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Minnesota's Favorite Zipline Tour & High Ropes Course

Experience the Thrill of Winter Ziplining!

The crisp air & snowy landscape add a refreshing & exhilarating twist to the adventure.

Zipline tours are available for two or more people. Make your reservation 2 or more days in advance to confirm staffing needs. Call us at: 952-873-3900 to book your reservation.

Two Legendary Adventures

Zipline Canopy Tour

High Ropes Course

Check Out the Zipline Tour & High Ropes Course in Action

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Better than hawaii, fun and professional, incredible experience, rent a gopro.

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Kerfoot Canopy Tour

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Minnesota roots.

We draw our passion for the outdoors from our grandmother, legendary Minnesota Northwoods pioneer, Justine Kerfoot. We want to continue her legacy of connecting others to nature through outdoor adventure.  More about us

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Two locations.

Kerfoot Canopy Tours

Review Highlights

“ They start you slow and teach you everything you need to know to feel comfortable on the larger zip lines. ” in 8 reviews

“ Our guides (Jeff and Cassie ) were fantastic, and they made us feel both safe and right at home. ” in 3 reviews

“ They made sure we all had a great time while enjoying the beautiful scenery and course, and were also pretty funny and easy to talk to. ” in 3 reviews

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30200 Scenic Byway

Henderson, MN 56044

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Overall rating

This place is so incredibly fun! Brought my Girl Scout troop here today and did not regret it one bit. My scouts had an opportunity to experience something they never have. Explore, be courageous, and get some exercise. One of our guides, Sarah, was fantastic. She was helpful, friendly, and always had a smile on her face. I can't wait to go back here and try the zip lining. The guides gave everyone a detailed crash course and showed all of us how to use the equipment, helped us put it on, made sure everyone was in the correct size. They have a super cute gift shop as well with some fun gear and souvenirs. They also had a water tank on ground level for drinks. And you can go up and down as you please.

Ropes course from ground level.

This was my first zip lining experience. I'm a little afraid of heights, but decided to give it a shot. Really glad I did. Our two guides were very professional and friendly. They created a very lighthearted atmosphere, and from there on, it was difficult to not have fun. I will definitely visit them again.

Everything was so good, best place ever. If you like zip lining, go here. If you are me and are scared of heights and decide you need to get off, they are super amazing about making sure you're comfortable and get you off. We had a pretty big group and everyone had the best experience

Loved the zip lines. They are top notch. Our guides, David and Kim, were excellent. Would definitely recommend the experience. It was worth the drive (3 hours) and the cost.

First time zip lining and I would go again! I really enjoyed the experience and the guides were very knowledgeable.

Adventure course

Have you ever wanted to climb a whole bunch of stairs and then jump off of platforms trusting only a few cables and a harness to get you to a safe landing? If you answered yes, please go to this place! This was my husbands choice for celebrating our wedding anniversary; although I think he was trying to kill me off, the staff at Kerfoot were professional and made sure all of my lines and harness were secure at each take off to thwart his plans. There were 14 zip lines to throw yourself off of... so don't worry, you get plenty of opportunities to put yourself at death's doorstep. They think they're all smart starting on the little short ones near the ground, and next thing you know you're 6 stories in the air wondering what good your helmet will actually do when the cables snap. Fun fact: they operate in all weather conditions unless there's stupid high winds or lightning...this worked out great for us as we got our first soaking rain here today in a couple of weeks which picked up nicely as we got to the first zip line. All around we had a really great time, I do love this kind of thing and it's awesome that we have this so close to the twin cities. I'm sure it would be absolutely stunning in the fall. They also have go pros you can rent and record your zips! Would definitely do this again! You will never, however, catch me on their ropes course....I will play dead if he tries to surprise me with that next year.

Ropes course in the background

Us in our gear after the final zip back to the ground with the ropes course behind us.

This was a good one time experience. There's about 10-12 lines, and each line gets better as you go. I would recommend going during the fall to see the beautiful colors. Do anticipate some wait time.

Wasn't super impressed, it rained and pushed our slot back a half hour so when we got up there one of our instructors kept rushing us through the whole thing so they could get the next group up on time. There's better places to go honestly

My kiddos and I always look for a zip line or aerial adventure when we vacation so we were thrilled to find Kerfoot on our trip to the Minneapolis area this summer. There are two courses. We chose the longer course with 14 lines. As you progress through the course the lines either get longer or faster. There is a good balance between lines of distance and speed. Our guides (Jeff and Cassie) were fantastic, and they made us feel both safe and right at home. We went on a hot (ish - we're from Texas so Minnesota hot isn't a fair comparison) August day, and everything was lush and green. Temps were quite a bit lower deep on the course. I'd recommend insect repellent because the mosquitoes were active the deeper into the woody areas. I know that other reviewers said that it's a great one time activity, but my family would definitely do it again.

