Top 10 Best Skydiving Drop Zones in the USA
If you ask someone to read you their bucket list, you might find that jumping out of a plane is towards the top. Skydiving is becoming increasingly popular, ... read more...with extreme sports professionals converting a once-in-a-lifetime thrill into a fun weekend activity. The view, whether it's of soaring mountains, huge tundra, or crystal-clear lakes, is what makes this adrenaline jump the most spectacular – aside from the 60-second free fall if you're leaping from 15,000ft (4,500m) above. Here are the greatest skydiving drop zones in the United States.
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Starting with Hawaii, our only archipelago state, this gorgeous series of islands provides a dropzone with spectacular views and is unrivaled for many regular skydivers. You can leap from smaller heights of 12,000 to 14,000 feet or go all out and dive from a dizzying height of 20,000 feet. You will experience 100 seconds of free-fall as you descend from high altitude with your parachute unfurling at a low opening altitude on such a HALO jump. This is not for the faint of heart!
If you're doing a tandem jump with an instructor, you'll probably hit 120 mph when you crash to the ground. If you're lucky enough to have the opportunity and certification to dive alone, you can dive head-down to reduce drag and reach speeds of 180 mph!
You'll be able to get views of Oahu, Hawaii's third-largest and most populous island, from these heights. Kaena Point's lava shoreline is to the northwest, while Pearl Harbor is to the southeast. Honolulu, the state capital, is located further southeast. Seeing the many settings of verdant mountains, beaches, jungles, ocean blues, and towns is a unique experience.
Prices: tandem starting at $175 Military or student discount- $150
Open: 7 days a week, 8-3
Events: no
Address: 68-760 Farrington Hwy, Waialua, Hawaii
Website: www.skydivehawaii.com -
DeLand Florida is well-known as a global center for the development and manufacture of parachute equipment, as well as training technologies for military and civilian applications. This environment allowed some of the brightest brains in the world to come together and expand on training methods like Accelerated Freefall and Tandem skydiving, both of which were developed and tested right here in DeLand. The DeLand Parachute Industry's anchor business is Skydive DeLand. This industry employs over 600 local individuals in manufacturing, sales, technical, and academic occupations, according to the most recent count.
Countless famous National and World Champions and record holders have called Skydive DeLand home over the years. They created a one-of-a-kind environment to help novices and athletes grow in their training. DeLand became a popular host DZ for many State, National, and World Record-setting formation skydives, starting with the first 72-person formation in 1983.
The Tandem and AFF programs are used to introduce novices to the sport, as well as servicing local and traveling fun jumpers and coaches. Fly4Life warm-up camps and FlightCamps, canopy courses through Flight-1 and Alter Ego, personal coaching through Tribu, wingsuit rentals and coaching through Arcus Flight, and multiple-plane high-altitude formation skydiving competitions are among the events and training programs they offer and support.Prices: tandem from $150- $199 AFF: $369 licensed jumpers: $19-$25 per jump
Planes: Skyvan (tailgate exit), a Twin Otter, and two PAC 750XL
Open: every day of the year
Events: Freakfly Festival – multidiscipline event innhopps and extracurricular activities are included.. 9 days with a day off and a boogie Dec 27 to Jan 5
Address: 1600 Flightline BlvdDeLand, FL 32724
Website: skydivedeland.com
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The fact that Skydive Perris is one of the few dropzones in the United States that offers balloon jumps is motivation enough to visit. But, if you're still undecided about where to jump in the United States, keep reading!
Skydive Perris boasts its own on-site wind tunnel, a large fleet of aircraft, and a roster of top-notch instructors. It's in a great location, not far from Temecula, the wine-tasting paradise of Southern California, making it one of the top US dropzones. The best dropzones in the United States for skydiving Craig OBrien of Skydive Perris provided this image.
Mount St. Antonio and the San Bernadino National Forest are to the north, Mount San Jacinta and Palm Strings are to the east, and Elsinor, a natural freshwater lake with a city of the same name, is to the south. Of course, the Hollywood sign and the west's appeal of Los Angeles are what most visitors come to see from a new perspective.
