplining in Cleveland, Ohio
- Where Can You Go Ziplining in St. Louis?
- Where Can You Go Ziplining in Louisville?
- 4 Thrilling Places to Go Ziplining in Kansas City
- 6 Thrilling Spots to Go Ziplining in Branson, Missouri
- 9 Thrilling Spots To Go Ziplining in Indiana
How Much Does Ziplining Cost In Chicago?
Expect to pay anywhere from $40 to $110 to go ziplining in and around Chicago. The cost of ziplining varies based on age, course package, and day of the week. For example, full packages at courses like The Forge Adventure Park cost up to $95 on weekends but only $80 on weekdays. Admission for children is typically $5-$10 less for adults at most ziplining courses in Chicago, Illinois.
Is Ziplining In Chicago Safe?
Ziplining in Chicago is quite safe as they follow Association for Challenge Course Technology standards. The ziplining courses in the area provide equipment for you and don’t allow guests to bring their own equipment. You will also receive instruction from your ziplining tour guides before you begin, and they will help you along the way to ensure your safety.
You can always ask questions but never play around with your zip gear as you do not want to unclip and detach any required pieces.
What Are Some Similar Activities You Can Do In The Area?
Why not continue the fun after a day of ziplining? Whether it be axe-throwing or go-karting, there are many similar thrill rushes to find in and around Chicago!
Kanya Axe Throwing & Rage Room Lounge
Why would you settle for one adrenaline rush when you can get two in the same location? Kanya Axe Throwing & Rage Room Lounge features 14 axe-throwing lanes and a chaotic rage room. The rage room is the highlight of the experience, and guests can destroy objects without repercussions in a uniquely themed environment. Let all your anger out here!
There are three rage rooms, and they are each themed and designed to help you take out all your frustrations! A group of 2 can experience the rage room for $108 for 20 minutes of destruction. You can book an axe-throwing lane an hour for $35, or $55 per person for 2 hours.
I recommend cooling off in the unique lounge area after you exhaust your energy in the rage room after throwing axes.
The Escape Game Chicago
The Escape Game Chicago is home to some of the best escape rooms in Chicago. There are 5 unique escape rooms to choose from, and they each feature entirely different themes, plotlines, and puzzles. You get 60 minutes to escape from each room, and the themes include everything from prison breaks to a mission to Mars.
Each escape room accommodates up to 8 guests, but you can complete the challenges with 3-4 people if you work together. The escape rooms cost $42 per person, and you must reserve your time slot in advance.
K1 Speed Addison
K1 Speed is a top-tier indoor go-karting facility located an hour from Chicago in Addison, Illinois. The facility features two impressive tracks that accommodate children and adults. They also have a vibrant arcade and a unique Cyber Sport course.
The Cyber Sport course puts you in control of bumper cars as you compete with your friends in a unique hybrid of lacrosse and basketball. A game of Cyber Sport costs $25, but you can bundle 2 games for $25. A race on the go-kart track costs $28, but I recommend that you book three races for $65!
Love Go-Karts? See our related post “17 Activities Like Go-Karting to Do With Your Friends” here.
Jamie is the founder of Action Sporter. He is the chief zipline writer and the lead editor. He has 5 years of zipline experience being a tour guide in Newfoundland. Most of the time you can find Jamie adventure traveling, hiking, skiing, skateboarding, or anything action related!
