U.S. National Whitewater Center

A canopy tour is a form of ecotourism that has grown in popularity in recent years. On these tours, participants travel through the tree canopy moving from platform to platform on a series of zips, bridges, rappels and other high adventure challenges.

The Canopy Tour is not included in the AllSport Day or Season Pass. You must purchase a Canopy Tour Pass to experience the tour.

The Canyon Crossing is an AllSport Activity with five different aerial challenges and a zip-line that spans across a deep canyon.

The Canopy Tour is a stand alone product that is not included in the AllSport Pass. It is a 3-4 hour guided excursion though the tree canopy along the Catawba River.

The Canopy Tour may be booked online, on-site or over the phone at 704.391.3900.

Guests should plan on arriving at least 30 minutes before the posted start time of their tour. Guests will first go to the River Center for check-in, before reporting to the activity location. Guests must arrive at the activity location no less than 10 minutes before the tour’s posted start time.Remember, there are no restrooms or facilities on the tour and guests should prepare themselves before arrival. The Canopy Tour will start on time; we cannot hold the start of a trip for the guest to use the restrooms/locker-rooms.

Guests must be at least 10 years old and weigh less than 275 lbs. Guests who are 10 – 14 years old must be accompanied by an adult. Guests need to be able to comfortably walk up to a mile on the trials, pull themselves along a cable while suspended and slow themselves using a glove to create friction on a cable.Our qualifiers are recommendations. Ultimately, suitability of an activity for any person is based upon that person’s specific circumstances. In the case of a minor, the suitability of an activity is to be determined by the parent. USNWC staff reserves the right to allow or refuse access to any given activity. Qualifiers may vary due to environmental conditions and therefore are subject to change without notice.

The Canopy Tour is a 3 – 4 hour guided experience. This time estimate includes gear up, ground school, time in the canopy and gear down. Tour duration will vary depending on, group size, skill and other individual dynamics.

Along the tour guests will travel though 14 tree canopy platforms and experience:

• 7 Zip-lines
• 3 Sky bridges
• 2 Tree ladders
• A rappel station
• Other aerial elements

Closed toe shoes and shirts are required. We recommend for participants to wear comfortable and active clothing. Because of the harness, long pants may be more comfortable than shorts. If you wear glasses, we recommend to secure them with a strap.

Because loose articles are not permitted, it is highly recommended to remove all jewelry (rings, necklaces and earrings) because of the possibility of it breaking, falling off our being ruined. USNWC is not responsible for lost or broken items. To avoid these situations, please secure personal items in your car, in the USNWC locker rooms or at home.

The USNWC will provide all necessary technical equipment for the experience. The Canopy Harness will have a small pouch attached to it that can store a moderately sized bottle of water or a snack. If the participant’s water bottle & snack can fit in the supplied pouch and the pouch opening can be securely closed, the guest may take it on the tour.

Loose items, including cameras are not permitted on the tour. It is highly recommended to remove all jewelry (rings, necklaces and earrings) because of the possibility of it breaking or falling off and being ruined.

USNWC is not responsible for lost or broken items. To avoid these situations, please secure personal items in your car, the locker rooms or at home.

A canopy tour is a fun and exciting activity, but all participants must be fully aware and understand that the activity is inherently dangerous. We require all participants to go through a trip talk and ground school program that is designed to equip you with the proper knowledge so that you are aware of the inherent activity risks and may assist in your own rescue. Every group is guided by two professional Canopy Tour Guides that are trained in First Aid, CPR and AED certified.

Guests should always check both the weather and the Schedule & Hours before buying a Canopy Tour Pass. The tour will still run in the rain. However, there are occasions, in which we reserve the right to put a store on standby due to severe weather such as lightning. We make every effort to reopen the tour as quickly as possible after the threat of lighting clears.