Franklin State Forest

Size: 8,824 acres

Franklin State Forest sits on the Cumberland Plateau in Franklin and Marion counties in south-central Tennessee. The state acquired the initial land in 1936 from the Cross Creek Coal Company. The Tennessee Department of Agriculture Division of Forestry assumed management in 1940 and began restoring the degraded property.

The larger northern section was added in 2008 through a land swap with the University of the South, and additional acreage in the southwest was purchased from the Sherwood Mining Company to complete the forest.

Nearly all of the land is now forested, with about 90% in hardwood and 10% in pine, ranging from young stands to mature timber. The forest has a history of diameter-limit cutting and uncontrolled wildfires. Forest management today focuses on timber stand improvement, wildlife habitat and age class diversity.

Franklin State Forest is home to a variety of wildlife and has long been used for hunting, hiking and horseback riding.

  • GPS Coordinates of Main Entrance/Parking Area: 35.118191, -85.864990
Pack Falls cascades into a small pool surrounded by hardwood forest, viewed from beneath a sandstone rock overhang at Franklin State Forest in Tennessee.
An eastern box turtle with a dark shell marked with orange and yellow patterns walks through leaf litter and green vegetation on the forest floor at Franklin State Forest in Tennessee.
A sandstone overlook at Franklin State Forest in Tennessee offers a panoramic view of forested ridges, valleys and farmland in the Cumberland Plateau region under a partly cloudy sky.

Fire Tower Access

Fire towers on state forests are not open to the public. Visitors are welcome to photograph these structures but may not climb the towers.

Official Public Use Map of Franklin State Forest, about 8,800 acres, published by the Tennessee Division of Forestry. The map shows the forest boundary, trail system, road designations, parking areas and an overlook.

This map shows Franklin State Forest on the Cumberland Plateau, including its boundaries, trail system and designated road and trail uses. The forest covers about 8,800 acres and is accessed via State Highway 156, roughly 11 miles south of Monteagle and Interstate 24. Trails and roads are designated for all traffic... hiking, biking, horseback riding and motorized use... or for hiking only or non-motorized use, which includes hiking, biking and horseback riding.

The map identifies three parking areas, an overlook on Sweden Cove Overlook Road and an extensive trail network that includes the Perimeter Trail, Taylor Turnpike, North Rim Loop and connecting routes throughout the forest.

The information contained in the map is also available in the sections below. This map was most recently updated in April 2026.

Franklin State Forest Firewood Collection Map showing designated firewood collection areas along forest roads, published by the Tennessee Division of Forestry.

This map shows Franklin State Forest in Franklin and Marion counties in south-central Tennessee and identifies designated firewood collection areas shown in red. Collection areas are located along Old CCC Road in the north-central portion of the forest and along Sweden Cove Overlook Road, Turkey Hunters Road and Brier Bypass in the southern portion. A Tennessee State Park borders the forest on the western side. The map scale is 1 inch equals 1 mile.

A permit is required to collect firewood from Franklin State Forest. To obtain a free permit, contact the Tennessee Division of Forestry at (931) 319-6959, Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., excluding state holidays.

Franklin State Forest Reclassifies Designated Use Areas

Following months of restoration of damaged roads and trails in Franklin State Forest, motorized activity is now allowed on three unpaved forest roads.

In March of 2023, the Tennessee Department of Agriculture Division of Forestry instituted temporary restrictions to assess the damage caused by off-road vehicles driven in restricted areas. This practice jeopardized the health of the forest and the safety and welfare of visitors.

Division staff rehabilitated more than 23 miles in Franklin State Forest, which is located in Franklin and Marion Counties. Workers restored primary forest roads, drained and filled mudholes, sowed seed, and installed cables and gates to designate closed areas.

The Franklin State Forest Recreation Use Map shows trails and roads designated for hiking (foot traffic only), non-motorized use (hiking, biking, horseback riding), and motorized traffic.

  • Hiking trail use (foot traffic only) represents 30.7 miles of activity.
  • Non-motorized use (hiking, biking, horseback riding) represents 11.5 miles of activity.
  • Motorized use is designated on 2.25 miles of unpaved forest roads.

In all other State Forests, the use of motorcycles, trail bikes, all-terrain vehicles, bicycles, and other off-road vehicles in any area of the forest is strictly prohibited, except on designated roads or trails maintained by the Division of Forestry. Damage to forest resources from motorized vehicles is not limited to Franklin State Forest, and the Division is determining measures to correct abuses across the forest system.

  • Motorized use is limited to vehicles and operators that are in compliance with motor vehicle laws of the state of Tennessee.
  • Activity is accessible from the parking lot in the middle of the forest off State Highway 156 and adjacent to the old fire tower.
  • Access is from the fire tower parking area north on Brewer Bypass to and along junction with Sweden Cove Overlook Road terminating at the Perimeter Trail junction.
  • Access is also from the fire tower parking area south on Brewer Bypass to and along junction with Turkey Hunters Road terminating at the Perimeter Trail junction.
  • The Perimeter Trail is NOT within the designated use for motorized traffic, so this path DOES NOT create a loop.
  • Nearby Remington’s Trail and Remington’s Loop are NOT designated for motorized use.
  • Traffic is both directions on designated road segments.
  • Activity is restricted to daylight hours
  • Motorized use in non-designated areas is prohibited.
  • Unlicensed OHVs are restricted to routes specifically designated as open to such vehicles.
  • Tampering with posted signs or barricades, traveling on closed or restricted roads, and/or driving around or through signs or barricades marking closed or restricted areas is a Class A misdemeanor, punishable as provided by general law. Violators will be cited.

There is no designated camping area at Franklin State Forest. Backcountry camping requires a written permit from the District Forester.

Contact

Nica Ables, State Forest Forester
310 Fire Tower Road
Sewanee, TN  37375
931-319-6959