Most of these parks are open only from spring through fall. All require signed waivers, safety harnesses, and closed-toe athletic shoes to participate. Please pay attention to height and age restrictions, and book reservations ahead of time for the most popular parks.

Zip Lines and Ropes Courses in New Jersey

1. Diggerland Rope Course – West Berlin

Towering above the parking lot, this 4-story rope climbing structure is not for tots. Suit up in a safety harness and try to climb the rope ladders and bridges to the top of this enclosed course before heading into Diggerland to explore the backhoes, trucks, excavators, and the brand-new water park. A 32-story rock-climbing wall is right next to the ropes course. The height minimum is 42 inches to climb with an adult. Closed-toe/heel shoes are required. Open March-November.

RELATED: Outdoor Activities Guide for New Jersey Kids

Walk a tightrope at the Cape May County Tree to Tree Adventure Park.

2. Cape May County Tree to Tree Adventure Park – Cape May

This high ropes course is located at the Cape May County Park and Zoo, and it features pulleys, tightropes, rope swings, climbers, and ladders. Geared toward adults and children ages 7 and older, it features six different color-coded courses, with the most difficult ones reserved for adults. The season runs from May through October, daily during the summer, but weekends only in spring and fall. Reservations are required, along with a 20-minute training session. Arrive by 8:30am and save $10 on admission!

3. Essex County TreeTop Adventure Course – West Orange

Adjacent to the Turtle Back Zoo, this aerial obstacle course features both adult and junior courses, as well as a 40-foot-high zip line. The kids' course is 10 feet high with 15 different challenge elements, from ladders and bridges to climbers and swings. The adult course is 35 feet high and features 30 different elements. Open on weekends, weather permitting. Reservations are strongly recommended.

4. Jenkinson's Adventure Lookout Ropes Course – Point Pleasant Beach

The Adventure Lookout is included in the admission price for the amusement park but can be purchased separately if you aren't spending the entire day.
This family-friendly beach and boardwalk include a ropes course with two different levels: a Jr. Adventure Course for children less than 48 inches, and a 36-foot-high course that kids taller than 42 inches can climb with an adult. Brightly colored climbers, cargo nets, a pirate's plank, and a zip line make this a must-do when the surf is too rough or your kids want a change from traditional boardwalk rides. Visitors must wear closed-toed shoes. Tank tops, dresses, and bathing suits are not allowed. Open late March-October.

5. Mountain Creek Treescape and Zip Tours – Vernon

A popular warm-weather attraction at this ski resort, the zip line soars above a mountain-top lake and offers panoramic views of New York, New Jersey, and Pennsylvania. Make a zip tour part of an overnight getaway and enjoy the resort's pool and other amenities. Kids must be at least 60 pounds and 48 inches tall to ride. Open Thursdays-Sundays, weather permitting, and reservations are required. Or check out the Treescape Adventure Park, which opened in 2017, where kids 4+ can tackle rope walks, obstacles, climbing elements, and zip lines. Open May through November but only on the weekends in the spring and fall.

6. FLG X Adventure Course - Ledgewood 

This is a great option if you want to enjoy nature while zip-lining and have bigger kids. Children must be older than 9 years old and they must be able to reach 5'9'' when standing with their arms stretched above their heads to reach the safety line and take part in one of the courses. FLG X has multiple courses with 10-17 different obstacles, making for endless exhilarating fun! You must attend a 30-minute training course, and reservations are recommended. 

7. Mainland Adventure Park - Manahawkin

Boasting 50 aerial activities, zip lining is available here for children aged 7 and up that are 60" tall. If you have younger children, though, there are other adventure activities like a climbing wall, go-karts, an arcade, and play forts that provide tons of thrills and fun for everyone! If you get hungry there is a pub and kitchen on location, and if you want to make a weekend of it there is even a hotel.

RELATED: Indoor Obstacle Courses for Jersey Kids

Traverse the treetops at Camelback Mountain Adventure's course. 

Zip Lines and Ropes Courses in Pennsylvania

8. Pocono TreeVentures and Zip Racer – East Stroudsburg, Pennsylvania

This family-friendly aerial course includes eight ropes courses with more than 90 elements, some reaching a height of 40 feet. Included in that is a Zip Quest with nine zip lines connected by platforms. A special KidVenture course is geared toward ages 4-7. The Zip Racer, featuring dueling 1,000-foot zip lines, is an added attraction. Open year-round, weather permitting, except Tuesday-Wednesday.

9. Camelback Mountain Adventures TreeTop Course – Tannersville, Pennsylvania

All Camelback Mountain Adventure Tickets must be purchased online in advance.
Plan an off-season visit to this family-favorite ski resort, and try your skill on the elaborate ropes course featuring 100 aerial obstacles. The main course is for adults and kids ages 9 and up with a vertical reach of 5-foot-9. An Explore TreeTops Adventure course is open to kids who can reach 4-foot-10. Open daily April-November, weather permitting. Reservations required.

RELATED: 10 Top New Jersey Gyms for Indoor Rock Climbing with Kids

Adventurous types can tackle the ropes course in the Palisades Center Mall.

Zip Lines and Ropes Courses in New York

10. Palisades Climb Adventure – West Nyack

Towering 85 feet high inside the massive Palisades Center Mall, this indoor ropes course is not for the faint of heart. From the mall's fourth level, the course features 75 different challenges, from beginner to expert, including a tremor bridge, vertical rope ladder, cargo net climber, tight ropes, and balance beams. A separate Sky Tykes course is geared toward kids less than 48 inches tall. Open year-round.

11. Bronx Zoo Treetop Adventure – Bronx Park

Seven courses await at this adventure park companion to our favorite NYC zoo. The highlight, though, is undoubtedly the 400-foot-zip line that whisks you across the Bronx River and back—beware, though, this is a separate charge. The climbing portion of Treetop Adventure has seven courses of varying difficulty and is made up of wobbly bridges, ladders, tightropes, and more. The best part? It's set into the tree canopy. With all the wildlife around, perhaps it will feel like a true jungle adventure. Visitors must be at least 7 years old and able to reach 5-foot-6 inches from flat feet. The Bronx Zoo Treetop Adventure is a separate experience from the zoo and requires its own tickets.

RELATED: Jersey Playgrounds Even Big Kids Will Think Are Cool

Boundless Adventures has nine courses where visitors can test their skills.

12. Boundless Adventures – Purchase

This outdoor adventure course offers four different types of courses for visitors to explore, and guests as young as 7 years old can get in on the action on the beginner courses, which rise 10 feet above the ground. The expert-level courses rise 30-40 feet above ground level, and guests must be 14 or older to try their hand at them. Climbers are fitted with full-body harnesses and walked through safety training before they are let loose on the courses and given 3 hours to challenge themselves all they want. Most visitors can complete between two and five of the nine courses during a single adventure. Some courses require adult supervision, either from the ground or by accompanying kids along the trail. Save money by purchasing tickets online in advance and even more by going on a weekday. 

Unless noted, all photos courtesy of the courses/parks. This post has been updated for 2023.