Group Tours
An Ideal Destination For Your Group
Historic Brushy Mountain State Penitentiary is located in the Eastern Time Zone.
All operating hours and event times listed are ET.
Located a short distance from Knoxville, Tennessee, Historic Brushy Mountain State Penitentiary is nestled in the shadow of scenic Frozen Head State Park.
Private guide-led group tours are available at 9 or 9:30 a.m. during our regular operating season 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. One week's notice is required to book a private guide-led tour; however, capacity is limited and tours are subject to availability. Please book early for best availability.
Please Note: Pets are not permitted on tours at this time. Only service animals will be permitted.
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.
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.
April/May Hours
Opens April 2, 2026
Thursday - Sunday: 10:30 am - 7:00 pm ET
Last Tour Starts at 5:00 pm ET (Prison Closes at 6:30 pm)
Open Good Friday, Easter, and Memorial Day
June/July/August Hours
Open Daily
10:30 am - 7:00 pm ET
Last Tour Starts at 5:00 pm (Prison Closes at 6:30 pm)
Open July 4th
September/october Hours
Open Thursday - Sunday
10:30 am - 6:30 pm ET
Last Tour Starts at 5:00 pm (Prison Closes at 6:30 pm)
Open Labor Day
November Hours
Open Saturday - Sunday
10:30 am - 5:30 pm ET
Last Tour Starts at 4:00 pm (Prison Closes at 5:30 pm)
Warden's Table & Gift Shop Closes at 6:30 pm
Last Day of the Season November 30, 2025
December-March Hours
Closed for the Winter
Paranormal Tours Still Available
Concert Day Hours
Day of Concerts Only
Last Tour Starts at 4:00 pm ET
Prison Closes at 5:30 pm ET
Gates for Show Open at 6:00 pm ET
Warden’s Table & Gift Shop Closes at 7:00 pm ET
Parolee’s Restaurant & Store Closes at 8:00 pm ET
Group TourS
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.
Group Tour
(20 or more)
For more information, or to schedule a tour for your group, contact us via the form below.
School Groups
Educational Tours for School groups, and Home School groups, include flexible start times and special rates for tours and lunch, are also available.
For more information, or to schedule a tour for your school, contact us via the form below.
Educational Self-Guided
Students/Teacher:
$19/Per Person + Tax
Educational Private Group Guided
Students/Teacher:
$25/Per Person + Tax
- Group Tours are paired with a complimentary guide throughout their visit to the prison.
- Headsets are available for the guided group tours so that participants can hear their guide.
- Handicapped parking & restrooms are available. 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.
- Designated Bus parking.
- Bus driver and escort are complimentary.
What Brushy Has to offer
Private events
Be it a wedding, corporate event. exhibition or festival, Historic Brushy Mountain State Penitentiary’s grounds are perfect for hosting your event. If you’re interested in hosting your event at Brushy, contact us today.
Distillery
End of The Line Tennessee Moonshine is the only moonshine distilled (legally) at a prison. From farm to still, we use local grains and water from the mountains’ natural springs. This is true Tennessee Moonshine.
Group Tour Inquiry
Please note: this is for Group Tours and Educational Tours only.
We will not respond to Non-Group Tour tour requests. Please direct any Brushy-related questions here. Thank you for your understanding.
For more information about Group Tours at Historic Brushy Mountain State Penitentiary, contact Dione Waddington, Group Tour Sales, via the form below:
