Helicopter Tour to Brushy Mountain State Penitentiary

Discover what life was like for lost souls at the “End of the Line” with this half-day excursion via helicopter to Brushy Mountain. Lunch and moonshine tastings included.

You’ll be transported via helicopter from our Gatlinburg/Pigeon Forge heliport northwest over and near Knoxville, Oak Ridge, and Oliver Springs to the Historic Brushy Mountain State Penitentiary––Tennessee’s first maximum-security prison holding the state’s most violent murderers, robbers and rapists for over a century.

Along the journey, enjoy scenic views of downtown Knoxville, home to Neyland Stadium and the Tennessee River. See Oak Ridge, the first and largest of the three Manhattan Project sites that produced the world’s first atomic weapons. You’ll fly over the historic small town of Oliver Springs, a coal mining town founded in 1821 and known for its pre-1900s buildings; and see distant views of Windrock Park and its 72,000-acre off-road adventure paradise.

When the helicopter lands on prison grounds, you’ll be greeted by a staff member and escorted via shuttle to the prison for a 1.5-hour public group tour led by either a former prison guard or former non-violent inmate. There, you’ll explore the rooms and hallways of Brushy Mountain and hear surprising, and some terrifying, stories of life behind these walls. Over 30 different stations will provide a glimpse inside the troubled minds of the hardened criminals that served time at Brushy.

Following the tour, you’ll have the opportunity to explore the grounds and sample the world’s only legal prison-made moonshine. Brushy Mountain Distillery is a farm-to-still distillery that produces eight unique flavors created by local distillers using local grains and local water from the mountains’ natural springs.

But wait, there’s more! Chow down at the Warden’s Table before you go. The Warden’s Table restaurant offers a variety of Southern dishes from BBQ plates to cheeseburgers served cafeteria-style. Every sauce, soup, dressing, and side is made fresh daily using only the best ingredients. It’s Southern cooking with a twist and hospitality at its best.

You’ll have ample time to browse the gift shop before climbing back on board your helicopter for the return flight, taking in views of Frozen Head State Park and Fork Mountain as you depart.