Scott State Forest

Size: 2,826 acres

Scott State Forest is located in northeastern Tennessee, in Scott and Fentress Counties. It is unique in the system as it is completely surrounded by the Big South Fork National River and Recreation Area.

The majority of the land was acquired by the state at a tax delinquent sale in 1938.The forest is used for research including tree improvement studies, where improved strains of various species are grown and tested.

Most timber stands are sawtimber-size hardwood stands, with many of the stands at or near rotation age. Superior stands of eastern white pine were located on the forest but most were lost to the southern pine beetle outbreak of 2001. 

There are no interior holdings, cemeteries, or natural areas. Recreational activities including hunting, hiking, and horseback riding are popular in this forest.

Official Public Use Map of Scott State Forest, about 2,823 acres, published by the Tennessee Division of Forestry. The map shows the forest boundary, trail system and road designations, with the Big South Fork Cumberland River and John Muir Trail along the eastern edge.

This map shows Scott State Forest, including its boundaries, trail system and designated road and trail uses. The forest covers about 2,823 acres on the Cumberland Plateau and is accessed via Leatherwood Ford Road (Highway 297) and connecting county roads. Trails and roads are designated for hiking only, limited-motorized use by licensed highway vehicles, limited-motorized use by OHVs and ATVs only, or non-motorized use, which is open to hiking, biking and horseback riding.

The forest is bordered to the east by the Big South Fork Cumberland River, with the John Muir Trail running along the river corridor. The information contained in the map is also available in the sections below. This map was most recently updated in April 2026.

Scott State Forest Firewood Collection Map, published by the Tennessee Division of Forestry. The map shows the forest boundary, surrounding roads and the designated firewood collection area along Ridge Road in the northeastern portion of the forest.

This map shows the designated firewood collection area within Scott State Forest. The harvest area runs along Ridge Road in the northeastern portion of the forest. A permit is required to remove firewood from the state forest. Free permits are available from the local Tennessee Division of Forestry office at 615-443-2768, Monday through Friday from 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. except on state holidays. This map was most recently updated in May 2026.

Contact

Matt Aldrovandi, Area Forester
211 N. Indiana Ave.
LaFollette, TN  37766
(423) 566-3715