It's close enough to the shore that you can walk over and dip your toes in the San Diego sand for sundowners, and it's only a short drive to Disneyland's sparkling gates. What's not to like about a long weekend in the making?
Prices: indoor from $59, tandem starting at $159, AFF starting at $169, licensed jumpers- $25-$30 per jump
Planes: 5 Skyvans, 3 Twin Otters, and a Douglas DC9 Jet.
Open: Mon-Fri 9-6, Sat-Sun 8-7
Events: Christmas Boogie Party in Perridise 12/27-1/1
Address: 2091 Goetz RoadPerris, CA
Website: skydiveperris.com -
Skydive Arizona is located in the picturesque Sonoran Desert, midway between Phoenix and Tucson, Arizona's two largest cities.
This is the world's largest skydiving center, but that doesn't mean the experiences aren't top-notch. Skydivers quickly discovered that the new Skydive Arizona drop zone was unlike any other in the globe. Despite its proximity to major highways, it is surrounded on all sides by flat, desolate countryside. Visitors comment on the center's oasis-like appearance, which includes an abundance of grass, a swimming pool, and trees in the midst of a desert that is normally bleak. Everything a skydiver needs may be found in the central structure, which houses offices, aircraft manifestation, classrooms, and indoor parking space. Some of the many amenities include equipment sales, food, a shower, and laundry facility, a grassy camping area, a leisure center with bunks for overnight guests, and a basketball court.
It takes more than superb facilities to safely and effectively launch thousands of skydivers each year. Skydive Arizona boasts the highest quality and quantity of aircraft of any other skydiving center. Four Super Otters and seven Skyvans lead the fleet, each capable of transporting twenty-three skydivers to 13,000 feet.
The occasional load of 43 jumpers is carried by a venerable DC-3, which was formerly the fleet's workhorse. A Pilatus Porter completes the flight line. These planes can lift over 240 skydivers into the air at once, or over 500 jumps each hour!
A talented, devoted workforce with an average of over 5,000 jumps each is another key in Skydive ArizonaTM's success. A dozen skydivers with over 10,000 jumps each and many former and current National or World Champions are among the expert coaches, instructors, videographers, pilots, and management! This highly skilled group has earned a stellar reputation for safety, efficiency, and knowledge.
Finally, Skydive Arizona is situated in an ideal position. The year-round clear desert weather provides for over 340 jumping days. In the winter, average daytime temperatures are in the 60s, while in the summer, they are in the low 100s. The humidity is substantially lower than in other parts of the country throughout the year, resulting in pleasant weather and clear skies. Arizona remains sunny and warm during the winter when skydivers' home drop zones are closed by cold, rain, and clouds. The distinct desert setting offers a picturesque change of pace, as well as a variety of fascinating attractions to see.
Prices: Wind tunnel: starting at $40, tandem from $169, licensed jumpers from $21
Planes: 4 Super Otters, 7 Skyswans, 1 DC3, and a Pilatus Porter
Open: October 1 to May 30th: 7 days a week 8-5 June 1- September 30, office open 7 days a week, drop zone closed Tues-wed
Events: Patriot’s Boogie- A midsummer boogie benefitting the Special Operations Warrior Foundation. Including a buffet, pool party, and film screening.
Address: 4900 N Taylor St Eloy, AZ 85131
Website: www.skydiveaz.com -
Skydive Paraclete XP, North Carolina's best skydiving destination. They are just minutes from Fayetteville and a short trip from Raleigh, Greensboro, and Charlotte, and are located in Raeford, North Carolina. A wind tunnel, a full-service bar and restaurant, campground hookups, showers, and a gear store are all available at this drop zone. This is a terrific drop zone for novices and old-timers alike, thanks to their superb service and accommodating attitudes toward sports jumpers.
