Go Ape Zipline and Adventure Park
Overview
Expert Summary
Detailed Insights
Go Ape offers an engaging and physically challenging outdoor adventure on a multi-level ropes course with ziplines, suitable for a wide range of ages and skill levels. Its unique value proposition lies in providing a supportive environment for first-time zipliners and those looking to overcome fears, with highly praised staff and management who ensure a positive and safe experience, even during unexpected challenges. The park location often includes additional activities like paddle boating and a playground, extending the family entertainment beyond the ropes course itself.
Key Highlights
- ✓Staff are consistently described as amazing, supportive, and helpful, especially for beginners or when issues arise.
- ✓The 'Tree Top Journey' offers varying degrees of challenge, allowing participants (ages 4-11 mentioned) to progress at their own pace.
- ✓The experience is challenging but manageable, with participants often overcoming initial fear to thoroughly enjoy it.
- ✓Management is responsive to needs, answering questions, and providing support, even assisting when a guest had to come down early.
- ✓Multiple levels and varying degrees of climbing, including 'tight rope walking,' keep the activity engaging for different skill sets.
Standout Features
- ⭐Supportive and encouraging staff and training instructors who help participants feel comfortable and confident.
- ⭐Responsive and cool-headed manager who effectively handles guest needs and unexpected situations.
- ⭐Opportunities for personal growth and overcoming fear, leading to a rewarding sense of accomplishment.
- ⭐Availability of other park activities like paddle boating and a kids playground before or after the Go Ape adventure.
Perfect For
Ideal For
💡Pro Tips from Reviews
- →Always make a reservation in advance, especially if traveling a significant distance or during peak seasons like Spring Break, to avoid disappointment.
- →Do not rely solely on website-posted hours; it's advisable to confirm operating times directly before your visit.
- →Even if you're a first-timer or nervous, the staff's support makes it a recommended activity to try.
- →Consider the 'Tree Top Journey' for younger children (4-11) as it offers appropriate challenges.
- →Plan to utilize the additional park amenities like paddle boating or the playground to extend your family's outing.
Things to Consider
- ⚠The park may close early without prior notice, leading to disappointment for guests traveling a distance.
- ⚠Website information regarding closing times or booking availability may not always be accurate on the day of visit.
- ⚠Failure to make a reservation can result in being turned away, even if the website indicates availability or open hours.
Price & Value
No specific pricing details were mentioned in the reviews. The perceived value comes from the engaging and challenging adventure experience, the excellent staff support, and the ability to accommodate various age groups and skill levels. No hidden costs were reported, but potential disappointment from not being able to participate due to lack of reservation or early closure is a significant 'cost' for those who travel.
♿Accessibility & Special Needs
- •No specific accessibility accommodations mentioned in reviews.
🍎Food & Drink Policy
- •No specific information mentioned in reviews regarding outside food or on-site food options.
🚗Parking Info
- •No specific information mentioned in reviews regarding parking facilities.
👥Crowd Levels
- •Capable of accommodating large groups (e.g., 50 students), suggesting it can handle significant traffic.
- •The strong recommendation to make reservations implies that it can get busy enough to turn away walk-ins.
🛡️Safety Features
- •Highly trained and supportive staff who actively assist guests on the course and during training.
- •Management is responsive and proactive in helping guests who encounter physical difficulties while on the course.
- •New training staff are noted for providing a great experience.
⏰When to Avoid
- • Arriving without a reservation, especially if you have driven a long distance.
- • Visiting if you are on a tight schedule and cannot tolerate potential early closures or unexpected operational changes.
- • Assuming online operating hours are guaranteed; always confirm, particularly for special events or holidays.
Pricing/Package/Events
Pricing & Packages
Treetop Adventure
Varies by bookingDuration: 2-3 hours
The ultimate outdoor challenge – Go Ape's original and most thrilling experience. Soar across epic ziplines, conquer high-ropes crossings, and take the leap on iconic Tarzan swings. Delivers heart-pounding fun and unforgettable views.
