Ziprider®
Vigilante Extreme ZipRider® at the Shepherd of the Hills
5585 W 76 Country Blvd, Branson, MO 65616
The Vigilante Extreme ZipRider® at Shepherd of the Hills has been a Branson icon since 2010, offering one of the most unforgettable aerial experiences in the Ozarks. As the first ZipRider® ever to launch from a pre-existing tower, it transforms the 230-foot Inspiration Tower—the highest point in southwest Missouri—into a soaring, half mile flight over the historic 160-acre homestead that inspired the classic American novel The Shepherd of the Hills.
For information on hours/days of operation and pricing, please call The Shepherd of the Hills (417) 334-4191 or TOLL FREE: 1-800-653-6288 or visit their website at theshepherdofthehills.com.
Ziprider® Stats
- Length: 2,860 feet long
- Vertical Drop: 410 feet
- Average % Grade: 14.5%
- Top Speed: 50 mph
- Cables: 4 side by side
Your experience begins with a ride up one of the tower’s glass elevators to the climate-controlled indoor observation deck, where panoramic windows frame the rolling Ozark Mountains. On a clear day, the view stretches more than 90 miles into Arkansas, making this one of Branson’s premier sightseeing locations even before the ride begins.
From there, riders descend to the open-air launch deck, where four side-by-side cables allow friends and family to take off together. When the gates open, gravity takes over instantly—no harness fitting, no complicated setup, just a smooth seated launch from 140 feet in the air. The flight covers 2,370 feet (over half a mile) with a 370-foot vertical drop, reaching speeds of up to 50–55 mph as you glide over the treetops, trails, and historic structures of the homestead below. It’s a rare combination of speed, height, and scenery—action sightseeing at its best. After landing at the base of the hill, guests are transported back to the tower, completing an experience that blends adventure with the deep cultural heritage of the Ozarks.
The ride’s name pays tribute to the Baldknobbers, a group of 19th century Ozark vigilantes whose story is woven into the Shepherd of the Hills legend. Their legacy, combined with the region’s rugged beauty, gives the Vigilante Extreme ZipRider® a sense of place found nowhere else in Branson.
