Oh my goodness, what a fabulous place. I want to live here. Sandy river does it right. The tipis are gorgeous, so comfy and cozy. The people are very friendly and make you feel right at home. My husband and I came for a one night stay in moon dance tipi and we loved it so much we stayed a second night in sun dance. We just couldn't leave. Both tipis were immaculate and perfect. We will be back with all our friends! Thank you Sandy River for a perfectly relaxing stay. read more

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A lot of fun things you can do here. We rented kayaks from them for a day. Very friendly and professional.

A wonderful evening of glamping! This is just what my husband and I needed! A nice getaway to appreciate the peace and tranquility of nature. But, not too far to access restaurants and other conveniences ;-) Everything is exactly as it appears on their website! The luxury tipis allow you to reconnect with nature without the complete sacrifice of comfort. If you're like me and want the creature comforts of a soft bed to lay your head and clean private facilities to freshen up or do your business, the luxury tipi is for you! There are six luxury tipis on site with different layouts that accommodate mainly up to four people. However, if you have a larger family or group there are two other tipis that can hold up to six, maybe eight people total?. We chose the Shining Star tipi as it fit our needs and was the furtherest from the rest of the tipis. It is very spacious,with 650 square feet of space. Inside is decorated beautifully with rustic furniture and well equipped with kitchenware and utensils and toiletries. If campfire cooking isn't your thing, fear not-the tipi contains a mini fridge, with a toaster oven, microwave, and coffee maker. The tipi is well designed and the owners truly thought of everything you would need! Foil, campfire cooking ware, dishes, cups, utensils, spices, skewers, dishwashing liquid and paper towels to boot! Although it has heated floors and a heater/AC unit, ceiling fan and a regular table fan, be mindful of when you book your tipi. It can still get really cold or hot dependent upon how low the temperature drops or rises because the tipi isn't insulated. Remember, you're still (glamorous/glorified) camping, but with way more convenience! They do provide extra blankets inside the weaved basket inside the tipi. If you need more you can just ask. We also prepared for the temperature drop that night which dipped into the 30's by layering up. The heating unit and heated floors definitely make a difference, but when the temps go into the extremes you may notice it as well. We could tell how warm it was from the outside when we first checked in and when we came In from cooking dinner on the campfire. Each tipi has its own fire pit with a cooking grate and at least four chairs with cupholders. A full sized picnic table is located near your tipi as well. It was nice to relax and enjoy the serenity. We even had a surprise visitor! A cat from one of the neighboring properties joined us. She's super friendly and cute as can be! She greeted us in the morning, when we were leaving. Too cute! There is plenty to do, or not do if you just want to relax. We were able to visit with the adorable animals on site (albino turkeys, lambs and sheep, a quarter horse, two mini donkeys and chickens! If any eggs are available from the chicken coop you are welcome to gather some for breakfast or one of your meals. The adventure course/zipline course onsite is available as well for additional fees. In addition, you can rent (for additional fees) various types of bikes, canoes, kayaks and SUPs. The latter wasn't available until the day we checked out. But we were still eligible for 20% off the aforementioned activities. If you are an overnight guest, they provide you with a discount code. They also have an outdoor pool. Just keep in mind that all these activities aren't available all year. Most of them close for the winter and reopen in the spring ( seems Mid March? Clarify with the company first). We had a great time! Morgan was pleasant and friendly. She showed us the chicken coop prior to taking us to our tipi. If staying in a tipi they will lead you to your designated parking spot in a golf cart. If you need assistance with luggage etc they transport it for you via the golf cart as vehicles aren't allowed to be driven on the areas in front of the tipis. If you choose, you can purchase a bundle of wood, lighter fluid, s'mores kit or a pint of ice cream if you wish from them. Which is convenient if you want to travel light or don't want to bother running to the store nearby. If you don't make it to Richlands creamery, I highly suggest you buy a pint from Sandy RIver, as it's from RIchlands. It's soo good! Everything was well organized from start of booking to check out. Sarah, had contacted me via phone a couple days prior to our check-in to answer any questions we had and our estimated time of arrival. The day we arrived, check in was smooth and our wood etc we ordered were already available and set out for us! They also checked on us before the evening closed out. My only suggestion is a place to set your bath soap/shampoo in the shower and maybe a curtain near the bathroom, in case you have four people instead of two who aren't related to you in during your stay ;-) Although,The bathroom is configured so no one can really see you if someone should walk into the tipi. read more

