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CANOPY TOURSANN ARBOR, MI -- Canopy Tour Builder S.T.E.P.S. and Bonsai Design are proud to announce the opening of Ohio's first arboreal canopy tour. Located 30-minutes south of Columbus, Ohio in the Hocking Hills, the tour offers more than 3200 feet of zip line cables and fly over rock bridges, fern covered gulleys and traverse the bluffs of the Hocking River. The two-and-a-half hour canopy tour experience includes a progression of 10 zip lines, 3 sky bridges, and a rappel, all with stunning views.

The Hocking Hills Canopy Tour is fifth canopy tour built by S.T.E.P.S., Inc. and Bonsai Design. Other canopy tours built by S.T.E.P.S. and Bonsai Design include two courses near Austin, Texas at Cypress Valley Canopy Tours (www.cypressvalleycanopytours.com) and canopy tours in Juneau and Ketchikan, Alaska for Alaska Canopy Adventures (www.alaskacanopy.com). "The industry is booming right now," commented Mike Smith, Director of Special Projects for S.T.E.P.S., Inc. "We currently have design and installation work underway in Ketchikan, Alaska; Santa Cruz, California, Ontario, Canada, and New Hampshire" and have been actively consulting with active and prospective tour operators in South and Central America, South Korea, the Carribean, Hawaii, South Africa, Israel, and more than 25 states in the United States. The volume of inquiries has increased exponentially since 2005. While we fielded only four inquiries for Canopy Tours in the United States in 2004, responding to inquiries is more than a full time job now."

For those seeking to enter the industry or just to enjoy the thrill of zip lining, Hocking Hills Canopy Tours offers a premiere experience. The tour is designed to immerse guests into the environment. Nestled into large sycamores, oaks, and maples, the tour provides guests the opportutnity to explore the nature world, have fun, and experience the canopy from a different perspective. Designed as a group experience, groups of 8 guests are led through the experience by two certified guides who are formally trained in Zip Lining, First Aid, Rescue, and Natural History. Tours blend the thrill of zip lining and moving at heights with the beauty and appreciation of the Hocking River Valley, one of Ohio's best known wildernesses.

S.T.E.P.S. and Bonsai Design are currently looking for other prospective tour operators in the United States and abroad who are seeking to install arboreal canopy tours that use a gloved hand-brake. "While we are familiar with other tour styles, we believe the hand-brake offers the most immersive experience and provides the type of personal challenge that differentiates our canopy tours from a roller coaster ride. We want people to feel safe, in control, and to enjoy the entire experience, offers Mike Smith. When people ask why we choose to use the hand brake system, I ask them which they would rather do, 'Drive a sports car or site in the passenger seat?' Our tours offer the experience of being in control and as a result our clients come away saying more than just 'Wow, that was a thrill.' They come away having mastered a new skill. You can see it in their smile and hear it in their laugh."

S.T.E.P.S. Lead Trainer and Canopy Tour Guide, Rhonda Sandweiss offers the following insight. "My favorite part of the tour is coaching people who arrive apprehensive or have a fear of heights through the experience. Helping people to achieve something more than they thought they could do and to do it in a beautiful place is why I love my job."

S.T.E.P.S. and Bonsai Design provide an array of services for upstart and established canopy tours ranging from Business Develop to Canopy Tour Design and Installation. Web marketing, guide training, rescue training, custom documentation, and ongoing consulting are also included in most packages. For more information on our canopy tour services, please call (248) 481-2568. 

Testimonials

"It really highlights the best of Ohio. The beauty of the Hocking River and Hocking HIlls makes this canopy tour a must for canopy tour and zip line enthusiasts. While you're not going to see parrots or monkeys like you might on a canopy tour in Costa Rica, the Hocking River Valley offers similar thrills, spectacular views, and it's located right in America's Heartland. With canopy tours in Alaska, Texas, California and many other canopy tours planned for installation in the upcoming months, it's easy to forget about the beautiful deciduous forests right in our own backyard. I can't wait for people to experience the Hocking Hills Canopy Tour and fall in love with zip lining and Ohio all at once." ~ Mike Smith

"Wow! This was my first time on a canopy tour and I can't wait to do it all over again." ~ 47-year old guest

"One of the most beautful canopy tours that I have ever done." ~ Phil Kroll, S.T.E.P.S. Trainer

"Bring on the next one." ~10-year old guest 

For more information about Hocking HIlls Canopy Tours

Click here to learn more about Hocking Hills Canopy Tours or Call (740) 385-ZIPS. Reserve now and be one of the first to experience Ohio's First Zip Line Adventure Tour.

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View photos and video of other canopy tours and zipline tours