Mount Roosevelt WMA

Directions and Description


Site Directions:   Riggs Chapel Entrance  Lat-Long  N 35.92372  W -84.62016 Take exit 340 on I-40 and turn North on Highway 299, go 0.3 miles, and turn right onto Old Rockwood Highway.  Travel 1.1 miles and turn left onto Lower Road and travel 1.8 miles to Dry Hills Rd and Turn right onto Dry Hills Road.  Travel 3.7 miles on Dry Hills Road, entrance on the right side of Dry Hills Road.

Grant Helton Entrance  Lat-Long  N 35.90019  W  -84.67914 Take exit 340 on I-40 and turn North on Highway 299, go 0.3 miles, and turn right onto Old Rockwood Highway.  Travel 1.1 miles and turn left onto Lower Road and travel 1.0 miles to Grant Helton Rd and turn left onto Grant Helton Road.  Travel 0.1 miles and the entrance is on the right.

Jolly Rd Entrance  Lat-Long  N 35.89787 W  -84.68472 Take exit 340 on I-40 and turn North on Highway 299, go 0.3 miles, and turn right onto Old Rockwood Highway.  Travel 1.1 miles and turn left onto Lower Road and travel 0.7 miles to Jolly Road and turn left onto Jolly Road.  Travel 300 feet on Jolly Road. The Entrance is on the left.

Lower Rd Entrance  Lat-Long  N  35.89169  W  -84.68870 Take exit 340 on I-40 and turn North on Highway 299, go 0.3 miles, and turn right onto Old Rockwood Highway.  Travel 1.1 miles and turn left onto Lower Road and travel 0.3 miles the entrance is on the right

Westel Rd Entrance #1  Lat-Long  N  35.89981  W  -84.71032 Take exit 340 on I-40 and turn North on Highway 299, go 0.3 miles, and turn left onto Westel Road (old hwy. 299).  Travel 0.7 miles and the entrance is on the right.

Westel Rd Entrance #2  Lat-Long  N  35.89845  W  -84.72363 Take exit 340 on I-40 and turn North on Highway 299, go 0.3 miles, and turn left onto Westel Road (old hwy. 299).  Travel 1.5 miles and the entrance is on the left.

Fire Tower Rd Entrance  Lat-Long  N  35.86493  W  -84.71600 Take exit 338 on I-40 turn south onto Pig Path Road (Highway 299) and travel 2.8 miles to Highway 70 East.  Turn left onto Highway 70 East and travel 1.2 miles to Fire Tower Road and turn left on Fire Tower Road.  Travel 1.3 miles and the entrance will be on your left.

Highway 70 Entrance  Lat-Long  N  35.84978  W  -84.73167 Take exit 338 on I-40 turn south onto Pig Path Road (Highway 299) and travel 2.8 miles to Highway 70 East.  Turn left onto Highway 70 East and travel 1.0 miles and the entrance is on your right.

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: Don Chance 1931-456-2479

The Roosevelt Mountain WMA is approximately 11,000 acres and virtually surrounds the town of Rockwood, Tennessee. However, the best and the easiest access point is the Overlook. The overlook (believed to be one of the highest in the Cumberlands) is a celebrated site for witnessing the fall migration of not only raptors but also songbirds and butterflies. The overlook possesses a small parking area, picnic tables, and observation platforms. Also, a spur trail leading to Walden Ridge Trail is located at the overlook adjacent to the fire tower. Bring a scope for better viewing birds from the viewing area atop the mountain. 

There is a fire tower at the overlook; however, it is fenced off from the public. If there are holes cut through the fence, do not climb the stairs. Please do NOT climb the fire tower as it is unsafe. Mount Roosevelt WMA is part of the TN SWAP, Catoosa / Emory River Conservation Opportunity Area (COA).  Watching migrating raptors in falls, such as Red-tailed Hawk and Broad-winged Hawks, can be excellent. 

Also find migrating flocks of Blue JaysNorthern FlickersBlack Vulture, and Turkey Vultures. Butterfly migration, especially Monarchs, is impressive during spring and southerly winds in fall. 

Buy a license link
Interactive Map
Driving Directions
Hunting Regulations Link

Regulations & Dates


Hooved Animal Riding, Bicycling, and Off-Highway Vehicle (OHV) - use permitted only by individuals possessing a valid hunting and fishing license and WMA permit or a High Impact Habitat Conservation Permit.

All Non-hunting Activities - Closed during big game hunts.

Big Game, Small Game, and Trapping are the same as statewide seasons except as noted below.

Bear - Closed to September Archery season.

Dogs - are not permitted during spring squirrel season.

Quail - Nov. Nov. 2, 2024 - Jan. 15, 2025.

Deer - same as statewide Unit 5 deer season. Closed to antlerless deer hunting during the gun season.

Dog Training - Sept. 1, 2024 - March 15, 2025.

Photos