All You Need to Know About the Gatlinburg Sky Lift
The Gatlinburg SkyLift is one of the best ways to take a ride to overlook the beautiful views of Gatlinburg. It’s one of the oldest attractions in Gatlinburg, and it was the first chairlift ever built in the area. Today, the SkyLift is a very popular attraction that hundreds of thousands of people ride each year and is a part of the Gatlinburg SkyPark. The SkyPark is home to the longest pedestrian suspension bridge in North America, breathtaking mountain views and more, and the Gatlinburg SkyLift is the only way to access all the fun! Here is all you need to know about the Gatlinburg SkyLift and SkyPark:
History of the SkyLift in Gatlinburg TN
In 1953, a local innkeeper contacted a man named Everett Kircher to build a chairlift up the mountain behind his inn in the Smoky Mountains. The innkeeper, named Rel Maples, had seen Kircher’s name in a magazine after he had built a chairlift at a ski lodge in Michigan. Kircher agreed after seeing the property. He bought an old chairlift in California, dismantled it, and brought it to East Tennessee. The SkyLift in Gatlinburg TN was opened in 1954. It quickly became one of the most popular attractions in the area, and it is still popular decades later.
About the Gatlinburg SkyLift
The Gatlinburg SkyLift is an attraction you can’t miss, with the yellow and orange chairs. Two to three people will sit in a chair and ride up Crockett Mountain. On your way up, you’ll be able to look around and have an incredible view. Once you’re at the top of Crockett Mountain, you’ll be 1,800 feet high, so you can see the Smoky Mountains and the great views of downtown Gatlinburg.
Other Things to Do at the SkyPark
When you reach the top, you’ll step off onto the Gatlinburg SkyDeck, where you can enjoy incredible views, snacks, drinks, and take a photo with the gorgeous mountains in the background. You’ll also have access to the SkyCenter, which has a gift shop and a snack bar with pizza, salads, wraps, and ice cream treats! On the second floor of the SkyCenter, there’s an expansive seating area with a bar and the best views in town. An even more exciting part of the SkyLift in Gatlinburg TN is the SkyBridge, which is the longest pedestrian suspension bridge in North America! The bridge stretches 680 feet across a deep valley and has glass-floor panels at its mid-point so you can take in the view directly below you. The newest expansion of the SkyPark is the SkyTrail, which is a walking trail that goes around the property near the SkyBridge. And, there’s plans for more expansions in the future, so stay tuned!
Visiting the Gatlinburg SkyLift at Night
We definitely recommend you take a ride on the Gatlinburg SkyLift twice — once during the day and another trip at night! Taking a ride on the Gatlinburg SkyLift in the evening gives you another great view of the area. At night, the lights across Gatlinburg shine bright, and you’ll have a completely different experience. You’ll also love taking in the views from the SkyDeck and SkyCenter!
Gatlinburg SkyPark Hours of Operation
The Gatlinburg SkyPark is open every day, with the exception of Christmas, so you don’t have to miss out on the fun! The hours of operation are:
- 9 AM to 9 PM daily
- Holidays (Thanksgiving, New Year’s Eve, New Year’s Day): 9 AM to 9 PM
- Christmas Eve & Christmas Day: Closes at 4 PM Christmas Eve and Closed Christmas Day
Ticket Prices for the Gatlinburg SkyLift
Tickets can be purchased at the Gatlinburg Sky Lift location in Gatlinburg TN. The price for an adult ticket is $36.95 and a child ticket (ages 6-11) is $22.95. Anyone 65 years old and up get in for $29.95. Children 5 and under are free. The attraction also offers special rates for groups of 20 or more with advance reservations.
You’ll love visiting the SkyLift in Gatlinburg TN. Want to know what else you should do while you’re in town? Check out these attractions in Gatlinburg for your next vacation to Gatlinburg this year!
