Road Use Designations Updated at Bledsoe State Forest
NASHVILLE — As part of an ongoing update to public-use maps for Tennessee’s state forests, the Tennessee Department of Agriculture Division of Forestry (TDF) has updated Bledsoe State Forest maps to align with road-use designation signage already in place at the south end of the forest and to protect forest roads and trails that have experienced repeated, serious damage from off-highway vehicles (OHVs).
The primary change forest visitors can expect is that several miles of road previously open to motorized traffic are now designated for nonmotorized use only. No portion of the forest has been closed to the public under the revised public use rules; visitors may recreate throughout the forest while following posted road-use designations.
“As the agency responsible for stewarding Tennessee’s state forests, we must balance conservation, sustainable forestry, timber production and recreation,” State Forester Heather Slayton said. “We are addressing OHV-caused road damage and erosion that hinder forest management, put staff and visitors at risk, and harm forest ecosystems and nearby waterways. We are committed to restoring the land while continuing to provide opportunities for passive recreation.”
Ongoing OHV use in areas designated for nonmotorized traffic has caused extensive damage to roads and trails, making them impassable for forest management activities and inaccessible to emergency vehicles.
Although Bledsoe State Forest roads and trails have been repaired repeatedly, OHV use in violation of posted designations has prevented lasting results. Since the last repairs five months ago, heavy OHV use has returned the trails to their prior condition.
Additionally, a site visit conducted by TDF’s water quality specialist in August 2026 found that OHV damage and use in areas designated for nonmotorized traffic have caused erosion and soil loss, exposing streams in the forest to pollution and sedimentation. This damage impacts the greater ecosystem in the area, water quality for residents, wildlife health and aquatic life.
The updated Bledsoe State Forest public use map shows that, under the revised public use rules, motorized traffic is allowed on approximately 15.5 miles of forest roads, while about 17 miles of additional roads and trails are restricted to nonmotorized use.
Motorized traffic is permitted on the following roads:
· Bee Creek Road (south of the intersection of Newton Lane and Bee Creek Road)
· Newton Lane
· Buck Ridge Road
· Fire Tower Road
· Saratoga Springs Road
· Bob Worthington Road
· CC Camp Road
· Heptner Road
· Pole Bridge Road
Only nonmotorized traffic (hiking, biking and horseback riding) is permitted on the following roads:
· Bee Creek Road (north of the intersection of Newton Lane and Bee Creek Road)
· Henry Watson Road
· Old Cabin Road
· Copper Cliff Road
· Presley Field Road
· Pine Road
· John Watson Road
· Old Log Road
· Barney Sapp Road
· White Rag Trail
· Fox Run Trail
· Sawmill Loop Road
· Salzer Mountain Trail
· Bradden Creek Trail
· Leslie Brewer Road
· Bone Trail
· Outlaw Ridge Trail
All unnamed forest management roads north of the intersection of Bee Creek Road and Henry Watson Road are closed to motorized traffic.
Foot traffic only is permitted on Horse Head Trail.
Pursuant to T.C.A. § 39-17-108, driving around or through any barricade or fence on an officially closed state road is a Class A misdemeanor carrying a maximum jail sentence of 11 months and 29 days, a fine of up to $2,500, or both. Furthermore, as outlined in T.C.A. § 39-14-408, damage to and the destruction of these closed roads constitutes vandalism, which, if found to be in excess of $1,000, is a felony in the State of Tennessee. Violators will be held accountable.
TDF does not establish OHV usage rules on county roads, including Bishop Campbell Road, Highway 285, Fred Bickford Road, Paul Holland Road, Bradley Wyatt Loop Road and Highway 30, all of which either run through Bledsoe State Forest or along its borders. OHV users should check with county law enforcement to determine which, if any, county roads permit OHV usage.
The Division of Forestry protects, conserves and enhances Tennessee’s forest resources. Focus areas include assisting landowners with a variety of services, providing quality tree seedlings, supporting forest health programs, collecting forest inventory data, assisting forest industries and fighting wildland fires.