Scenic Helicopter Tours: Seeing East Tennessee From an Entirely New Perspective
Our flight carried us above forests, rolling farmland and Douglas Lake with the Smoky Mountains rising in the distance—turning a familiar East Tennessee landscape into one of the most memorable views of our trip.
Is Scenic Helicopter Tours in Sevierville Worth It?
Based on our experience, yes—especially if you want to see East Tennessee and the Smoky Mountains from a perspective you simply cannot get from a road, overlook or hiking trail.
Our flight with Scenic Helicopter Tours took us above forests, rolling farmland and Douglas Lake, with the Great Smoky Mountains rising in the distance.
The flight itself was smooth, the staff made us feel comfortable from check-in through landing, and the aerial views became the kind of travel memory that immediately stood apart from the rest of the trip.
Scenic Helicopter Tours Sevierville Quick Guide
Flight routes, prices and schedules vary by tour, so check the official Scenic Helicopter Tours website before choosing your flight.
What Is Scenic Helicopter Tours?
Scenic Helicopter Tours is a Sevierville-based company offering sightseeing flights over East Tennessee and the Great Smoky Mountains region.
The company was founded in 1972 and is a second-generation, family-owned and operated business.
Its current tour lineup ranges from short introductory flights over the Smoky Mountain countryside to longer routes that reach Douglas Lake, Wears Valley and areas around Great Smoky Mountains National Park.
That range means you do not necessarily have to commit to the longest or most expensive experience for your first helicopter ride.
Travelers can choose a route based on budget, available time and which scenery matters most to them.
The staff walked us through the experience before our scenic flight over East Tennessee.
What Was Check-In Like?
Our check-in experience was smooth, welcoming and clearly focused on safety.
The staff greeted us warmly, answered our questions and explained what to expect before we boarded.
That mattered because even an exciting experience can become stressful when you do not know what happens next.
We never felt rushed or uncertain about the process.
Our pilot also explained the route and helped us understand what we would be seeing once we were in the air.
What Is a Smoky Mountains Helicopter Ride Like?
The biggest surprise for me was how smooth the transition from ground to air felt.
As the helicopter lifted off, the landscape gradually opened beneath us instead of disappearing in one dramatic rush.
Forests, farmland, roads and waterways that seem completely separate when you are driving suddenly become part of one much larger landscape.
That change in perspective was what made the flight so memorable.
I had seen this part of Tennessee from roads and overlooks, but looking down from a helicopter completely changed the scale.
What Can You See From the Helicopter?
What you see depends on the specific Scenic Helicopter Tours route you book.
Current flights include options over the French Broad River, Douglas Lake, Sevier County, Wears Valley and sections of the Great Smoky Mountains region.
On our flight, Douglas Lake was one of the highlights.
Seeing the water from above showed off its scale in a way that is difficult to appreciate from the shoreline.
We also flew over rolling hills, farmland and wooded areas, with mountain ridges stretching across the horizon.
If Douglas Lake is specifically important to you, review the company’s current river and lake helicopter tours before booking because different routes cover different distances and landmarks.
Douglas Lake was one of the standout views during our helicopter flight.
Can You Fly Over Great Smoky Mountains National Park?
Some of Scenic Helicopter Tours’ longer routes include views of areas in and around Great Smoky Mountains National Park.
The exact route depends on the tour selected and current operating conditions.
Longer options currently advertise views around landmarks such as Mount LeConte, Clingmans Dome, Sugarlands Valley, Elkmont, Tremont and Wears Valley.
If the national park itself is your main reason for booking, compare the current mountain tour routes rather than assuming every Scenic Helicopter Tours flight follows the same path.
You can compare current options on the Scenic Helicopter Tours booking site.
Is a Helicopter Tour Good for a First-Time Flyer?
I think the clear instructions and helpful staff make this an approachable experience for someone new to scenic helicopter flights.
The briefing gave us a chance to ask questions before boarding, and the pilot’s explanation of our route helped remove some of the uncertainty.
Of course, comfort with flying varies from person to person.
If you are nervous, mention that when you check in so the staff knows this is your first experience.
What Should You Know About Safety?
Safety procedures were clearly part of our experience from the moment we arrived.
We received instructions before boarding, and our pilot explained what to expect during the flight.
The company states that its tour pilots are FAA certified and that its Great Smoky Mountains flights operate with applicable FAA and National Park Service approvals.
Travelers with specific questions about aircraft, passenger requirements or flight operations should review the company’s official Scenic Helicopter Tours FAQ before booking.
Can You Take Photos During a Scenic Helicopter Tour?
Yes. Photography was one of my favorite parts of the flight, and Scenic Helicopter Tours specifically encourages passengers to bring a camera or cell phone.
