Soar through the trees and climb in the clouds! If you’re kiddo is game, try one of these Seattle adventure parks that feature ropes courses and ziplines. Sure it takes a bit of mental toughness, a little physical agility and a huge appetite for fun and adventure…your little adrenaline junkie can handle it, right?
High Trek Adventures Ropes Course and Zip Lines
Climb to new heights at High Trek Adventures in Everett. With three levels of fun featuring 63 aerial challenges, there is something for every level of thrill seeker. Kids ages 4-7 can conquer the Cadet’s Course, just 15 feet above the ground with 10 challenge elements and a lower safety line that is easier to reach. Tickets for the Cadet’s Course allow three zips on the junior zip lines so smaller adventurers won’t miss out on the fun. Open to daredevils ages 7 and up, the Captain’s Course features all elements of the course. In order to navigate the course unattended, children must be able to easily reach the upper cable. Before you begin, all participants will complete “Ground School” with High Trek Adventures’ trained staff. This aerial orientation will fit you for a harness and helmet, teach you how to safely traverse the ropes course and zip line and answer any other questions before you start climbing.
Good to know: High Trek also has an 18-hole mini golf course, laser tag and other experiences. Purchase combo tickets to make it a full day of adventuring!
Ages: 4 & up
Cost: $35-$80/hr.
11928 Beverly Park Road, Bldg. C
Everett, WA 98204
425-382-2966
Online: hightrekeverett.com
Arena Sports - Mill Creek
Avoid the unpredictable weather and head indoors to Sky Trail, an new-ish aerial attraction at Arena Sports Mill Creek. This fun and innovative course includes challenge elements like suspended bridges, cargo nets, rope ladders, a zipline and more! There isn’t an age minimum for the course, but kids must safely fit the harness to participate. And, anyone under 48 inches tall must be guided by an adult chaperone or parent. At Sky Trail, you are suspended with a full-body harness and slingline from an overhead track, keeping you safely connected at all times.
Bonus: Visit the arcade, bowling alley, bouncy houses and more during your visit. Dine at Moe’s Kitchen, the on-site restaurant, and get a piping-hot pizza or delicious appetizers after your adventure.
Age: no minimum age
Cost: $16/person, ropes course; $11/person, climbing wall; $21/person, combo
13500 Bothell Everett Hwy., Suite A
Mill Creek, WA 98012
Online: arenasports.net/mill-creek/ropes-course
Zip Wild - Northwest Trek
Bobcats, bears and zip lines, oh my! On your next “trek” to the region’s favorite wildlife park, consider adding a zip line tour to your day. Northwest Trek’s Zip Wild Deep Forest Challenge features three action-packed zip line courses running through the beautiful tree canopy. Zoom on the zip line and then complete the challenge obstacles in between. The Sensation Course is for adults over age 18, but the other courses are perfect for kids. The Adventure Course is suitable for kids age 10 and older (minimum height 4’ 7”) and the Aerial Runway is perfect for younger adventures age 8 and older (minimum height 4’). The only question is, are you ready to zip wild?
Good to know: Remember to pack your own gloves for this adventure (gardening gloves work fine). Additionally, parents can supervise no more than two children on the course, and there's a maximum weight of 275 pounds on each course.
Age: 8 & up
Cost: $30/person, Aerial Runway; $65/person, Adventure Course; $90/person, Sensation Course; discounts for NW Trek members; includes admission to Northwest Trek
11610 Trek Dr. E.
Eatonville, WA 98328
360-832-6117
Online: nwtrek.org/discover/zip-wild
Bellevue Zip Tour
Nestled in a Maple and Douglas fir forest just outside of downtown Bellevue, the Bellevue Zip Tour is a high-flyin’, family-friendly adventure. Take in beautiful views of downtown Bellevue, Mt. Baker and Glacier Peak from soaring heights! The seven-line tour takes you up to 80 feet in the air and on lines nearly 500-feet-long. Children must be at least 8 years old and weigh at least 60 pounds to participate. Riders under 13 must be accompanied on the tour by an adult chaperone. To zip through the trees, riders will be required to climb two extension ladders and walk on fairly steep and uneven terrain.
Good to know: All riders must be between 60-250 pounds. Adults can chaperone up to three kids on the tour, and teens under 18 must have an adult onsite during the duration of the tour.
Age: 8 & up
Cost: $85/adult; $70/kid, age 8-17
14509 S.E. Newport Way
Bellevue, WA 98006
206-295-5494
Online: bellevueziptour.com
Canopy Tours Northwest
If you’re looking for elevated drama, head north to Camano Island. Canopy Tours Northwest features six zip lines (the longest one is 660 feet), a log bridge, two brief forest walks within the tree canopy and a breathtaking 47-foot final descent. The course is located on 231-acre Kristoferson Farm, featuring the zipline course nestled in a beautiful PNW forest, hillside barn and small lake. Riders must weigh at least 65 pounds (300 pound max) and kids 12 and under must be accompanied by an adult. Bonus! Ride to the course in a historic Unimog forest vehicle.
Age: no minimum age
Cost: $135/adult; $65/kids, 12 & under
332 N.E. Camano Dr.
Camano Island, WA 98282
360-387-5807
Online: canopytoursnw.com
Tips to Zip and Climb:
1. Be prepared to sign a waiver. All riders and climbers must complete a safety waiver before the adventure begins.
2. Dress for active, adventurous fun. Wear closed-toed shoes, comfy athletic wear and layers if you are outside.
3. Leave the extras behind. You’ll most likely be asked to leave behind phones, jewelry, backpacks and any extras.
4. Be prepared to step on a scale to confirm weight (solely for safety purposes!). Riders outside of the weight range will not be allowed to participate for safety reasons.
—Abbey McGee & Helen Walker Green
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