This place says "canopy tours". This is no "tour". They actually make you have to stop yourself with a leather glove on each of their 14 runs. You only get to see one "canopy". Even if there were enjoyable views (there weren't), you are constantly waiting for the guide to tell you when to stop or slow down so you can't look around at all. You have to carry your own very heavy rigging equipment and have to hook yourself up to the wire lines. You are tethered to a high tree on each platform and there are no railings. You can't enjoy anything at all. Also no cameras are allowed unless you bring a helmet cam, which they don't tell you about, so you can't take pictures of your companions. Overall very stressful and not fun or beautiful at all. Would give it a Zero if I could.

21 other reviews that are not currently recommended

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KERFOOT CANOPY TOUR: All You Need to Know BEFORE You Go (with Photos)

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Kerfoot Canopy Tour - All You Need to Know BEFORE You Go (2024)

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Kerfoot Canopy Tour - All You Need to Know BEFORE You Go (2024)

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Book a zipline tour or experience the high ropes course on an exhilarating adventure.

The Kerfoot Canopy Tour was ranked as the #2 aerial adventure in the United States in 2019 by USA Today. They have 14 different ziplines, all of which are over a mile long and are 175 feet above the ground. Kerfoot is less than an hour from Minneapolis, and beginners are welcome. Visitors do not need previous zipline experience to participate here. They do, however, require reservations, and riders must be at least ten years old. Every participant will receive a guided zipline tour, a brief orientation, and a helmet and harness. All zipliners need to weigh between 70 and 250 pounds, wear closed-toed shoes, and be ready to have fun! Enjoy nature from up high and experience a bird's eye view from the treetops.

Kerfoot also features a 170-foot suspension bridge over the Minnesota Valley. Once you're done cruising along the ziplines, check out the high ropes course or the adventure park offering three stories of outdoor fun, perfect for kids and families. Experience the thrill of a lifetime at the Kerfoot Canopy Tour in Henderson, Minnesota.

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Kerfoot Canopy Tour

Lee Kerfoot is owner of Kerfoot Canopy Tour. (Photo by Jonathan Smith )

Brave Business Adventurers

Kerfoot family continues legacy of promoting the great outdoors.

There are many ways to enjoy the beauty of Minnesota; on the waterways, on the trails, through the trees? One family elevated Minnesota’s options for outdoor recreation and has turned the state’s beauty into a business plan.

“Minnesota has a rich history of people who enjoy, explore, and embrace the Bold North. The mythical land of 10,000 lakes, the birthplace of Paul Bunyan, the towering pine trees, the northern lights, and the wild fresh air,” explains Lee Kerfoot. “We love the state and think it adds some invisible magic that is sprinkled into the experience. Like much of Minnesota, the land we are on plays an important role in helping set the stage, in telling our story, in building the experience into something better than the individual parts should be.”

That experience is Kerfoot Canopy Tour, a zip lining enterprise located on the Minnesota River Valley National Scenic Byway 6 miles north of Henderson. The perfect location, Kerfoot says, to attract adventure seekers from near and far.

“We love the implications of being on a National Scenic Byway. It aligns with the experience we are trying to deliver. Being this close to Minneapolis and 45 minutes away from Mankato allows us to expose so many people to tree-topping outdoor adventures. We are close enough to Mankato and Minneapolis to be accessible, yet far enough away to seem remote and wild,” he explains.

At Kerfoot Canopy Tour, the zip line tours start out low and slow to help people get comfortable. Then as the guests begin to relax the course gives them more, challenging them by growing higher, longer and faster. In addition, the scenery changes over the three different sections of the course.

It’s a venture born out of Kerfoot’s innate sense of adventure and deeply-rooted passion for the outdoors, something fostered in him from a very young age.

“I grew up at the Gunflint Lodge on the Gunflint Trail. My family owned the resort from late 1920 to 2017. As a youth and young adult my Grandma Justine Kerfoot was a big influence on the resort with her commitment to excellence and helping others recreate outdoors.

My father Bruce also exemplified these attributes. It seemed natural that these core values were woven into my DNA and hopefully can be seen throughout our two zip line tours,” explains Lee Kerfoot.

He embraced that part of his DNA with some formal education, graduating from University of Wisconsin-Stout with a degree in hospitality and tourism management, then earning a masters of management in hospitality from Cornell University. It was there he met his wife, Eva, who not only shared the same degree, but also the passion for outdoor recreation.

