Iowa is known as one of the agricultural capitals of the United States, but it has much more to offer than just that. Believe it or not, Iowa State has some great opportunities for us thrill seekers to get an adrenaline rush. You will find everything from skydiving to go-karting at the many local tracks, but let’s not forget that Iowa has five zipline options you need to check out, with some others just on the state borders.
Iowa ranks 26th in terms of area size at 55,857 square miles as a state, so 6 ziplines may not seem like a lot, but if you want to go, it will take you less than a day’s travel to make it there. Plus, there are a few just nearby Iowa that you may be able to visit if it fits your traveling schedule.
Let’s take a look at the best ziplines in Iowa and surrounding areas:
1. Sky Tours Zipline
Location: 11764 JFK Rd. Dubuque, IA 52001
Nothing beats a zipline tour with several cables that vary in height and length. That’s exactly what you get with Sky Tours Zipline at YMCA Union Park Camp, where you can ride 9 thrilling ziplines. The shortest zipline you’ll encounter spans 300 feet, and the longest is 1,000 feet long.
You will take off from platforms as high as 45 feet tall and zip through gorgeous woods. The tour takes two hours to complete, starting with “Bunny Run”. Each zipline increases in size and intensity, and the double zipline is the highlight of the course at 800 feet long, even if it isn’t the longest one there.
Admission costs $75 per person on weekdays and $80 per person on weekends, regardless of age. However, you can get a $5 discount if you have a military background. Sky Tours Zipline doubles as an informational tour of Union Park, so you get plenty of bang for your buck!
2. Screaming Eagle Zip Line at Mt. Crescent Ski Area
Location: 17026 Snowhill Ln, Honey Creek, IA 51542, United States
Named the longest zipline not only in Iowa and Nebraska but also being a top contender across the U.S.A., the Screaming Eagle Zipline is the ultimate aerial thrill for adrenaline junkies. Found within the premises of Mt. Crescent Ski Area in Honey Creek, Iowa, this singular zipline stretches an astonishing 1600 ft – that is the equivalent of the length of five football fields.
Imagine rushing through the air, the wind tearing past you as you touch speeds of over 40 mph, providing a true sensation of flight.
A quick drive north from Omaha, the Screaming Eagle isn’t just a ride; it’s a mark of distinction for thrill-seekers. It’s not merely about the distance but the speed, the elevation, and the breathtaking views you get to experience in the moment.
When visiting Mt. Crescent Ski Area, this is one exhilarating experience you wouldn’t want to miss. Ensure it is open before you head out, as it is seasonal. Whether you’re an adrenaline enthusiast or just looking for a fun adventure with friends, the Screaming Eagle is a perfect pick!
3. Sunstream Retreat Center Zipline
Location: 1130 Juneberry Rd, Ogden, IA 50212
Tucked within the scenic Des Moines River Valley, the Sunstream Retreat Center isn’t just a place of spiritual refuge. Since 2009, it’s been offering thrill-seekers a ziplining experience like no other in Central Iowa. Among the center’s diverse recreational offerings, five unique ziplines stand out, with the longest stretching an exhilarating 400 feet. As you soar off wooden platforms, the verdant landscape unfurls beneath, providing a breathtaking backdrop to your adventure.
The zipline experience here is exclusive. Only attendees of the camp or booked retreat groups get the privilege to zip through the trees, making each ride a shared memory within a close community. This is a downside for those looking for a zipline adventure they can book with their group of friends. Also, if you are interested in booking a group recreational experience with ziplining included, you must schedule at least 3 weeks in advance to ensure ziplining will be included.
This zipline is an active braking zipline, meaning you are in control of your brakes. You wear a glove and use friction against the cables to slow yourself down. This style of braking sure makes a thrilling ride!
4. SkyRyder Zipline at Bridge Bay Resort
Location: 30 Linden Dr, Arnolds Park, IA 51331, United States
Bridge Bay Resort is a nice resort in Arnolds Park, Iowa with a fun spin on ziplining. The SkyRyder zipline sends guests flying from a height of 140 feet. You will make your way down and over a pond at a speed of 40 miles per hour.
It’s a more comfortable experience than traditional ziplining in many ways. There is no hiking involved, and you get to sit in a comfortable seat. Two people can ride the zipline at once. Anyone over the age of 4 can ride the SkyRyder zipline, and it only costs $8 per person.
