Franklin State Forest
Franklin State Forest Reclassifies Designated Use Areas
Motorized use designated and restricted to 6.1 miles of unpaved forest roads
Following months of restoration of damaged roads and trails in Franklin State Forest, the Forest will re-open three roads to motorized vehicles on Jan. 4, 2024.
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.
“As stewards of Tennessee's land and forests, we are dedicated to maintaining a balance among sustainable forestry practices, timber production, and recreational use,” State Forester David Arnold said. “The temporary restrictions provided our staff time to address ecological, viewshed, and safety concerns caused by motorized vehicle use, particularly in non-designated areas of Franklin State Forest. We remain committed to reversing this damage, restoring the forest, and providing multiple recreation use opportunities to Tennessee residents and visitors.”
The Tennessee Department of Agriculture Division of Forestry has now completed rehabilitation of 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.
- Franklin State Forest Recreation Use Map portrays allowable transportation activities by trails and roads for hiking (foot traffic only), non-motorized (hiking, biking, horseback riding), and motorized traffic.
- Hiking trails (foot traffic only) represent 30.7 miles of activity
- Non-motorized (hiking, biking, horseback) represent 11.5 miles of activity
- Motorized use is designated on 6.1 miles of unpaved forest roads.
Motorized Use
- This activity is accessible from the parking lot in the middle of the forest off State Highway 156 and adjacent to the old fire tower.
- From fire tower parking area north on Brewer Bypass to and along junction with Sweden Cove Overlook Road terminating at the Perimeter Trail junction.
- From fire tower parking area south on Brewer Bypass to and along junction with Turkey Hunters Road terminating at the Perimeter Trail junction.
- 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 these road segments.
- Activity is restricted to daylight hours
- Gates and signage will be visible to users.
- Motorized use in non-designated areas is prohibited.
- Motorized use is limited to vehicles and operators that are in compliance with motor vehicle laws of the state of Tennessee.
- Unlicensed OHVs are restricted to routes specifically designated as open to such vehicles.
- Tampering with posted signs or barricades, traveling on closed or restricted use roads, 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.
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 state 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 monitoring and assessing measures to correct abuses across the state forest system, which includes 15 state forests totaling 168,000 acres.
Camping
There is no designated camping area at Franklin State Forest. Backcountry camping requires a written permit from the District Forester.
Size: 8,836 acres/3,576 ha. The land was acquired in 1936 from the Cross Creek Coal Company and was highly degraded. Tennessee Department of Agriculture, Forestry Division assumed management of the area in 1940. The larger northern section of the forest was obtained in a land swap with The University of The South in 2008. Additional acreage was later obtained in the southwest portion of the forest through purchase from the Sherwood Mining Company. The Forest is on the Cumberland Plateau and located in south-central Tennessee, in Marion and Franklin Counties. The forest is 35-40 miles west of Chattanooga. About 99% of the land is forested and about 90% of the land is in hardwood forest types both young and mature. About 10% of the Forest is pine. The area has a history of timber abuse by diameter-limit cuts and uncontrolled wildfires. Silvicultural prescriptions are geared towards timber stand improvement, management of wildlife habitat and age class structure and diversity. It is home to a diverse number of wildlife species. The forest has been traditionally used for hunting, hiking, horse riding, off-road and ATV riding, and in designated areas camping.
GPS Coordinates of Main Entrance/Parking Area: 35.118191, -85.864990
Franklin State Forest Road Use Map (2 Mb pdf)
Franklin State Forest Firewood Collection Map