Includes:
- •Epic ziplines (up to 624-ft zips through the trees, including over water)
- •High-ropes crossings
- •Iconic Tarzan swings
- •Aerial loops with treetop bridges
- •Challenging obstacles (40 unique obstacles) up to 36 feet in the air
Treetop Journey
Varies by bookingDuration: 1 hour
A fun and accessible introduction to aerial adventure, perfect for all ages. Explore suspended bridges, obstacles, and ziplines while immersing yourself in nature. Builds confidence, sparks curiosity, and inspires a love for the outdoors.
Includes:
- •Ziplines (up to 190-ft zips through the trees)
- •Suspended bridges
- •Obstacles (25 exciting obstacles) up to 26 feet above the ground
- •Aerial loops with treetop bridges
Axe Throwing
Varies by bookingDuration: 1-hour session
Feel the thrill of hitting your mark in a beautiful outdoor setting. Compete with friends and perfect your technique.
Includes:
- •Outdoor targets
- •Unique games
Gorilla Golf
Varies by bookingDuration: Varies
A forest-focused mini golf course. Can be enjoyed as a stand-alone activity or packaged with another Go Ape experience.
Includes:
- •18 unique holes / natural obstacles
Forest EscAPE
Varies by bookingDuration: Varies (implies timed sessions)
An interactive and unique outdoor escape room experience for families, friends, & co-workers. Work together with problem-solving skills in a fun & immersive natural environment. Each session is private.
Includes:
- •Unique challenges
- •Current Mission: 'Has anyone seen my friend, Chief Gorilla?' puzzle
Birthday Party Package
Varies by location and chosen bundleDuration: Varies by activities chosen
An extraordinary outdoor birthday bash with an action-packed adventure through the trees. Thrilling aerial courses, unique treetop challenges, ziplines, and breathtaking views.
Includes:
- •Up to 40% OFF All Activities & Merch (depending on group size & activity selection)
- •Choice of Treetop Adventure or Treetop Journey (subject to availability)
- •On-site Party Host & Support (subject to availability)
- •FREE Printable Invitations
- •Picnic Table (subject to availability)
Events & Schedule
Special Events(Last 2 months - Next 6 months)
Go Ape Halloween Adventures (Daytime Fall Fun)
September 19 – November 1 (Memphis: mid-September into November)
Varies by booking
Family-friendly daytime activities including fall foliage views, pumpkin decorating contests, fall nature craft centers, Ghoul Guides (staff in costumes/flannels), autumn scavenger hunts, and seasonal treats like hot chocolate & cider.
Go Ape Halloween Adventures (Sunset Sessions)
September 1 – close of season (Memphis: mid-September into November)
Varies by booking
Shorter experience (less than 3 hours before sunset) offering golden-hour leaf colors and extra-eerie vibes.
Go Ape Halloween Adventures (Nighttime Adventures / Forest EscAPE The Night)
Select nights September 19 – November 1
Varies by booking
After-dark experiences with glowing ziplines & décor, ambient forest sounds & music, Ghoul Guides (staff in costumes/flannels), and Forest EscAPE The Night (team escape room games with limited lighting, bewildering puzzles, and autumn twists). Designed for slightly older kids, teens, and adults for spooky but fun experiences.
🍎Food Policy
- • Guests are encouraged to eat a protein-rich meal and stay hydrated the day before and of their reservation.
- • Water is available throughout the adventure; additional drinks (e.g., Sports drinks) are available for purchase.
- • Go Ape partners with local pizza places for scheduled pizza delivery as a birthday party add-on.
- • Light concessions (water, Gatorade, chips) are available at the check-in cabin.
- • Guests are welcome to bring their own food or have it catered/delivered.
- • Food can be enjoyed before or after aerial ropes course and zipline adventures.
- • For safety reasons, food cannot be eaten while wearing a Go Ape course harness.