“Eva and I wanted to start a company helping others recreate outdoors and foster their own passion for outdoor adventure. After considering many options we decided to focus on zip lining. Next we started looking for land and eight months later we found something unique. After flying in builders to interview (they were also interviewing us as well) we all agreed this had the potential to be great, we just didn’t know how great it could be. Our builders, Challenge Designs Innovation, really did a great job for us! They built through six weeks of rain nearly every day. We opened in May of 2013 with 10 zip lines. By the fall of 2013 we added four more zip lines, giving us over 1 mile of zip line cable,” he says.

Parlaying his passion with a business plan has paid off. In 2016 they opened a second zip line tour, Brainerd Zip Line Tour, at Ski Gull in Nisswa, Minnesota. They again hired Challenge Design Innovation to build Brainerd Zip Line Tour. In the fall of 2017 they added a 21-element aerial adventure park at Kerfoot Canopy Tour. Then in the fall of 2018 they expanded the adventure park to 45-elements. Kerfoot says the key is to keep things changing a bit, to keep folks coming back.

“Our first year at Kerfoot Canopy Tour and our first year at Brainerd Zip Line Tour each property hosted just over 3,000 guests,” says Kerfoot. “Brainerd has grown every year. For the most part Kerfoot has grown every year. Last year Kerfoot Canopy Tour had over 10,000 guests and Brainerd Zip Line Tour had over 5,000 guests. We are focusing on building new attractions at different price points so more people can develop their own passion for outdoor adventure. Ultimately, our goal is to help 1 million people recreate outdoors over our first 30 years.”

The biggest challenge for Kerfoot so far, has been creating awareness that great zip lining is available in Minnesota. “When we started no one thought of zip lining and Minnesota,” he says. “But now after several years of delivering great experiences people are starting to become aware of us.” Now that they have added an Adventure Park, they face another similar challenge: educating people on what an Adventure Park is.

“We really don’t have anything like this in the state of Minnesota. Our Adventure Park is a 45-element extreme high ropes course. Part ninja warrior, part obstacle course, park ropes course, 100% fun! We use smart belay systems so guests are always clipped on. The course has three and a half stories to it and as you go higher in the park the elements you cross get harder. We think this is going to be super popular once we are able to get the word out,” says Kerfoot.

Along with creating a great experience for adventure seekers, Kerfoot and his wife are equally concerned with creating a great experience for their employees, maintaining a healthy company culture.

“We have always been concerned about hiring the right type of people. Fortunately, between the general managers Ed and Mitchell, the returning sky guides, and the culture we create, we are able to attract amazing people that help our guests foster and develop their own passion for outdoor recreation and adventure. That said, it is a constant challenge to find the right people,” he explains.

Visitors to Kerfoot Canopy Tour have several ways to view the breathtaking scenery. (Photo by Jonathan Smith )

Fortunately, Kerfoot believes he has put together his dream team, with everyone on the team having a strong commitment to excellence in service and on delivering it every day with every guest.

“Our general managers, Ed MacHolda at Kerfoot Canopy Tour and Mitchell Scott at Brainerd Zip Line Tour, do an incredible job of training, coaching, and trying to weave service, empathy, and outdoor adventure into everything they do,” says Kerfoot. “One specific example of this is that we ask our guides to learn the names of their guests and use them during the tour. Sometimes it takes a few zips before they get the names down, but it helps convey a personalization and intimacy as guests go through the course. For the guests who are nervous, hearing their name often helps calm them, comfort them, and reassure them that we are there to help them and they can do it!”

KCT has three full-time, year-round cast members – the general managers and recently hired Krissie Mason, who handles groups, public relations, and overall awareness. Kerfoot refers to employees as cast members, because he says they are putting on an authentic experience for guests. KCT hires nearly 40 seasonal cast members, and at Brainerd Zip Line Tour they hire around 20. Often, he points out, they have as much as 50% of their previous cast members returning for another season.

Now in its sixth year, KCT is going strong. But Kerfoot says to make this seasonal business work, he hasn’t given up his day job.

“Yes, it is essentially a seasonal business. We do some zip lining in the winter, but less than 5% of our business is from November through the end of March,” he says. “When we started we believed there were two primary options. One was to quit our day jobs and run the company ourselves, but because we would be relying on the business to pay our day-to-day bills we thought this might limit our growth opportunities. The second option was to hire a great general manager and let them run the day-to-day operations, allowing me to keep my day job and focus on the big picture items and marketing.

“We chose to hire great people, listen to them, give them guidelines, and turn them loose. This allows us to focus on adding new attractions, like our Adventure Park. However, the downside to this is that I effectively have two full-time jobs, which is not for everyone.” At the end of the day, Kerfoot admits it feels wonderful knowing that generations of his family have helped generations of other families find their own love of outdoor activities. Conveying that history and educating their guides about how important it is to explore the outdoors really adds authenticity to what they are trying to do.

