Are you planning a visit to Anakeesta in Gatlinburg? We’ve got you covered!
When we were planning our trip Gatlinburg in Tennessee, Anakeesta was one of the places we really wanted to visit.
We knew we wanted to do a scenic chairlift ride in Gatlinburg (and there are a few to choose from). However, we wanted to do more than enjoy the view at the top of a mountain!
That’s why we chose Anakeesta. It offers even more fun things to do in addition to the chairlift ride and beautiful views. There are fun net obstacles, a mountain coaster, zip lines, shopping, and great food.
I wasn’t sure how long we’d spend at Anakeesta, But we ended up spending many hours enjoying all that Anakeesta has to offer. Even in the freezing cold!
The guide below shares everything there is to do at Anakeesta in Gatlinburg, TN and includes some tips to know to make your visit the best. Let’s dive in!
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Where is Anakeesta?
Anakeesta Adventure Park is located on top of a 600′ mountain overlooking downtown Gatlinburg, Tennessee.
With both views of the city and the Great Smoky Mountains, it’s one of the best places to take a scenic chairlift ride in Gatlinburg.
To get to the top of the mountain, you’ll have to ride their “Chondola”, offering rides on chairlifts and gondolas, or their Ridge Rambler, a large truck/bus combination.
Loading for both transportation options is in downtown Gatlinburg at 576 Parkway.
Parking for Anakeesta in Gatlinburg
Anakeesta does not have a dedicated parking lot at the boarding area, so you’ll have to park at one of the many paid parking lots nearby.
The closest parking lot is right behind the Anakeesta boarding area. That lot has pay machines, so don’t forget to pay after you park! We saw a few people getting ticketed while we were waiting in line.
We were able to snag a parking spot at the Downtown Parking lot at 526 Parkway and paid a flat rate to park. It was a short walk from there to the Anakeesta chairlift boarding area.
Scenic Chairlift Ride to Anakeesta
You have two options to get to the top of Anakeesta. You can ride what they call the Chondola (the scenic chairlift) or the Ridge Rambler truck.
On busier days, you may wait over an hour to ride the Chondola to the top of Anakeesta. There are posted wait times to give you an idea of how long it’ll take to get to the top of the mountain.
Visitor Tip: For the shortest wait times to Anakeesta, arrive close to opening or later in the evening.
Avoid the chairlift if you are squeamish about heights or traveling with squirmy kids. The 6-person gondola would be a better option, though you may have to wait longer as only a few are offered.
The Ridge Rambler truck is an excellent option for those with small children and general fear of heights.
The scenic chairlift ride up the 600′ mountain is one of the best in Gatlinburg!
Four people can ride at a time, so if you have a larger group, you’ll have to split up. Coming down at night is a favorite activity; you can see all of Gatlinburg lit up.
Visitor Tip: On busy days, plan on waiting at least 30-45 minutes in line to take a Chondola down the mountain.
What Is Included With Your Ticket to Anakeesta?
There are several activities included with your ticket to Anakeesta in Galtinburg.
AnaVista Observation Tower With 360° Views
The showpiece at Anakeesta is the AvaVista Observation Tower, giving you 360° views of Gatlinburg and Great Smoky Mountains National Park.
The 60-foot tower is the tallest point in downtown Gatlinburg. Climb the 86 steps top to take advantage of the views. On a clear day, you can see Kentucky!
There are signs at the top that help identify the direction you are looking at and which mountains you are looking at. The climb is an effort, but totally worth it!
Don’t miss some of the activities along the walking paths around the tower, like a small net obstacle and a music garden for the kids.
Treetop Skywalk
There is something about walking high above the ground in the trees, especially at night when things are lit up. The Treetop Skywalk is such a fun way to get views of the surrounding forest and maybe an animal or two.
The Treetop Skywalk is made up of sixteen bridges that are more than 40 feet above ground.
The Treetop Skywalk is fun to cross, but it is not accessible for all. You’ll have to navigate stairs both on and off the attraction, and some sections of the bridges can be steep where they meet the platform.
If you’re visiting towards the end of the day, make sure to do the walk both during daylight hours and when it’s dark. It’s a different experience each time.
As always, adhere to rules for safety. No more than eight people are allowed on a bridge at a time. So wait patiently at the platforms while others in front of you cross.
And no running or jumping on the bridges! They swing and bounce just from walking on them.
Climbing Fun
There are several climbing areas at Anakeesta that both kids and adults will love. A smaller course, called the Bearventure Challenge Course, comprises a half-dozen obstacles like balancing on a rope and a swinging bridge.
Another fun climbing area is the Treehouse Village Play Area, with multiple bridges of varying difficulty connecting the structures.
