Since 1950, visitors have headed to the John Ball Zoo in Grand Rapids, Michigan, to see exotic animals at play. But these days, there are more than monkeys climbing among the zoo’s canopy of trees.
The four-story-tall Sky Trail Ropes Course structure has two climbing levels built within a frame — a massive jungle gym of ropes and wooden beams. Safety lines and carabiners attach to body harnesses so visitors can crawl or leap — however daring they may be — between levels without fear of falling.
Challenges within the Sky Trail range from walking heel-to-toe along inclined beams to traversing unsteady rope bridges 40 feet above the ground. And visitors can’t help but feel like they are climbing among the treetops since the Sky Trail is surrounded by a thick grove of maple and other hardwood trees.
The Sky Trail is one of several adventure attractions that John Ball has added to its animal exhibits. Other activities include a zip line that speeds riders 300 feet above ground, a 5,000-gallon stingray and shark touch tank, and a budgie aviary, where visitors can feed the tiny birds by hand.
Children must measure at least 48 inches tall to play on the Sky Trail Ropes Course alone, but smaller kids can participate with an adult companion. And while the ropes course is a big hit with kids, adults enjoy climbing through the trees, too.
Tickets for climbing the Sky Trail cost $7 per ticket or $24 for four tickets, in addition to regular zoo admission.