If this is your first time skydiving, rest assured that their crew will make sure you have an unforgettable experience from start to finish! In less than an hour, you'll be prepared, equipped, and ready to undertake your first tandem skydive while safely tethered to one of our USPA-certified professional instructors.
It's not your first time, right? They encourage experienced skydivers and skydiving teams to use their fleet of turbine aircraft, as well as their friendly staff, instructors, and coaches, and on-site rigging services. They also have convenient access to Paraclete XP SkyVenture, the Southeast's largest indoor skydiving destination, which is just down the road!
Skydive Paraclete XP is one of the country's most comprehensive and progressive skydiving schools, where you can learn to solo skydive. Throughout the year, they provide training and advanced education.
Prices: wind tunnel starting at $64, tandem starting at $189, experienced jumper starting at $20
Planes: CASA 212, DHC-6 Twin Otter, Shorts Skyvan, Cessna Grand Caravan
Open: 7 days a week, 8-6
Events: XP Summer Classic, a 4-way FS & VFS, and 8-way competition
Address: 143 Airport DrRaeford, NC 28376
Website: skydiveparacletexp.com -
This is one of the most stunning sites in the country to go skydiving, yet it's only 20 minutes from Seattle. With so many outdoor things to choose from in the Snohomish River Valley, this is just another amazing experience to attempt. Backyard games to keep you occupied while you wait, an on-site restaurant, campsites, showers, and world-class facilities for licensed jumpers are all available at the drop zone.
Snohomish has a lot to live up to when it comes to people's favorite destinations to jump, and it does it admirably! This breathtaking view of the Canadian border and the North Pacific Ocean is a sight to behold. Skydiving from 12,000 feet gives you roughly 60 seconds of freefall, which feels like you're flying through the cold, pure air, followed by five or six minutes of smooth glide down to Earth with your 'chute deployed.
The San Juan Islands, an archipelago where orcas roam and Douglas firs provide verdant swaths over the terrain, will be visible as you descend. The Padilla and Samish bays give way to agricultural patchwork, then the winding Skagit River, the North Cascades National Park, and Mount Baker Snoqualmie National Forest to the east.
You'll quickly notice, as you will with all of the sites in this guide, that the neighborhood you arrive in is well-equipped for excursions into the great outdoors. It's a terrific idea to plan a vacation around skydiving, and there is plenty of off-roading, camping, fishing, and hiking activities to be had.Prices: tandem starting at $215, Experienced jumber boarding fee $13 + $1/per 1000 feet (3,000 to 13,000)
Planes: Enhanced Cessna 182, Cessna Grand Caravan
Open: Mon-Thurs 9-6, Fri 9-7:30, Sat-Sun 8:30-7:30
Events: no
Address: 9906 Airport WaySnohomish, WA 98296
Website: www.skydivesnohomish.com
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Longmont, which is only 12 miles from Boulder, 15 1/2 miles south of Loveland, and 35 miles northwest of Denver, is another popular skydiving destination. Apart from jumping out of a plane, there are a plethora of things to see and do in the region. From 18,000 feet, the views are breathtaking, and when you're not jumping, you can explore some of the country's most stunning hiking routes. Sports jumpers will feel right at home in this drop zone.
The skydiver will not be short on breathtaking vistas while descending gently to earth by parachute, from the majesty of the Rocky Mountains, Rocky Mountain National Park, and Long's Peak to the verdant farmlands that surround Longmont. The plains of the Midwest open up to the skydiver's view on the east side of the Rocky Mountains, providing a study in contrasts. Unless you enjoy frigid weather, this is probably a site to visit in the summer. The air above 12,000 feet can be unpleasant at any time of year, but it can be very cold in Colorado during the winter.
Mile Hi Skydiving Center is Colorado's ONLY skydiving facility that has been in operation in the same site since 1995. Mile Hi Skydiving is dedicated to providing the safest and most enjoyable skydiving experiences to all of its customers. Mile Hi Skydiving offers the greatest aircraft, skydiving equipment, instructors, and customer service in the industry.
