
Helicopter Tour - The Fontana Lake Tour
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September 2026
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Adults
Age 13 and over
Children
Age 12 and under
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Free cancellation up to 24 hours before. Same price on Viator, Outty earns a commission.
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Quick answer
Is Helicopter Tour - The Fontana Lake Tour worth booking?
Helicopter Tour - The Fontana Lake Tour is a 0.3-hour experience in Great Smoky Mountains National Park, United States, from $250 per person. It scores 40 out of 100 on the Outty Ranking, which we label “Worth a Look”. Cancellation is free up to 24 hours before the start time. Same-day spots are currently showing.
- Outty Ranking
- 40 / 100
- Rating
- Not yet rated
- Duration
- 0.3 hours
- From
- $250 per person
The Fontana Lake Tour 25 miles long This tour takes you through the staple of the smoky mountains , you will see several mountain ranges , lakes , rivers and the best part the Cherokee national forest . You will be
What you get
About this experience
The Fontana Lake Tour 25 miles long This tour takes you through the staple of the smoky mountains , you will see several mountain ranges , lakes , rivers and the best part the Cherokee national forest . You will begin your adventure by leaving the 264 casino trail address , taking off your pilot will began by pointing out the quala valley . once you reach the valley you will follow the tuckaseegee river to Bryson City . Bryson City is full of life and fun , it will lead you to fontana lake where you will enjoy being 4000 feet above the water where you will get a view on that god and the birds see !
What's included
Included
- Flight
- Headsets
What you'll see and do
Fontana Lake
Fontana Lake is a reservoir impounded by Fontana Dam on the Little Tennessee River, and is located in Graham and Swain counties in North Carolina. The lake forms part of the southern border of Great Smoky Mountains National Park and the northern border of part of the Nantahala National Forest.
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Great Smoky Mountains National Park
The Great Smoky Mountains are a mountain range rising along the Tennessee–North Carolina border in the southeastern United States. They are a subrange of the Appalachian Mountains, and form part of the Blue Ridge Physiographic Province.
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Casino at Harrah’s Cherokee
You will pass by the casino at 1000ft above the ground . Its on Cherokee reservation land so we will have to stay a good distance away as for respect for the Cherokee Indians .
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Bryson City
Bryson City is a small town in North Carolina. It’s a gateway to Great Smoky Mountains National Park, with wildflowers, streams and part of the Appalachian Trail. The Great Smoky Mountains Railroad offers train rides through the park, plus the Smoky Mountain Trains Museum. The Tuckasegee River is popular for white-water rafting. The Fly Fishing Museum of the Southern Appalachians has fishing gear and 1800s fly rods.
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Where it starts and ends
Meeting point
Great Smoky Mountains National Park
Across the street from the casino .
Hotel pickup
No pickup: everyone meets at the start point.
Ends at
Across the street from the casino .
Before you book
- Cancellation
- For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.
- Languages
- en
- Ticket
- Mobile Only
- Runs on
- Every day
- Group size
- Up to 3 travelers per booking
- Operated by
- Cherokee Helicopters
Know before you go
- Wheelchair accessible
- Service animals allowed
- Public transportation options are available nearby
- Infants are required to sit on an adult’s lap
- Transportation options are wheelchair accessible
- All areas and surfaces are wheelchair accessible
- Suitable for all physical fitness levels
Photos


Good to know
- Duration
- 0.3 hours
- Free cancellation
- Up to 24h before
- Minimum age to book
- All ages
- Availability
- Bookable today
- Runs on
- Every day
- Hotel pickup
- No pickup, meet at start point
- Booked in 30 days
- 0
- Verdict
- Worth a Look
Why this scores 40
The Outty Ranking is a weighted composite. Here is how this experience performed on each component.
Helicopter Tour - The Fontana Lake Tour: questions travelers ask
Practical detail on this experience, plus the wider planning questions for Great Smoky Mountains National Park.
How much does Helicopter Tour - The Fontana Lake Tour cost?
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Prices start at $250 per person. The final price depends on the date, the time slot and the number of travelers, and peak weekends in Great Smoky Mountains National Park usually price higher than midweek mornings. Live pricing and remaining availability are confirmed on the booking screen before you pay.
How long does Helicopter Tour - The Fontana Lake Tour take?
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Plan for about 0.3 hours from start to finish, not counting travel to the meeting point. Most travelers leave another 30 minutes on either side so the rest of the day in Great Smoky Mountains National Park is not rushed.
Is Helicopter Tour - The Fontana Lake Tour worth it?
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It holds an Outty Ranking of 40 out of 100, which we label "Worth a Look". That score blends traveler sentiment (0/5 across 0 reviews), the depth of that review evidence, recent booking momentum, value for money against comparable last minute in Great Smoky Mountains National Park, and how flexible the cancellation terms are.
Can I cancel or reschedule Helicopter Tour - The Fontana Lake Tour?
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Yes. Cancel free up to 24 hours before the start time for a full refund. Inside that window the booking is non-refundable, and no-shows are not refunded.
Is Helicopter Tour - The Fontana Lake Tour suitable for kids and families?
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Yes, all ages are welcome. Families should still weigh the 0.3-hour running time, and strollers are easier on the earlier, quieter departures.
How far in advance should I book Helicopter Tour - The Fontana Lake Tour?
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Around 0 people booked this in the last 30 days, so popular slots go early. Two to three weeks ahead is comfortable in shoulder season, while summer weekends and holidays in Great Smoky Mountains National Park can sell out a month out. Same-day spots do open up when other travelers cancel, so it is worth checking if you are already in town.
What should I bring or wear?
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Bring photo ID, your booking confirmation on your phone, a refillable water bottle and comfortable shoes. Dress for the weather in Great Smoky Mountains National Park and add a light layer if any part of the 0.3-hour experience runs outdoors or after sunset.
Where does Helicopter Tour - The Fontana Lake Tour start and how do I get there?
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The exact meeting point and directions are on your voucher once you book, and they sit in central Great Smoky Mountains National Park within reach of public transport. Arrive 15 minutes early: late arrivals are treated as no-shows by most operators.
What are the best things to do in Great Smoky Mountains National Park?
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Great Smoky Mountains National Park draws visitors for its landscapes, wildlife and guided outdoor experiences. Outty tracks every bookable tour here, scores it with the Outty Ranking, and shows what is worth your time, from full-day guided trips to short scenic outings. On Outty we rank every Great Smoky Mountains National Park experience on the same 0 to 100 scale, and alongside this one the highest scorers right now include 3-Hour Nantahala River Fully Guided Rafting Experience, Museum of the Cherokee People Admission Ticket, Cades Cove Sightseeing Self-Guided Driving Audio Tour. The city page groups everything into most popular, highest reviewed, last minute and family-friendly so you can build a day around what actually delivers.
When is the best time to visit Great Smoky Mountains National Park?
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Late spring through early fall for full access and the widest tour availability, with quieter trails in the shoulder weeks. Booking patterns follow the same curve: prices and queues climb in peak weeks, while shoulder season gives you better availability on the top-ranked experiences and more room to change plans.
How many days do you need in Great Smoky Mountains National Park?
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Three full days covers the headline sights without sprinting. A workable rhythm is one anchor experience each morning, such as this one, an unhurried afternoon in a single neighborhood, then a food or nightlife booking in the evening. Five days lets you add a day trip outside the city.
Do I book through Outty or through the operator?
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Outty ranks and explains the experiences, then hands you to Viator to complete the booking with the operator directly. The price is the same as booking on Viator yourself, and Outty earns an affiliate commission on the referral, which is how the rankings stay free to read.
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