Gatlinburg SkyBridge: A Must-See For Your Next Trip
Looking for the best views of the Great Smoky Mountains? Or do you want to get some adrenaline pumping during your next getaway? Either way, the Gatlinburg SkyBridge is the place to be.
The record-setting SkyBridge is waiting for you 1,800 feet above sea level in Gatlinburg, Tennessee. It’s the longest pedestrian cable bridge in all of North America, clocking in at 680 feet in length.
While you walk the SkyBridge at your own pace, take in panoramic views of the Great Smoky Mountains National Park. At the midpoint, the bridge has 30 feet of glass-floor panels, making it the perfect spot to take in the forest and maybe even spot a black bear or two.
Walking the longest pedestrian suspension bridge in North America isn’t the only way to take in the mountain views. The Gatlinburg SkyPark, home of the SkyBridge, offers plenty of ways to take in the scenery.
All You Need to Know About the Gatlinburg SkyPark
Gatlinburg SkyPark is located at the top of Crockett Mountain — and has been wowing Gatlinburg TN locals and visitors alike for over 70 years.
Your trip to the Gatlinburg SkyLift Park begins with the longest-running attraction in the city – an iconic chairlift. The chairlift first opened in 1954 (though the model running today was built in 2017) and transports you from the heart of downtown Gatlinburg up to the top of Crockett Mountain and the SkyDeck amphitheater.
The Gatlinburg SkyDeck gives you a sweeping view of the mountains and the city below; it’s the perfect spot for a photo op (and to grab a snack from the nearby SkyCenter). The SkyDeck also features a tiered waterfall and outdoor seating area next to a firepit – making it a great place to cozy up in the evening to watch the sunset behind the mountains.
After you’ve crossed the SkyBridge, you can make your way back by hiking the Gatlinburg SkyTrail, a trail that winds through the mountains. The hike is just over a third of a mile in length — and along the path, you’ll find the Tulip Tower.
The tower is the perfect place to take in more of the scenery while learning about the local flora and fauna. It stands 70 feet in height and has multiple viewing platforms. Each platform has its own theme and story about the plants and animals native to the area.
Once you’ve finished exploring the SkyPark, you can grab a beer and some grub from the SkyCenter and relax a little longer before heading to the gift shop back in downtown Gatlinburg and picking up a reminder of your time at the park.
Where to Find the SkyPark
The Gatlinburg SkyPark can be found at 765 Parkway, Gatlinburg TN 37738.
Hours of Operation
Hours of operation differ depending on the season and holidays. The top of the mountain closes one hour after the closing of the ticket booths.
Ticket Booth Hours of Operation
Summer – May to September – 9 am to 10 pm.
Fall, Winter, and Spring – September to May – 9 am to 9 pm.
General admission sales stop at 8 pm on New Year’s Eve in preparation for their VIP event. It also closes on Christmas Eve at 5 pm and remains closed on Christmas Day. The park also closes for maintenance for a week in January. To check when maintenance is scheduled for the year, check their website.
Ticket Prices
Tickets are available at in-person ticketing booths or online. If you purchase tickets online three days before your visit, you can shave $5 off the ticket window rate!
A standard single-visit ticket for an adult between the ages of 12 to 64 is $37.95. Senior tickets are $30.95. For kids between the ages of 5 to 11, tickets are $23.95. Any children under five years old are admitted for free.
When Is the Best Time to Visit?
The SkyBridge is open year-round, so you can visit at any time! There are particular charms to each season in East Tennessee, and always a ton to do in the Gatlinburg and Pigeon Forge area, no matter the time of year.
That being said – seeing the fall colors from the SkyBridge is especially captivating, so September and October are great months to plan a trip to the SkyPark. It’s also the area’s off-season, so it’s less likely to be crowded. If you visit during the fall, you can also catch Oktoberfest at Ober Gatlinburg, or the Gatlinburg Craftsmen’s Fair.
If you love Christmas lights, then you may want to visit between November and the end of January. During the holiday season, the SkyPark is covered in thousands of twinkling Christmas lights, transforming the SkyBridge into a Tunnel of Light. It’s truly a breathtaking sight — and sure to stir the holiday spirit in even the most stubborn of Scrooges.
Scoping Out Your Next Attraction
Once you’ve gotten an eyeful of the scenery and walked the Gatlinburg SkyBridge, why not hop on over to Dollywood in neighboring Pigeon Forge, check out the Titanic Museum, or take in more aerial views from the Gatlinburg Space Needle?
There’s so much to do that it could be overwhelming. We get it. Luckily, you don’t have to handle the planning alone. To gear up for your next getaway to Gatlinburg, check through our blog and find all the best recommendations for things to do, places to sleep, and what to eat, no matter when you’re visiting.