One of the most unique and thrilling attractions in the Smoky Mountains is the Gatlinburg SkyBridge, a record setting pedestrian cable bridge that stretches nearly 700 feet across a deep valley! This bridge offers spectacular views of the Smokies, and you might even see a bear in the valley below as it wanders through its natural habitat! Here are the top 4 things to know about experiencing the Gatlinburg SkyBridge:
1. What to Expect
The Gatlinburg SkyBridge opened in May of 2019 and quickly became one of the most popular attractions in the Smoky Mountains. It is the longest pedestrian cable bridge in North America and is longer than 2 football fields, and the bridge rises to a height of 500 feet above Gatlinburg! You can walk across the bridge at your own pace to enjoy the panoramic views and take some of the best photos of your vacation. The most exciting feature is located at the midpoint of the bridge, where you’ll find 30 feet of glass so that you can look straight down into the valley! After you “pass the glass”, pick up some logo merchandise at the retail store to commemorate your accomplishment!
2. Location Information
You’ll find the Gatlinburg SkyBridge at the top of the Gatlinburg SkyPark, which you’ll access by taking a scenic chairlift ride from downtown Gatlinburg. The chairlift takes you on a relaxing journey to the summit of Crockett Mountain, where you can get off to cross the SkyBridge and explore the rest of the park. After enjoying the bridge, take a stroll along the elevated boardwalk that traces the ridge behind the SkyBridge. Along the path, you’ll find fascinating signage that details the SkyBridge’s engineering, the history of the iconic Gatlinburg SkyLift and the 2016 wildfires that swept through Crockett Mountain.
3. Ticket Options
There are several convenient ticket options to the Gatlinburg SkyPark, all which include access to the SkyBridge! The most popular option is the SkyPass, which includes unlimited all day access to the park. This ticket is perfect for those who want to enjoy multiple rides on the SkyLift, soak in the scenery during the daylight hours, and then return at night to see the lights of downtown Gatlinburg sparkle below! For those with more limited time, the Single Visit ticket allows one roundtrip on the chairlift - but you can stay as long as you want on the mountain! The park even sells an annual pass, which is your ticket to year-round excitement at the Gatlinburg SkyPark.
4. Operating Hours
The Gatlinburg SkyPark is generally open every day, with the exception of Christmas Day and days where routine maintenance is scheduled. The park is open from 9 AM to 9 PM throughout the spring, summer and fall, with reduced hours throughout the winter season. Note that these hours represent the ticket booth hours, and the top of the mountain closes one hour past the posted closing time. When planning your Smoky Mountain vacation, check the official Gatlinburg SkyPark hours of operation to get the latest info!
Check out all of our Smoky Mountain cabin rentals today to plan your vacation near the Gatlinburg SkyBridge and all of the other amazing attractions throughout the Smokies! We look forward to seeing you soon!
