In that last blog, I covered a few fun activities you can try in Charleston County’s terrific parks around the Lowcountry.
This time, I’m highlighting a private adventure wonderland not far from your vacation home on the Isle of Palms. It’s an active, immersive place with activities sure to keep your kids entertained, challenged and downright exhilarated. It’s a recipe for some serious summer fun.
So when the kids come to your IOP beach house, after they’ve spent a few days soaking up the sun in the sand and surf and are itching for something new - here is the perfect solution.
Good news - you don’t have to go far to have a fun forest experience.
Charleston Zipline Adventures to the Rescue!
When people think of the Lowcountry, most think of the ocean and wide open beaches and waterways. But it’s also home to gorgeous wooded areas with tall trees, plenty of wildlife and lots of natural shade.
Charleston Zipline Adventures is a scenic and safe place located in nearby Awendaw, just up Highway 17 North from the Isle of Palms Connector. Although it’s just a few miles “as the crow flies” from the IOP, it feels a world away from the beach.
Here, you can catch a glimpse of what it feels like to be an eagle, as you fly through the treetops on 10 acres of lush Lowcountry forest!
Its Roots
Charleston Zipline Adventures is a family oriented business which believes in giving back to the community. Originally begun by the Canberg family in 2016, it developed out of their impressive experience in global ecotourism, environmental biology, parks and recreation (including a PhD in the field), advanced rope building, and serving as teachers and guides in backcountry wilderness, rafting, and mountain trekking, from Colorado to Nepal.
They brought all that expertise back to the Lowcountry to create a place where kids can unplug and spend quality time outdoors with family and friends.
Charleston Zipline consistently gets five-star reviews and has received TripAdvisor’s Certificate of Excellence, as well as the Travelers’ Choice “Best of the Best” Award.
Zipline Canopy Tours
This is their signature activity, and it’s the only canopy zipline in the entire Charleston area. Start from the 65-foot tower and glide through the treetops from one tree platform to the next. There are seven different zipline cables, three towers, three swinging bridges, plus a super 750-foot grand finale zip at the end.
Each tour is led by two expertly trained guides to ensure safety for all. You also start off with “ground school” where you’ll learn the basics - braking, hand signals and hand positioning. As they like to say - the guides handle the clipping, so all you have to do is the zipping!
Canopy tours last up to two hours and are perfect for birthday parties, youth groups, bachelor/bachelorette parties, college groups, family reunions and teambuilding. There’s a minimum age of 10, with a weight range between 70 and 250 pounds. Up to ten can be in a group, and there’s a 10% discount for 8 or more people.
There’s also an Adventure Center with wrap-around porches and picnic stables, for those who’d rather stay closer to the ground and just watch.
A Massive Climbing Wall
It’s not just ziplines. They also have the tallest climbing wall in the Charleston area - approximately 65 feet tall. In fact, it’s the only one this side of the Ravenel Bridge.
Wall climbing is a terrific activity to build confidence, problem solving ability, analytical thinking, determination and perseverance.
The climbing wall has three sections based on different ability levels, from beginner to advanced. They have an automatic belay system and trained staff monitoring for safety. You can add the climbing wall to your zipline experience, or purchase it separately. Anyone five or over, and between 40 and 250 pounds, can climb.
Kids Zip Koala Course
Here’s a zipline course designed especially for kids between the ages of 5 and 10.
Its max height is 25 feet, with two circuits – a beginner one, and a more advanced option. Sessions last for 90 minutes, and kids are encouraged to go as many times as they like, as they gain confidence, on either or both circuits. It’s a very convenient continuous belay system, so there’s no need to unclip. Here, too, kids start with a ground course to learn the basics and are carefully led and monitored by well-trained guides.
The Koala Kid Zip is in a contained area, with plenty of picnic and seating areas where you can watch your kids have a blast as they soar through the trees.
Kids’ Summer Outdoor Adventure Camp – Zip & Rock Climb
Here’s a great option for an extended summer treat in the Charleston Adventure Forest.
They offer two-day camps for young folks between the ages of 5 and 12. Here, kids get to have the full experience - one day is ziplining, and one is rock climbing on the climbing wall.
You can choose either a Monday & Wednesday option, or a Tuesday & Thursday option. Kids must be 5’6” or under and weigh between 40 and 180 pounds.
Charleston Zipline Adventures is open seven days a week, and advanced reservations are required. Check out their website for the full scoop, cool videos and photos, and to book online. You can also buy gift cards and the promise of future adventures.
They have some exciting plans in the works - including a new petting zoo and axe throwing area - so stay tuned.
All best, Lowcountry Lisa
your Isle of Palms vacation blogger