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We spent almost a week in the Meadowview Cabin while we ziplined, biked, swam, kayaked, and went to the distillery for cocktails and root beer floats as a family. We had an absolutely great time. I joked that we shouldn't write a glowing review because if everyone discovers this place we won't have it to ourselves. But jokes aside, this has been one of our most successful and acclaimed vacations as a family to date. There was something for everyone, and the staff were SO helpful and everything was just a delight. Personally, I appreciated the quiet and the abundance of nature -- I spent most of my time stalking around with my camera taking bird photos, and by the way it's just a couple minutes drive (walkable, even) from the reservoir where I spent every morning from early dawn till after the kids woke up. The birding at the reservoir and at the "glampground" itself were both excellent. This, to me, is the definition of vacation: everyone gets to sleep as long as they want, wake up when they want, go swimming if they want, etc, etc. We also went into Farmville for shopping and visiting the furniture and other stores, and bought groceries (we cooked most nights, the cabin was well outfitted for cooking). It was just the right balance of "getting away" while not being "roughing it." Also, I just have to note, if you are an early riser like me, you might catch some glimpses of the resident red-shouldered hawk on the fenceposts... oh! and the sunsets were just glorious! read more

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Although it's not cheap, the experience is totally worth it. I have no regrets, no complaints. read more

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How do I give this place 10 stars? My fiancé and I were looking for a boost after the holidays to get us through to warmer weather, and this absolutely delivered. We stayed in the Thunderbird tipi, which was SO comfortable and absolutely had everything we needed. From the get, all staff was helpful. Maggie was at our door the second we checked in to ask if we needed anything. We also did the ropes course - the owner Mark was there helping check people in and answering questions. Staff and activities were above expectations. We're now planning on making this a regular vacation spot! read more

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This place is a gem. Perfect place to reprieve from the daily bustle of life. The design and furnitures are topnotch. It has everything you need e.g., cooking utensils and bathroom essentials. Staff and owners were very nice and went above and beyond. Someone even brought us fresh chicken and turkey eggs. Definitely a must try. We will be back. read more

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Outstanding service for renting e-bikes in FarmVille, VA. Attendant was very helpful and courteous. Only comment would be don't plan on more than 30 miles from the cruiser eBike, riding at level one. Bikes were comfortable and in good good working ordrr read more

I booked the Moon Dance teepee for my boyfriends birthday. We were blessed with absolutely beautiful weather and could not have enjoyed ourselves more. The moon dance teepee is certainly a luxury glamping experience. Huge king bed, leather sofas, cool faux bois furniture. It has fans and AC, plus a small fridge, microwave and most importantly coffee maker! The moon dance teepee sleeps a family of 5 - there is a loft with two twin beds plus the king and a huge sofa but is perfect for two on a romantic getaway. The staff are as friendly and helpful as can be. There is a heated pool, every teepee has their own fire pit and Adirondack chairs. There are sheep, turkeys, chickens and donkeys. You are invited to check for chicken eggs and eat them for breakfast in a cast iron skillet. We took a kayak out and just relaxed the rest of the time. This would be an amazing spot for a corporate retreat, family reunion or couples getaway. We will certainly be back! read more

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Wow! When we booked a weekend away, knowing weather is uncertain in February, as well as trying to be as safe as possible due to COVID-19, we had no idea how wonderful an experience we would have. We found Sandy River Outdoor Adventure from a friend's own Facebook recommendation, so there was some trust already in the booking. We decided to reserve the Thunderbird Tipi, added plenty of firewood for the evenings, and were happy to see the s'mores kit waiting for us upon arrival. Check-in was a breeze, and we were able to start our weekend with a fire and roasting marshmallows. The tent's kitchen made it easy for us to store and prepare the food we brought, and they even had a wine opener (in case we hadn't brought a screw top)! The bed and seating was quite comfortable, and the heating and fan controls were easy to use. We spent the next day enjoying some TV and coffee, then took a walk in downtown Farmville. We snagged some shirts from the Adventure store, and enjoyed some cocktails on the outdoor patio at Charley's Waterfront Cafe. We came back to the tipi for another fire, dinner, and an early night. Since it's Virginia, we went from sunny and 55 degrees to snow! It was easy to check out, load the car, and head out while the snow came down. The roads were getting actively cleared, and getting home was manageable. Thanks so much to the team at Sandy River, and we hope to come back soon! read more