However, I recommend the unlimited pass, which costs $18. You can ride the zipline as many times as you want between 11:00 AM and 9:00 PM with this pass, and it’s worth the extra $10. There is also a fun waterpark on the property with rides for all ages, and admission costs $14 per person.
5. Four Mounds Ropes Course (Team Building Blocks)
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Location: 4900 Peru Road, Dubuque, IA 52001
Four Mounds Ropes Course is the most diverse place to go ziplining in Iowa. This adventure park primarily focuses on aerial obstacles, but they have a zipline as well. The zipline is part of the high ropes course, and while it’s currently under maintenance, it is expected to reopen soon.
You take off from a 30-foot platform and zipline through the dense woods. The Giants Swing is a fun spin on ziplining that is fully operational and relies on teamwork. You must rely on your teammates to pull you back before you swing up to 40 feet or more off the ground.
The 50-foot rock-climbing wall is another exciting obstacle with 3 sides. There is no shortage of strategies you can use to conquer the wall. The low ropes course is fun as well and features 12 obstacles. This is a great option if you are hesitant to try the zipline or Giants Swing. Prices vary based on the date and size of your group, so make sure to contact them through their website to get a quote!
6. Long Hollow Canopy Tours
Location: 3247 W Longhollow Rd, Galena, IL 61036, United States
Long Hollow Canopy Tours may be in Galena, Illinois, but it’s only a 23-minute drive from Dubuque, Iowa. Dubuque and Cedar Rapids, Iowa residents frequently make the drive to the border of Illinois, and it’s worthwhile if you’re a thrill seeker. The aerial adventure park and zipline tour offers plenty of thrills for any action sports enthusiast.
There are 6 ziplines at Long Hollow Canopy Tours, and one of them spans 1,250 feet. Your journey begins with a ride on a utility task vehicle through the woods. Once you reach your stop, you will progress through increasingly more intense ziplines. You will fly as fast as 40 miles per hour on some of the lines.
Hopefully, you’re not afraid of heights as you will reach a peak height of 70 feet tall. The zipline tour costs $89 on weekdays and $109 per person on weekends, and it takes 2 ½ hours to complete. I recommend bundling the zipline course with the aerial adventure park for $149 on weekdays and $169 on weekends.
The adventure park is a 1 ½-hour experience that entails 40 aerial challenges. It’s a high ropes course with sky bridges and other fun challenges. Once you complete the course, you get to leave via a dual racing zipline that measures 400 feet.
7. Soaring Eagle Zip Line (Chestnut Mountain Resort)
A very similar style zipline experience like the SkyRider Zipline at Bridge Bay Resort, the Chestnut Mountain Resort introduces thrill-seekers to the Soaring Eagle Zip Line. This isn’t your traditional zipline. Riders are taken to new heights on a two-seater chair ride that pulls them up, only to then zip them back down, offering a sensation quite unlike any other.
Imagine soaring high above mountain peaks and getting an eagle-eyed view of the magnificent Mississippi River Valley. Whether you’re looking for solo thrills or a paired adventure, the Soaring Eagle ensures a beautiful view you will not forget.
The pricing is as enticing as the experience; $17.00 for a solo ride, or $27.00 for double riders or two separate solo rides.
Find more ziplines near Iowa in our related ziplining locations posts below:
- Where Can You Go Ziplining in Omaha?
- 6 Thrilling Places to Go Ziplining in Chicago
- 6 Thrilling Places to Go Ziplining in Cleveland, Ohio
- 4 Thrilling Places to Go Ziplining in Kansas City
- 6 Thrilling Spots to Go Ziplining in Branson, Missouri
- Where Can You Go Ziplining in St. Louis?
How Much Does Ziplining Cost In Iowa?
It costs an average of $74 per person to ziplining in Iowa. Ziplining costs as little as $8 per ride at Bridge Bay Resort and as much as $80 per person for a full course at Sky Tours Zipline. Weekend rates are at least $10 more at most ziplining courses in Iowa, and children typically get a $5-$10 discount.
Is Ziplining In Iowa Safe?
