Historic Brushy Mtn State Pen
Now Open
Brushy Mountain was the last place you wanted to find yourself – right in the middle of Tennessee’s first maximum-security prison holding the state’s most violent murderers, robbers and rapists for over a century. With some sentences of 200 years or more, most of the men who walked through its gates would never be walking out. Come see for yourself just what life was like for lost souls at the End of the Line.
This will be an experience like no other. It will surprise you, terrify you, and make you wonder what it would’ve been like to be locked up in here for the rest of your God-given life.
Tours are self-guided and former prison guards and former non-violent inmates will be nearby to answer any questions or share a brief story. You’ll be provided with a map of the prison grounds as well. There are more than 30 stations, each containing the story of what happened in that particular spot. Some will talk of violent acts, killings. Others about the moments family members came to visit. And still others will give you a glimpse inside the troubled minds of the hardened criminals that served time at Brushy.
As you move from one station to another, you'll be able to imagine what life would have been like behind these walls. These men had committed unforgivable crimes, but they still had souls. But somewhere, somehow, their lives took a wrong turn.
We look forward to seeing you when you come to visit us at Brushy Mountain State Penitentiary. It will be an experience you carry with you for the rest of your life.
Self-Guided Tours
$22/Person + Tax · $17/Child + Tax
April/May Hours
Thursday - Sunday
10:30 am - 7:00 pm ET
Last Tour Starts at 5:00 pm ET
OPEN MEMORIAL DAY
Private Guided Group Tours
$32/Person + Tax · $22/Child + Tax
April/May Hours
Thursday - Sunday
Group Tours Available at 9 or 9:30 am ET
OPEN MEMORIAL DAY
This tour is self-guided, and there are former prison guards and non-violent inmates around to answer questions about the history and life at Brushy.
Following the tour arrows (on the floor) you’ll be able to see all significant components of the prison from the cell block to the cafeteria and other buildings like the laundry room, gymnasium, museum, movie theatre (where an 18 min. documentary plays every half hour), the exercise yard, and the all-important "HOLE," where the most troublesome inmates were sent for up to 30 days in complete darkness with no human contact as administrative punishment.
You're welcome to take your time and walk as much or as little of the prison grounds as you want. Just remember if you linger too long you might be locked in for the night.
Military & Senior (starts at 65) Self-Guided Tours - $19.80 + Tax.
Children’s ticket pricing applies to children 7 - 12 years of age.
Admission for children 6 and under is FREE.
Private guide-led group tours are available during our regular operating season at 9 or 9:30 a.m. prior to opening of the prison for groups of a minimum of 15 people. Guided tours will be led by either a former prison guard or former non-violent inmate. One week's notice is required to book a private guide-led tour; however, capacity is limited and tours are subject to availability.
The guided portion of your tour lasts roughly 60-90 minutes, but you are welcome to spend as much time behind the wall as you like once your guided tour is complete.
Due to the size of the hallways and rooms at Brushy, it would be disruptive to the groups to have to pass through narrow corridors and stairwells during regular visiting hours with other guests. The private morning tours offers your group a unique opportunity to visit and experience Brushy without any distractions.
Military & Senior (starts at 65) Guided Tours - $28.80 + Tax.
Children’s ticket pricing applies to children 7 - 12 years of age.
Admission for children 6 and under is FREE.
Email for pricing on Educational Tours, which includes flexible start times and special rates for tours and lunch.
Public Guided Tour
$32/Person + Tax · $22/Child + Tax
April/May Hours
Thursday - Sunday
Group Tours Available at 9 or 9:30 am ET
OPEN MEMORIAL DAY
Public Guided Tours are available every Friday, Saturday, and Sunday the months of April, May, September, and October.
June – August, Public Guided Tours are available Wednesday – Sunday each week.
Special July 4th Dates, Friday, June 30th - Wednesday, July 5th
In November, Public Guided Tours are available Saturday and Sunday each week.
Guided tours will be led by either a former prison guard or former non-violent inmate. Up to 12 hours notice is required to book a guide-led tour. Maximum 50 people.
The guided portion of your tour lasts roughly 60-90 minutes, but you are welcome to spend as much time behind the wall as you like once your guided tour is complete
Due to the size of the hallways and rooms at Brushy, it would be disruptive to the groups to have to pass through narrow corridors and stairwells during regular visiting hours with other guests. The morning tours offers your group a unique opportunity to visit and experience Brushy without any distractions.
Military & Senior (starts at 65) Guided Tours - $28.80 + Tax.
Children’s ticket pricing applies to children 7 - 12 years of age.
Admission for children 6 and under is FREE.
Public Overnight paranormal investigation
$150/Person + Tax · 8-12 Persons · Ages 16+
April/May Schedule
Available Daily, starting at 9PM.
Please allow a minimum of 24 hours
to schedule an investigation
Evil men who did evil things were imprisoned here, with many locked away for the rest of their lives. And while the death penalty was never carried out at Brushy, more than a few died of natural causes or in the mines. Others met their end with the blade of a meat cleaver or a shiv, the final blow delivered by the violent hands of fellow non-violent inmate.
These are the souls that haunt this stone-cold fortress, whose spirits refuse to cross over. Who remain here because they have unfinished business.
A short guided tour of the prison starts at 9 PM to help familiarize you with the site. After the tour, you are free to investigate on your own or with the guide until 4 AM.
Overnight Investigations are available seven days a week. Please allow a minimum of 24 hours to schedule an investigation.
Please note there is a minimum of 8 people required for this tour to run otherwise this tour will be rescheduled to the next available date.
Purchasing & Discounts
Self-Guided tickets can be purchased at the Gift Shop during business hours, or online via the BOOK NOW button.
Senior Discount (starts at 65) - 10% off cost of admission
Military Discount - 10% off cost of admission.
Available to active duty members of the Air Force, Army, Marines, Navy, Coast Guard, National Guard and Reserves. Valid military ID is required to purchase discounted tickets.
Accessibility & Service Animals
The majority of the tour is handicap accessible. However, because the prison has no elevators, there are areas in the tour such as The Hole and the prison’s cafeteria that are not accessible due to their locations within the prison.
There is handicap parking available, with 4 spaces at the Gift Shop/Warden's Table parking lot and 6 spaces up at the prison.
Please Note: Pets are not permitted on tours at this time. Only service animals will be permitted.
April/May Hours
Thursday - Sunday
10:30 am - 7:00 pm ET
Last Tour Starts at 5:00 pm ET
OPEN MEMORIAL DAY
SEPTEMBER/OCTOBER Hours
Thursday - Sunday
10:30 am - 7:00 pm ET
Last Tour Starts at 5:00 pm ET
OPEN LABOR DAY
December 1 - March 31
Closed for the Winter
Paranormal Tours Still Available
June/July/August Hours
Open Daily
10:30 am - 7:00 pm ET
Last Tour Starts at 5:00 pm ET
OPEN JULY 4th
November Hours
Saturday - Sunday
10:30 am - 5:30 pm ET
Last Tour Starts at 4:00 pm ET
Warden’s Table & Gift Shop open until 6:30 ET
Concert Day Hours
All times listed are Eastern Time (ET)
Day of Concerts Only
Last Tour Starts at 4:00 pm
Prison Closes at 5:30 pm
Gates for Show Open at 6:00 pm
Restaurant & Gift Shop Closes at 7:00 pm
