Black Mountain Thunder is Kentucky’s Newest, Highest, Fastest zipline.
With 11 Lines, 2.0 Miles and up to 500 feet high at 60 Miles Per Hour.

Black Mountain
Thunder Zip Line
Since opening in 2005, Black Mountain Off-Road
Experience breathtaking views of the majestic Appalachian mountains on our 2-hour canopy tour. Completed in August 2011, Black Mountain Thunder is the newest addition to Black Mountain Off-Road Adventure Area. Check in at the Evarts Trailhead Office & General Store before embarking on a two-hour, 2.0 mile canopy tour at speeds up to 60 mph and heights up to 500 feet off the ground. Reservations Are Required so call today to make your reservation!
Reservations & Fees
We are currently only taking reservations by telephone. Please call (606) 837-3205.
Things to know:
- Canopy tours operate every day from 9am to 6pm or dusk.
- A $10 service charge will be applied on all cancellations.
- Tour groups can be as large as 10 people. If you are making reservations for less than 10 people you will likely be grouped with other participants.
- You should arrive at the office 30 minutes before your tour begins.
- For your safety, you will be required to sign our waiver and ride our training line prior to embarking on the canopy tour.
- All tours are non-refundable after you are dropped off by our driver at line #1.
All fees include the full two-hour, 11 line canopy tour.
- Adult – $79 per person
- Children age 12 and under – $40 per person
- Group of 10 or More – $60 per person
- Black Mountain Off-Road Permit Holders(must show valid permit) – $60 per person
Frequently Asked Questions
A zipline is a suspended cable rigged to allow a harnessed rider to travel between two trees or platforms. All of our ziplines are built with tested, aircraft quality 1/2 inch steel cables.
A canopy tour is a zipline that has been installed in a forest and utilizes trees and natural elements combined with manmade structures to elevate and give comfortable standing areas in the trees. Canopy tours give riders a close contact with local terrain and give more adventure to their experience.
Most people can qualify for a tour. Cooperative children under 65 pounds can be tandemed with a guide but not a parent. There may be surcharges applied for extra guides. Children weighing 65 pounds and over will be able to zip on their own. Tandem guide rides are also available on these also, as long as the harness fits properly. Weight limits range from 60 to 250 pounds (200 for Women) (250 for Men). Certain body types may make fitting and wearing a harness impossible. All participants should be of average mobility and strength. If you are pregnant, have heart trouble, back problems, recent surgery, casts, or any other conditions that may prevent you from participating in a adventure sport we recommend not riding. Certain mental conditions should also be considered, as this is an interactive sport and requires concentration and the ability to follow instructions. Extreme fear of heights or panic attacks could be factors to consider. Be safe!
Tour times vary depending on the number of participants in a tour. A maximum of ten people can participate in a tour. A full tour of 10 people will last approximately 2 hours. Smaller groups will take less time.
You will need to wear close-toed shoes (such as tennis shoes). Wear comfortable clothing, but please avoid loose clothing (no scarves, etc.). Long hair needs to be tied back. Women should not wear skirts. Short shorts are not recommended, as they are not comfortable while wearing your harness. Dress for the weather forecasted. We do operate in the rain, so please be prepared. Please do not wear any dangling jewelry. Also, please remove all things from your pockets, such as cell phones and wallets. You don’t want them falling out during the tour.
Currently there are three port-o-johns located at the zipline building. Restroom facilities are being planned.
About 30 minutes ahead of your starting time.
Yes, but tours may be interrupted or delayed by heavy rain. Lightning or high winds will end a tour immediately. Transportation will be sent to remove you from the mountain as soon as possible. After the threat has passed tours tours can resume.
Your guides are for safety and assistance. You will have 2 primary guides, one in front and one behind. They will fit you with gear, instruct you, and attach and detach you from cables. They watch after you to make your adventure safe.
Reservations are required. Each one of our tour groups is limited to 10 participants and requires two guides. To enable us to provide you with the best experience, we recommend reservations. If you do not have a reservation, we will do our best to accommodate you on a space available basis.
You are seated in the back of our zipline transportation vehicle equipped with bench seats.
There is less than 200 feet of walking required for the tour.
Yes, but all tours will begin at Evarts Trailhead where you will be fitted with harnesses and given instruction. From this point, all vehicles should be left in the parking area as you will be transported to the first line. The final zipline will bring you back to the parking area.
No. All visitors staying at the Putney Trailhead will need to travel to the Office & General Store at Evarts Trailhead to check in for their tour. (From Putney Trailhead, travel Trail 45 (or 46) to Middle Fork, turn left on Trail 20 and then right on Trail 10. This trip can take 30 to 45 minutes.