SEVIERVILLE AIR ACTIVITIES FIELD GUIDE
A 90‑Mile Helicopter Sweep Over the Great Smoky Mountains
A Scenic Helicopter Tours flight that carries you from downtown Sevierville across Pigeon Forge and Gatlinburg into the national park—useful as a concise guide to the route, sights, and what to bring.
A 90‑Mile Helicopter Sweep Over the Great Smoky Mountains.
This is The Grand Tour: a helicopter route that launches above downtown Sevierville, arcs over Pigeon Forge and Gatlinburg, then crosses the national park boundary to follow the Sugarlands corridor into Cades Cove, delivering panoramic views of named ridgelines, valley coves and, depending on the hour, wildlife.
Highlights
Outing Highlights
A continuous sweep from town to Cades Cove
The flight threads urban landmarks in Sevierville, Pigeon Forge and Gatlinburg before entering the Great Smoky Mountains National Park and pushing all the way from the Sugarlands area to Cades Cove for uninterrupted vistas along the route.
Wildlife sightings are possible from above
Depending on the time of day there’s a good possibility of spotting whitetail deer, wild turkeys, black bears and even wild hogs during the flyover of the Cove; sightings are mentioned as a notable feature of the tour.
Named ridgelines and classic Smokies terrain
The route affords views of Elkmont, Blanket Mountain, Meigs Mountain, Tremont and Thunderhead—invoking the layered ridgelines and coves that define the Smokies’ signature landscape.
What the day feels like
How the flight feels
The Grand Tour is a compact, panoramic experience: you rise above downtown Sevierville, sweep over Pigeon Forge and Gatlinburg, then pass the park boundary and fly from the Sugarlands area out to Cades Cove—an approximately 80–90 mile route that lays the Smokies out beneath your windows and concentrates a wide swath of terrain and points of interest into a single flight.
THE ROUTE
A continuous sweep from town to Cades Cove
The flight threads urban landmarks in Sevierville, Pigeon Forge and Gatlinburg before entering the Great Smoky Mountains National Park and pushing all the way from the Sugarlands area to Cades Cove for uninterrupted vistas along the route.
THE WILDLIFE
Wildlife sightings are possible from above
Depending on the time of day there’s a good possibility of spotting whitetail deer, wild turkeys, black bears and even wild hogs during the flyover of the Cove; sightings are mentioned as a notable feature of the tour.
THE VISTAS
Named ridgelines and classic Smokies terrain
The route affords views of Elkmont, Blanket Mountain, Meigs Mountain, Tremont and Thunderhead—invoking the layered ridgelines and coves that define the Smokies’ signature landscape.
Suitability
Who it's for
Who gets the most from this flight.
Practical planner
Details to review before reserving
A camera is specifically recommended for the tour’s panoramic and wildlife viewing opportunities.
The route covers approximately 80–90 miles, described as a 90‑mile Grand Tour.
The tour is operated by Scenic Helicopter Tours and the published flight price is $800.
Review cancellation policies before reserving.
Frequently asked questions
Planning Your Outing
How long or how far is the Grand Tour?
The flight covers roughly 80–90 miles and is described as a 90‑mile adventure.
What towns and park areas does the flight pass over?
The route begins over downtown Sevierville, then flies over Pigeon Forge and Gatlinburg before entering the national park and flying from the Sugarlands area to Cades Cove, including points of interest in Gatlinburg, Wears Valley and the National Park.
Will I see wildlife on the flight?
There is a good possibility of seeing whitetail deer, turkeys, black bears and wild hogs depending on the time of day, but sightings are not guaranteed.
How much does the flight cost?
The published rate for the flight is $800.
What should I bring on this tour?
A camera is recommended to capture the panoramic mountain ridges, valley coves and any wildlife seen during the flight.
Which operator runs The Grand Tour?
Scenic Helicopter Tours operates The Grand Tour in Sevierville, Tennessee.