Bridgestone-Firestone Centennial Wilderness
Directions and Description
Site Directions: This area is very large and there are many entry points. To get to the main entrance, start here: Located in White County on the Cumberland county line 6 miles south of Hwy 70S. From I-40, take Sparta-Cookeville exit #287-Hwy. 136, go south for 2 miles and connect with Hwy 111 S, go south on Hwy. 111 to the Sparta-Smithville exit (Hwy 70). Turn left (east) onto Hwy 70, go through Sparta, past the Courthouse, and up the plateau past the Rock House Historic Site ® and Scenic Overlook (L). About one mile past the Bondecroft School, turn right onto Eastland Road at Bondecroft Headstart Village. Travel 6.5 miles.
If coming from Crossville on Hwy. 70W, travel to Eastland Road; turn left. Go 6.5 miles. WMA is on the right. If coming from Crossville on Highway 70W, turn left onto Eastland Road at Bondecroft Headstart Village. Travel 6.5 miles; WMA is on the right.
Lat: 35.87984°N Long: -85.27229°W
The WMA is open year-round during daylight hours, note hunting seasons. License fees may apply.
TWRA Contact Information: Region 3 Office: 1-931-484-9571, Toll-Free: 1-833-402-4698, E-mail the office, TWRA Area Manager: Nathan Wilhite 1-931-935-3280
The over 10,000-acre area includes a wide variety of habitats. A 700-acre tract of native warm-season grass occurs near the main entrance and is burned on a rotation to provide continual habitat for grassland species. The majority of the WMA has second-growth hardwood forests with some pine plantations in various stages of development.
On the south side, not accessible from the main entrance, consists of 2000 acres of early succession pine plantation with the extensive presence of warm season grasses and native wildflowers are being converted to native warm season grasses via burning to remove the majority of the pines.
Check access via the main road towards the checking station and old barn with grain silo. The gate is closed there at times, but one can park at the entrance (do not block gate) and walk the roads. Hiking trails and paths/mowed roads around the warm season grass fields are open to the public and a pleasant walk in the cool morning weather. Many miles of hiking trails are also accessible throughout the forests near the barn/silo.
Camping is available at primitive camping sites only in designated areas. In the silo by the barn is occasionally a Barn Owl. Look in the silo for feathers on the ground and for the bird perched near the top of the silo. Warm season grass fields support some nesting Northern Bobwhite, Dickcissel, Blue Grosbeak, Red-winged Blackbirds, Common Yellowthroat, and Henslow's Sparrow. Barn swallows nest in an equipment barn near the checking station and is found in spring and summer.
Many Neotropical migratory songbirds nest in the deciduous forests including Black-throated Green Warbler, Red-eyed Vireo, Worm-eating Warbler, and Ovenbird. Deer and Wild Turkey are common around the WMA.
Regulations & Dates
No ATVs, motorcycles, or hooved animal riding is permitted.
Closed to all non-hunting activities during deer hunts. Closed to all non-hunting activities during spring turkey season until 12 noon CDT.
Antlered deer - must have a minimum of four (4) points on one antler or a 15-inch minimum outside spread.
Wild hogs - may be taken during any deer hunt by legal deer hunters.
Small game and Trapping - are the same as statewide seasons except as noted.
Rabbit and Woodcock - hunting is open Wednesday, Saturday, and Sunday only.
Big Game is the same as statewide seasons, except deer season is closed on Dec. 14, 2024.
Bear - Sept. 28 – Oct. 25, 2024. Archery only. See bear hunting details.
Quail - Four (4) one (1) day hunts: Dec. 19, 2024, Jan. 9, 2025, Jan. 16, 2025, and Jan. 23, 2025. The quota draw will be September 4, 2024. Fall bird count surveys will determine hunter quota. Selected applicants may bring two (2) other hunters for a maximum party size of three (3). All quail hunters must check in with WMA staff on the morning of the hunt for complete hunting instructions, including the completion of a required survey.
Dog Training - Sept. 1, 2024 – March 15, 2025. Dog training is open Wednesday, Saturday, and Sunday only.
Camping - During big game hunts, camping is allowed for big game hunters only.
Big Bottom Unit
Special Use - Hooved animal riding, bicycling, and OHV use are permitted only by individuals possessing a valid hunting and fishing license and WMA permit or a High Impact Habitat Conservation Permit.
Unauthorized entry is prohibited between sunset and sunrise. Closed to all non-hunting activities during big game hunts.
Wild hogs may be taken during any deer hunt by legal deer hunters.
Big Game, Small Game, and Trapping - same as statewide seasons, except as noted.
Rabbit and Woodcock hunting - open Wednesday, Saturday, and Sunday only
Quail - Closed.
Dog Training - Sept. 1, 2024 – March 15, 2025. Open Wednesday, Saturday, and Sunday only.