It's the ideal location for first-time skydivers, as you'll be trained by Colorado's top instructors. Mile Hi Skydiving also offers Colorado's most advanced Accelerated Free Fall (AFF) program to help you become a solo skydiver! First-time skydivers are invited to join us for a Tandem Fun Jump, which is the fastest and easiest way to experience body flight. For those who want to learn to jump on their own, Mile-Hi Skydiving also offers Colorado's most advanced Accelerated Free Fall (AFF) program to help you become a solo skydiver!
Whether you want to freely, turn some points with your buddies, participate in CReW, freestyle, or fly the Mile Hi Swoop Park, one of the largest and certainly the fastest swoop ponds in America, the environment is pleasant and positive for experienced jumpers. Every year, Mile Hi improves its facilities and adds to the skydiving atmosphere.
Mile Hi Skydiving is Colorado's largest skydiving facility, including indoor packing, indoor training, indoor restrooms and showers, a full-service gear store, a full-service rigging loft, numerous video debriefing places, and a pleasant, welcoming atmosphere. They also have a 100-acre grass landing strip that is free of impediments!
They skydive on weekends all year, as well as Thursday through Sunday during the spring and summer.
Prices: tandem at $199, AFF level 1 $319, level 2-3 $209 each, level 4-7 $189 each, experienced jumpers starting at $18
Plane: DeHavilland Twin Otter, Beechcraft King Air B90, Cessna Turbo 206
Open: Winter hours: Friday-Sunday 9 am - sunset, Spring and Summer hours: Thursday-Friday 9 am - sunset, Saturday-Sunday 8 am - sunset
Events: occasional fun jumps and small events
Address: 229 Airport Rd Hangar 34GLongmont, CO 80503
Website: www.milehiskydiving.com -
Are you an adrenaline junkie? Do you require anything to take you away from the monotony of everyday life? Do you want to start a new hobby? The greatest skydiving thrill awaits you at Sky's The Limit Skydiving Center.
The Poconos Mountains, approximately 75 miles from New York City, offer some of the most magnificent hiking and biking in the Northeast. This is a wonderful drop zone for anyone wishing to escape the city and get a healthy dose of nature and adrenaline. It's only a short drive from the Big Apple, and it's right on the edge of a state forest.
In the Pocono Mountains, the finest time to jump is in the fall, when the colors of the trees spread out beneath you like an American quilt. You will jump from a height of 13,500 feet over the mountain range, with vistas of the Manhattan skyline as you plummet. In a skydiving adventure, the green expanse of forests and fields is a beautiful picture.
The Poconos are located on a plateau that forms an escarpment that overlooks the Delaware River and the Appalachian Mountain range's water gap. River beaches and recreation facilities are spread out below you, catering to the numerous visitors who come to witness the diverse diversity of birds that dwell and migrate here. As you descend, the famous Bushkill Falls, with their pathways and bridges, will become more visible.Look to the north during your dive to observe Lake Wallenpaupack. The Wyoming Valley can be seen to the west, and the Lehigh Valley can be seen to the south.
Following your skydive, you are invited to take advantage of the excellent hiking and bike trails located just five minutes from Sky's The Limit Skydiving Center.
Prices: tandem jumps from at $170, Licensed jumpers from $21
Planes: Cessna Super Grand Caravan 900HP, Super Otter, Cessna 182
Open: April 15th to October 31: 10 am till sunset, Closed on Tuesdays, Weekends: 8 am until sunset.
Events: Mystery Boogie/End of Season Halloween Party
Address: 124 Airstrip Rd East Stroudsburg, PA 18301
Website: skysthelimit.net
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In Utah, jumping out of a plane provides unrivaled views in every way. The Zion National Park, with its towering red cliffs and wooded pathways, is particularly breathtaking. The preserve entices nature lovers all year long with hiking, bicycling, and camping activities, as well as pleasant weather. The appeal of Zion may be experienced from a unique perspective: miles above the ground, thanks to Skydive Zion, which has had a flawless safety record since launching in 2000.
