How to watch the sunrise from Gatlinburg’s SkyBridge, plus autumn adventures

SkyLift Park in the Great Smoky Mountains has music, trick-or-treating and more planned for autumn

The view from the nation’s longest pedestrian suspension bridge, which just happens to be a few hours north of Atlanta, is spectacular anytime of day. Now, some lucky visitors will be able to see it when few others have — at sunrise.

During the Smoky Mountain Sunrise event, ticket holders can board the SkyLift before dawn, enjoy live music on the SkyDeck and have a complimentary coffee before watching the sunrise over Gatlinburg and the Smoky Mountains. Smoky Mountain Sunrise tickets will be available to a limited number of guests on Tuesdays and Thursdays through October 31. Guests will have access to the SkyLift, SkyCenter, SkyBridge and SkyDeck, along with an exclusive “sneak-peak” of the SkyTrail before it opens to the public.

Tickets can be purchased only online and are valid for the entire day you choose to visit. That way, you can leave and return to SkyLift Park as many times as you like.

The SkyBridge is 680 feet long and 140 feet above the ground. The nation’s longest pedestrian suspension bridge opened in 2019. It is part of the renovated SkyLift Park at the top of Crockett Mountain.

This isn’t the only event taking place at the park this month.

Spooktacular Smokies is all about the younger goblins and ghouls, and features storytelling on the SkyDeck every Friday and Saturday night through October 31, with additional activities on Halloween weekend, including halloween-themed photo opportunities, spooky music and Halloween lights. Any child under 12 who is wearing a costume will be admitted for free and will be offered free candy October 29-31.

Spooktacular Smokies is included with your SkyLift Park general admission ticket.

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