Mountain Helicopter Flights in the USA: the 15 Best Flights to Book

1.Volcano Adventure: Hilo Sightseeing w/ Optional Helicopter Tour

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 412 reviews · 10 hours 30 minutes (approx.) · from $202Our pick

Spend about 10.5 hours exploring Hilo, Hawaii Volcanoes National Park, Thurston Lava Tube, steam vents, Akaka Falls, Rainbow Falls, and Banyan Drive. A professional guide such as Dexter adds local stories, while an optional helicopter flight offers views of craters, waterfalls, coastlines, and forest from above.

“As you go through the reviews, you will see many of the 5 star reviews have a tour guide named Dexter. Dexter was our tour guide and in my opinion THE GUY to give this tour. He's lived here all his life and know so many minute details about the places we visited, the history, and much of it because he experienced it! He is a great guy just to talk to during the stops, and our Hawaii vacation was greatly enhanced by being lucky enough to have him as our tour guide and get to know him. One note to future tours - make sure to take cash for…”

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2.Ridge Runner Smoky Mountain Helicopter Tour

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 148 reviews · 15 to 18 minutes (approx.) Top rated

Take a 15 to 18-minute, 30-mile helicopter flight from Sevierville over downtown, Pigeon Forge, Waldens Creek, Bluff Mountain, Sugarloaf Mountain, and the Chilhowee Range. Your pilot narrates the ride through a headset, with flights limited to six passengers.

“We were so disappointed as our flight got canceled due to bad weather. This I understand is not under their control. However we weren’t given accountable answers for the refunds and were told that we have canceled in our system and TripAdvisor should return you the money and that they aren’t accountable”

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3.Hana Rainforest and Haleakala Crater Helicopter Tour

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 146 reviews · 45 minutes (approx.) · from $332

Fly from Kahului over East Maui’s rainforest, waterfalls, Hana coast, and Haleakala’s crater in a six-seat A-Star helicopter. Pilots such as Drew, Kirk, Vince, and Christian provide narration and music. Morning and afternoon departures are available, with weather-based route changes possible.

“Our guide , Drew, gave us spectacular views over waterfalls and the crater. He also gave us additional information about the area for future exploration! The music was fabulous… adding to the adventure! It was a professional and personal experience! !”

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4.The Smoky Mountain Valley Adventure by Helicopter

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 85 reviews · 12 to 15 minutes (approx.)

Fly 24 miles over Sevierville, Pigeon Forge, and the Tennessee Valley with a Scenic Helicopter Tours pilot. The 12-minute flight reaches Bluff Mountain and Sugar Loaf Mountain, with narration along the way. Flights carry up to six people, and longer aircraft options may be available for passengers over 300 pounds.

“Kody was a wonderful pilot. Due to rain we took an alternate flight. Just as beautiful. We really enjoyed our flight”

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5.Lookout Mountain Grand Aerial Experience

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 39 reviews · 15 minutes (approx.) · from $230

Take a private 15-minute helicopter flight from 932 Jubilee Dr in Chattanooga. You’ll see downtown, the Tennessee River, Lookout Mountain, a Civil War site, and Moccasin Bend from above. Pilot Noah has earned praise for friendly answers and a smooth, memorable ride.

“It was an absolutely amazing adventure that my wife and I will soon return to do again! The pilot was super friendly and willing to answer any question we may have had. Thanks Noah!”

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6.Oahu: Big Island Volcano Adventure & Helicopter

★★★★★★★★★★4.4 · 23 reviews · from $843

Fly from Honolulu to Hilo, then tour Hawai‘i Volcanoes National Park, Nāhuku Lava Tube, Chain of Craters Road, and ʻAkaka Falls by mini coach. Guide Dexter adds local stories. You can also take a 45-minute Blue Hawaiian helicopter flight over volcanic craters, lava fields, and waterfalls.

“A fantastic trip from start to finish. Dexter, our guide was very informative and provided loads of information about the island, customs and tradition as well as living on Big Island today. We were fortunate to see a volcanic eruption whilst on the trip which made it extra special. As a result of the eruption, traffic in the Volcano National Park was horrendous which meant we didn’t get to see all the sights advertised, however this was completely out of the control of the tour company. Dexter did the best he could in the circumstances. The helicopter trip was a highlight of the tour. Chewy, our pilot was fantastic. We…”

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7.Hana Rainforest and Haleakala Crater 45-min Helicopter Tour

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 18 reviews · 45 min · from $346

Take a 45-minute Air Maui helicopter flight from Kahului over Haleakala Crater, Hana rainforest, waterfalls, and Maui’s north shore. Your pilot provides English narration and music through a headset. Flights carry up to six people, with pilot Drew praised for helping everyone see the best views.

“Attività stupenda per poter ammirare tutta l’isola dall’alto: specialmente la parte delle cascate è stata molto suggestiva!”

