If you’ve ever wanted to know what it’s like to fly, LSU’s University Recreation zipline comes pretty close.
The 450-foot zipline opened up as a part of the UREC’s Challenge Course in September of 2023, and it has been a popular standout at the facility ever since. What makes this zipline so unique is that LSU is one of the only campus recreation facilities in the country that has a challenge course directly on campus.
“A lot of people come to us and they’re like, ‘I’ve never had the opportunity to do something like zipline,’” said J.C. Miller, assistant director of outdoor recreation at LSU. “And I think that’s something that’s really cool to see people get the chance to experience. And it’s something that you can walk to that’s on campus that you don’t have to necessarily drive to or find that’s off campus.”
While the 450-foot ride may seem intimidating at first glance, the reactions are always positive.
“Something we ask every single time is ‘How was it?’ And I would say, point 99.9% of the time, everybody says that they had a great time,” Miller said.
Change your mind about riding once you look down? Miller assures any potential riders that if you’re not entirely certain that you want to participate, you are always free to back out.
“We also never want to make somebody feel like they have to, even if they’re already attached to the zipline and ready to go,” Miller said. “If they want to come back down, we’re going to let them come back down. So I think a lot of people get that sense of accomplishment that like, you know, they took that leap of faith to try out something that was outside of their comfort zone.”
Though she initially had doubts about riding, senior Jessica Albarran loved her experience on the zipline when it first opened in 2023.
“Riding the zipline was such an exciting experience,” Albarran said. “ At first, I felt nervous and even thought about backing out before jumping off the platform. After closing my eyes, I finally went for it, and it turned out to be so much fun. It was definitely a unique experience that made campus life even more memorable.”
While the zipline offers plenty of fun, many safety measures are in place to ensure that students can have the best experience possible. Miller explained that there are specific protocols that students must follow in order to get on the zipline.
Once the student signs a participant agreement waiver, they are harnessed into a safety equipment system called an Edelrid Smart Belay, which allows them to securely ride down the zipline. In order to go down the zipline, students cannot be pushed and must jump on their own.
The UREC has specific opening times for the zipline to ensure that it is always monitored and operated by facilitators who are qualified and trained to use it. Additionally, the zipline undergoes frequent periodic inspection to make sure it is safe to use.
For many students, soaring away on the UREC zipline is a graduation bucket list goal. If you’re ready to get out of your comfort zone and try something new, the UREC’s Challenge Course is definitely the place to get your adrenaline rushing.
The UREC zipline is only open on specific dates, so make you check the schedule before you head over. Here are the dates and times for the 2025 fall semester:
Wednesday, Sept. 3 from 5 to 7 p.m.
Thursday, Sept. 18 from 5 to 7 p.m.
Tuesday, Sept. 30 from 5 to 7 p.m.
Monday, Oct. 20 from 5 to 7 p.m.
Tuesday, Nov. 4 from 5 to 7 p.m.
