Construction of the Saluda Skyride has been completed. The aerial transport system connects the zoo and botanical garden campuses by crossing the Saluda River. It consists of 19 cabins, each able to hold up to eight passengers. The ride lasts approximately two and a half minutes and is designed to be accessible for wheelchairs and strollers. The system can transport up to 1,600 passengers per hour and provides views of the river and surrounding area.

“Bridge to the Wild is about forging connections, linking the Zoo and Botanical Garden, bringing people closer to wildlife, and building a bright future for our community,” Tommy Stringfellow, president and CEO of Riverbanks Zoo and Garden, said in a press release. “The Saluda Skyride signifies just the beginning of our bold expansion, offering new opportunities for exploration, learning, and conservation that will benefit our region for years to come.”

The Saluda Skyride represents the start of the second phase of Riverbanks Zoo and Garden’s multi-year expansion called Bridge to the Wild. 

Projections estimate that the initiative will increase Riverbanks’ annual economic impact in the Midlands to more than $175 million and add 500 jobs. The expansion plan includes new attractions and facility improvements intended to support the Midlands as a regional destination.