If you have ever been to the Mountain View, AR area, you probably know about some of the popular attractions there. It’s well known for the bluegrass music on the town square and trout fishing on the nearby White River. It is also home to Blanchard Springs and the Ozark Folk Center State Park. But there are plenty more fun outdoor things to do in the Mountain View area. The EPIC Sylamo MTB trails are nearby along with some great hiking spots. But did you know about the zipline and ropes courses at Loco Ropes Treetop Adventure Park?
My most recent visit to Mountain View included a stop at Loco Ropes* for some zipline fun. I was in the area for my annual trout fishing trip and a little hiking. But I wanted to start my weekend off with a return trip to Loco Ropes*. I had been there years ago, but didn’t get enough footage to do this article. So any excuse to go fly down a zipline is a good one, right?
*Note: This is not a sponsored post. I received no financial incentive from Loco Ropes for this article.
Directions
From Hwy 5, on the north edge of Mountain View, head west on AR-382 for 1.1 miles. Following the signs for Ozark Folk Center State Park, turn left on Veterans Dr. Look for the big parking lot on the left and go to the back corner opposite of the Ozark Folk Center. You’ll see the sign on the building for Loco Ropes.
What to Expect
First things first – they place a huge emphasis on safety here. So before you step foot into the adventure area of the park, you’ll be rigged up in a safety harness and a helmet. The friendly staff at Loco Ropes will handle that for you. Any time you are off the ground you’ll be tethered to a safety line. There are three different ziplines you can do at Loco Ropes. But make no mistake, there is much more to Loco Ropes Treetop Adventure Park than just a few ziplines.
Treetop Adventures
The Treetop Adventures consists of 3 different ropes courses, with a total of over 30 obstacles/challenges. These challenges consist of different types of rope bridges and swings. There are tight-line rope bridges, suspended planks, swinging logs, tarzan swings, ziplines, and more. Each challenge will take you from one treetop platform to the next, high above the forest floor. These challenges can be seen in the pics and video below. Two of the three ropes courses end with a zipline.
Tower Adventures
Immediately upon entering the park, you’ll notice the 3-story tower. No matter which adventure you choose, nearly all of them involve climbing the steps to the top of the tower. From the top, you can ride the “Flying Pig” zipline. This is a 300 foot zipline that takes you out into the forest and back to the tower. It is the longest of the 3 ziplines and the only one you can do without completing a ropes course. From the Flying Pig, you can see many of the elements of the Treetop Adventures.
Another thing you can do from the top of the tower is the “HotShot Freefall”. For some reason, we were calling this the “Parachute Jump”. This one involves stepping off the top of the tower for a 35-ft free-fall. This 35-ft plummet ends abruptly as you splatter yourself on the forest floor. I”M KIDDING. Actually, you’ll be attached to a cable on a pulley system. And you really do free-fall for a second. But as you get closer to the ground, tension in the pulley system slows you down to a soft landing. It’s definitely my favorite thing I’ve done at the park so far. Taking the first step off the platform is a bit nerve-racking. But the ride down is a fun adrenaline rush. Last but not least, the “Planks Peak” climbing wall makes up two sides of the tower. There are different climbing routes on the wall that range in difficulty.
Plan Your Trip
Each ropes course takes between 30 minutes to an hour to complete. If you want to do all three, allow yourself at least 2-3 hours for that. I do recommend that you call ahead and book time for the Treetop Adventures (ropes courses). Not only are the rates cheaper by booking, but if they are full, they can’t always accommodate walk-ups. If you just want to do the Tower Adventures, you can easily do that in an hour. Walk-ups for those are usually fine. Wear comfortable shoes and clothing that covers your shoulders, waist, and thighs. (You’ll be in a tight harness that touches these areas.) If you want to use your GoPro, you can but you might need to bring your own mounting attachments. Check out their FAQ page here to find answers to most of your questions.
Everything at Loco Ropes Treetop Adventure Park can easily be done in a half day or less. So I recommend planning some other things in the area to fill out the day. Or make a full weekend of it. There’s plenty to do around the Mountain View area to fill a day or a weekend. Visit Blanchard Springs or Ozark Folk Center State Park. Or plan a hike or MTB ride in the Sylamore Forest. Unwind with some fishing on the White River or floating on Sylamore Creek. The music, shops, and restaurants in town are fun too. There are lots of options to stay at – hotels, cabins, condos, as well as campgrounds and RV parks. Enjoy Mountain View. And if you’ve ever wanted to try ziplining, give Loco Ropes a look.