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Had a great time being nimble and puzzle-solving with my husband here the other day. The family photo package is well worth it! Sarah was awesome, following us around doing a photo shoot. She is super personable and welcoming. The best part, though, was that I had a huge brain fart with booking our adventure. I booked for the wrong day. They called me, and without hesitation or fee, changed me to the correct day so that everything was properly booked. Great service! read more

Sandy River is just amazing the Tpees are great. I've stayed here twice and i would 100% recommend this read more

Sandy River Outdoor Adventures - The Tpees at Sandy River Outdoor - Ziplining Near Me - Rice, Virginia

I had heard about this place, so decided to take my boys to check it out. I was impressed with it's cleanliness, safety and thoughtfulness. They allowed my husband and I to walk the course and take photos. Concern for the environment is of great importance; the local trees were even labeled and the courses were designed to be as natural as possible. The staff was very friendly. They completed all of the courses, which gradually increase in difficulty levels. There was even a picnic area, BBQ and seating area for guests. The kids had a blast! ***Go to their website before making reservations and receive a discount $! :-) read more

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We stayed in the Shining Star Tipi and what an amazing experience we had! It was a spa-like experience in the tipi. I would never have thought it would have been so nice! We went on a bike trip at the High Bridge and made great memories. We will definitely be back! https://adventuregirlsforlife.blogspot.com/2018/07/glampingtipi-funpart-1.html read more

The best weekend getaway! Lovely accommodations at the Meadow View Cabin- plenty of room for 6-8 adults. Fun obstacle course and zip lines. Beautiful sunset kayaking to enjoy the full moon rising over the reservoir. Very cool , relaxing distillery. Incredibly helpful, friendly staff! What a find! Will go back! read more

This is at the haunted trail was really looking forward to it but there was no haunted part to it. Extremely disappointed as we spent $60 to go on it for just a 10 minute walk in the woods That was partly lit up by the lights from the lodge and the hum of the highway. read more

I have to agree with another review I read....In a single word......FANTASTIC!!! Well taken care of, clean, neat, good parking and smiling faces behind the outdoor check in site. The orientation is concise, precise and to the point with everyone in the group given a chance to go through all the safety checks while on a demo stand where you actually use the equipment a foot or so off the ground. The owners and staff are very friendly and seem to love their job!!! The course itself....found out I'm afraid of heights but had so much fun. I was the only one in the group that chickened out after doing the yellow course but definitely plan to go back and try again after I saw (from the ground LOL) all the fun everyone else in my group was having. We had an absolute blast and would highly recommend this place! We are all looking forward to going back. read more

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Great, helpful staff. Did obstacle course which was a blast for me. I've never done it before so I was a bit worried but had a great time!

Great zip lining spot. We've been to more adventurous parks but what sets this one apart from the rest is the staff. The staff was fun, helpful and always had a smile!! Our 9 year old said to mention that the trolley lines could be a little longer to help "shorter" kids and adults. He said he had a great time nevertheless. Would recommend for a family or scout outing especially due to how many staff are present. You would almost think they were over manned which could be why their safety to clients are their main concern and it shows!! Thank you for a great time. read more

My daughter and I had the best time glamping in the Wind Song Tipi. The tipi had all the amenities we needed. I packed towels expecting the towels to be thin but was beyond pleasantly surprised to find high quality towels. The beds were comfortable with a quilt and super soft blankets available if needed. We cooked our dinner over the fire. The tipi had the cast iron pan plus there was a grill that swings over the fire pit so you can easily cook on the pan or just use tin foil. They have the lighter on hand so no need to pack one. The only thing missing was a fire poker to move the logs as needed. We did the rope course and they were super helpful with getting us set up and ensuring we did not have issues. We also rented bikes at the store in Farmville. We had such a great time. We plan to be back when the weather warms up for kayaking. read more

