Cypress Valley Canopy Tours
{{Short description|Aerial resort in the Texas Hill Country}}
{{Use mdy dates|date=April 2025}}
{{Coord|30.420668|-98.105469|display=title|format=dms}}
{{Infobox company
| name = Cypress Valley Canopy Tours
| logo =
| type = Private
| industry =canopy research, ecotourism
| founded = 2005 in Spicewood, Texas, United States{{cite web | url = http://www.sanantoniomag.com/SAM/August-2013/Adventures-in-Spicewood/ | title = Adventures in Spicewood | date= 1 August 2017 | accessdate = 15 August 2017 | publisher = San Antonio Magazine | author = Kathleen Petty }}
| hq_location_city = Spicewood, Texas
| owner = Amy Beilharz, David Beilharz{{cite web | url = https://www.101highlandlakes.com/cypress-valley-canopy-tours-spicewood | title = Sleep in a treehouse at Cypress Valley Canopy Tours | date= 9 March 2017 | accessdate = 15 August 2017 | publisher = Highland Lakes Hill Country Picayune | author = JoAnna Kopp }}
| website = }}
Cypress Valley Canopy Tours is an aerial resort located along the Pedernales River in the Texas Hill Country. Founded in 2005, the company offers canopy tours, canopy walks, zip-lining and overnight treehouse accommodations for guests.{{cite news | url = http://newsok.com/article/5511549 | title = You've heard of camping, but have you tried glamping? | date= 28 July 2016 | accessdate = 15 August 2017 | newspaper = The Oklahoman | author = Carla Meadows }}{{cite news | url = http://www.mystatesman.com/lifestyles/recreation/thrill-seekers-soar-above-treetops-zip-lost-pines/7aXJVYx5qj3eAelXelNOTO/ | title = Thrill-seekers soar above treetops at Zip Lost Pines | date= 6 November 2016 | accessdate = 15 August 2017 | newspaper = Austin American-Statesman | author = Pam LeBlanc }}
Overview
Cypress Valley Canopy Tours was founded by Amy and David Beilharz and began operation in 2005 after they bought the property in 1999 and decided they needed to share it, making it the first canopy ziplining tour in the continental United States. The Beilharzes came up with the idea of ziplining after discovering it in Costa Rica; they had previously tried other vocations such as buffalo ranching.{{cite web |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2006/09/22/travel/escapes/22canopy.html |title=Going Out on a Limb at 30 Miles an Hour |last=Blumenthal |first=Ralph |date=22 September 2006 |work=The New York Times |publisher= |access-date= 16 September 2017 |quote=}}{{cite web |url=https://www.101highlandlakes.com/cypress-valley-canopy-tours-spicewood |title=Sleep in a treehouse at Cypress Valley Canopy Tours |last=Kopp |first=JoAnna |date=9 March 2017 |website=101HighlandLakes |publisher= |access-date=16 September 2017 |quote=}} It is situated approximately 30 miles east of Austin, Texas on 88 acres of cypress forest purchased by the Beilharz family in 1998.{{cite web | url = http://www.austinmonthly.com/AHM/Winter-2013/From-the-Ashes/ | title = From the Ashes | date= 27 November 2013 | accessdate = 15 August 2017 | publisher = Austin Monthly | author = Gene Menez }}
Guided tours focus on biology, ecology, and area history, and consist of six zip lines, three sky bridges, and a rappel.{{cite news | url = http://traveltips.usatoday.com/texas-canopy-tours-40014.html | title = Texas Canopy Tours | accessdate = 15 August 2017 | newspaper = USA Today | author = Leigh Good }} Many of the cypress trees in the area exceed 100 feet in height.{{cite news | url = http://www.chron.com/life/travel/article/Big-city-lights-or-small-town-charm-Texas-offers-1724035.php | title = Big-city lights or small-town charm, Texas offers adventure | date= 1 July 2009 | accessdate = 15 August 2017 | newspaper = Houston Chronicle | author = Kristin Finian }} The property also features a picnic area, a small lake and a swimming pool.{{cite web | url = http://earth911.com/living-well-being/events-entertainement/5-zip-line-courses-to-try/ | title = Zip, Zip, Hooray! 5 Zip-Line Courses To Try | accessdate = 15 August 2017 | publisher = Earth911 | author = Haley Shapley }}
Describing "The Nest," one of the treehouses on the property, the Huffington Post said, "If the Swiss Family Robinson ever thought about upgrading their home to include more luxurious finishes, this would be it."{{cite news | url = http://www.huffingtonpost.com/jaimee-ratliff/that-time-i-slept-in-a-tr_b_6497424.html | title = That Time I Slept in a Tree House and Went Zip Lining (Video) | date= 22 March 2015 | accessdate = 15 August 2017 | work = Huffington Post | author = Jaimee Ratliff }} Another treehouse, "The Lofthaven," has been called, "a romantic bird's-eye suite for two."{{cite news | url = https://www.dallasnews.com/life/texas-travel/2015/04/25/three-hill-country-hideaways-to-remember | title = Three Hill Country hideaways to remember | accessdate = 15 August 2017 | newspaper = The Dallas Morning News | author = Ramona Flume }} Other treehouses on the property include Juniper and Willow.{{cite web | url = http://www.mensjournal.com/travel/collections/gimme-shelter-14-epic-campsites-no-tent-required-w430105/treehouse-camping-spicewood-texas-w430115 | title = Gimme Shelter: 14 Epic Campsites, No Tent Required | accessdate = 15 August 2017 | publisher = Men's Journal | author = Brittany L. Anas }} The first treehouse was built in 2006, but was damaged during the 2011 Texas wildfires.
Cypress Valley Canopy Tours was recognized as one of the 20 best places in Texas to get your adrenaline pumping by the Houston Chronicle, which described it as, "an ideal destination for risk-takers who prefer not to lounge around."{{cite news | url = http://www.chron.com/life/travel/article/20-Texas-spots-to-get-your-adrenaline-pumping-6834064.php#photo-8276954 | title = 20 Texas spots to get your adrenaline pumping | date= 16 February 2016 | accessdate = 15 August 2017 | newspaper = Houston Chronicle | author = Daniela Sternitzky-Di Napoli }}{{cite news | url = http://www.chron.com/life/article/Where-to-unplug-and-relax-in-Texas-s-best-rural-10986395.php | title = Where to unplug and relax in Texas's best rural spots | date= 8 March 2017 | accessdate = 15 August 2017 | newspaper = Houston Chronicle | author = Darla Guillen }}
As of 2017, Amy and David Beilharz are building another treehouse resort in the California redwoods.
References
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External links
- {{Official website|http://www.cypressvalleycanopytours.com/}}
Category:Tourist attractions in Burnet County, Texas
Category:Buildings and structures in Burnet County, Texas
Category:Tourist attractions in Texas
Category:2005 establishments in Texas