Gatlinburg Skypark – A Great Place to Get Above It All
I remember going to the Gatlinburg Skypark before it was the Gatlinburg Skypark. It used to be the Gatlinburg SkyLift Park, which I rode as a child with my parents.
The SkyLift Park was opened in 1954. It was built from a ski lift in California that was disassembled and then reassembled in Gatlinburg. It is the first chairlift ever built in the southern United States.
The chairlift has gone through several iterations, from single chairs to double chairs to three-seat chairs. While it had 36 chairs in the ’70s, it runs 92 today.
But there’s more to Gatlinburg SkyPark than a chairlift…
Published October 24, 2024
What is Gatlinburg Skypark?
That’s an easy one – it’s a park…in Gatlinburg…in the sky!
Not only has the chairlift grown – so has the park at the top. It is much larger, and it has much more to do than when I visited as a child.
May I elaborate?
The SkyLift
I’ve already mentioned that the SkyLift has 92 chairs. It moves the passengers up 500′ to the Skypark at the top of Crockett Mountain. The total length is approximately 1,800′ from the base on Parkway in Gatlinburg, and it takes 9 minutes to travel that distance.
As is the case with every chairlift known to man, your photo will automatically be taken just before you disembark from the lift. You have the option of whether to purchase the photo.
The SkyDeck
At the top, you will step off the Skylift onto the SkyDeck, and quite the deck it is! It is a large area with several tables available for seating and eating. The edges of the deck are lined with Adirondack chairs, offering gorgeous views of the surrounding mountains and Gatlinburg below. There are even cornhole games set up for interested players.
At one end of the deck is a large stone tower featuring waterfalls, pools, flowers, and observation decks. At the other end is a small stage with amphitheater-style seating.
Look for the “special touches” on the deck, like the mother bear with her cubs and the fire pit on one of the observation decks.
If you’re looking for a spot where you can sit in the sun, relax, and enjoy the view, this is your place!
The Gatlinburg SkyCenter
The entire right side of the SkyDeck is bordered by a large building – the Gatlinburg SkyCenter. You will see it as soon as you step off the SkyLift (actually, before you step off the SkyLift.) There is a large counter on the outside of the building where you may purchase your SkyLift photos.
The SkyCenter has two floors. You’ll find a shop selling tees, hats, hoodies, mugs, and other souvenirs. There’s also a snack bar, the SkyCafe, in case the ride up the mountain makes you hungry.
The second floor has another snack area, seating, restrooms, and a deck with a killer view!
The Gatlinburg SkyBridge
This is what the park is best known for. The bridge is 5′ wide, and at 680′ in length, the SkyBridge is the longest pedestrian bridge in North America. It hangs 150′ above the ground and can safely hold 200,000 lbs – that’s about 200 people – at a time.
Standing below the bridge doesn’t really give you a good idea of how long it is. However, when you stand at the beginning of it and look down its length, that’s an entirely different perspective.
About halfway through the bridge walk, I was surprised to discover a 30′ section of transparent glass flooring. I have to admit that this may have caused a moment of hesitation. It’s all good, though – the glass is 1.25″ thick and extremely sturdy.
Tulip Tower
When I first read about the Tulip Tower, I thought it might be a tower shaped like a tulip…
Wrong.
Tulip Tower is a 70′ steel tower set in the ravine behind the SkyBridge. Two suspended rope bridges allow access to the tower.
The tower boasts four levels of observation decks, each with a different theme, such as “Animals of the Smokies.” It’s fun for the whole family!
The Tulip Tower is named for the only Tulip Poplar Tree that survived the 2016 fire that devastated the area.
Pro Tip
- Be sure to look down in the ravine immediately below the tower. You may see a black bear!
- The Tulip Tower is only open during daylight hours.
The Gatlinburg SkyTrail
The SkyTrail begins at the SkyDeck, follows an elevated boardwalk to the back of Tulip Tower, and ends at the far end of the SkyBridge. It is 0.6 miles long (including the walk back over the SkyBridge to the SkyDeck). AllTrails states it is 0.5 miles long and rates it as “Moderate.” We would rate it as “Easy.”
The first section of the hike is across an elevated boardwalk that begins at the SkyDeck. Watch for wildflowers on your right and the occasional black bear in the ravine on your left.
The second section of the trail winds around the back of Tulip Tower. As mentioned in the section above, the tower is joined to the SkyTrail by two suspended rope bridges.
The third section of the trail leads to the observation deck at the far end (west end) of the SkyBridge. From here you will cross the SkyBridge back to the SkyDeck to complete the trail.
Pro Tip
- The third section of the trail is currently closed for maintenance. Check here for updates.
- You are allowed to bring your dog hiking with you on the SkyTrail!
- The SkyTrail is open at night. However, Tulip Tower is not.
Hiking Trails
Besides the SkyTrail, there are three other short hiking trails at SkyPark…
- Black Bear Pass –Located at the back of the SkyTrail, Black Bear Pass features stunning views of the SkyBridge and Smoky Mountains.
