Gatlinburg SkyLift Park
One of the best ways to take in the gorgeous views of the Great Smoky Mountains is from Gatlinburg SkyLift Park. Founded in 1954, the park encompasses a few exciting options to gaze at the picturesque mountains and city below. From riding the famous SkyLift to grabbing a snack at the SkyCenter, look at what you can find at the SkyLift Park.
The park covers the summit of Crockett Mountain. First opened in 1954 as the first four-season scenic chairlift in the South and most recently updated in 2017, the iconic yellow chairs of the SkyLift smoothly bring riders 500 vertical feet to the top, where you can traverse the record-breaking SkyBridge.
Gatlinburg SkyLift Park Cable Bridge
Measuring 680 feet in length, it is the longest pedestrian cable bridge in North America. A trip across lets you view the city of Gatlinburg below and the Great Smoky Mountains National Park at your own pace and from an impressive height. The bridge also has glass floor panels at its 150-foot high midpoint for an even more unique way of capturing the scene.
Scope Out The SkyDeck
At the top, make sure to explore the SkyDeck, which features an observation area and amphitheater outdoor seating for guests who want to relax for a bit as they take in the views of the unmatched landscape. The two-story SkyCenter nearby provides a snack shop, bar, and gift shop to purchase keepsakes for your visit.
Visitors can then walk on the SkyTrail, a 0.6-mile roundtrip hiking path on the mountain that connects the ends of the bridge, a new feature that recently opened to offer guests even more adventure in SkyLift Park.
If you are visiting in the spring, a trip to SkyLift Park provides an incredible VIP experience to see the sunrise from one of the best vantage points in Gatlinburg. This unique opportunity is a ticketed seasonal event that offers early access to the park as well as other amenities such as delicious treats and live music. For night owls, SkyLift Park lets you relax among the twinkly stars over the mountains while checking out the city lights of exciting Gatlinburg below.
Gatlinburg SkyLift Park’s Tulip Tower
Another new addition to the SkyLift Park experience is Tulip Tower. The 70-foot steel structure is set back in a ravine behind the SkyBridge and offers four elevated viewing platforms to see the Smokies from different perspectives. There is also the Elevated Boardwalk section, a wooden walkway that leads back along the ravine’s hillside. Make sure to read the interactive signs that share information about how the SkyBridge was made and the history of the SkyLift. There is also information about the wildfires of 2016 that consumed more than 11,000 acres of the National Park.
When you include SkyLift Park in your itinerary, be sure to put aside a full day for exploring each attraction and plenty of time to stop for a while and take in the beauty of the Great Smoky Mountains.
Gatlinburg SkyLift Park is a great way for the entire family to enjoy the outdoors and all the beauty that Gatlinburg has to offer.
The SkyLift Park Hours of Operation:
Typical hours are 9 AM to 9 PM. The top of the mountain closes one hour before the rest of the park.
Closed Christmas Day and May 16 – 18 for maintenance.
SkyLift Park Address:
765 Parkway
Gatlinburg, TN 37738
Phone Number:
865-436-4307
Website: www.gatlinburgskypark.com
Rest your feet at the end of your SkyLift adventures in the perfect Gatlinburg cabin. We’re ready to help you plan that perfect trip!
