Zip Lining in Colorado with Kids: Our Honest Experience

Zip lining through the Colorado Rockies is one of those activities that instantly feels like an adventure for kids. Flying across valleys with mountain views all around you is both exciting and surprisingly accessible for families.

During our Colorado trip we decided to try zip lining in Idaho Springs, pairing it with a white water rafting experience on Clear Creek earlier the same day. Doing both activities with the same company made the day feel like a full outdoor adventure and worked well with our itinerary through the Rockies.

If you're planning a similar trip through the region, our guide Colorado with Kids: Why It’s One of the Best States for Family Adventures explains why outdoor activities like rafting and zip lining are such a big part of visiting the state.

This guide shares what we learned while planning our trip, with links to the exact places, tours, and tools we used or considered to make planning easier. Some links are affiliate links, meaning we may earn a small commission at no extra cost to you. We only ever share experiences we’ve personally used and genuinely enjoyed, and hope these links help you plan a trip that feels exciting and manageable rather than overwhelming.

Where We Did Zip Lining

We booked our experience in Idaho Springs, a mountain town about 45 minutes west of Denver. This location is popular for adventure activities because it sits right in the foothills of the Rocky Mountains. We booked through through Get Your Guide choosing a highly rated beginner experience with AVA..

Our course ran above Chicago Creek, surrounded by cliffs, forest and dramatic mountain scenery.

You can choose between:

• 6 zip lines (which we did)

• 9 zip lines for a longer course

For families visiting with children, the 6-line course felt more than enough. It provided a great experience without becoming too long or tiring. One of the highlights was a 600-foot dual race line, where two people can zip at the same time and race each other to the platform. This was a brilliant feature for kids and made the experience even more fun.

How Long the Experience Lasts

The full experience lasts around four hours, although not all of that time is spent on the zip lines themselves.

The schedule generally includes:

• safety briefings

• getting fitted with equipment

• short walks between platforms

• time on the zip lines

Because of this, the experience never felt rushed. The pacing worked well for families, especially when visiting with children.

Safety and Equipment

Before starting the course, everyone receives a full safety briefing explaining how the system works and what to expect.

All safety equipment is provided, including:

• helmet

• gloves

• harness

The instructors attach you securely to the zip line system before each run and guide you through how to position yourself during the ride. In some cases you may need to use your glove to gently slow yourself down as you approach the platform. However, children were generally not asked to do this — the instructors helped control their speed instead.

Age, Height and Weight Limits

Zip lining in Idaho Springs is designed to be accessible for families, but there are a few basic requirements.

Typical limits include:

• minimum age: 6 years old

• maximum weight: 113 kg (250 lbs)

• participants should have a reasonable level of mobility and fitness

For younger or lighter children, instructors may ride with them on certain lines if they don’t weigh enough to reach the next platform independently. This worked well for our child and helped ensure everyone completed the course safely.

The Fear Factor: Is It Scary?

Before starting, the instructors mentioned something that caught our attention. They explained that if you slowed down too early on some of the longer lines, you might not reach the platform and would have to pull yourself along the cable. In reality, this didn’t happen to anyone during our session. But hearing that explanation did create a moment of anticipation before stepping off the platform. The lines themselves are quite long, which means you move faster than you might expect, but once you start the ride it quickly becomes exciting rather than frightening. For most children, the thrill of flying across the valley quickly replaces any nerves.

Can You Take Photos or Videos?

Unlike rafting, zip lining is actually quite good for capturing photos and videos.

You can safely bring:

• a phone

• action camera

• GoPro

I brought a GoPro with me, although the footage wasn’t quite as good as I expected because of the movement. Most people found it easier to take photos and short videos while waiting on the platforms between zip lines.

What to Wear for Zip Lining

A few clothing choices can make the experience much more comfortable.

We recommend bringing:

• sunglasses

• sunscreen

• closed-toe shoes

• shorts or trousers

Helmets are provided, and we wore our sunglasses underneath them to protect our eyes from the strong mountain sun.

If you're planning a wider US road trip, our guide What to Pack for a Family Road Trip in America (From a UK Perspective) includes other useful items for outdoor adventure days.

Was It Good Value for Money?

Our zip lining experience cost around £67–£72 per person, with slightly lower prices for children under 12. Considering the length of the activity and the quality of the location, it felt like good value — especially when paired with rafting earlier the same day. We booked both experiences in Idaho Springs, which meant we were already at the location for the day.

You can read more about that part of the trip in White Water Rafting in Colorado with Kids: Is It Safe & Worth It?.

How It Compares to Zip Lining in Europe

If you’ve tried zip lining in Europe before, the biggest difference here is the backdrop. Flying across a valley with the Rocky Mountains surrounding you creates a completely different experience compared with forest zip lines in many European adventure parks. The scale of the landscape adds a sense of drama that makes the activity feel much more memorable.

Who Zip Lining Is Best For

Zip lining in Colorado works particularly well for:

• school-aged children (6+)

• families who enjoy outdoor adventure

• children comfortable with heights

Younger children may need help from instructors on some lines, but most kids quickly gain confidence once they complete the first run.

Final Thoughts

Zip lining in Idaho Springs turned out to be one of the most fun activities of our Colorado trip. The combination of mountain scenery, fast zip lines and friendly instructors created an experience that felt adventurous without being intimidating for children. When combined with rafting and exploring the Rockies, it helped turn our Colorado visit into a true outdoor adventure. If you're planning a similar trip, our guide Exploring the Colorado Rockies with Kids: What Families Should Know explains how to balance adventure activities with scenic drives and easier days in the mountains.

Planning a Family Trip to the USA

If you’re planning a family trip to the United States, we’ve created a collection of practical guides based on our own experiences travelling there with a child. In our USA Travel Hub, you’ll find advice on everything from ESTA requirements and travel insurance to driving, healthcare and managing jet lag with kids, alongside destination guides for places we’ve explored including New York, Colorado, South Dakota and Florida. It’s a useful starting point for parents researching how to plan a smooth and enjoyable family trip to the USA.