The elevated perspective creates photographs that would be impossible to reproduce from the ground.
I was able to capture the lake, winding waterways, farmland and distant mountains from a completely different angle.
The constantly changing scenery also means you need to be ready.
A composition that looks perfect may be behind you only a few seconds later.
How to Photograph a Smoky Mountains Helicopter Tour
A helicopter flight creates photography opportunities that are impossible to duplicate from roadside overlooks.
What Should You Wear on a Helicopter Tour?
Comfortable clothing and shoes are the best choice, with darker colors if you plan to take photographs.
The company specifically recommends comfortable shoes and dark-colored clothing because lighter fabrics can create reflections in the transparent windows.
You do not need special outdoor equipment for a standard sightseeing flight.
Bring your camera or phone and follow any instructions given at check-in regarding personal belongings.
Passenger Capacity and Departure Location
How Much Does a Smoky Mountains Helicopter Tour Cost?
Prices vary considerably based on the distance and route.
Scenic Helicopter Tours currently offers everything from short introductory flights to extended mountain tours costing several hundred dollars per passenger.
Because prices and tour options can change, I would not choose solely by cost.
Look at the landmarks included, distance flown and what you most want to see before deciding which flight provides the best value for your trip.
Current routes and prices are listed directly on the official tour website.
Is a Smoky Mountains Helicopter Tour Worth the Cost?
For us, yes.
This is not something I would compare directly with the cost of a museum ticket or a conventional sightseeing attraction because the experience is so different.
What made it worthwhile was the combination of the flight itself and the perspective it gave us of East Tennessee.
Douglas Lake, forests, fields and distant ridgelines looked completely different from the air.
If your travel budget allows for one special splurge and seeing the Smokies from above appeals to you, a helicopter flight is worth considering.
What Else Can You Do Near Scenic Helicopter Tours?
The Sevierville heliport makes the experience easy to combine with other Smoky Mountains stops.
Scenic Helicopter Tours Sevierville FAQ
Where is Scenic Helicopter Tours in Tennessee?
Scenic Helicopter Tours’ Tennessee heliport is located at 1949 Winfield Dunn Parkway, Sevierville, TN 37876.
Can you see the Smoky Mountains from a helicopter tour?
Yes. Scenic Helicopter Tours offers multiple routes with Smoky Mountain views, and longer tours reach areas in and around Great Smoky Mountains National Park. The exact scenery depends on the flight you book.
Can you fly over Douglas Lake?
Yes. Several current Scenic Helicopter Tours routes include Douglas Lake or views of the lake. Douglas Lake was one of the highlights of our own flight.
Can you take pictures during the helicopter tour?
Yes. The company encourages guests to bring cameras or cell phones. Wearing darker clothing can help reduce reflections in the helicopter windows.
How many people fit in a Scenic Helicopter Tours aircraft?
Capacity varies by helicopter. The company’s largest aircraft can accommodate up to six guests.
Does Scenic Helicopter Tours operate year-round?
Many of the company’s Tennessee tours currently operate seven days a week throughout the year, although weather and specific tour schedules can affect availability.
Is Scenic Helicopter Tours good for a first helicopter ride?
Based on our experience, yes. The staff explained the process clearly, answered our questions and helped us feel comfortable before takeoff.
Is a Smoky Mountains helicopter tour worth it?
For us, it was. Seeing Douglas Lake, forests, farmland and the Smoky Mountain landscape from above gave us a perspective that ground-based sightseeing could not match.
Seeing East Tennessee from the air gave us an entirely different appreciation for the scale of the landscape.
Is Scenic Helicopter Tours Worth It?
Our Scenic Helicopter Tours flight became one of those travel experiences that was memorable precisely because it showed us a familiar destination in an unfamiliar way.
From the smooth takeoff to the views over Douglas Lake and the distant Smoky Mountains, the experience gave us a much greater sense of how the lakes, farmland, towns and mountain ridges fit together.
I also appreciated how easy it was to photograph the experience. Instead of simply documenting the helicopter itself, I came away with aerial images that could never have been captured from a roadside overlook.
If you are looking for a special experience in Sevierville, Pigeon Forge or the Great Smoky Mountains region—and your budget allows for it—I would put a scenic helicopter flight on your shortlist.
Start by comparing the current routes on the Scenic Helicopter Tours website, then use my Pigeon Forge, Gatlinburg & Smoky Mountains Weekend Guide to plan the rest of your trip.
About Angela
Angela Addington is the travel photographer and writer behind Lenses & Latitudes. She shares firsthand destination guidance and practical photography advice for independent and solo travelers, women over 50, road-trippers and weekend explorers. Learn more about Angela.
