Frequently Asked Questions

Booking online is easy! You may also email us with your requests at info@smithlakezipline.com or call us at 256-841-7627.  We must have at least two participants booked to go zip lining.

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Please remember that email is not secure and we do not recommend emailing any credit card information to us. If you have further questions, feel free to call us!

Smith Lake Zip Line Adventures is owned and operated by American Adventure Park Systems & Historic Banning Mills.  Banning Mills was the first high speed zip line course in the southeast. We have years of experience in the aerial adventure business. All of our guides are all CPR and First Responder and High Rescue trained. We meet all ACCT and PRCA guidelines. Our course is constantly checked and rechecked as well as inspected by an outside ACCT certified inspector. You will not find a safer or more experienced zip line canopy tour course in the USA!  Aerial adventures are experiential and do require certain safety type gear to be placed on the guest to include: full or half harnesses, lanyards, pulleys, helmets and gloves. Most of the gear does require tightening which secures the gear in place before going out on the aerial adventure. I understand that if I need assistance when tightening gear, there may be unintentional touch to lower and/or upper extremities, waist area and/or head area when performing these safety checks on the gear.

This is not a requirement but our guides work very hard to give you a safe and fun tour. Any tip you would like to give is greatly appreciated! Many of the guides are college students!

We take Visa, Mastercard and Discover cards. Your card will be charged at the time of the reservation for the full amount. We have a 24 hour cancellation policy that you can read below on number 10.

If you have 10 or more guests that want to come as a group, we give 10% off the regular tour rates. Groups must make one payment and not individual payments. Whomever books the group will be responsible for the group payment. You must get your group to reimburse you. Please remember that you will be charged for cancellations within the cancellation period and no shows.

We are an extreme outdoor adventure opportunity. We do understand that sometimes people are not able to overcome their fear of heights and choose not to participate in the tours. Unfortunately, we are not able to rebook the slot. The guest will be charged the price of the first tour only.

Closed-toe and Closed-heel shoes are a requirement! DO NOT wear sandals, flip flops, open toed shoes or shoes without a back! Do NOT wear shoes with the toes in them (five fingered shoes are a no no).  If you do, you will NOT be allowed onto the tour and you will be charged for the tour even though you don’t go!

If you have long hair, wear it in a pony tail. Do not wear short shorts or shirts that are strapless. This is due to the gear that you will be putting on. And yes, you must wear a shirt, preferably with sleeves!

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Make sure you have deep pockets or pocket with a zipper or Velcro type closure if you will be bringing keys, wallets or anything else you do not want to lose. If something falls from a zip line, you will most likely not get it back!

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You can bring a camera. Just make sure it has a wrist or neck strap on it. Yes, you can wear a fanny pack or light weight back pack.

Please arrive 30 minutes BEFORE your tour time.  If you are late, you will not be able to go out on your tour and you will be charged in full for each slot scheduled. We can’t delay the tour because you are late. This is not fair for our on time guests. We will not guarantee you a spot on any other tour either. Please plan your travel time wisely and remember any time zone changes.

Yes, Yes, Yes.  We fill up quickly and if you do not make a reservation you will not be guaranteed a spot on the tours. It is not pleasant for you or us if you arrive and we can’t get you on a tour!

Cancellation and Transfer Policies

• For cancellations/transfers at least 24-hours in advance:

• If you cancel at least 24 hours before your scheduled tour, you will receive a refund minus a $20 processing fee.

• You can choose to transfer your refund to a gift card with a processing fee of $10. The rest of your refund will be applied to the gift card and is valid for 5 years. It is your responsibility to schedule your future tour online or by calling us.

• Under 24 hours all reservations are considered final, and no refund will be given. Much preparation is required, and expenses are incurred to accommodate each scheduled tour and due to limited space others have likely been turned away for your tour time. Please notify us as soon as possible if changes need to be made to your reservation.

