Banning Mills is an adventure destination just outside Atlanta, GA. We stayed for a weekend and have all the details on this hidden gem.
Thank you to Historic Banning Mills for hosting us!
Banning Mills is just an hour outside of Atlanta, but it feels like a world away. Once you arrive, there’s really no need to leave. You can enjoy your meals at the lodge, fill your days with one adventure after another, or simply slow down and relax.
It’s the kind of getaway that makes it easy to unplug and reconnect. Think of it as an all-inclusive-style experience, where you can book your lodging, meals, and activities ahead of time and then focus on enjoying your time together instead of figuring out what to do next. Whether you’re exploring the great outdoors in exciting new ways or simply enjoying a change of scenery with your family or partner, Banning Mills makes it easy to turn a trip into a real escape.
And if you’re coming from Greenville, SC, Banning Mills is an easy-enough road trip at just over three hours away, depending on Atlanta traffic.
Quick Facts About Historic Banning Mills
- Location: 205 Horseshoe Dam Rd., Whitesburg, GA 30185 | 770-834-9149
- Zip line canopy tours: Level 1 (ages 8+, 50 lbs. minimum) $59 weekdays / $69 Fri–Sun; Levels 2–4 (ages 10+, 90 lbs. minimum) $89–$169 weekdays / $99–$179 Fri–Sun; Flight of the Falcon add-on $49 (115 lbs. minimum)
- Crazy Squirrel aerial course: Tier 1 ages 4+ (4–10 with an adult); Tier 2 ages 9+ (9–11 with an adult); 11+ may go alone if they can reach 44 in. (Tier 1) or 70 in. (Tier 2) with their fingertips
- Eco-Spider SWINCAR tours (90 min.): $139 single / $199 tandem; valid driver’s license required; tandem riders 8+
- Climbing wall: ages 8+, 60–285 lbs.; $35 for 1 hour, $40 for 1.5 hours, $45 for 2 hours
- Horseback riding: ages 10+; $79 for 1 hour, $99 for 2 hours
- Chattahoochee kayak trips: March to mid-November; $84 single (ages 10+ with an adult on tour), $140 tandem (ages 5+ with an adult)
- Wildlife shows: $7 per person, free for kids 4 and under; 10:30 a.m.; no reservations needed
- Hiking: 15+ miles of trails; $7 per person for non-guests (free for lodging and adventure guests); no pets
- Lodging: lodge rooms from $119/night and tree houses from $299/night (breakfast for two included); pine log cabins from $219/night (breakfast included); rustic family cabins from $209/night (sleep up to 8 or 9; breakfast not included)
- Pool: Memorial Day to Labor Day (weather permitting), overnight guests only
Prices and requirements are from Historic Banning Mills’ website, checked October 2026. Most adventures need at least two participants to run, and lodging rates vary by season, so confirm details when you book.
History of Banning Mills
Banning Mills has a fascinating history. It was originally part of the Creek Indian tribe land, led by Chief William McIntosh, who was half Creek Indian. When the white settlers came in the early 1800s, Chief McIntosh fought alongside Andrew Jackson, dined with President Thomas Jefferson, and eventually became a wealthy businessman who owned a plantation very close to Banning Mills. In 1825, he signed the Treaty of Indian Springs, which infuriated the Upper Creek Native Americans, who came to his home and killed him. He is buried where he died at McIntosh Reserve, now a county park.
In the mid-1800s, a textile mill was developed along the hidden Snake Creek Gorge, which operated through the Civil War. It fell into disrepair until 1878, when Arthur Hutcheson bought it and developed a paper mill that pioneered transforming pine trees into paper decades before the rest of the region caught on. It thrived and a town was built to accommodate all the families who worked at the mill. The town was also one of the first places in Georgia to have electric lights (the resort’s history page says the Cotton Mill installed electric lighting in 1888). Historical documents state that people from Atlanta would ride down in their buggies just to see lights turn on and off!
Along several trails at Banning Mills, you’ll find remnants of the past, including the ruins of old mills and the crumbling chimney of a home where one of the mill-working families once lived. Many of the trails follow old roads that connected the mills and the town, now covered with years of dirt, leaves, and tangled roots.
