North Cumberland OHV Riding Area
Effective July 1, 2026
Under the new law, at least one adult per vehicle is required to possess a valid North Cumberland Wildlife Management Area (NCWMA) Off-Highway Vehicle (OHV) Riding Permit, a Sportsman Supplemental Annual NCWMA OHV permit, or a NCWMA OHV guide permit. An annual or lifetime sportsman license issued by the agency does not include OHV riding privileges in the NCWMA WMA. The holder of a valid annual or lifetime sportsman license may purchase a sportsman supplemental annual NCWMA OHV riding permit. A NCWMA OHV riding permit or sportsman supplemental does not include guide privileges in the NCWMA WMA. Starting July 1, customers can purchase this permit online on the TWRA customer portal GoOutDoorsTennessee.com.
Public use is allowed during all hunts. During daylight hours, all users outside of the enclosed vehicle or outside of camp must wear, on the upper portion of their body and head, a minimum of 500 square inches of daylight fluorescent orange, visible front and back, during the deer/elk-gun and muzzleloader seasons.
No person shall remove minerals, including coal, trees, plants (including vines), or building stones from the area without specific authorization.
The area-wide speed limit is 25 mph. Organized competition events for motorized/non-motorized vehicles are prohibited. Reckless operation of motorized and non-motorized vehicles is prohibited. Reckless operation is defined as operating a vehicle in a reckless or negligent manner as to endanger the life, limb, or property of any person. A maximum noise limit of 86 dB for all motorized vehicles measured at 50 feet from the exhaust.
Trails are named and numbered with signs at trailheads and confidence markers placed at half-mile intervals. Trailhead signs have symbols indicating trail difficulty level and user types allowed. Be aware of logging and mining activities as you travel the trails and primitive roads.
Permit Fees
| Description | Cost |
|---|---|
| 1-Day Resident Permit | $20.00 |
| 3-Day Resident Permit | $30.00 |
| 7-Day Resident Permit | $100.00 |
| Annual Resident Permit | $150.00 |
| 1-Day Nonresident Permit | $50.00 |
| 3-Day Nonresident Permit | $125.00 |
| 7-Day Nonresident Permit | $200.00 |
| Annual Non-Resident Permit | $300.00 |
| Annual Sportsman Supplemental NCWMA OHV Riding Permit | $40.00 |
| Annual NCWMA OHV Guide Permit (This permit is in addition to any other license required to participate in the guided activity.) | $700.00 |
North Cumberland WMA OHV Trail File Download:
North Cumberland WMA OHV Trails - GIS Shapefile - Nov 14, 2024
North Cumberland WMA OHV Trails - Google Earth Kml - Nov 14, 2024
Location Maps
A detailed color map of the area can be purchased for $6.00 by downloading the TWRA WMA map form.
North Cumberland WMA OHV Permit FAQ
· Do I need the NCWMA OHV riding permit if I am riding a vehicle that is able to be used on highways (Jeeps, trucks, etc.) on the trails?
Yes. Any vehicle that is going on the trails at North Cumberland WMA needs to have the required NC OHV permit.
· Do I need the NCWMA OHV riding permit if I have a lifetime sportsman license?
Yes, you will need to purchase the Sportsman Supplemental NCWMA OHV riding permit starting July 1st, 2026, to ride on any of the North Cumberland OHV trails.
· If I bought an annual sportsman’s license prior to 7/1/2026, do I need to purchase the new NCWMA OHV riding permit, or am I covered until my license expires?
No, you are covered until your license expires. Once it expires, you will need to purchase the NCWMA OHV riding permit.
· If I bought a High Impact Conservation permit prior to 7/1/2026, do I need to purchase the new NCWMA OHV riding permit or am I covered until my license expires?
You are covered until your license expires. Once it expires, you will need to purchase the NCWMA OHV riding permit.
· Do I need to register my OHV?
The Tennessee Department of Revenue handles all registrations for vehicles. If you have a specific OHV, please visit their website to inquire.
· What if I want to ride on a different WMA that is not North Cumberland? What permits do I need?
To ride on other WMAs that allow OHV riding, check specific Individual WMAs for rules pertaining to the specific WMA. The requirements are either a valid hunting/fishing license and a WMA permit, OR the high-impact conservation permit. If you have a lifetime or annual sportsman’s license, then you are covered for other WMAs, but not North Cumberland.
· I bought a WMA permit before 7/1/2026. Do I need to purchase the new NCWMA OHV riding permit?
No, as long as you have a valid hunting/fishing license with a WMA permit, you will not need to purchase the new NCWMA OHV riding permit until your annual permit expires.
· What is considered normal access roads vs trails?
Trails are clearly marked from the access roads. For specific information on trails, please contact the Region 4 office at (423) 587-7037.
· How many permits do I need to buy?
To ride JUST the North Cumberland WMA, you will only need the NCWMA OHV riding permit.
For all other WMAs, you will need to have either the High Impact Conservation permit OR a valid hunting/fishing license and WMA permit. See the WMA pages for more details.
Permits are one per vehicle. Meaning, if you have two riders in one vehicle, only one person needs to have the appropriate permits required.
· I have a disability license. Am I covered to ride North Cumberland?
No. Those with a disability license (disabled veteran, SSI, wheelchair, or blind) will still need to purchase a NCWMA OHV riding permit.
Trail Signs Images
Landscape Images
