13-Year Profitable Zipline Park + 83 Acres of Prime Development Land
Business Description
Shawnee Bluffs Canopy Tour is a profitable, outdoor adventure business and eco-tourism property located in the heart of Southern Illinois. Established in 2013, this award-winning canopy tour has built a strong brand reputation and loyal customer base while offering a high-quality, fully guided zipline experience in a truly unforgettable setting.
The business sits on 83 privately owned acres surrounded by the Shawnee National Forest, ensuring lasting seclusion, privacy, and pristine natural views. The park features a professionally designed 8-zipline canopy tour, 3 aerial suspension bridges, and 3 short scenic hikes — all constructed in an eco-friendly manner by Geronimo Construction, a premier builder of world-class zipline courses. Platforms are 100% tree-based, allowing for annual adjustment that preserves the health and growth of the trees.
Guests begin their experience at a warm and welcoming check-in and retail space, complete with a gear room and outdoor staging area. All operating equipment, safety gear, signage, and established booking and management systems are included in the sale. City water and infrastructure are in place, and the business is ready to operate from day one.
With an average 4.9-star rating on Google and over 200 "Excellent" reviews on TripAdvisor, Shawnee Bluffs Canopy Tour is one of the region’s most beloved outdoor attractions. It is located along the Southern Illinois Wine Trail and in close proximity to Giant City State Park, Crab Orchard Wildlife Refuge, and other top regional destinations. The area receives over a million visitors annually and is within a 2–5 hour drive of major metro areas like St. Louis, Nashville, Indianapolis, and Chicago.
The entire 83-acre property remains available for future development, including lodging, glamping, treehouses, cabins, RV hookups, or event venues. The terrain includes natural rock bluffs, wildflower meadows, open clearings, and a large boulder-lined creek — making it ideal for eco-resort expansion or wellness and retreat programming. With increasing demand for nature-based accommodations and limited supply in the region, the land offers tremendous potential for passive income and multi-seasonal growth.
The business is being offered on a fully turnkey basis, including all assets, operating permits, and future bookings. The experienced team of guides is expected to stay on post-sale, and the current owner is committed to providing long-term transition support, guide training, and service to the ziplines and platforms.
This is a rare opportunity to own a thriving adventure business with land for expansion, located in one of the Midwest’s most scenic and rapidly growing nature tourism corridors.
The business sits on 83 privately owned acres surrounded by the Shawnee National Forest, ensuring lasting seclusion, privacy, and pristine natural views. The park features a professionally designed 8-zipline canopy tour, 3 aerial suspension bridges, and 3 short scenic hikes — all constructed in an eco-friendly manner by Geronimo Construction, a premier builder of world-class zipline courses. Platforms are 100% tree-based, allowing for annual adjustment that preserves the health and growth of the trees.
Guests begin their experience at a warm and welcoming check-in and retail space, complete with a gear room and outdoor staging area. All operating equipment, safety gear, signage, and established booking and management systems are included in the sale. City water and infrastructure are in place, and the business is ready to operate from day one.
With an average 4.9-star rating on Google and over 200 "Excellent" reviews on TripAdvisor, Shawnee Bluffs Canopy Tour is one of the region’s most beloved outdoor attractions. It is located along the Southern Illinois Wine Trail and in close proximity to Giant City State Park, Crab Orchard Wildlife Refuge, and other top regional destinations. The area receives over a million visitors annually and is within a 2–5 hour drive of major metro areas like St. Louis, Nashville, Indianapolis, and Chicago.
The entire 83-acre property remains available for future development, including lodging, glamping, treehouses, cabins, RV hookups, or event venues. The terrain includes natural rock bluffs, wildflower meadows, open clearings, and a large boulder-lined creek — making it ideal for eco-resort expansion or wellness and retreat programming. With increasing demand for nature-based accommodations and limited supply in the region, the land offers tremendous potential for passive income and multi-seasonal growth.
The business is being offered on a fully turnkey basis, including all assets, operating permits, and future bookings. The experienced team of guides is expected to stay on post-sale, and the current owner is committed to providing long-term transition support, guide training, and service to the ziplines and platforms.
This is a rare opportunity to own a thriving adventure business with land for expansion, located in one of the Midwest’s most scenic and rapidly growing nature tourism corridors.
About the Business
- Years in Operation
- 12
- Facilities & Assets
- Turnkey operation includes 83 private acres, fully operational zipline course, 2,520 sq. ft. welcome center, 360 sq. ft. gear storage room, and 570 sq. ft. covered guest staging area. Full inventory of operational assets and safety gear (harnesses, helmets, gloves, radios, etc.), signage, and strong brand presence also included. Features city water, parking, and natural terrain with rock bluffs, wildflower meadows, large bouldered creek and small fruit tree orchard. Additional acreage ready for lodging, treehouses, or eco-tourism development.
- Website
- https://shawneezip.com/
- Market Outlook / Competition
- Illinois’ first and only 100% tree-based, eco-friendly zipline park. No other operation in the Midwest matches Shawnee Bluffs Canopy Tour in terms of zipline length, speed, or setting. Its location in a top tourism corridor with minimal local competition creates a strong market position and brand advantage. The course’s natural design and reputation for safety further differentiate it in the adventure tourism space.
- Opportunities for Growth
- Significant room to scale via lodging development, event venues, or added attractions. Ideal for treehouse retreats, cabin rentals, glamping, or corporate team-building sites. Demand for unique overnight stays in the Shawnee National Forest is rising, and the region is underserved. Also suited for group retreats, outdoor education programs, and nature-based wellness tourism. The natural setting supports high-margin experiential add-ons and year-round revenue.
Real Estate
- Owned or Leased
- Owned
- Included in asking price
- Building Sq. Ft.
- 3,450
About the Sale
- Seller Motivation
- The owners are retiring after 13 years in business.
- Transition Support
- Experienced guides and team members will stay on post-sale. Current owner is committed to a smooth transition and will remain involved long-term to assist with guide training and ongoing service of ziplines and platforms.
Listing Info
- ID
- 2404708
- Listing Views
- 496
Attached DocumentsAttachment Disclaimer
SBCT _ Property Highlights.pdf
Business Location
Listing ID: 2404708 The information on this listing has been provided by either the seller or a business broker representing the seller. BizQuest has no interest or stake in the sale of this business and has not verified any of the information and assumes no responsibility for its accuracy, veracity, or completeness. See our full Terms of Use. Learn how to avoid scams.
Businesses for SaleIllinois Businesses for SaleIllinois Entertainment & Leisure Businesses for SaleIllinois Other Entertainment & Leisure Businesses for Sale