“People come to Kerfoot Canopy Tour for many reasons. Families come so they can bond as a family and connect with Mother Nature. Friends come because they want a unique, thrilling adventure. Bachelor/bachelorette parties come because they are looking for a way to spend time together before returning to their busy lives. Corporate groups come because they want to deepen their relationships with co-workers. It is about spending time together, outdoors, embracing the outdoors, doing something exciting, while enjoying a great experience.”

It’s All In the Details

There are many details Kerfoot incorporates into his business that might go unnoticed by guests, but make a big difference in the overall experience. For example, all of the gloves go through a dryer so they are soft and supple. That way guests don’t have to put on wet, sweaty, or crusty gloves. The gloves are all stored in pairs and the thumbs are always on the right. They are not in a laundry basket like mismatched socks. All of the gear is professionally taken care of, organized, and laid out in exacting detail. Every helmet is cleaned between every single use. Another way the course stands out is through the signage on the property. Each zip line has a unique name and story behind it. The zip lines also show you the level of difficulty. So when you get comfortable with beginner zip lines, then you come to intermediate lines. After completing the intermediate lines guests start to look forward to the advanced lines. “By then their smiles stretch across their face and their cheeks start to ache from the ‘permagrin.’ The expert lines are thrilling combinations of speed, flying, and exhilaration!”

Family Adventures

“As a family we love outdoor adventure and try to spend as much time as possible outdoors. We have two kids and one of our favorite family trips is to go to the Gunflint Lodge every summer. We always rent a boat, motor across Gunflint Lake, through Magnetic Lake, park the boat at a small rapids, and hike into Little Rock Falls. There is a small cliff you can jump off of and swim at. We bring a pack lunch with us and just enjoy eating lunch on the rocks around the waterfall. When you visit Little Rock Falls it is remote, pristine, relaxed. You cannot help but to feel awe and gratitude for being able to experience the beauty of Mother Nature! “ Kerfoot says his other favorite adventures include zip lining other courses, camping in the Boundary Waters, mountain biking, snorkeling, reading, exploring, and traveling. “Right now most of our favorite adventures have been focused on riding other zip line tours or adventure parks. Often we can combine this with other trips to national parks. As the kids get older we are going to try more snorkeling, white water rafting and mountain biking. This summer we are going to try via ferrata for the first time and I think we are going to love this! But our kids almost always say their favorite trip of the year is our day trip to Little Rock Falls!”

Trial and Error

“Eva and I do not need to be in control of every decision, but we are committed to great service. Ed and Mitchell are excellent at many tasks we are not. Constant communication is essential in alignment between all of us. One attribute we all have in common is in trying to find ‘what is right’ and not ‘who is right.’ With this in mind, more often than not, we help improve each others’ ideas. A great example of this is I wanted to start kayaking rentals on the Minnesota River. After renting kayaks for a few years we could not find the right formula for us to do this at a high level. Because we are all committed to great service and none of us need to be right, when Ed told me we should stop renting kayaks, in reflection he was right. So we sold all of the equipment and focused on zip lining.”

Always Looking for the Next Big Adventure

“One fun challenge is imagining new adventures to help people recreate outdoors. We see some interesting stuff on the internet and try to figure out if we can do it at a high level at either property. One example of something we looked into but ultimately decided not to do was an extreme mountain bike course. We wanted to build a corkscrew ramp to descend down a steep ravine, have a bridge with an optional jump across a riverbed. Ultimately, for several reasons we decided not to go forward with the idea. We spend a lot of time brainstorming about possible ideas but unfortunately many get discarded. We have narrowed down our list to a few really cool things that no one is doing in the Midwest or nationally. So, hopefully we can build these out for future guests to explore and recreate in new amazing ways. These will be really cool!”

Entrepreneurial Ingenuity

“One challenge every entrepreneur faces is limited time in the day. With a day job, two zip line tours, trying to publish content online, and a family, how I spend my time and who I hire is critical,” he says. “Time forces me to assess how important something is very quickly. I struggle with this and I ask myself daily/hourly: what should I be spending my time working on, who should I be surrounding myself with, what can I delegate, how important is it for me to be somewhere, or do I really need to be involved in this project or decision? These questions force me to regularly question my time and generally keep me out of the day-to-day emergencies that can come up. “ Recently, Kerfoot started publishing content online to help other adventure business owners grow and accelerate their own businesses. This content can be found online at adventurebusinessaccelerator.com.

The Essentials

Kerfoot Canopy Tour 30200 Scenic Byway Road Henderson, MN 56044 Phone : (952) 260-2657 Website : Kerfootcanopytour.com

Brainerd Zipline Tour 9898 County Road 77 Southwest Nisswa, MN 56468 Phone : (218) 316-6562 Website : zipbrainerd.com

• Jackson Economic Development Corporation (CEDA)

Lisa Cownie

Editor of Connect Business Magazine