Gatlinburg SkyLift Park

What to expect

Gatlinburg SkyPark starts with the yellow chairlift, the SkyLift, which carries you from the Parkway up to Crockett Summit. Up top you can walk across the SkyBridge, which the park says is the longest pedestrian cable bridge in North America, and look out over the national park from Clayton’s Landing.

There is more to do than the bridge. A 1.5-mile trail system starts at the summit, including the SkyTrail out to Tulip Tower. Smoky Mountain Smash serves smash burgers, and Smoky Mountain SIPS has drinks. You exit through the SkyPark Shop at the bottom.

Tickets

The SkyPass covers every SkyPark attraction. Kids 5 and under are always free, and the park sells a family bundle with 20% off up to four junior tickets. Current prices are on the official SkyPark site.

Tips

• If someone in your group is nervous about heights, they can skip the bridge and still enjoy the summit and the trails.
• SkyPark is at 765 Parkway in downtown Gatlinburg, and parking is steps away.

Nearby

From the bottom of the lift you are a short walk from Anakeesta and the Gatlinburg Space Needle.

The bridge and the top of the lift

The SkyBridge sits at the top of the SkyLift, 1,800 feet above sea level and about 500 feet above Gatlinburg. It runs almost 700 feet across a valley in a single span, and halfway across there is a 30-foot stretch of glass floor. It opened in May 2019. Look down into the valley as you cross, since black bears do turn up there now and then.

The SkyDeck at the top has rocking chairs and a view of the three highest peaks in the Smokies. It is a good spot to sit for sunset.

Kids and dogs

• Each SkyLift chair holds up to three, and that count includes kids, babies and dogs.
• Small children can ride with an adult. The park suggests a body harness or a child carrier for babies.
• Strollers and other wheeled devices are not allowed.
• Dogs get in free. They have to be leashed and held on the lift, and the lift is the only way to take a dog to the top.
• Questions go to the park at 865.436.4307.

Photo at top: riders on the SkyLift, courtesy of Gatlinburg SkyPark.