You can literally fly at 120 mph and miles above the land in the sky. You may do rolls, turns, and even pull your own ripcord on your first jump at Skydive Zion! Southern Utah now provides the thrilling experience of skydiving, as well as an aerial view of Zion National Park's canyons!
The sensation of soaring through the air is one-of-a-kind and exhilarating, and contemporary equipment and training allow everyone to partake in this thrilling experience.
The instructors and staff at Skydive Zion provide each student their undivided attention. There are no huge lines for experienced skydivers, and you are not forced onto a cramped plane in herds like livestock. When you're ready, the plane takes off.
The safety of Skydive Zion is a compelling reason to jump with them. Since their inception in 2000, they boast a perfect safety record, with zero fatalities and fewer than ten injuries in over 15,000 skydives.Prices: tandem starting at $215
OPEN: by appointment
Events: no
Address: 800 West 2300 South, Hurricane, UT 84737
Website: www.skydivezion.com -
If the ocean is your "sweet spot," skydiving in Monterey Bay, California, will provide an unforgettable experience. Views of Monterey Bay, the Salinas Valley, Santa Cruz, and, of course, the Pacific Ocean will be your eye's pleasure on the trip up in the plane. The Monterey Peninsula, dubbed "the greatest confluence of sky, sea, and land," offers breathtaking vistas both on the way up and on the way down. As you ride through the balmy California air, keep an eye out for Carmel-By-The-Sea and other coastal villages, the coastal hills, and the patchwork farmlands.
Monterey Bay, an unusually wide and long inlet with the North Pacific Ocean lapping along the beach, is the most northerly one. Views of the jagged green mountains of Pfeiffer Big Sur State Park to the south, Santa Cruz to the north, and Hollister Hills State Vehicular Recreation Area to the east will greet you on your descent. On the west coast, you might see the Monterey Bay Aquarium, a non-profit organization that claims to be the only one in the world to effectively care for captive ocean sunfish. It has a view of the bay.
The Monterey area, perched high above the Golden State, is a stunning example of how rugged and beautiful California can be.
It boasts a pleasant summer Mediterranean climate with long dry spells in the summer, making it excellent for skydiving because there is minimal possibility of overcast or rain spoiling your day.
Every day, from 18,000 feet above the ground, Skydive Monterey Bay provides you the opportunity to partake in the world's highest tandem skydive. We are able to provide this unique service because we own and operate California's fastest skydiving plane. Other skydive locations in the Bay Area offer jumps from 8,000 to 12,500 feet. That means you'll fly 40-125 percent higher at Skydive Monterey Bay than anywhere else.
Your journey to the top is an important element of your skydive adventure. It should also be a pleasurable experience. You'll fly in a Super King Air Twin Engine B200 at Skydive Monterey Bay. This is one of the most comfortable, accommodating, and dependable airplanes in the market. Because the plane can accommodate up to 21 skydivers, they can nearly always book your friends on the same flight. We're not squeezed on the floor into a shoebox-sized plane with only four jumpers, so it's very large by skydiving standards. At Skydive Monterey Bay, you'll be seated upright on padded chairs with plenty of windows to take in the spectacular views of the ocean and mountains. All being said, their plane is California's fastest skydive plane, so you'll be jumping in just 6½ minutes (15k feet jumps) or 9 minutes (18k feet jumps) after take-off.
Every second counts in skydiving! The freefall at Skydive Monterey Bay is longer than at any other skydiving center in California. As a result, you're getting the most bang for your buck per second of freefall.
You'll be getting the finest value for your first jump with more freefall, higher leaps, and magnificent beach and mountain views, all at regular industry rates.
Prices: tandem starting at $179
Planes: Two Super King Air 200
Open: 8 am to 8 pm every day
Events: No
Address: 721 Neeson Rd Suite 1, Marina, CA 93933
Website: www.skydivemontereybay.com