Prentice Cooper State Forest
Size: 26,945 acres
Prentice Cooper State Forest is located in southeastern Tennessee in Marion County, along the scenic Tennessee River Gorge. The forest is approximately 10 miles west of Chattanooga and is a popular destination for visitors.
The property for Prentice Cooper was acquired by simple purchase between 1938 and 1944. The site was proclaimed a state forest in 1945.
Regulated forests make up 69 percent of the tract, and the remainder is protected by conservation designations. Approximately 6,939 acres are designated as unregulated scenic zones that protect this viewshed and other scenic areas. Hicks Gap Natural Area (350 acres) also occurs in the forest and was developed to protect the federally endangered large flowered skullcap.
Management activities of the forest focus primarily on sustainable timber management, forest management demonstration and wildlife habitat improvement, while also maintaining recreational opportunities for the public. The Tennessee Department of Agriculture Division of Forestry has provided labor and portions of the forest for various types of research in collaboration with the University of Tennessee.
The forest also includes several inholdings owned by the Tennessee Wildlife Resources Agency and three cemeteries.
There are 35 miles of hiking trails, and the area includes the south end of the Cumberland Trail State Scenic Trail. There are two designated camping areas. Recreational activities also include bird watching, rock climbing, mountain biking, horseback riding, OHV use in designated areas and hunting.
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.
This map shows Prentice Cooper State Forest, including its boundaries, trail system, recreational facilities and designated road and trail uses. The forest covers about 27,000 acres on the Cumberland Plateau above the Tennessee River and includes a State Forest Office, parking and trailer parking areas, campsites, picnic areas, a shooting range, a cemetery and several scenic overlooks. Trails and roads are designated for all traffic, all traffic restricted to four-wheel-drive vehicles, hiking only or non-motorized use, which is open to hiking, biking and horseback riding. The forest contains a Tennessee State Natural Area in its southern portion and is bordered by Tennessee Wildlife Resources Agency lands in several locations.
The Cumberland Trail runs along the eastern edge of the forest, and the Tennessee River borders the forest to the south and east. The information contained in the map is also available in the sections below.
This map shows the designated firewood collection areas within Prentice Cooper State Forest, along with the forest boundary and internal road network. Firewood collection areas are concentrated along two corridors: a network of roads in the northeast portion of the forest, including Persimmon Branch Road, Sulpher Branch Road, Braddison Branch Road, Natural Bridge Road, Lusk Point Road, East Brow Road, Short Creek Road and Rally Road; and a southern corridor along Upper Sheep Rock Road, Pot Point Loop Road and Lower Pot Point Loop. The Tennessee River borders the forest to the south and east. A permit is required to remove firewood from the state forest.
Free permits are available from the local Tennessee Division of Forestry office at 423-658-5551, Monday through Friday from 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. except on state holidays.
Roads on the state forest are subject to closure at any time for management and safety purposes. Roads will be clearly marked and barricaded for visitor information.
Spring/Summer
The spring turkey nesting period begins after turkey hunting season. As a result, the following roads will be closed until July 14:
- Persimmon Road
- All roads past Pot Point Gate on Tower Drive
- Inman Point Road
- Long Point Road
- Elder Point Road
During managed hunts, the area west of State Highway 27 (Suck Creek Road) is closed to all visitors except licensed hunters. The area east of State Highway 27, Edwards Point, will remain open to visitors. The dates are available on this website as well as in the TWRA hunting guide.
Winter
The following roads are closed annually from Dec. 20 to March 15. These closures are necessary due to the wet weather and the freezing and thawing cycle, which makes the roads susceptible to rutting and erosion.
- Tower Drive past Pot Point Gate
- All side roads
- Haley Road
- Visitors can still access Davis Pond campsite and Snooper's Rock during this time.
- The forest is open for recreation daily from sunrise to sunset.
- The speed limit is 25 mph.
- All motorized vehicles (including OHVs, ATVs, motorcycles, etc.) must use only designated roads. Roads marked with the jeep symbol are open to all motorized vehicles.
- Do not drive in the woods, fields, creeks, power lines, gas lines or rights of way.
- Respect road closures. Some roads must be temporarily closed for various reasons, including but not limited to weather, maintenance and forest management operations.
- Tower Drive south of Pot Point Road, Elder Point, Long Point and Inman Point are closed from late April through early July to encourage turkey nesting.
