Is your family daring to be a little more adventurous? Somewhere between the thrill of a roller coaster at an amusement park and the pee-your-pants terror of skydiving is zip lining. There’s nothing quite like soaring above the ground to give you and the kids the rush that any novice adrenaline junkie is seeking — with some great scenery to soak up, too.
If it sounds like the right amount of fun for your family, check out this list of the top places to go zip lining in Michigan. Some are local and others are better for weekend trips, but all promise treetop thrills for Michigan families.
This article was recently updated on Aug. 26, 2024 by Metro Parent’s Assistant Editor, Nikki Roberts. The update included her research and fact-checking expertise to provide the latest information on kid-friendly zip line adventures near Detroit. Questions? Please reach out to [email protected].
Kid-friendly Zip Lining near Metro Detroit
Camp Dearborn
- Address: 1700 General Motors Road, Milford
This line takes thrill-seekers on a 1,400-foot ride from the six-story tower on Elm Circle over the lake down to the Main Beach. A signed waiver is required to ride. COVID has forced some closures due to staff shortages at least temporarily, including the zip line, so call in advance.
Howell Nature Center
- Address: 1005 Triangle Lake Road, Howell
This nature education hub offers an exciting zip tour over the glacier-formed pond. Plus, it features a half-mile nature hike and encounters with live animals regularly. All guests 16 and under must be accompanied by an adult.
TreeRunner West Bloomfield Adventure Park
- Address: 6600 W. Maple Road, West Bloomfield
Guests start on the main platform and choose from 10 routes, which includes six beginner, two intermediate and two expert courses. Most courses include a zip line and all offer different obstacles of varying levels of difficulty, including tunnels, rope swings, trapeze elements and more. Reservations are required.
TreeRunner Rochester Adventure Park
- Address: 7553 Meadow Brook Road, Rochester
This zip line on the campus of Oakland University offers more than 60 obstacles and zip lines, four difficulty levels and seven trails.
Zip Line Adventures Worth the Drive from Detroit
Binder Park Zoo
- Address: 7400 Division Drive, Battle Creek
Michigan families searching for a new high-flying adventure can visit the $2 million dollar ropes course at the Binder Park Zoo. The Charles and Lynn Zhang SkyLark Ridge feature a three-story rope course with five zip lines. A smaller version for visitors under 48 inches tall is also in the works.
Frankenmuth Aerial Park
- Address: 1375 Weiss St., Frankenmuth
This park in Michigan’s Little Bavaria offers six courses full of bridges, ladders, zip lines and other climbing elements for every skill level. Try the FrankenZip for seven zip lines ranging from 15 to 35 feet high.
John Ball Zoo
- Address: 1300 W. Fulton St., Grand Rapids
This four-story, 600-foot zip line takes riders over a waterfall. It also offers a ropes course. Kids must be at least 75 pounds and 48 inches tall.
TreeRunner Grand Rapids Adventure Park
The TreeRunner Park offers 2.5 acres of aerial obstacles, including the 365-foot zip line. Check out the Junior Park for lower-to-the-ground zip lines, rope bridges and other aerial obstacles for kids ages 4-7. Kids must be at least 7 years old to climb the adult course and must be accompanied by an adult. Reservations are required.
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