New River Gorge West Virginia Canopy Tour Trip Details
Experience a world-class canopy tour through the endangered hemlock forests of West Virginia. TreeTops Canopy Tour is the longest in the region and was built using tree-safe methods.TreeTops Canopy Tour Trip Specifics & Policies
Canopy tours are a great way to see the forest like you never have before. Even squirrels don't have this much fun in trees!The canopy tour begins with a practice zip station to make sure that you know what to do. If you are scared after that or we tell you that you are unable to do the zip, then you will be given a full-refund.
Once you begin the tour, there are “bail-out” stations, but no refunds will be given if you choose to exit the tour early. See our Canopy Tour FAQ for more information.
What To Expect on the New River Gorge Canopy Tour
- TreeTops Canopy Tour Participant's Responsibilities - Please Read Carefully
- Begin the trip kind of slow and low then increase the speed and height as the day progresses. You will spiral over Mill Creek through huge hemlock and rhododendron. Then you will be shuttled back to base camp.
- TreeTops Canopy Tours are professionally guided tours.
- Tours consist of eight guests and two tour guides per departure time.
- After signing a release (assumption of risk and indemnity form), a presentation about the equipment and procedures will be given to you, and you will be fitted with a harness, helmet, and gloves.
Prior to departing on the tour, guides will clip you onto our 50 foot "trial" zipline (located a few feet above the ground) for you to practice launching, stopping, and rescue techniques. We will also discuss the safety procedures we will be following during the tour.- After a short walk to the first platform (which is two to three feet above the ground), you will be clipped to a cable for the first canopy zipline. You will spend the next three hours on the course.
- You will complete 10 ziplines. Ziplines vary in length from 100 feet to as long as 800+ feet, with zip speeds of approximately 30 miles an hour (depending on the weight of the participant)!
- Halfway through the course you will have a 830 foot hike at about a 15% grade to one of the longest zips of the day.
- You will walk on five sky bridges, take two short hikes to gain elevation, and end your adventure with a rappel 35 feet down from the final platform! A short shuttle brings you back to our Adventure Center.
Minimum weight is 90 lbs (recommended age 10 years and older), and the maximum weight is 265 lbs.
What's Included in the Canopy Tour
- Canopy tour equipment (i.e. helmet, harness with trolley, and break gloves)
- Professional Tour Guides
- 3 1/2 hour length (start to finish)
What to Bring on the Canopy Tour
Yourself, a sense of adventure and maybe a camera. Wear loose fitting, comfortable shorts and good fitting tennis shoes - or other closed-toed shoes- no sandals or flip-flips!Ask about our packages which include the canopy tour, lodging, meals, and another half day activity such as rafting, mountain biking, rappelling, or another adventure!