Ziplining in Iowa is safe, and places like Sky Tours Zipline closely follow the PRCA (Professional Ropes Course Association) safety guidelines. Many courses in Iowa also follow ACCT (Association for Challenge Course Technology) guidelines which enforce safe practices for ziplining facilities. You must wear a helmet when ziplining in Iowa, and guests must also sit through ground school to learn safety practices.
What is the Closest Zipline to Des Moines?
The closest zipline to Des Moines, Iowa, is the Sunstream Retreat Center Zipline which includes 5 different lines. The only negative is that the zipline isn’t open for public tours; you need to be part of a group that is staying at the retreat.
You can also drive 2 hours to the Screaming Eagle Zip Line at Mt. Crescent Ski Area just north of Omaha, Nebraska. This is the longest zipline at 1600 feet in Iowa and Nebraska.
Also, just north of Iowa is the Urban Air Trampoline and Adventure Park in Ankeny, which has the Sky Rider, a similar zipline experience in a trampoline park that flies you over the park two times.
What Are Some Similar Activities In Iowa?
Between theme parks and skydiving, there are more ways to get your heart pumping than just skydiving in Iowa. Let’s look at the most thrilling activities in Iowa besides ziplining.
Adventureland Theme Park
@adventurelandresort Happy National Roller Coaster Day! 🎢 Come Celebrate with us while riding the best roller coasters in town! Soar, swirl & scream all day long! #nationalrollercoasterday #rollercoaster #fyp #iowa #adventureland ♬ Everybody – Radio Edit – Selena Faider
Adventureland Theme Park is an exciting theme park and waterpark at a resort that shares the same name. There are over 100 attractions at Adventureland Theme Park, and The Monster is the most iconic. This massive, 2,500-foot rollercoaster gets its name from how scary it is.
You will reach speeds up to 65 miles per hour on The Monster, and the 5 inversions will release plenty of adrenaline. The Outlaw is another fun rollercoaster, and it sends guests flying at 48 miles per hour. After hours in the sun, you can cool off at the Adventure Bay waterpark.
The two most intense waterslides at Adventure Bay are Gang Plank & Pirates’ Plummet and Reef Racer. Both waterslides feature steep drops and are easily the scariest attractions. Admission to the theme park and water park are each $70 per person, but they offer $20 discounts at the end of summer for many years.
Jump Omaha Skydiving
Don’t let the name fool you: Jump Omaha Skydiving is in Missouri Valley, Iowa. It’s the perfect skydiving destination whether you’re from Iowa or Nebraska as it’s a 30-minute drive from Omaha. After a safety instruction meeting, you will board an airplane and slowly ascend until you’re above the drop zone.
After that, you will jump in tandem with your skydiving instructor who will pull the parachute for you. A tandem skydiving appointment costs $250 per person. You can pay an extra $100 for pictures and videos of the experience, and I think it’s worthwhile for the memories!
Escape Rooms
Iowa has many great escape rooms/games throughout the state, and Breakout Games is widely considered the best. There are 6 unique escape rooms to choose from, including a casino-themed room and an island adventure escape. Each room features a different storyline with clues and puzzles that require teamwork to solve.
You have 60 minutes to escape the room, and prices start at $42 per player. Group rates offer the best value, and a group of 6 players costs $150. The Fantastic Escape in Cedar Rapids, Iowa offers many amazing escape games as well.
Themes include a vintage mansion, a pharaoh’s tomb, and a bizarre animal research facility escape. The hour-long escape games cost $30 per person, and they also offer 15-minute escape games for $10 per person. If possible, I recommend booking a short escape game with one of the hourlong games, like Calamity Falls, so you can make a day of it.
Go-Karting
Speedeezz Indoor Go-Karting in Cedar Rapids, Iowa is one of the top go-karting destinations in the state. You get the chance to hit speeds up to 20 miles per hour as you race with your friends, family, or a group of strangers. They offer single and double karts.
Single karts cost $9 per race, or you can bundle 3 races for just $25. A double kart costs $11 per race or 3 for $30. Thrill seekers in Des Moines, Iowa should check out Pole Position Raceway. They have high-powered, electric motor go-karts that are built for speed.
Each race at Pole Position Raceway lasts 10 minutes, and that’s more than what you find at most go-kart tracks. It’s the perfect place for a family fun night or even a date night. A standard 15-lap race costs $28, but I recommend the 3-race package which costs $50 for members and $60 for non-members.
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!