- • Picnic table reservations are available for birthday parties at time of booking.
- • Picnic shelters are available throughout Shelby Farms Park on a first-come, first-served basis or can be reserved through the park directly.
🛡️Safety Policy
- • All participants receive a safety briefing to assess competence and confidence.
- • Participants wear a harness and personal protective equipment that are inspected before and after every guest’s use.
- • All activities are monitored by trained staff.
- • Gloves are required for all treetop activities and axe throwing (can bring own or purchase on-site).
- • An empty pockets policy is enforced; phones are permitted if securely attached (phone holders available for purchase on-site).
- • Fully enclosed shoes are required for all activities.
- • Athletic clothing and tying back long hair are recommended.
- • Avoid loose items like hats and sunglasses to prevent them from falling.
- • Bring sunscreen, bug spray, and any necessary medical items (e.g., epipens).
- • Monthly inspections are carried out by certified competent persons and annual inspections by ACCT-certified inspectors and ISA-certified arborists.
- • Go Ape meets – and in many cases, exceeds – all required state, federal, and ACCT safety standards.
- • Operations may close if weather is deemed unsafe due to high winds, thunderstorms, or thick ice; staff will notify guests if visits are impacted.
- • Waivers are electronic and must be signed by the legal parent/guardian or supervising adult (18+).
📅Booking Policy
- • Booking in advance is recommended, especially on weekends and holidays, to ensure preferred time slots.
- • Booking calendar is updated automatically for real-time availability.
- • Reservations are finalized when paid in full at the time of booking; no deposit plan or reserving without payment.
- • For groups of 15 or larger (e.g., birthday parties), call 1-800-971-8271 or email [email protected] for deals and party coordination.
- • Group discounts are available for groups of 5+ participants.
- • For groups of less than 5 participants, use the 'Book Now' button online or call 1-800-971-8271.
- • Birthday party pricing varies by location and bundle selected; guests can test different options online before paying.
- • Additional climbers can be added to a party reservation by contacting the enterprise team at 1-800-971-8271.
🚗Parking Information
- • Free parking available.
- • Charter Bus & Car Parking available for parties and events.
What People Say
What's Great
- Fun and entertaining activities (mentioned in 3 reviews)
Recent Reviews
Angela Lafollette
11 months agoI took my Girl Scout troop here and they had so much fun! We did the tree top journey. The staff were amazing and very supportive. It was challenging for some girls and others flew through it. We had girls ages 4 thru 11. This is the first time I’ve ever done anything like it myself, and I had a lot of fun so I would recommend it for all ages, especially if you’ve never zip lined before and have always wanted to give it a try. I would love to do the 2 hour adventure with my oldest daughter sometime. You won’t be disappointed. There’s also a lot to do at the park before and after like paddle boating and a fun kids playground.
Shari A
2 months agoWe've been several times. However, this last trip a few weeks ago really was great. From the new training guys to the manager. On our second time up something happened to my body and had to come down. Lol However, the manager was very cool about helping me I will definitely be back when feeling better.
Puddin Pop
10 months ago5/15/2024 Brought approximately 50 students to Go Ape. The students had a ball! The manager was responsive to our needs and answered ALL of my questions. The students and teachers enjoyed the multiple levels and varying degrees of climbing (tight rope walking).
Doug Horton
4 months agoWent here for my daughter’s birthday during a road trip to Colorado. Drove a little out of the way and didn’t make a reservation because we weren’t sure what time we were going to get there. Website said they were open until 2:30 and could’ve booked until 2:45. We got there at 12:15 and they said they were closing early for the day. Then said we should’ve made reservations. Went to Adventureworks in Hot Springs Arkansas on our way to Colorado, they were amazing!
Nadine Galbraith
a year agoWhat a GREAT adventure! It is challenging, but definitely doable. I started off terrified and thinking, what did I get myself into?! But I ended up thinking, LET'S DO THIS AGAIN!!