Unique Things to Do in Idaho – Zipline the Snake River Canyon

Why Zipline the Canyon?

While many visitors view the canyon from the rim or from a boat, ziplining presents a fresh vantage—literally flying across a broad swath of open space. A typical course in the Snake River Canyon features multiple lines that vary in length and speed, with some lines stretching over a thousand feet. Riders strap into a harness connected to a steel cable overhead, then zoom along at speeds that can reach 40 or 50 mph, depending on the slope and wind conditions. With the sky all around and the canyon below, the sense of freedom and visual drama is hard to match.

In the process, participants learn local stories about Snake River Canyon’s geology, its wildlife, and the role the river has played in shaping the region’s culture. Guides share these tidbits between lines, making the adventure as educational as it is thrilling. By the end of the tour, most people feel a deeper connection to the canyon, having experienced its vast scale from an airborne perspective rather than just from a car window or a trail.

AWOL Adventure Sports

If you’re eager to zip through the canyon, AWOL Adventure Sports is a leading outfitter providing a four-line course that spans different lengths and intensities. With a main kiosk in Twin Falls’ Centennial Waterfront Park, AWOL guides participants through harness fittings, safety talks, and short scenic walks between lines. The final zip can measure around 1,750 feet—longer than the Perrine Bridge—offering riders a chance to race in a side-by-side format.

The staff at AWOL emphasizes safety at every turn: each guest wears a harness, helmet, and appropriate gear, ensuring no one has to worry about complicated maneuvers or manual braking systems. Gravity does most of the work, carrying riders across the canyon so they can focus on the thrill and the view. Between lines, guides highlight the local ecology—discussing plants adapted to the desert climate—and point out hawks, eagles, or herons that inhabit the canyon below.

The Course Layout

A typical Snake River Canyon zipline tour includes four lines, each with a distinct feel. The first line is usually shorter, letting people warm up to the process of stepping off a platform and trusting the cable overhead. Speeds can be moderate, perhaps 25 mph, enough to get an adrenaline kick without being overwhelmed. As you move on, lines become progressively longer. A mid-length line might zip you across a narrower section of the canyon, giving you a first real sense of soaring across open air.

By the time you reach the final line—often the longest at over 1,700 feet—you’re likely ready for a full-throttle experience. Some lines run side by side, allowing pairs to launch simultaneously. Friends or siblings take advantage of these parallels to see who can zip faster. At the platform exit, a guide ensures your harness is secure and encourages you to lean forward or even push off for a more dynamic start. The payoff is a long, exhilarating ride with the canyon walls and river scrolling below in an unforgettable panorama.

Safety Essentials

Ziplining is, by design, a safe activity if done with the right equipment and trained guides. Outfitters like AWOL rely on industry-grade cables, strong anchoring systems, and meticulously tested harnesses. Before launching, participants get a thorough briefing about posture—leaning back slightly, keeping hands away from the trolley, and listening for brake signals from the receiving guide. The guides handle hooking and unhooking lines so that each transition happens smoothly.

Weight limits typically range from a minimum of around 50 pounds (ensuring the zipline can carry the rider properly) to a maximum of 260 or so, preventing excess strain on the lines. Because participants often need to climb or walk short distances between stations, comfortable shoes—especially closed-toe sneakers—are essential. Flip-flops risk falling off mid-ride, and anything too loose can hamper stability on rocky or uneven canyon surfaces.

Booking Your Zipline Adventure

Reserving a slot can usually be done online or by phone through the outfitter’s website. Tours often last between one and two hours, depending on group size, how quickly each line is completed, and if there are any short hikes between lines. The busiest times often coincide with summer weekends or holidays, so if you plan on coming in peak season—June through August—it’s wise to book a week or more in advance.

On the day of your tour, factor in extra time for parking, signing waivers, and harness fittings. Centennial Waterfront Park, where many tours begin, is a popular spot for other activities like paddleboarding or kayaking, so the parking lot can fill quickly on warm days. If you have a large group, mention that when booking so the guides can ensure enough staff and gear are on hand.

Snake River Canyon History & Scenery

The Snake River Canyon has become legendary among BASE jumpers as the Perrine Bridge stands as the only U.S. bridge where jumps are allowed year-round without a permit. You might spot jumpers leaping from the bridge during your zipline trip, adding another element of excitement to your day. But beyond thrill sports, the canyon tells the story of volcanic basalt flows and erosive forces that shaped the region over thousands of years. The Snake River’s banks host plants adapted to desert conditions, while birds of prey nest along the cliff edges. As you zip across lines suspended above the canyon, guides often point out local features, from basalt columns to pockets of vegetation that create micro-habitats for smaller wildlife.

What to Bring

Comfort is key. Wear close-toed shoes and clothes that don’t flap excessively in the wind—shorts or leggings are fine, but a big, loose jacket may tangle in harness straps. Since southwestern Idaho can get hot in summer, sunscreen and a water bottle are recommended. Guides often supply helmets, so you don’t need your own. If you want to document the experience, a secure camera or phone mount is crucial; dropping a device into the canyon would be a major disappointment. Some outfitters forbid carrying personal electronics on lines due to safety concerns, but you can snap pictures from vantage points near the launch or landing platforms if guidelines permit.

Respecting the Canyon

Ziplines represent a relatively new use of the Snake River Canyon, which has already hosted centuries of human activity—Native American tribes once traveled these river corridors, ranchers later established homesteads on the canyon rim, and modern tourism flourishes with everything from scenic drives to extreme sports. Maintaining the canyon’s integrity means abiding by your outfitter’s instructions, not littering, and appreciating wildlife from a distance. The basalt cliffs can be fragile in places, and stray footprints off established trails might accelerate erosion. By staying mindful, you help keep the canyon pristine for future visitors.

Ziplining the Snake River Canyon – Unique Things to Do in Idaho

While ziplining in forested mountains or tropical rainforests is fairly common, the chance to zip across a high desert canyon in Idaho stands out. The canyon’s basalt walls form a stark, dramatic landscape, and gliding through open air with the Snake River shimmering hundreds of feet below is pure adrenaline. Add in glimpses of raptors soaring or the possibility of seeing BASE jumpers on the Perrine Bridge in the distance, and you have a day that merges geology, wildlife, and heart-pounding fun.

Local guides often highlight Idaho’s geological story as you move from one platform to the next, explaining how floods from ancient Lake Bonneville shaped the canyon or how basalt layers reveal millennia of volcanic history. This blend of excitement and learning sets the Snake River Canyon zipline apart from a typical adventure outing. There’s also a sense of camaraderie among participants—everyone is in harnesses, stepping off platforms, cheering each other on, and leaving with shared memories.

If you’re looking for a break from routine or a new way to see Idaho’s countryside, consider the Snake River Canyon zipline. Whether you’re traveling solo, with friends, or with family, the canyon’s vast open air and the structured thrill of ziplining provide a safe, memorable journey. By the time you unclip after that last line, you’ll likely wear a grin that only comes from conquering a bit of fear and bathing in Idaho’s scenic grandeur simultaneously.