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Situated near both the Cumberland Mountains and the Smokies, Knoxville is a short drive from a number of areas that feature 4X4 trails. Knoxville residents can pick from miles of exciting trails suitable for off-highway vehicles, from gracefully rolling hills to steep muddy valleys that challenge the most experienced rider. Exploring the forests, streams, and panoramic vistas of eastern Tennessee is permitted day and night, and getting muddy is almost required. - All of the 74,000-acre Sundquist Wildlife Management Area is available for off-highway vehicle use. At least one occupant of a vehicle must have a valid annual hunting license as well as either a WMA or a North Cumberland Special Use Permit. Hunting licenses and permits may be purchased locally at license agents or online at www.tnwildlife.org.
Public access is allowed during all hunting seasons, but riders are required to wear fluorescent orange during the deer-gun and muzzle loader seasons. The property also features a shooting range and elk viewing tower. Primitive camping is allowed year round within the WMA. Additional amenities are available at Ride Royal Blue, an ATV ranch adjacent to both the Sundquist and Royal Blue WMAs. (reference 1)
Sundquist Wildlife Management Area
La Follette, TN 37766
TWRA Region 4 Office: 1-800-332-0900
www.state.tn.us/twra/gis/NorthCumberlandOHV.html - Brimstone comprises 20,000 acres of multi-use, privately managed land. A permit is required for access, which runs $18/day, $35/week, or $65/year. Amenities include OHV rentals, cabins, and a campground and bathhouse.
Trails are marked and color-coded according to difficulty, from easy to difficult. The property encompasses over 300 miles of 4X4 trails and roads. The area is open 24/7 and also accommodates horseback riding, hunting, fishing, wildlife watching, and hiking.
Brimstone Recreation Area
2860 Baker Highway
Huntsville, TN 37756
1-800-BRIMSTONE
www.brimstonerecreation.com. - Royal Blue is a state-run Wildlife Management Area adjacent to the Sundquist WMA. The 50,000-acre site is popular among birdwatchers and hunters as well as ATV riders. Recently the area has become known for elk-viewing opportunities. The State of Tennessee's elk-restoration program at Royal Blue began in 2000, and it's estimated that between 150 and 200 elk roam in and around the WMA.
As with the Sundquist WMA, a valid annual hunting license and either a WMA or a North Cumberland Special Use Permit is required to drive on the trails, and riders must wear fluorescent orange during the deer-gun and muzzle-loader seasons. Riders can camp within the WMA year-round, or stay at the nearby Ride Royal Blue ATV Ranch.
Royal Blue Wildlife Management Area
La Follette, TN 37766
TWRA Region 4 Office: 1-800-332-0900
www.state.tn.us/twra/gis/NorthCumberlandOHV.html - A permit is required to access Coal Creek's 72,000 acres of privately managed Off Highway Vehicle trail systems on Windrock Mountain. Permits can be purchased at the Windrock Park campground, Snack Shack or Exxon Fun Food in Oliver Springs. Adult price is $17 per day, up to $88 annually.
Motorcycles, ATVs, Jeeps, trucks, rail buggies, and mountain bikes are permitted on the trails. Trails range from gravel roads to difficult steep terrain. More than 160 miles of trails are now open at Coal Creek, all of which are marked with a trail number, degree of difficulty, and the vehicles allowed on the trail. Some trails are restricted to ATV and motorcycle use only. Site amenities include cabins, RV campsites, primitive camping and two bathhouses.
Coal Creek OHV
555 Windrock Park Lane
Oliver Springs, TN 37840
865-435-1251
www.coalcreekohv.com - .
Sundquist Wildlife Management Area
Brimstone Recreation Area
Royal Blue Wildlife Management Area
Coal Creek OHV Area
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