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8.Sevierville: Smoky Mountain Helicopter Tour

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 17 reviews · from $50Best value

Meet MyFlight Tours in Sevierville, check in with your matching ID and payment card, then board a comfortable helicopter for a 5 to 25 minute flight. Choose a route featuring Douglas Lake, Pigeon Forge, Clingmans Dome, or nearby Smoky Mountain scenery.

“Pricey! The ride, nice just over priced. Then the lady taking pictures, charging $50 for the whole package no individuals was a bit much.”

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9.Kona Coast Hualalai Volcano-60Min Helicopter Tour-Door Off or On

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 16 reviews · 1 hour (approx.) · from $640

Spend about an hour above the Kona Coast and Hualalai Volcano with Rainbow Helicopters. You’ll see fishponds, coffee farms, Kealakekua Bay, Captain Cook Monument, beaches, and forest reserves. Choose doors on or off, though an open seat may not be beside a door.

“The staff was super friendly, shout out to Wilson, thank you for your kindness to my 78 yr old Aunt. Whom by the way loved the tour with the doors off! Everything was amazing!”

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10.Helicopter Ride in Smoky Mountain Sevierville Douglas Lake Tour

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 13 reviews · 7 to 12 minutes (approx.)

Take a private helicopter flight over Douglas Dam, Douglas Lake, the French Broad River, and Little Pigeon River. Your professional pilot provides a headset, while a remodeled facility offers a virtual reality simulator before takeoff. Flights carry up to three passengers.

“My boyfriend and I went for our 3 year anniversary, it was a blast! Staff was super friendly and made the experience what it is!”

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11.Kailua-Kona: Hualalai Volcano Doors On/Off Helicopter Tour

★★★★★★★★★★4.7 · 12 reviews · 1 hour · from $640

Fly with Rainbow Helicopters over Kailua Bay, Kona coffee farms, Kealakekua Bay, Pu’uhonua o Hōnaunau, Hualalai Volcano, and the Kohala coast. Choose doors on or off, hear live English commentary, and arrive one hour early for check-in and a safety briefing. Weather may limit the inland route.

“A very exciting adventure. The pilot/guide told us about everything of the island, describing places and the history of them. The view from the helicopter was really unbelievable and we had the chance to appreciate the different colours of the ocean thanks to the weather. We weren't able to go up to the volcano because of the clouds, but the coastline made the flight worth the cost of the tour. Thanks justin!”

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12.Oahu to Big Island : Big Island Volcano Helicopter Tour & Hilo 1 Day Tour

★★★★★★★★★★4.0 · 10 reviews · 4 hours (approx.) · from $1,499

Leave Honolulu at 5:00 am for Hilo, then see an active volcano by helicopter and explore four Hilo sights by vehicle. Guides such as Karen, Todd, and Lance have earned praise for their island knowledge, but weather, timing, and stop lengths can vary.

“It was an easy flight to the big island and back . We drove up to the center of the volcano and marveled at the great changes in the landscape, going scorched earth to rainforest within two miles. It was disappointing that the helicopter flight had to be cancelled due to weather conditions and the rest of the day was fully booked and to see others fly while we waited for our tour bus (for over an hour) to come and pick us up.”

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13.Pigeon Forge: Smoky Mountain and Lake Helicopter Trip

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 9 reviews · 25 min · from $249

Take a 25-minute helicopter flight from Pigeon Forge over the French Broad River, Douglas Dam, Douglas Lake, Sevierville, Dollywood, Cove Mountain, and Wears Valley. Your pilot, possibly Dakota, provides commentary through a headset, while small groups of up to six keep the ride personal.

“Our pilot was so informative and fun to ride with.”

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14.Helicopter Ride in Smoky Mountain Sevierville Great Smoky Tour

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 9 reviews · from $320

Fly above Douglas Lake, Sevierville, Pigeon Forge, Dollywood, Wears Valley, Mt. Le Conte, and Bluff Mountain in a private helicopter for up to three passengers. A headset lets you speak with your pilot, and a virtual reality simulator helps you prepare before takeoff.

“impressive views of smoky mountains national park ... mr. madrigal provided the absolute best customer service ... owner needs to greatly improve experience like allowing guests to enter facility prior to check-in time, communicating in advancRead more”

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15.Kohala Coast Volcano Waterfalls-90 Min Heli Tour-Doors Off or On

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 7 reviews · 1 hour 30 minutes (approx.) · from $895

Fly from Kailua-Kona for 90 minutes over Mauna Loa, Hualālai, Kohala, Pololū, Waipiʻo, and remote waterfalls. Choose doors on or off. Pilot Josh and Wilson have been praised for clear briefings and warm service, but cloud cover can limit volcano views.

“No door, no floor, still got (great) service. Really fun, beautiful views, very knowledgeable. Saw whales, saw waterfalls, cliffy things and more water. 10 out of 10 experience. Would recommend if you like wind.”

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