Love Is In The Air

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Love Is In The Air transforms Gatlinburg SkyPark’s record-setting suspension bridge into the Smoky Mountains’ most photographed proposal backdrop each February. For 28 consecutive nights in February 2026, thousands of synchronized pink and red LED lights will bathe the 680-foot SkyBridge in glowing color from 5:00 PM until closing time, creating a “Tunnel of Love” suspended 150 feet above a mountain valley. Couples ride the historic yellow chairlift 500 vertical feet up Crockett Mountain, then walk across North America’s longest pedestrian cable bridge while downtown Gatlinburg sparkles far below.

The month-long celebration runs February 7-28, 2026, at Gatlinburg SkyPark (765 Parkway, Gatlinburg, TN 37738). The event includes fire pits for warming cocoa breaks, oversized heart photo installations against mountain backdrops, live caricature artists capturing couples on weekends, and Friday evening prize giveaways that award surprise baskets filled with local chocolates and SkyPark merchandise.

What Makes This Valentine’s Event Different

The SkyBridge opened in May 2019 and quickly earned Google’s 2022 “Year in Search” recognition as one of the Top 10 Most Scenic Spots in the United States. At 680 feet long (longer than two football fields stretched end to end), it spans a deep valley in a single cable suspension, reaching 1,800 feet above sea level. The bridge sits roughly 500 feet above downtown Gatlinburg, offering unobstructed panoramic views of the three highest peaks in the Smoky Mountains and 14 additional mountain ridges.

What makes crossing memorable is the midpoint: 30 feet of tempered glass floor panels where you peer straight down 150 feet to the valley floor. Each 5-by-5-foot panel consists of three layers of 3/8-inch low-iron tempered glass with SentryGlas interlayers, engineered to hold 500 people weighing up to 400 pounds each. The glass section doubled in 2020 from its original 15 feet after guest reactions proved overwhelmingly positive. Grating on both sides of the glass knocks rocks from shoes, preventing scratches while adding another see-through effect.

During Love Is In The Air, custom-welded heart decorations hang beneath the bridge. The lighting installation wraps the entire 680-foot span in synchronized color (earlier years only lit 300 feet), creating an illuminated tunnel effect visible from downtown Gatlinburg and the surrounding valley. Photo opportunities multiply with themed installations on the SkyDeck at both bridge entrances.

Who Should Come

Couples planning proposals: The SkyBridge ranks among the most sought-after proposal locations in the southern United States. February’s romantic atmosphere and glowing lights intensify the moment. Propose on the glass panels for maximum impact, or choose a quieter spot near the fire pits on the SkyDeck.

Anniversary celebrators: Whether marking one year or five decades together, the combination of mountain views, suspended walkway, and Valentine’s ambiance creates memorable anniversary photos. Live caricature artists work Saturdays and Sundays from noon to 3:00 PM, offering couples a hand-drawn keepsake.

Honeymooners: The nine-minute SkyLift ride up Crockett Mountain offers uninterrupted time together in a three-seat open chair (safety bar provided). At the top, you can spend as long as you want crossing the bridge, pausing to watch sunset paint the Smokies, or warming by outdoor fire pits before riding back down.

Families with older children: Kids ages 6 and up typically handle the bridge crossing confidently. The glass panels thrill adventurous children, though parents should know that 60 stairs lead from the SkyLift unloading area to the SkyBridge gateway. Strollers cannot ride the chairlift; young children and babies must sit on adult laps during the nine-minute ride.

Friend groups and singles: Love Is In The Air welcomes everyone, not just romantic couples. The February lighting and mountain views attract photographers, friends celebrating Galentine’s Day, and solo travelers seeking Smoky Mountain sunset vistas.

Timing Your Visit for the Best Experience

Arrive at least one hour before sunset to ride the SkyLift in daylight, explore the SkyDeck and SkyCenter, cross the bridge in natural light, then watch the LED lights activate as dusk settles. February sunsets in Gatlinburg occur between 5:45 PM and 6:15 PM throughout the month, meaning lights glow fully by 6:30 PM.

The SkyPark ticket booth opens at 9:00 AM daily, with extended hours until 10:00 PM on Fridays and Saturdays (9:00 PM close Sunday through Thursday). The last chairlift loads one hour before closing. The SkyBridge itself closes 30 minutes after the last lift, and the mountaintop closes one hour after posted closing time. Plan 60-90 minutes minimum for the full experience: ticket purchase, nine-minute lift ride up, bridge crossing, photo stops, warming break, and nine-minute ride down.

Weekday evenings (Monday through Thursday) draw smaller crowds than Friday through Sunday. Valentine’s Day weekend (Friday, February 14 through Sunday, February 16, 2026) brings peak attendance. If proposing on Valentine’s Day itself, arrive before 4:00 PM to avoid lines and secure sunset viewing time.

Contests, Giveaways, and Special Activities

Friday Surprise & Delight Prize Packs: Each Friday in February, random guests visiting the SkyPark receive surprise gift baskets containing SkyPark souvenirs and local treats. Winners are chosen randomly throughout the day. No registration required; just visit the park and watch for SkyPark staff selecting recipients.

