Foxfire Mountain new attractions make it the Smokies' largest adventure park
by Michael Williams

Foxfire Mountain recently expanded its park with the construction of eight new zip lines including Goliath, the highest zip line in the south. Image by Michael Williams.

Foxfire Mountain Adventure Park in Gatlinburg, Tennessee recently hosted members of the media for Media Day to celebrate the opening of several of its new attractions, all a part of the $1 million expansion of the park making it the largest adventure park in Sevier County. Numerous members of the print and broadcast media were treated to a free day of zip lining, ATV rides, ropes obstacles, hiking and barbecue. The expansion includes the construction of eight new zip lines including Goliath, the highest zip line in the south and a 60 foot rock climbing wall, known as the Gorilla. The climbing wall offers challenges to climbers as they navigate around the rocks and ledges and features a 55-foot free fall.

The Free Fall is a pure adrenaline rush that allows adventurous souls to test the bounds of gravity. Guests are provided harnesses which are tethered to a cable attached to an automated braking system. Once they muster up the courage the guests take a step off the platform and free fall 55-feet. Their fall is stopped by the automated braking system allowing the rider to free fall before gradually slowing to a stop. For a moment, the guests are weightless and at the mercy of gravity.

According to Stephanie Postlewaite, General Manager at Foxfire Mountain, Goliath is a 2,150 foot long zip line that looms 475 feet above the ground. It is the highest in the south and the second highest in the United States. By comparison, the Sunsphere in Knoxville is 266 feet high. The Space Needle in Gatlinburg is 407 feet to the observation deck. Goliath would loom almost 70 feet above the Space Needle. Foxfire Mountain is open year round and Goliath is slated to open in mid-June.

For more information about Foxfire Mountain Adventure Park, please visit their website at www.foxfiremountain.com or call 865-453-1998.

Published June 20, 2014