The Creek Indian tribe also once used the Creekside Trail to cross Snake Creek. I learned that after walking the trail with my kids, and it gave me pause to imagine what that journey must have been like for them. As I looked around, I realized I was seeing some of the same things they once saw. For a moment, I felt a connection to the people who had walked that path long before us.
Conservation Efforts
When Mike and Donna Holder bought the property in the late 1990s, their focus was on conservation, and they knew little about its history. The land is home to several unique ecosystems, along with an abundance of wildflowers, mushrooms, and wildlife. As they started designing and building the zip lines, they were extremely conscious to work with nature rather than against it. This is entirely obvious when you walk the hiking trails and spot the zip line platforms. They blend so seamlessly into the surroundings that they’re nearly invisible, just as the Holders intended.
Mike’s extensive military and flight career proved to be an excellent background for designing and building zip lines and adventure courses. Both Mike and Donna run a high-adventure consulting business where they help other adventure companies design and build zip lines. They’ve helped design adventure parks all around the world with an eye on preserving nature and surrounding ecosystems.
Conservation and education extend beyond the trails and adventure courses. The Birds of Prey exhibit and nature talks help visitors learn more about these birds and their habitats. In spring, Banning Mills also offers guided hikes highlighting the wildflowers and other native plants and wildlife found throughout the property.
As the business grew, Mike and Donna’s four children became involved in its day-to-day operations, making Banning Mills a true family-run business. It’s also a nonprofit, allowing the family to focus on conservation and adventure.
Banning Mills spans 300 acres, surrounded by more than 1,000 acres of protected wilderness. I think that’s part of what makes this place so special. As a guest, I felt like I was in the middle of nowhere, completely removed from the outside world and tucked away in my own little slice of paradise.
Adventures
There are endless adventures available at Historic Banning Mills. You could probably spend a week here and not get to them all. All pricing is available on the website. And the guides will take photos of you during your adventures, so you don’t need to worry about documenting all the awesomeness. The resort sends them to you for free afterwards.
Crazy Squirrel Course
There are two Crazy Squirrel rope and zip line courses. Kids as young as 4 can do Tier 1. Tier 2 is a lot more advanced, and kids must be 9 to participate. These are great for both kids and adults and are a fantastic introduction to aerial adventure.
Under Banning Mills’ current requirements, kids ages 4–10 must be accompanied by an adult on Tier 1, and kids ages 9–11 must be accompanied by an adult on Tier 2. Guests 11 and up can go unaccompanied if they can reach a height of 44 inches (Tier 1) or 70 inches (Tier 2) with their fingertips.
Tier 1 consisted of several bridges and obstacles and a few zip lines. After gearing up and going over safety precautions, my kids and I hit the course. Our guide, Jack, was super funny and very chill. He showed us a great time on this course as we navigated the shaky bridges and giant swinging balls. It was a lot of fun and took us about 45 minutes or so to go through the whole thing.
Banning Mills uses a continuous belay system, which means you never disconnect from the safety cable. It took us a little while to learn how to use the system and get into our gear, but once we got the hang of it, everything felt easy. I was proud of my kids for learning how to manage it on their own, and I saw the experience as a great confidence builder for them.
Tier 2 of the Crazy Squirrel course definitely looked crazy! Jack said you can expect to spend a good three hours navigating all the obstacles. We spotted platforms high up in the same trees used for the Level 1 course, along with many more obstacles. It looked like a really fun challenge!
Eco Tour Spider ATVs
I knew my kids and I were riding spider ATVs during our visit, but I had no idea what we were in for! These unique all-terrain vehicles were created by a paraplegic engineer who wanted a way to experience nature and explore trails. His solution was the Swincar, also known as a spider ATV. It’s controlled by hand, and each wheel has its own suspension system. That means one wheel can dip into a ditch while the others remain on higher ground, all while keeping the driver level.
These vehicles are surprisingly powerful, too, and can handle roots, rocks, dirt, gravel, and plenty of other rough terrain. Even better, they’re all-electric!
