WILDERNESS RUN ADVENTURE COURSE
BANNER ELK, NC
Wilderness Run Adventure Course is a family-friendly outdoor adventure attraction at 3277 Tynecastle Highway in Banner Elk, North Carolina, near the entrance to Sugar Mountain and immediately beside Wilderness Run Alpine Coaster. Its centerpiece is a self-guided aerial ropes course built around enormous wooden tripod structures, with 28 obstacles and Easy, Intermediate, and Hard difficulty levels that let climbers choose how much they want to challenge themselves. Younger children have their own fully netted Little Explorer Course, and the property also offers gem mining, while the neighboring Wilderness Run Alpine Coaster provides another major activity for families wanting to make a larger day of their visit. Wilderness Run describes the climbing course as an experience that encourages both individual confidence and cooperation, with staff positioned around the course to help when necessary while allowing climbers to work through obstacles themselves. The broader Wilderness Run property has become a popular High Country attraction, with visitors frequently praising the fun, mountain setting, family appeal, and friendly staff associated with the Wilderness Run attractions.
The Adventure Course operates seasonally from May through October, running Thursday through Monday from 11 AM to 6 PM and closed Tuesday and Wednesday, although Wilderness Run advises that operating hours can change with weather; its Facebook page has also announced occasional extended evening and holiday hours. Visitors should register for a check-in time before arriving because walk-in space is not guaranteed, and a typical ropes-course visit takes about 1½ hours, including instruction and roughly an hour of climbing. The Wilderness Run complex also provides convenient visitor amenities associated with its attractions, including gift-shop merchandise and snacks, while the neighboring alpine-coaster facility includes a clubhouse, observation deck, gift shop and specialty coffee shop. Its location between Banner Elk and Sugar Mountain makes Wilderness Run especially convenient for families vacationing in the High Country, with restaurants, lodging, skiing, hiking and other mountain attractions close by.
ACTIVITIES AT THIS LOCATION
BOOK YOUR EXPERIENCE
Click the link to visit the official website.
BOOK YOUR EXPERIENCE
Click the link to visit the official website.
RELATED LOCATIONS
Zip N Slip NC
Zip N Slip Snow Tubing Park is a cozy winter recreation spot in Mars Hill, NC, set among rolling Appalachian hills and just off I-26 near Asheville. With plenty of amenities like a solarium, fire pits, and food options, it’s a laid-back place to spend a snowy day with family or friends.
Tube World NC
Tube World in Maggie Valley, NC is a welcoming Smoky Mountain winter destination conveniently located along Soco Road near local shops and attractions. With easy on-site parking, a central lodge for warming up, and a relaxed, family-friendly atmosphere, it offers a classic Western North Carolina mountain experience.
Jonas Ridge NC
Jonas Ridge Snow Tubing in Newland, NC is a welcoming Blue Ridge Mountain winter destination located along scenic Highway 181 in the heart of the High Country. With convenient on-site amenities, mountain views, and a laid-back, family-friendly atmosphere, it offers an authentic North Carolina winter experience.
Jellystone Park Golden Valley
Visit a place where family fun is the main attraction and memories are waiting to be made. Enjoy Blue Ridge Mountain camping at one of the best campgrounds in North Carolina for families! Jellystone Park™ Golden Valley also offers the best camping near Charlotte and Asheville, NC.
FANTASY LAKE ADVENTURE PARK AT WAKE FOREST NC
Fantasy Lake Adventure Park is a Wake Forest lake adventure destination with inflatables, scuba diving, kayaking, paddleboarding, pickleball, cabanas, shelters, and group-friendly amenities. It is a strong option for families and outdoor groups looking for a full summer day on the water without having to drive to the coast.
Beech Mountain Resort
Beech Mountain Resort, the premier destination offering the highest skiing and snowboarding experience in eastern North America.
Suncrest Water Park NC
Sun Crest Water Park is a family-friendly natural swimming destination in Taylorsville featuring cool flow-through water, a waterslide, rope swing, shallow children’s area, picnic spaces, and room to relax along the shore. Its peaceful foothill setting and nostalgic swimming-hole atmosphere make it a unique alternative to a crowded, heavily commercialized waterpark.
Hawksnest Snowtubing and Zipline
Hawksnest Snow Tubing and Zipline, located in Seven Devils, North Carolina, is renowned for being the largest snow tubing park on the East Coast. The park boasts up to 30 lanes, each ranging from 400 to 1,000 feet in length, spread across four distinct tubing areas to cater to various thrill levels.
Highlands Outpost
Highlands Outpost, located in the breathtaking Blue Ridge Mountains of Scaly Mountain, NC, is a premier outdoor adventure park offering year-round fun for all ages. Conveniently situated near Clemson, SC, Greenville, SC, and Asheville, NC, it’s the perfect getaway for families, outdoor enthusiasts, and thrill-seekers looking for a unique mountain experience. With a wide variety of activities, from high-speed thrills to relaxing outdoor fun, Highlands Outpost stands out as a must-visit destination in the region.
Zen Tubing
Zen Tubing’s South Asheville location in Arden, NC offers a scenic French Broad River float close to downtown Asheville, the Blue Ridge Parkway, and the North Carolina Arboretum. With free parking, shuttle service, a riverside picnic area, and comfortable tubes, it’s a convenient and laid-back place to enjoy a summer day on the water.
Sugar Mountain Resort
What sets Sugar Mountain apart from other Blue Ridge resorts is its perfect blend of size, versatility, and authentic mountain charm. It offers the largest vertical drop in the region—1,200 feet—yet maintains a friendly, welcoming atmosphere that appeals to both families and adventure seekers.
Ski Sapphire Valley NC
A calm and family friendly ski and snowboard resort that is perfect for beginners and intermediate skiers.