Getting Oriented
The North Cumberland OHV Riding Area covers designated trails across the North Cumberland Wildlife Management Area, a roughly 205,000-acre block on the northern Cumberland Plateau. It reaches into Campbell, Scott, Anderson, Morgan, and Claiborne counties, with staging near the Royal Blue area off Highway 63 and the Sundquist Unit above LaFollette. The Tennessee Wildlife Resources Agency (TWRA) runs it as the largest actively managed WMA in the state. The current riding grew out of the former Royal Blue and Sundquist WMAs, later joined by the New River, Ed Carter, and Highcliff units. Region 4 staff manage the OHV program.
Trail Overview
The marked network runs to roughly 200 miles and is being built toward about 300. The Sundquist Unit holds the most developed system at about 100 miles and is the only unit with a printed trail map. New River adds close to 100 miles, most of it signed, and a planned 20-mile connector through the Royal Blue Unit will tie Sundquist to New River. Trails are named and numbered, with symbols on trailhead signs showing difficulty and which vehicle types are allowed, plus confidence markers every half mile. Skill demand spans graded forest roads at the easy end through rocky mountain climbs and mud at the hard end. Full-size 4x4 trucks and Jeeps, ATVs, UTVs, and dirt bikes all use the same designated trails. Royal Blue, New River, and Tackett Creek are best run with GPS, since those units are not fully signed on the ground.
Points of Interest
- Hatfield Knob elk viewing tower on the Sundquist Unit, part of the Cumberland elk restoration, with a live camera feed.
- The Royal Blue staging area off Highway 63 near Titus Hollow Road, a common jump-off for the western trails.
- Ridge lines and overlooks across the Cumberland Mountains, reached on the higher climbs.
- Active and historic coal mining ground, with visible highwalls and haul roads through several units.
Where to Camp
Camping is allowed area-wide and the WMA stays open 24 hours a day. Private trailside resorts and campgrounds near the Royal Blue and Stinking Creek accesses sell permits and offer hookups, cabins, and direct trail access. Riders who want services closer to the interstate can base out of Caryville or Rocky Top and trailer in.
Permits and Regulations
New permit rules took effect July 1, 2026 under Public Chapter 1120. At least one adult in each vehicle must carry a North Cumberland OHV permit. Tennessee residents pay $20 for one day, $30 for three days, $100 for seven days, or $150 annually, plus a $40 Sportsman Supplemental Annual permit for hunting and fishing license holders. Nonresidents pay $50, $125, $200, and $300 for the same tiers. A commercial guide permit is $700. Buy permits on GoOutdoorsTennessee.com or through local vendors and campgrounds. Helmets are required for any operator or passenger under 18. The speed limit is 25 mph, and vehicles must stay under 86 decibels measured at 50 feet. During gun and muzzleloader deer and elk seasons, riders and passengers must wear at least 500 square inches of fluorescent orange, visible front and back.
Tips for a Safe and Enjoyable Trip
- Load GPS tracks before you go. Only Sundquist is fully signed, and cell service drops off in the hollows.
- Watch for active logging and mining traffic on shared haul roads.
- Carry recovery gear and a full-size spare; the rock and mud punish tires.
- Buy the color trail map ($6) or download the free GIS and GPX files from TWRA before a first trip.
- Check TWRA hunting-season dates and pack blaze orange for fall and winter rides.
- Call the Region 4 office (423-587-7037) for current unit and trail status.
Fuel and Water
Fuel, groceries, and last supplies are in Caryville, Jacksboro, Rocky Top, and LaFollette along the Interstate 75 corridor. There are no services inside the units. Some trailside campgrounds and resorts near the Royal Blue and Stinking Creek accesses sell fuel, permits, and basics, but hours vary. No potable water is provided at trailheads, so carry your own.
Nearby
Two large private OHV parks sit nearby. Windrock Park, about 73,000 acres run by the Coal Creek Company near Oliver Springs, is one of the largest privately owned riding areas in the country. Brimstone Recreation, near Huntsville, Tennessee, hosts the annual Trail Ride event and holds its own private trail network. Tackett Creek connects into the North Cumberland system on the north end. The towns of Rocky Top, Caryville, and LaFollette anchor lodging and services, and the Hatfield Knob tower gives a non-riding stop for the reintroduced Cumberland elk herd.