Found this place online under "unique" places to stay in Virginia. Booked it as a surprise weekend for my wife and kids. Turned out to be a perfect decision. This place is awesome. The tipis are unbelievable; comfortable, unique, and not like anywhere else we've stayed. Had a chance to meet the owners as well, they are personable, friendly, and accommodating. Don't hesitate to book, you won't be disappointed! read more

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I have never posted a Yelp review before but am so enamored with Sandy River that I felt like I could not be silent! We stayed in the one bedroom chalet for two nights and our experience was delightful. The cabin was cozy and had all the amenities we needed, including a full kitchen. What made our stay even more special was visiting with the very friendly farm animals and gathering eggs from the hen house for breakfast. The first morning we tackled the ropes course and felt comfortable from the start thanks to the very friendly and knowledgeable staff. Even our seven year old daughter conquered the trees and zip line with confidence. The second morning we rented a canoe and tandem kayak and spent a beautiful morning floating on the nearby reservoir. Again, the staff was amazing, with Spencer even volunteering to hang out with our dog while we paddled! In between our adventures we enjoyed reading in the hammock, walking through the field catching fireflies, and relaxing in the rocking chairs on the porch of our cabin. This farm is beautiful, so well run, and a place we can't wait to return to! read more

This was our first stop on our vacation. We did the zip lines and obstical courses. It was fun, challenging, and a good work out at the same time. Will definitely do this again if we go back to Virginia. It wasn't super high off the ground and it was designed to be Los friendly as well. Helmets were not required which was awesome! Good clean family fun! read more

Sandy River Outdoor Adventures - Ziplining Near Me - Rice, Virginia

Update on former review: business was accommodating when it came to disagreement on payment amount and their policies. They let me pay in increments. They didn't need to let me do that but they were agreeable. read more

Our group of 10 was more than happy about our experience. The facilities were clean and the staff were excellent. Our children, ranging in ages from 7-13, had an awesome time learning to zip line, kayak and canoe. Highly recommend Sandy River Outdoor Adventures for any family or group looking for a wonderful time in the great outdoors! read more

Very cool thing for the entire family ... different levels of difficulty that fit an adult ... two teens and my 9 year old on the ropes course/zip line. The staff is absolutely perfect ... and if anything ... they are overstaffed. Very helpful. Lucian Reed Appomattox Va read more

A lot of fun, but challenging! I have been zip lining before, but have never done these type of obstacles. If you are afraid of heights this is not for you since you will be walking across wire from tree to tree! The staff was super nice and attentive. The safety harnesses were easy to use and I felt very secure. The only thing I would change is having more zip lining available rather than the obstacles. Other than that I had a blast! read more

Sandy River Outdoor Adventures - Panoramic view from the trees! - Ziplining Near Me - Rice, Virginia

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Ok. This place was simply amazing. I do not even want to leave this review because I would like to keep this place secret! It exceeded the expectations for my group and I. We booked two Tipis, the Shining Star and the MoonDance this past weekend and we made a leap of faith and jumped into the unknown. And boy we are glad that we did! When we arrived we were met by Candace, the owner, in her golf cart ready to give us a helping hand transporting our stuff to the Tipis. When we stepped inside the first Tipi we were instantly blown away by all the details, the cleanliness and the overall ambiance. 5-Star accommodations in a Tipi. Everywhere I looked I saw charm, ingenuity, class, hard work realized and creativity magnified. There were details large and small to discover and appreciate everywhere. The owners really take pride in what they do, and their property reflects it. Our group was so excited, and we instantly took off our shoes. We wanted to keep the property as clean as possible. It was like being at home, when we saw how clean and crisp the Tipis were instantly we were comfortable and respectful of the space. We wanted to enjoy it while we were there, and leave it as we had found it. We were told before we got there that the nights might get a little cold because of the temperatures outside, so we packed accordingly. We were understanding of the fact that we were in indoor living in the outdoors, the Glamping Tipi experience is exactly that. We couldn't find one thing to complain about, staying in a Glamping Tipi is outside of most people's box but that's part of what we appreciated it. The first night we had Dinner under the Stars. Each Tipi has its own fire pit and we utilized both for our group. We grilled steaks, shrimp kebabs, chicken wings (because we are black, lol), crab legs, spinach and cheese mushrooms, macaroni and cheese (because we are black, lol) corn on the cob, potatoes, roasted broccoli, sweet potatoes with cinnamon honey butter, caramel sauce and roasted marshmallows, and grilled bruschetta. Yes, we had a feast in our new digs. They provided the wood and we had our own personal fire goddess in our group that made the flames sing for our feast. We did all the prep before we got to Sandy River and brought only enough for our group so that we could enjoy fully our entire experience with minimal clean-up required. The fire pit made everything easy and might I add delicious. We had other amazing events throughout the weekend that were centered around enjoying the Tipi experience. We collected fresh eggs from the chicken house and one morning we scrambled and sunny side fried them up for breakfast with bacon and sausage, English muffins and fresh fruit salad and dip..... all over the fire pit. It was amazing. So fresh and thoughtful, everything is so relaxing at Sandy River. Some members of our group did the Adventure Park on premises and had a blast. Others of us went into Farmville and took a pottery class that we really enjoyed. All in all I definitely want to thank the owners for their vision and all the hard work that they did making Sandy River the oasis that it is. We really appreciated it and cannot wait to visit again. read more

