About Buffalo Mountain Ziplines
Buffalo Mountain Ziplines is a locally owned and operated zipline canopy tour in Floyd County, Virginia, just one mile from the Blue Ridge Parkway. Our fully guided 8-line course takes guests soaring through the tree canopy and across the varied terrain of our mountain property, with ziplines ranging from about 250 feet to nearly a half mile and reaching heights of up to 150 feet above the forest floor.
Our Story
Buffalo Mountain Ziplines was founded by Robert and Joanna Nickell, who selected the Black Ridge Road property after an extensive search for the right location for a Virginia zipline course. Construction began in April 2019, and Buffalo Mountain Ziplines opened to the public on June 29, 2019.
Robert brought decades of experience designing and building ziplines to the project, while Joanna brought decades of experience managing zipline businesses. Together, they designed and developed Buffalo Mountain Ziplines around the property’s natural terrain, with the course progressing from shorter introductory lines to increasingly longer and higher ziplines, including “Holy Moly,” which stretches nearly a half mile and carries riders down into the valley.
New Ownership
In October 2021, Buffalo Mountain Ziplines was purchased by Floyd County resident John McEnhill. John had been considering business ownership for several years while serving as Executive Director of the Floyd County Chamber of Commerce. After exploring several possibilities, he decided that Buffalo Mountain Ziplines offered the right combination of outdoor recreation, tourism, and connection with people visiting Floyd and the Blue Ridge.
During the months leading up to the purchase, Robert and Joanna worked closely with John to prepare him to take over the business. In addition to training him as a zipline guide, they taught him how to operate and manage the business, including course and tour operations and the specialized accounts, memberships, insurance, and other requirements involved in running a zipline operation.
John officially took ownership on October 27, 2021, inheriting an established business, experienced guides, and a strong reputation built by the Nickell family. Since then, Buffalo Mountain Ziplines has continued to evolve while maintaining the foundation on which the business was established.
Buffalo Mountain Ziplines Today
Today, Buffalo Mountain Ziplines offers a fully guided 8-line canopy adventure for ages 3 and up. The course includes “Holy Moly,” Virginia’s longest and highest single zipline, along with seven additional lines that take guests through the tree canopy and across the varied terrain of the property.
In addition to our daytime Blue Ridge Adventure Tour, we offer seasonal Twilight and Nighttime Tours and special Full Moon Tours.
Under John’s ownership, the business has continued to invest in course maintenance and safety, weather monitoring, guide communication, and the guest experience. Guides take photos and videos during tours and share them with guests at no additional charge, and ongoing improvements to the property balance outdoor recreation with stewardship of its approximately 80 acres of forest, meadow, and wildlife habitat.
Awards & Recognition
Buffalo Mountain Ziplines has received recognition from guests and regional publications both before and since the 2021 ownership transition.
2021 — Tripadvisor Travelers’ Choice Award
2023 — Best of the Blue Ridge, Best Zipline — Runner-Up
Blue Ridge Outdoors Magazine
2024 — Best of the Blue Ridge, Best Zipline — Winner
Blue Ridge Outdoors Magazine
2024 — Tripadvisor Travelers’ Choice Award
Recognizing Buffalo Mountain Ziplines among the top 10% of Things to Do worldwide on Tripadvisor.
2025 — Best of the Blue Ridge, Best Zipline — Top Three
Blue Ridge Outdoors Magazine listed Buffalo Mountain Ziplines among the category’s three recognized businesses during an unusual award year following Hurricane Helene, when readers did not select the winners.
2026 — Best of the Blue Ridge, Best Zipline — Winner
Blue Ridge Outdoors Magazine
2026 — Best of the Mountains — Platinum Winner, Best Place to Go Ziplining or Try an Aerial Adventure
Blue Ridge Country Magazine
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Things to Do Nearby
Floyd County combines award-winning small-town charm with outdoor recreation, arts and culture, local food and drink, live music, shopping, and scenic Blue Ridge experiences. There’s plenty to explore before or after your zipline adventure.
Explore more things to do in the area:
Visit Virginia’s Blue Ridge (Roanoke Region)