Local Business Spotlight: Active Fun at Arizona Zipline Adventures

|By Christian Wlach

|Video by Kristen Brockel, Christian Wlach, and Brielle Farmer

Emily Goff, along with two other Tucson-area locals, started Arizona Zipline Adventures (AZA) in 2016. Goff, who grew up on a cattle ranch in Oracle, AZ, saw the business as an opportunity to bring life back into a once-thriving community. 

AZA is located on the backside of Mount Lemmon, in Oracle, which is just over an hour’s drive from downtown Tucson. Goff says the company’s mission is to “enrich the community and promote the enjoyment and exploration of the region.”

Oracle is a small town filled with artisans, families, and ranchers. You may be lucky enough to see some of the cattle as you’re pulling into AZA.   

The Zipline Eco-Tour typically takes 90–120 minutes on a total of six ziplines, all located on 20 acres of private land. Majestic views await in every direction—watch the video for proof.    

Arizona Zipline Adventures has evolved since opening. It now has a kitchen serving award-winning chips and salsa, pizza, burgers, and more. They also host team-building activities and events (both large and small) throughout the year. One of the events is Grill Your Own Steak Night, which happens once a month and includes live music. These events help foster a real sense of community.

“I think that there’s always room to grow and evolve,” said Goff. “Whether that’s doing more programming and activities [like] camping, hiking, or events, there are just endless opportunities.”  

Cave tours are an example of this evolution. After receiving permits from the Coronado National Forest and the US National Forest Service, AZA is proud to offer Pepper Sauce Cave Wild Tours. 

AZA has also helped the local economy. Since opening, the company has created jobs and hired employees from the area, as well as seen other businesses pop up as a result of what was started by the three Oracle residents. 

“It’s just really great the way that this town and this community works together,” Goff says with a proud smile, adding, “All of the businesses support one another. It’s a really great feeling to be a part of that.”