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I found the retreat by accident after leaving another place when the big storm hit all of Virginia this month. What a lucky break! This place salvaged our vacation. The rope courses were challenging and fun. I would recommend this park to anyone that wants to test their balance, agility and strength. I went the first time on just the green course. The next day I went on the blue and black course. Its both an upper and lower body work out and if you are looking for something a little different than just ziplining, this is it, even though it has some ziplining too. The harness also made me feel very safe. There isn't even a possibility that you are NOT hooked in. We also stayed in the smallest of the cabins but got to see and try out one of the bigger cabins while I was there. They are wonderfully made and have all the amenities a retreat away from home should. The farm has chickens, a rooster, lambs and mini-donkeys. Your dogs are welcome which is always a plus. And last but not least, Mark and Candace were accommodating, genuinely nice and very welcoming to last minute guests. I will definately be back. read more

In a single word......FANTASTIC. From the moment you turn in the driveway everything screams labor of love. Well taken care of, clean, neat, good parking and smiling faces behind the outdoor check in site. The orientation is concise, precise and to the point with everyone in the group given a chance to go through all the safety checks while on a demo stand where you actually use the equipment a foot or so off the ground. The owners are friendly and great to talk to. The course itself....holy crap. When they tell you to stretch.....do it, a lot. The course will work you, especially if you do all three levels but it is sooo much fun. There were four of us in our group, 45 yr old guy and gal, 15 and 13 yr old boys. We had an absolute blast and were tired in a good way when we were done three hours later. I highly recommend this place and I am looking forward to going back. I would go so far as to say it is Kick Ass. Zips and Sips. read more

Can't say enough good things about Sandy River. This is our second time and it is TONS OF FUN. We had 3 teenager boys and 2 late forties dads. It's a great way to get outside and have some fun. read more

My mom, brother, and I went to the Adventure Park for the ropes course yesterday. We had SO much fun...the ropes course was challenging, but in an exhilarating sort of way. The staff was really helpful and friendly as well. We are DEFINITELY going to come back. If you're looking for something fun and different, I would highly recommend coming here. read more

A beautiful relaxing place. Went glamping with 8 friends. The tipis are terrific, plenty to do or just rest depending on your mood. The customer service is impeccable. Everyone is so friendly. read more