I drove one of the cars with my youngest daughter seated behind me, while our guide took my other daughter. After explaining how the cars worked, getting us fitted with helmets, and checking that our seat belts were properly secured, he took us to the test track to make sure I could safely operate the vehicle. The test track was a short off-road loop where I could get a feel for driving.
I was awful at driving this thing, which my daughter eagerly pointed out at every turn. Because it’s electric and controlled by pushing a small lever with your fingers, even a little pressure makes the car go fast. That meant plenty of stopping, starting, and jerking around. I loved it.
Once I got comfortable driving the car (which took all of five minutes and plenty more backseat driving from my kid), we were off into the woods. We traversed much of Banning Mills’ 300 acres, traveling along trails that my kids and I had hiked earlier that day. I haven’t had that much fun in a while! We crossed bridges in the woods, passed three lakes reflecting the gorgeous changing fall leaves, and even drove across the 730-foot-long Big Shoals suspension bridge twice.
I only got stuck once and figured out how to use reverse, so I’d call that a win overall!
The entire tour lasted about 90 minutes. Along the way, our guide stopped at historical points to show us the ruins of the old paper mill and town, as well as the area where the birds of prey are housed.
Guided spider ATV tours cost $199 for a tandem vehicle and $139 for a single vehicle. Some spider ATVs are wheelchair-accessible, making them a wonderful option for visitors with limited mobility. Drivers must have a valid driver’s license and be at least 16 years old to operate a single vehicle or 18 to operate a tandem vehicle. Passengers in tandem vehicles must be at least eight years old.
Hiking Trails
Historic Banning Mills is known for its amazing bridges, and whoa, we can confirm that they’re amazing. The longest bridge on our hike was the Big Shoals Bridge, which the resort lists as 730 feet long. It spans Snake Creek near the site of the original mill dam. Crossing this swinging bridge is quite the adventure! It definitely sways, and it’s really high up, but we never felt unsafe. We loved exploring the bridges, and they make for some amazing photos, too.
There are more than 100 bridges on the property, although most are part of the zip line courses. Fortunately, you can cross some of the longest ones without any special equipment. From the long swinging bridge closest to the Main Lodge, you can spot the Flight of the Falcon, the resort’s longest zip line. We could see where it started at the top of a tall tower above the gorge, but we couldn’t see where it ended!
There are 15 miles of hiking trails and three ponds at Historic Banning Mills. You can hike all over the property for free as a guest. Banning Mills is not a public park, but non-guests can hike the trails for a $7/person maintenance fee. They must sign in at the front desk. Pets are not allowed on the property (ADA service dogs excepted).
We especially enjoyed the Creekside Trail as it was directly next to Snake Creek. We saw some people zip-lining above and had great views of some of the bridges.
World’s Longest Zip Line Canopy Tour and World’s Tallest Climbing Wall
Guinness World Records has named Banning Mills’ Screaming Eagle course the longest zip line canopy tour in the world, and its showpiece line is 3,400 feet long (that’s about three-quarters of a mile!). Called Flight of the Falcon, this zip line lets riders fly in a horizontal position at speeds of up to 55 mph. I really wanted to try it, but my youngest was too small, so now we have to go back when she grows a bit! Flight of the Falcon is an add-on to the Level 3 and Level 4 tours, which start at age 10, and has a minimum weight requirement of 115 pounds. It looks amazing! The line was so long when Banning Mills was installing it that they had to use a helicopter.
Another of the resort’s impressive zip lines is about half a mile long and is called the Screaming Eagle. Riders can reach speeds of around 75 mph on this one. Yep, this one is on my list, too!
Banning Mills is also home to another record-setter: the world’s tallest free-standing climbing wall, certified by Guinness World Records. Standing 140 feet tall, it has nine climbing lanes and two rappel walls. It’s part of the Adventure Wall, where guests also begin their Screaming Eagle zip line experience. My fearless eight-year-old was really hoping to try this one, but she didn’t meet the 60-pound minimum weight requirement. Climbing costs $35 per hour, climbers must be at least eight years old, and reservations are available by phone.
There are four levels of zip line adventures you can do at Banning Mills, and if you decide you want to add on more, you can do that, too! Each level gets higher and faster, so you might just find yourself wanting to keep the fun going. There are several packages and add-ons available for zip line tours, which you can check out on their website.