Valentine’s Getaway Giveaway: Subscribe to the Gatlinburg SkyPark email newsletter for automatic entry to win a two-night stay for two guests at The Vista at Buckberry Creek, plus two VIP SkyPass tickets. Winners will be selected and announced on Valentine’s Day, February 14, 2026, via newsletter and social media.

Live Caricature Artists: Professional artists set up on the SkyDeck every Saturday and Sunday from noon to 3:00 PM throughout February, offering hand-drawn portraits of couples against the mountain backdrop. Artists capture your likenesses in five to ten minutes while you watch.

Heart Photo Installations: Oversized light-up hearts and Valentine’s decorations throughout the SkyDeck and bridge entrances provide Instagram-worthy backdrops. Bring your own camera or smartphone; SkyPark staff also takes souvenir photos at the top of the SkyLift.

Tickets, Pricing, and Discounts

Single-Visit Admission (purchased at ticket window or online):

• Adults (ages 12-64): $37.95
• Seniors (65+): $30.95
• Juniors (ages 6-11): $23.95
• Children 5 and under: FREE

SkyPass (online purchase only, starting at $50.95):

• Unlimited same-day entry and exit
• Skip the ticket booth line upon arrival
• Save up to $5 when purchasing at least three days before visit date

Special Discounts:

• United States Military members (active or veteran): Reduced rates with military ID at ticket window
• First Responders: Reduced rates with first responder ID at ticket window
• Sevier County residents: Reduced rates with county ID at ticket window
• Groups of 20 or more: Special rates available with advance reservations

Children ages 4-5 enter SkyPark free but require a separate paid ticket if accessing Ripley’s attractions. Three or fewer people can ride together in each SkyLift chair; there is no weight limit per chair, though solo or two-person seating is recommended for maximum comfort.

What to Bring and Wear

February temperatures in Gatlinburg average 28-48°F during the day, dropping to 20-30°F after sunset. The SkyLift is an open chairlift, and wind intensifies at 1,800 feet elevation. Dress in layers including:

• Insulated jacket or heavy coat
• Gloves (the chairlift safety bar is cold metal)
• Hat or ear protection against wind
• Scarf or neck warmer
• Closed-toe shoes with good traction (bridge deck can be slippery)

Fire pits on the SkyDeck provide warming spots, and the SkyCenter building offers indoor heated seating, snacks, and gift shopping. The SkyCenter’s Smoky Mountain Smash restaurant serves burgers, and Smoky Mountain SIPS offers craft beverages.

Lake Connection for Extended Weekends

Douglas Lake sits 25 miles northeast of Gatlinburg (a 30-40 minute drive via US-321 North through Sevierville). The 30,400-acre reservoir welcomes 1.7 million visitors annually and ranks among the top 5 crappie fishing lakes and top 10 largemouth bass fishing lakes in the United States. Its 550+ miles of shoreline offer boat rentals, fishing charters, and swimming beaches.

In February, cooler water temperatures in Douglas Lake concentrate crappie near creek channels and submerged structures, creating excellent winter fishing conditions. Several marinas, including Douglas Lake Marina, Mountain Cove Marina, and The Point Resort & Marina, offer heated facilities and February boat rentals for cold-weather fishing trips. After an evening at Love Is In The Air, consider booking a morning fishing guide for the next day, or explore the Douglas Dam Overlook for expansive Smoky Mountain views across the water.

Lake.com vacation rentals near Douglas Lake put you within 25 minutes of both the SkyPark and prime fishing waters, letting you combine mountain romance with lakeside recreation.

Logistics: Parking, Access, and Accessibility

Parking: Gatlinburg SkyPark maintains a dedicated parking lot at 510 River Road, Gatlinburg, TN 37738. Parking is free. During peak Valentine’s weekend, arrive early or use Gatlinburg’s trolley system (the SkyPark sits directly on the Parkway).

Accessibility: The SkyLift chairlift operates continuously, requiring guests to board while it moves slowly. Operators assist with boarding and unloading. At the top, approximately 60 stairs lead from the SkyLift exit to the SkyBridge gateway. Guests using wheelchairs or mobility devices can purchase Restricted Access tickets at the SkyPark ticket window, allowing access to the SkyDeck, SkyCenter main level, and elevated boardwalk portions of the SkyTrail (but not the suspended SkyBridge itself).

Dogs allowed: Leashed dogs can ride the SkyLift and access the SkyDeck and bridge. Owners must control pets at all times.

No strollers: Strollers and wheeled devices cannot ride the SkyLift due to safety restrictions. Parents should carry infants in purpose-designed child carriers or harnesses.

Making It Memorable

The original SkyLift opened in 1954, making Gatlinburg SkyPark the longest continuously operated attraction in town. When the SkyBridge was added in 2019, it quickly became Tennessee’s most photographed suspension bridge and one of the South’s premier proposal destinations. Love Is In The Air builds on that reputation, transforming an already iconic structure into February’s most romantic mountain experience.

Whether you’re dropping to one knee at 150 feet elevation, celebrating decades together with caricature portraits, or simply enjoying illuminated mountain views with someone special, the combination of engineering achievement and natural beauty creates Valentine’s memories 680 feet long.

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