Great time. I'm in my early 40s and fit. I thought the 3 hour ropes course with zip lines were a great value for what I paid. My group had a lot of fun. Keep in mind that this is a ropes course with zip lines and not a zip line course with ropes course. There are several shorter zip lines within the ropes courses (I remember at least a blue, yellow and black course) and two larger zip lines that lead from the trees to a field at the end of the ropes courses. The equipment is safe and quality, German-made. There is triple redundancy for the zip lines with the trolley and two carabiner straps. The carabiners utilize an interesting "key" mechanism that only unlocks one at a time. There are keys following and starting each station to move the carabiners, one-at-a-time to the next station. Very safe. The course is solid and well-constructed. The obstacles were challenging but I never felt unsafe and I would be comfortable bringing fit children over 10. I would recommend long sleeves and wearing a helmet (a helmet can be provided, though is optional). There are times when you need to balance on the steel cable using your forearms. Frequently, your head and body can brush up against the steel cable. I'm glad I had a helmet on for that reason. Gloves are required and provided but if you have your own climbing gloves, bring them as wearing gloves that hundreds of others have used and sweated in was probably an "adventure" in its own right. This is an adventure course and there is certainly a possibility of injury. You are required to sign a waiver of liability. In my opinion, I felt very safe and never felt my life was in danger. However, bumps, bruising and scrapes can occur during any outdoor activity, let alone one high up in the trees with ropes and cables. Some in the group wore jeans for added protection. I wore athletic shorts for increased mobility. If this type of activity is not for you, go to Busch Gardens instead. I would have liked to see higher zip lines that were at steeper angles but this was a great course that almost anyone can do. Again, great time. Highly recommended! read more

We had a wonderful afternoon. The guys were very helpful and encouraging and gave us great tips on how to get through the basics as well as the most difficult obstacles. That being said, we were a group of 6 mostly older (mid 50's to 60's) women in not the greatest shape. This course is strictly a go as you feel able affair, though. No one (other than your inner self) pushes you beyond what you feel comfortable doing. That's not to say that you might get half way through an obstacle before realizing it is harder than it looks, but we did not get into anything that the guys there weren't willing to help us get through. None of our group had a problem with heights, but it's good to understand that you really will be way up in the trees. It was fun, challenging and though we were thoroughly tired and hot by the time we left, we came away from it feeling bonded as a team and exhilarated. We had made it through!! We all agreed that we would like to come back another time and try this again. 3 hours playing in the trees and gliding down zip lines was just plane FUN. read more

I had never been to a zip line obstacle course and was a little nervous but I felt completely safe. I was comforted by the lock and key equipment. The course was challenging and the staff was always nearby but not on top of you telling you what to do unless you asked. The staff was very friendly and would cheer you on along the way. The only thing that would make Sandy River Retreat a perfect 5 is water stations. This is a great workout and I would highly suggest bringing a water bottle to stay hydrated especially in the summer months. My friends and I packed lunch and had a nice picnic before our class. I have already made plans to bring my hubby 13 & 11 year old for some family fun. read more

#tipilife. Picked this place on a whim for quick overnight getaway, and what a super choice! Despite arriving about 5:30, Mark kindly offered to get us out to the reservoir for an evening kayak. It is about a two mile trot over to a gorgeous, green and quiet paddle. And the tipi was truly memorable. Despite being in the sun, the air cooler had it comfortable, and once the sun went down it was downright cool. The inside was spotless, and fully equipped with anything you might need. It gives "camping" a bad name. Bed was comfier than home, but my night was made when I went outside about 10 and watched the space station zoom overhead, over-meadow, and over-tipi. Cool! In the morning we loaded our bikes in and pedaled over High Bridge. Farmville itself was still pretty quarantined, but the trail (and trail side bike shop) was spectacular. Don't forget to take the short hike down by the "fort" and underneath the High Bridge. You can almost imagine being there when the Rebs tried to burn the bridge down. But Sandy River is a wonderful home base for great exploring! read more

We went October 15 2016 for a date day. The zip line course was great but was supposed to be 3 hours of climbing. We went to the 230 to 530 time frame. It took the teens that were running the course 30 minutes before we got to start at 3:00 then they closed the course at 5:10 so we could start climbing again.. so we only had 2 hours and 10 min of climbing. If we go back we won't go to the 230 start time again because you don't get your full time of climbing. read more

I went this past Saturday, and though it did rain pretty heavily towards the end, hope my friend and I had a great time. You are different levels of challenges and I felt really challenged by all of it. Great place for a date or just a day out with the girls! I highly recommend bringing a picnic lunch and making a day of it. read more

My girlfriend and I booked a session at their ropes course the other day after a recommendation from a friend about the Sandy Hill ropes course in Maryland. We accidentally booked this place instead which happened to be a four hour drive away and we were supposed to be there by 10:30am. We immediately called them after booking and asked to cancel the session however they insisted that since we didn't give a 24 hours notice they could not refund us. The woman on the phone offered to talk to her manager however and said she would call us back which she never did. read more