Lastly, the Treeventure Challenge Course is a multi-level rope course with fun obstacles and a slide. They have two different entrances and ways to enjoy the course, so you can make it different.
For larger adults, you might want to avoid the slide. The small climbing section is the only way back up, and it’s a tight squeeze.
Splash Pad
Kids will love cooling off in the Splash Pad in the Black Bear Village during the warmer months. Bring a change of clothes and a towel, so they stay dry for the other activities.
Photo Ops
There are tons of places to take pictures at Anakeesta. They have several photo ops around the park, including the Willow Sculpture and Heart Twigloo. And with the Smoky Mountains as your backdrop, you can’t go wrong!
Paid Activities at Anakeesta
Dueling Ziplines
One of the best reasons to visit Anakeesta during the warmer months is the Dueling Ziplines. Fly over guests on the Treetop Skywalk with your family or friends. Or wave to the guests as they ride the Chondola. Three ziplines and two 60-foot rappels are sure to thrill you.
It costs an additional $60 per person to ride the ziplines, but the price includes the Express Lane to ride the Chondola.
Rail Runner Mountain Coaster
If you’re looking for a thrill but the ziplines seem like too much, the Rail Runner Mountain Coaster might be the thing for you. This 1600-foot mountain coaster reaches speeds up to 25 miles per hour.
Young children (ages 3-7) can ride tandem with an adult, and single riders 48 inches and up can ride alone. At the time of publication, the cost for the mountain coaster is $15 for single riders and $18 for a tandem ride.
Gem Mining
Gem Mining is always fun for kids. Anakeesta offers the activity starting at $8 for a bag. Maybe they’ll find a gem or fossil.
Shopping at Anakeesta
There are several shops at the top of Anakeesta. They offer a range of goods, from outdoor adventure equipment to home goods and souvenirs. The Mercantile, inside Clifftop, even sells locally-made jams, sauces, and pickles.
Dining Options at Anakeesta in Gatlinburg
There are several food options at Anakeesta. Most are window service, but they have a fantastic sit-down restaurant.
Cliff Top
Cliff Top is the only full-service sit-down restaurant at Anakeesta. And it gets bustling! They have delicious burgers, salads, and other entrees. Plus, they offer a full-service bar.
We really enjoyed the Beary Bramble drink. The views from the restaurant are pretty lovely too!
Visitor‘s Tip: Put your name on the wait list about 1-1.5 hours before you’d like to eat, especially if it is busy. They will text you when your table is ready.
Smokehouse
Smokehouse is a quick-service restaurant serving traditional BBQ fare like smoked brisket and macaroni and cheese. The casual restaurant has beautiful views of the mountains.
Kephart Café
This to-go window offers flatbreads and hot dogs. While no seating is dedicated to Kephart Cafe, there are plenty of spaces to sit and eat while you enjoy the views from Anakeesta’s property, especially near the AnaVista Tower.
Snacks and Drinks
Several locations throughout Anakeesta offer drinks (both alcoholic and non-alcoholic), snacks, and small meals. And for those with a sweet tooth, visit Pearl’s Pie in the Sky for ice cream or a baked treat.
Fun Facts About Anakeesta
- Anakeesta means “the place of high ground” in the Cherokee language
- Anakeesta sits 600′ above Gatlinburg
- The ‘Chondola’ scenic chairlift ride takes about 14 minutes (not including occasional stoppage)
- There are 104 chairlifts and eight enclosed gondolas on the Chondola
When is the Best Time to Visit Anakeesta?
Anakeesta is open year-round, with limited operations during January and February. Depending on what you are looking for, there is a lot to do at Anakeesta during the summer months.
However, visiting over a fall break or close to Christmas allows you to enjoy all of the light displays at Anakeesta and beautiful views of Gatlinburg all lit up.
Visitor Tip: If you’re visiting Anakeesta during colder weather, bring along some hand warmers. You’ll need them once the sun sets!
Is Anakeesta Worth Visiting?
Anakeesta is a bit pricey to visit, but it’s not much more than the other chairlift rides in Gatlinburg. And with the activities that are included, we think it’s worth visiting Anakeesta.
At the time of publication, Anakeesta is $35 for ages 12-59, $23 for kids 4-11, and $28 for seniors 60 and older. Children under 4 are FREE.
Admission gives you unlimited rides on the Chondola (chair lift) and Ridge Rambler so you can visit in the morning, come down and explore Gatlinburg for the afternoon, and then head up again for sunset if you want!
If you are ziplining at Anakeesta, you’ll want to buy the Adventure Pass. Depending on age, the passes cost $83-$95 and include general admission and ziplining.
One benefit of the Adventure Pass is the ability to skip the line and use the Express Pass to get on the chair lift faster.
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