Outdoor Adventures that Will Blow Your Mind! – Historic Banning Mills

Whether you are a history buff, nature lover, or thrill seeker, you will love a visit to Historic Banning Mills!  Located just an hour outside of Atlanta, Georgia, Historic Banning Mills is an eco-adventure resort tucked away in the beautiful countryside along the Snake Creek gorge.  While they have a variety of outdoor adventures for every skill level, they are known for their high speed zip lines and extreme adventures, such as their Power Free Fall.  In fact, they hold 2 Guinness Book World Records!  You have to check this place out!

Historic Banning Mills – the Excitement Began Long Ago

Located east of Atlanta in Whitesburg, Georgia (near Carrolton) Historic Banning Mills represents the old township of Banning.  Originally home to Creek and Cherokee Indians, settlers moved into the area in the early 1800’s.  This area along the Snake Creek was home to a number of mills that used the rushing water from the creek to power their industry.

By 1895 there were around 10 mills in the area, ranging from textiles and cotton, to pulp, and flour.  In fact, this area produced the first electricity in Georgia…even before Atlanta!  Historical documents note that people would travel by buggy from Atlanta just to watch the lights come on at Banning Mills each night.

Combining History, Nature, and Adrenaline Pumping Thrills!

In 1997 an adventurous family took a chance and purchased the neglected property, turning it into an eco-adventure resort.  Federally & state recognized as a 501c3 Conservancy, the proceeds are used to support their conservation efforts and preserve the history of the area.  If you are a history buff, you will enjoy learning about the history of this once important area.

You also have the option of hiking through the wilderness on a number of trails, taking a horseback ride, fishing and swimming, mini-golf, bike riding, and kayaking.  Eco-tours of the area are offered, as well as birds of prey shows for nature and wildlife lovers too.  Or if you are looking for more thrilling activities you can experience what they are really known for, their mind-blowing zip lines and sky bridges that criss-cross the gorge and Snake Creek!

Outdoor Adventures that Earned 2 Guinness World Records!

With more than 100 zip lines and a variety of courses that range from level 1 (great for kids and beginners) to level 6 extreme adventure, there are endless opportunities for outdoor adventures at Historic Banning Mills.  How would you like to zip 200 feet above the Snake Creek gorge on lines up to 1500 feet long, at speeds up to 60 miles per hour?

Walk precarious sky bridges high above the gorge, and just try not to be distracted by other people zipping by you through the trees.  At times, you are literally surrounded with the excitement of people zipping by you!  Historic Banning Mills is home to the longest zip line course in the world, and the world’s tallest free-standing climbing wall, as certified by the Guinness Book of World Records!

If you are looking for an even more extreme adventure, check out their Power Free Fall!  Climb up one of their towers, get harnessed up and voluntarily step off the platform to plummet 10 stories before safely landing on the ground!  Sounds crazy right?!?  Yeah, maybe it is…but we did it (and wow was it scary)!  Another extreme adventure is taking a ride on the “Flight of the Falcon” – a zip line nearly a mile long where you soar head-first soaring like a bird at speeds of 55 mph above the trees and the Snake Creek.  This thrilling ride provides a bird’s eye view of the area and all the activities that surround you.

Watch our full video about Historic Banning Mills and Experience the Zip Lines for Yourself!

Multiple Package Options and Add-On Activities

Numerous zip lining tour packages are available to choose from.  The Forest Tour is perfect for kids and families.  With 9 zip lines and a few bridges, this is a fun and budget-friendly experience that most everyone will enjoy.  But if you are feeling more adventurous, you can bump up your experience with the Flight Pattern or Extreme Zip Line experiences.  All of these tours include the original Forest Tour, so families can go together at first, but split off later if the older ones want to continue on to a more extreme adventure.  You may also choose to add on the super thrills such as the Flight of the Falcon or the Power Free Fall.  Having these different packages and flexibility help you to create just the experience you are looking for.

The Masterminds & Safety Experts of Zip Lining

Mike & Donna, the owners of Historic Banning Mills have really shown us what zip lining is all about.  They have not only created some of the best zip lines and sky bridges that we have ever experienced, but you can see the quality in the construction and care that goes into preserving the natural environment.  Beyond the quality and fun of their zip lines, they are the safety experts…literally!  Being on the OSHA board, Mike travels to inspect zip line courses and even helps to build them in other locations.  So you can rest assured that Historic Banning Mills is top notch when it comes to safety.  

Convenient Lodging Onsite With Amenities

With so much to experience at Historic Banning Mills, you should really spend a couple days in the area to enjoy it all.  The Lodges at Banning Mills is a bed and breakfast resort with high quality accommodation options in the heart of the action!  You may choose to stay at the country inn, creek side Jacuzzi rooms, cabins, cottages, and even their new tree houses! 

Along with your stay, you will receive daily breakfast and access to a variety of amenities such as swimming pools, tennis, basketball court, horseshoes, nature trails, kayaking, mini-golf, fishing, and more.  They also have a spa that offers massages and other treatments, a great way to relax after a full day of zip lining!  There is also an RV park across the creek if you would prefer to camp.

To read more about staying at the Lodges at Banning Mills (and our stay in their new Tree House rooms), click here to read our full review!

Put Simply, This is the BEST Zip Lining Experience We Have Had!

Seriously, you CANNOT miss this place.  Historic Banning Mills surpassed our expectations in every way.  The service was top notch and the quality in everything was apparent, from the lodging to the zip line construction, and our guides.  We have gone zip lining many times, and we can honestly tell you that this was by far the best zip lining experience that we have ever had.  

Start Planning Your Adventure at Historic Banning Mills!

Check out their website at Historic Banning Mills to start planning your adventure!

 ** We want to thank Historic Banning Mills for hosting our most recent visit.  As always, opinions on our site are solely our own.