Before you go, be sure to check the height, age, and weight restrictions so you know what to expect. According to the current price list, Level 1 starts at age eight with a 50-pound minimum weight, while Levels 2–4 require riders to be at least 10 years old and weigh at least 90 pounds.
With this kind of high-adventure experience, safety is a top priority, and the staff and guides are expertly trained. These rules are in place to keep both guests and guides safe.
Other Activities at Banning Mills
Horseback Riding
Banning Mills has stables on their property where they offer horseback riding on their trails. Kids have to be at least 10 years old to ride.
Birds of Prey
Banning Mills hosts Birds of Prey talks throughout the year, where a Master Falconer gives a talk and demonstration about the falcons, eagles, and owls that live right there on site, hidden among the trees. I was really hoping we would get to see this since I have such a fascination with all of these animals! You can see the owls and the resident bald eagle during the talks. Shows are $7 per person, and kids 4 and under are free. They begin at 10:30 a.m., and no reservations are required.
Kayaking
Banning Mills is very close to the Chattahoochee River and runs guided seven-mile kayak trips on the river from March to mid-November (weather and water temperature permitting). The trips are great for beginners since, according to the resort, you’ll only encounter Class I rapids.
Night Zip Lining
These tours are only available a few nights a year, and they look amazing! The lodge had one happening on one of the nights we stayed, and it was so cool to see the guides with glow sticks on their helmets and hear people whooping as they zipped through the darkness. All we could see were lights moving through the trees and the zip line towers lit up against the night sky. I definitely want to do this, too!
Accommodations at Historic Banning Mills
Stay in a Tree House
There are several tree houses at Banning Mills, and ours was two stories with a tub, king-size bed, and bathroom on the lower floor. Up the spiral staircase was a room with a bunk bed. There was also a microwave, a small table, and a balcony. It was just beautiful, and really, who doesn’t want to stay in a tree house and fulfill that childhood dream?
We especially loved the gas fire stove and the balcony. The leaves were putting on quite the show, so we felt like we were, well, in the trees, as close as possible to the leaves and all the glory of nature. It was super cool and relaxing. Our tree house also had an awesome rope bridge as the entrance. My kids thought this was the neatest thing ever. I mean, I did, too!
The entire place was well thought out to provide the getaway and relaxation we seek when we go on vacation, while also being comfortable enough to get plenty of rest so we have all the energy we need for our adventures. The tree houses also have a jetted tub, which I imagine would feel really great after a long day of adventuring.
Banning Mills has brand-new tree houses, too, that are a bit more spacious than the one we stayed in but just as relaxing and comfortable. There are truly plenty of options for enjoying a unique experience here.
Cabins and The Lodge
Other accommodations at Banning Mills are lodge rooms, which are more like typical hotel rooms and are usually booked when groups come in for retreats.
There are also pine log cabins and larger family cabins available for rent. Just remember these are not luxury accommodations. It’s not the Ritz. These are modern cabins and tree houses in the woods.
Dining at Banning Mills
All rooms except the family cabins, which can fit up to nine guests, include breakfast in the morning. The breakfasts we had were awesome – bacon, eggs, biscuits, fruit, coffee, oatmeal, waffles, sausage, and orange juice. There is a beautiful terrace room at the Main Lodge that overlooks the creek with some zip lines overhead, so the view is perfect. Since we went in late October, the colors of the leaves were incredible. I could have stared out those windows all day.
For lunch and dinner, guests can reserve meals at the lodge. The restaurant is reservation-only, and the resort asks guests to make their gourmet dinner meal choices at least 24 hours in advance.
There is a sit-down gourmet meal served nightly by reservation, which my kids and I enjoyed one of the nights we stayed at Banning Mills. We had to make our meal choices when we got there, which included an appetizer, salad, entrée, and dessert. The meals are prepared to be shared by two people, but the kitchen can also make single dishes. Kids’ meals, including chicken fingers, pizza, spaghetti, and other items, are available, too.
