Did you know Zephyrhills is home to one of the best-known skydiving destinations in the world?
If you live in Zephyrhills, seeing colorful parachutes floating through the sky can start to feel almost normal.
But what locals sometimes forget is that people travel from across the United States — and around the world — specifically to experience what we have right here at the Zephyrhills Municipal Airport: Skydive City, known throughout the skydiving community as “Z-Hills.”
Skydivers from more than 80 countries, all 50 states and every Canadian province visit Skydive City, where approximately 70,000 parachute jumps are made each year.
That makes Skydive City more than a fun thing to do in Zephyrhills.
It is part of the identity of our city.
How Zephyrhills Became Famous for Skydiving
Skydiving has been part of Zephyrhills for more than 60 years.
Parachuting began here in the early 1960s, and Skydive City was officially founded in 1990.
Over the decades, “Z-Hills” became a name recognized throughout the international skydiving community.
Zephyrhills has even hosted three World Meets:
- The first Relative Work World Meet held in the United States in 1981
- The Canopy Piloting World Meet in 2015
- The Wingsuit World Meet in 2017
That history helped turn the Zephyrhills Municipal Airport into one of the premier skydiving destinations in the world.
Today, even the City of Zephyrhills highlights skydiving as part of the community's identity.
Learn more about the history of Skydive City and Z-Hills.
What Happens at Skydive City?
There is a lot more happening here than tandem jumps.
Skydive City welcomes everyone from people checking skydiving off their bucket list to experienced competitors and professional skydivers.
Visitors can experience:
- Tandem skydiving for first-time jumpers
- Accelerated Freefall training for people who want to learn to skydive
- Licensed and experienced skydiving
- Organized jumps and specialty disciplines
- Camps, training and major skydiving events
The property also includes a huge landing area, covered packing areas and The Birdhouse, its social hub and home to a mini-museum celebrating more than 60 years of Zephyrhills skydiving history.
Explore skydiving experiences at Skydive City.
First Time Skydiving? Here's What to Expect
For most first-time visitors, a tandem skydive is the easiest introduction.
You're securely connected to an experienced tandem instructor who manages the shared parachute system and guides you through the experience.
At Skydive City, tandem jumpers typically exit the aircraft from approximately 13,500 feet.
Then comes the part everyone talks about:
50–60 seconds of freefall at approximately 110 mph.
The parachute is deployed around 5,000 feet, followed by a much calmer four-to-six-minute parachute ride back to the drop zone.
Friends and family can come along to watch, too.
Skydive City recommends planning for at least half a day, since weather, wind, air traffic and other conditions can sometimes affect jump schedules.
Before You Go
First-time jumpers must be at least 18 years old.
Skydive City currently lists a standard tandem weight limit of 220 pounds, with some flexibility depending on height, weight and body type. Because requirements, prices and promotions can change, always confirm current information directly with Skydive City before visiting.
See current tandem skydiving information and requirements
Where Is Skydive City in Zephyrhills?
Skydive City is located at the Zephyrhills Municipal Airport:
4241 Sky Dive Lane
Zephyrhills, FL 33542
The location is one reason Zephyrhills has worked so well as an international skydiving destination.
You get dedicated aviation infrastructure while still being within reach of Tampa, Lakeland, Wesley Chapel and the rest of Central Florida.
Skydive City describes the drop zone as approximately 30 minutes from Tampa and Lakeland and around an hour from several other Central Florida destinations, depending on traffic and your starting point.
Why Skydive City Matters to Zephyrhills
This might be our favorite part of the story.
Skydive City doesn't simply give people something exciting to do.
It brings people to Zephyrhills.
Visitors come from around the world to jump, train, compete and spend time here.
And the impact reaches beyond the drop zone.
A City of Zephyrhills airport study estimated that Skydive City's operation contributed approximately $6 million annually to the city, while the Zephyrhills Municipal Airport itself generated more than $106 million in annual regional economic impact at the time of the study.
Skydiving has also helped support an ecosystem of aviation and parachuting-related businesses around the airport.
Those visitors stay nearby.
They eat at local restaurants.
They stop at local businesses.
They experience Downtown Zephyrhills.
And sometimes they discover an entirely different side of East Pasco County than they expected.
That's what makes Skydive City both an economic asset and a cultural landmark for Zephyrhills.
Chelsea's Local Take
“One of the things I love about Zephyrhills is that there's always more here than people expect. You can be downtown grabbing lunch one minute and look up to see parachutes floating across the sky the next. Skydive City is such a big part of what makes Zephyrhills uniquely Zephyrhills — and I love getting to share places like this through Local Love.”
— Chelsea Rose, Zephyrhills Realtor® & Creator of Local Love
Watch Our Visit to Skydive City
Sometimes you have to see it for yourself.
Chelsea visited Skydive City Zephyrhills for our Local Love series to go behind the scenes at one of our hometown's most recognizable attractions.
[LUXURY PRESENCE: EMBED INSTAGRAM REEL HERE — FULL WIDTH]
From global attractions to neighborhood favorites, Local Love is our way of showing you the people, places and experiences that make East Pasco special.
What Is It Like Living in Zephyrhills?
Skydive City is a great example of why Zephyrhills can surprise people.
You still have the small-town character, historic downtown, local restaurants and community traditions Zephyrhills is known for — while new communities, businesses and infrastructure continue to reshape this part of East Pasco County.
And you're within reach of Wesley Chapel, Tampa, Lakeland and the greater Tampa Bay region.
If you're considering a move, start with our complete Zephyrhills neighborhood and real estate guide, where you can explore local communities, current listings and more about life in Zephyrhills.
Frequently Asked Questions About Skydive City Zephyrhills
Is there skydiving in Zephyrhills, Florida?
Yes. Zephyrhills is home to Skydive City, an internationally recognized skydiving center at the Zephyrhills Municipal Airport. Skydiving has been part of Zephyrhills since the early 1960s.
Is Skydive City good for first-time skydivers?
Yes. Skydive City offers tandem skydiving specifically for first-time jumpers. Participants are connected to an instructor who manages the shared parachute system throughout the jump.
How high do you jump at Skydive City?
Tandem jumps at Skydive City typically exit the aircraft from approximately 13,500 feet, followed by around 50–60 seconds of freefall.
How old do you have to be to skydive in Zephyrhills?
Skydive City requires tandem skydivers to be at least 18 years old.
Where is Skydive City?
Skydive City is located at 4241 Sky Dive Lane, Zephyrhills, Florida 33542, at the Zephyrhills Municipal Airport.
Why is Zephyrhills known for skydiving?
Skydiving has taken place in Zephyrhills since the early 1960s. Over several decades, the city's airport developed an international reputation as a destination for training, competition and recreational skydiving. Zephyrhills has hosted three international World Meets, and today's Skydive City attracts skydivers from around the world.
Thinking About Calling Zephyrhills Home?
Learning about a community should go beyond bedrooms, bathrooms and listing photos.
That's why we created Local Love — to introduce you to the people, businesses and experiences that make this part of Florida feel like home.
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