- Bobcat Loop—0.5 miles—Bobcat Loop begins on the west ridge of Crockett Mountain and offers hikers two spectacular overlooks.
- Towhee Trail—0.76 miles—The Towhee Trail meanders down the mountain and back to the base of the SkyLift in the heart of downtown Gatlinburg.
Pro Tip
- Gatlinburg SkyPark provides a downloadable (.pdf doc) trail map for these three hikes. Click here to download it.
Clayton’s Landing
Coming soon…to a SkyPark near you…it’s Clayton’s Landing!
Construction has already begun on the latest project at Gatlinburg SkyPark.
Clayton’s Landing will feature…
- Smoky Mountain Smash, a restaurant serving gourmet smash burgers
- Smoky Mountains Sips, a bar serving draft beers
- Lots of open-air seating (some under a roof) with stunning views
Check out the artist’s rendering below!
The SkyPark Shop
At the end of your day (or evening) at Gatlinburg SkyPark, you will ride the SkyLift back down and be dropped off at the SkyPark Shop, right on the Parkway in Gatlinburg. The shop has a wide variety of high-quality items for sale, including tees, hats, mugs, etc.
Pick up a souvenir to show how brave you were when crossing the SkyBridge!
What Else Can I Do at Gatlinburg SkyPark?
Well…
- You can have your wedding there! Your wedding photos will be stunning!
- You can watch the sunrise there by purchasing a Smoky Mountain Sunrise VIP ticket. (See below.)
- You can attend special events and festivals there, like live music and the “Lights Over Gatlinburg” Christmas event.
Where is Gatlinburg SkyPark?
The SkyLift to the SkyPark is located right on the Parkway in the heart of Gatlinburg, between traffic lights #6 and #8. Look for the yellow chairs ascending the mountain – you’ll see it.
The SkyPark parking lot is located at 510 River Road, Gatlinburg, TN 37738. For more information on SkyBridge Parking, please click here.
Operating Hours
The times posted below represent ticket booth hours. The top of the mountain closes one hour after the posted closure times.
- Summer – May 24, 2024 – September 2, 2024 – 9 AM-10 PM
- Fall, Winter, Spring – September 3, 2024 – May 25, 2025 – 9 AM-9 PM
- Holidays – TBD
- Christmas Eve – December 24 – Close at 5 PM
- Christmas Day – December 25 – Closed
How Much Does Gatlinburg SkyPark Cost?
SkyPark offers three different types of admission tickets:
- SkyPass – Unlimited visits on the day of purchase
- Adult – (12-64) – $44.95
- Senior – (65+) -$37.95
- Junior – (6-11) – $32.95
- Child – (5 and under) FREE
- Single Visit Ticket – One visit on the day of purchase
- Adult – (12-64) – $34.95
- Senior – (65+) – $27.95
- Junior – (6-11) – $22.95
- Child – (5 and under) FREE
- Smoky Mountain Sunrise—This ticket is valid for VIP Sunrise Access and unlimited visits to the park on the day of purchase.
- Adult – (12-64) – $54.95
- Senior – (65+) – $47.95
- Junior – (6-11) – $42.95
- Child – (5 and under) FREE
- Click on this link for more info and to purchase your tickets!
Frequently Asked Questions
- Do I have to ride the chairlift to get to SkyPark? Yep. That’s the only way to the Park.
- Can I take my dog there? Yes! Surprisingly, your dog may ride the chairlift with you up to the top! The park has a comprehensive set of guidelines for dogs, which I will copy below directly from the website…
- Dogs are free of charge and welcome at the SkyPark. Please visit our dog policy below before visiting with your four-legged friends. (Dogs are the only pets that are permitted at the SkyPark)
- *Please Note: the only way to access the top of the mountain with your dog is via the yellow SkyLift chairs*
- Dog must be leashed at all times.
- Owner must securely hold their dog while riding the SkyLift.
- Owner is responsible for: Leashing their dog. Riding with and holding their dog. Picking up their dog’s waste and cleaning up after their dog. Providing water for their dog. Controlling their dog.
- Owner must always accompany their dog.
- Owner must ensure that their dog does not bark excessively.
- Owner must make sure that their dog does not lick or jump on other visiting guests.
- Owner and their dog must respect the space of other visitors, human and dogs alike.
- Owner is responsible for the behavior of their dog at all times while visiting the SkyPark.
- If you are unable or unwilling to follow the policies listed above, we ask that you would not visit the SkyPark with your dog. If you have any questions, please feel free to email info@gatlinburgskypark.com or call 865-436-4307.
The Wrap-Up – Gatlinburg Skypark – A Great Place to Get Above It All
This is a delightful park with several things to recommend it. There’s the SkyBridge, of course, but also Tulip Tower, the SkyDeck, and its impossibly beautiful views. The staff is friendly and helpful. And you can bring your dog!
All of this is right in the center of downtown Gatlinburg.
Highly recommended!
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