- The roads are open to all forest visitors, including cyclists and horseback riders. If you encounter someone on horseback, you may want to stop or turn off your engine to avoid spooking the horse.
- Help protect the resource. Slinging gravel and making doughnuts adds time and costs for road maintenance.
Fall 2026/Spring 2027 Hunt Dates
Prentice Cooper State Forest and Wildlife Management Area will hold managed turkey and deer hunts on the following dates.
On these dates, the area west of State Route 27 (Suck Creek Road) is closed to all visitors except licensed hunters. The area east of State Route 27, Edwards Point, remains open to visitors.
Deer Hunts
- Archery: Sept. 19 to 21, 2026. Hunter quota 400. Two deer, no more than one antlered (bonus deer).
- Archery: Sept. 22 to 25, 2026. Two deer, no more than one antlered (bonus deer).
- Muzzleloader: Oct. 8 to 10, 2026. Hunter quota 250. Two deer, no more than one antlered (bonus deer).
- Muzzleloader: Oct. 29 to 31, 2026. Hunter quota 250. Two deer, no more than one antlered (bonus deer).
- Gun, Young Sportsman: Oct. 24 to 25, 2026. Two deer, no more than one antlered (bonus deer).
- Gun: Nov. 6 to 8, 2026. One deer, antlered only (bonus deer).
- Gun: Nov. 28 to Dec. 3, 2026. Two deer, antlered only (bonus deer).
Turkey Hunts
Six hunts:
- April 6 to 8, 2027
- April 9 to 11, 2027
- April 14 to 16, 2027
- April 22 to 24, 2027
- April 27 to 29, 2027
- April 30 to May 2, 2027
One male bearded turkey per day. Counts toward the statewide bag limit.
Small Game
Same as statewide seasons, except as noted. Small game hunting and dog training close at sunset the day before and during scheduled big game hunts unless otherwise indicated. Closed to quail hunting.
Fox, Opossum and Raccoon
First Friday in November 2026 through the end of February 2027. Hunting is limited to Monday, Tuesday, Friday and Saturday nights only. Bag limit is one per party per night.
Trapping
Dec. 2 to 12, 2026.
Dog Training
Sept. 1, 2026, to March 15, 2027.
Shooting Range
Open Thursday, Friday and Saturday only, during daylight hours. Closed during big game hunts. Permit required.
Camping
Hunter Check Station Campground is open year-round except Jan. 1 to Feb. 28. No access to the wildlife management area during scheduled big game hunts.
Davis Pond Campground is open year-round except during big game hunts. Campers must arrive by sunset. No driving within the campground after sunset.
Tennessee Wall Campground is open year-round. No access to the wildlife management area during big game hunts.
Special Use
Unauthorized entry or presence is prohibited between sunset and sunrise. Organized competition events for motorized vehicles are prohibited. The maximum noise limit for all motorized vehicles is 86 dBA, measured 50 feet from the exhaust, except as otherwise permitted. The maximum speed limit is 25 mph or less if otherwise posted.
All side roads and trails are closed to motorized vehicles Dec. 20, 2026, to March 15, 2027.
Big game hunters must check in big game at the area check station when the station is in operation.
The area is closed to all hunting March 1 through the fourth Friday in August, except during spring turkey and spring squirrel seasons. Contact the area manager for wheelchair accessible deer and turkey blinds.
Hours of operation: Thursday, Friday, and Saturday from sunrise to sunset
Closed during managed hunts.
The Tennessee Wildlife Resources Agency now requires a permit to use the shooting range. A Tier One Shooting Range Permit may be purchased via:
- TWRA License Agents: TWRA Regional Offices, local stores, sporting goods stores, and other merchants
- Phone: Call 1-888-814-8972. Have a pencil and paper ready to record your confirmation number. There is a processing fee.
- Online: Visit www.tnwildlife.org and click on 'Buy a License.' There is a processing fee.
Those possessing a current Tennessee Hunting License are not required to obtain a Tier One Shooting Range Permit.
- Camping is permitted at the Hunter Check Station camping area and the Davis Pond camping area on a first come, first served basis. These primitive campsites have no sanitation facilities.
- Campers at the Davis Pond camping area must be in the campsite by sunset and must remain there until sunrise. There are no in and out privileges except for emergencies.
Contact - State Forest
Anthony Johnson
P.O. Box 160
Hixson, TN 37343
(423) 658-5551
Contact - Hunting, Fishing, and Shooting Range
Marty Griffith, TWRA Manager
(423) 658-0298