If you’d rather enjoy a meal in your tree house or other accommodations at Banning Mills, you can order a Picnic Lunch for Two ($34.95). It includes two hearty sandwiches, chips, apples, side salads, desserts, snacks, and bottled water, all served in a souvenir backpack you get to keep.
If you’d rather eat out, Banning Mills lists several local restaurants in the guidebook in your room. They’re about 15–20 minutes away by car.
Adventure Packages
I did say at the beginning of this story that Banning Mills is so close to that elusive all-inclusive experience. And it is! You just have to be sure to add on everything you want when you book or when you arrive for your trip. Once you arrive, you don’t need to leave the property at all if you choose to book all your meals and adventures there (I recommend you do because they are all amazing).
There are several adventure packages to choose from, depending on what you want to do. There are a couple of getaway, adventure, and room packages that include meals, zip lining, Eco Spider ATV Tours, and lots more. Most are for two people, but just call Banning Mills, and they will help you put together a package for your family or to fit your needs and desires. They are very accommodating and just a wonderful group of people who want guests to have an amazing stay.
Best Ages to Experience Banning Mills
This is always something to consider when planning family getaways, right? You want something that is fantastic for everyone. My kids are eight and 11, and my youngest could do limited activities because of her age and weight. She wanted to do the Flight of the Falcon, but we’ll have to wait a few years. That said, we were able to do the Crazy Squirrel Tier 1, hiking trails, and the Eco Spider ATV Tours, which kept us quite busy. If we had gone in the summer, we would have been able to enjoy the swimming pool as well. So there are definitely enough activities to keep guests active but also provide enough downtime to relax.
If you have teenagers and are looking for adventure, book this place. If you and your partner are always on the lookout for the next thrill, book this place. I’m already thinking of coming back when my kids are a bit older because, wow, the options are endless for the super cool and unique experiences you can have together.
And the memories you could make here with your kids would just be so priceless. This is an opportunity to really connect with your kids or partner, get away from technology for a bit, and just be together while doing something super fun.
Historic Banning Mills FAQ
How old do kids need to be for the adventures at Historic Banning Mills?
Kids as young as four can do Crazy Squirrel Tier 1 with an adult. Zip Line Level 1 and the climbing wall start at age eight, Levels 2–4 and horseback riding start at 10, and Crazy Squirrel Tier 2 starts at nine. Weight minimums also apply, including 50 lbs. for Level 1, 90 lbs. for Levels 2–4, 60 lbs. for the climbing wall, and 115 lbs. for Flight of the Falcon.
What world records does Historic Banning Mills hold?
The resort says Guinness World Records has recognized its Screaming Eagle course as the longest zip line canopy tour in the world and its 140-foot climbing wall as the world’s tallest free-standing climbing wall.
Can you hike at Historic Banning Mills if you aren’t staying there?
Yes. Non-guests pay a $7 per person trail maintenance fee and must sign in at the front desk. Lodging and adventure guests don’t pay the fee. Pets aren’t allowed, except ADA service dogs.
Is breakfast included with lodging at Historic Banning Mills?
Lodge rooms, tree houses, and pine log cabins include breakfast for two each morning. The rustic family cabins don’t include breakfast, but you can add it.
When can you go kayaking at Historic Banning Mills?
The resort runs guided seven-mile Chattahoochee River kayak trips from March to mid-November, depending on weather and water temperature.
My Honest Mom Review
For myself, relaxation involves hiking, kayaking, or something outdoors. This was a relaxing weekend for me because I captured that elusive feeling of getting away from my normal, everyday work with upcoming deadlines and whatever else had been on my mind the previous week. Staying in a tree house, wandering around the hiking trails, learning the history of the property, and enjoying those amazing views from the swinging bridges was very special.
Connecting with my daughters was fantastic, even while one was telling me what an awful driver I was. Our time with our kids is short, and intentionally making the most of the time we have together is of utmost importance. This is a truly amazing place to make that happen.
I also want to give a shoutout to the staff at Banning Mills. Everyone was so kind, considerate, and accommodating. I know working in hospitality can be hard, but everyone we met was wonderful and friendly.
Be sure to check their website for current deals when planning your trip!
Historic Banning Mills Website
205 Horseshoe Dam Road, Whitesburg, GA
770-834-9149