• Requests for cancellations/transfers must be submitted via email. The easiest way to do so is to reply to your confirmation email. You may also email directly to info@smithlakezipline.com.

Group Reservation Policy (10+)

• We welcome groups and offer a 10% discount for groups of 10 or more. Bring your company, camp, church, or any group of friends and family!

• There can only be one point of contact and payment for your group. You can collect the money from your group however you want, but the full reservation amount must be paid on one card. The person who made the reservation must be present to check-in and have the card used to make the reservation and an ID with the name used to make the reservation.

• Reservations are required for groups. Please call or email us at info@smithlakezipline.com to set up your reservation and receive your group discount.

• When making your reservation, we require 25% of the payment (non-refundable) at the time of booking and the remaining %75 must be paid at least 10 days prior to your tour time.

• For group cancellations less than 10 days prior to your reservation We will refund 50% of the total reservation cost to the card used to make the reservation. This request is valid beyond 24 hours from the start of your reservation.

• Under 24 hours all reservations are considered final, and no refund will be given. Much preparation is required, and expenses are incurred to accommodate each scheduled tour and due to limited space others have likely been turned away for your tour time. Please notify us as soon as possible if changes need to be made to your reservation.

• Requests for cancellations/transfers must be submitted via email. The easiest way to do so is to reply to your confirmation email. You may also email directly to info@smithlakezipline.com.

We will go out in rain. If there are very heavy and prolonged rain storms, severe thunderstorms with lightening, severe cold or icing, Smith Lake Zip Line Adventures. will call each scheduled guest to cancel the tours. Please remember, if we do not call you, that means the tour is a go. Even if there is bad weather where you are, that does not necessarily mean there is bad weather at Smith Lake. Sometimes tours may be delayed for a short time for “pop ups”. Please keep this in mind when planning your day.

Age and weight requirements:

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• Level 1:

  • Minimum age of 6

  • Minimum weight of 40 lbs.

  • Maximum weight of 265 lbs.

• Level 2:

  • Minimum age of 8

  • Minimum weight of 50 lbs.

  • Maximum weight of 265 lbs.

• Level 3:

  • Minimum age of 10

  • Minimum weight of 115 lbs.

  • Maximum weight of 265 lbs.

You must be able to climb ladder type stairs. You need to have good balance capabilities, be able to walk on uneven terrain, and have full range of motion in your upper and lower extremities.

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You must be able to control your speed of travel along the zip lines by resting your gloved hands on the pulley and cable systems. It is required that you are able to understand verbal instructions and hand signals and to pull yourself along cables in case you lose momentum before reaching any said platform. You must be able to see our guides and recognize hand motions.

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This is not recommended for those with moderate to severe heart and/or respiratory difficulties, recent surgeries, second or third trimester pregnancies or those with moderate to severe musculo-skeletal problems. This is considered a moderate to heavy physical workout!

FUN, FUN, FUN!!! You will be placed into our safety harness & helmet and given a 30 minute instruction session. Then your guides will take you up to start your tour.

Available tour times will be listed when booking. Reservations are preferred. Walk-ins will be placed on the next available tour if one is available.

Our staff is professionally trained and care about your safety very much. If we do not allow you to participate, please do not take it personal, your safety is our #1 priority.

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Smith Lake Zip Line Adventures reserves the right to refuse anyone access to the tours if we feel it would be unsafe for them, our other guests or our staff. Some examples of someone we might turn away would be a guest under the influence of drugs or alcohol, someone who is over the weight limits, someone that will not or can’t understand or obey the rules, and those who are  physically unable to do a zip line canopy tour. We do everything in our power to get guests out on a tour and give them safe access to our tours. However, Banning Mills and their staff will have the final say on any participant going out or continuing on a tour.

You will be required to sign a liability release form before going out on the tour. If you would like for us to email a copy to you, just call or email us your request. Minors must have a parent or guardian to sign this form. The minor must sign the waiver also. Again, we can email this form to you so that you can bring a signed copy with you. Just ask us!