North Cumberland WMA
New River Unit, the Royal Blue Unit, the Sundquist Unit, Ed Carter Unit, Highcliff Unit, and the Otey Mills Refuge.Directions and Description
Site Directions:
The Management Area is currently divided into six management units: the New River Unit, the Royal Blue Unit, the Sundquist Unit, the Ed Carter Unit, Highcliff Unit, and the Otey Mills Refuge.
New River Unit – Take I-75 to Exit 128 (Rocky Top), travel west on HWY 441-S, go approximately .3 miles, turn left onto N. Main St. (HWY 116) go approximately .5 miles, turn right onto Creek Street (HWY 116) go approximately 15.5 miles to the first access point, If you continue further out HWY 116 there are other access roads, watch for TWRA boundary markers and signage.
Royal Blue Unit: Take I-75 to exit 141, go west on Hwy. 63 approximately one mile, turn left onto Titus Hollow Road, the area is approximately ½ mile. Titus Hollow Road and Hwy 63 - Lat 36.38391, Long:-84.25569
Sundquist Unit at Hatfield Knob: Go north out of Lafollette on Highway 25W approximately seven miles to the top of the mountain, turn left at the red gate located at the top of the mountain (just before the road starts to break over the mountain and go down the backside) Proceed on the gravel road approximately 3.1 miles to a fork in the road, and take the right fork approximately 1.4 miles to the parking area. Hatfield Knob - Lat-Long: 36.44899, -84.1227
Ed Carter Unit – Take I-75 to the 134 exit (Jacksboro/LaFollette), head east on HWY 63, travel approximately 8.5 miles, turn left onto HWY 25W, go approximately 15 miles, turn right onto HWY 90, go approximately 8.5 miles, turn right onto Rock Creek Ridge Road, look for signage indicating the TWRA management area boundary.
Highcliff Unit-Take I-75 to the 160 exit (Jellico/ US-25W), drive approximately 4.5 miles south toward Morley, turn left onto TN-90, go approximately 6.5 miles East on TN-90, turn left onto Roses Creek Road, and travel approximately 2 miles west on Roses Creek Road until the pavement ends. Follow the gravel road approximately 1 mile, looking for TWRA boundary signage
Otey Mills Refuge – Take I-75 to Exit 134 (US 25WN/TN HWY 63E/Caryville/Jacksboro/LaFollette). Turn onto TN-63 E/Joe Heatherly Blvd going toward Lafollette and drive approximately 31 miles. Turn Left on Sharp Rd. Travel 1 mile, then turn left to stay on Sharp Rd., travel 0.5 miles, and take a slight right (right at fork) onto Hurst Rd. Travel 150 feet and turn right onto Combs Ln. Travel 0.4 miles to the parking area and gate for Otey Mills Refuge.
The WMA is open year-round with an area that is open 24 hours a day, including camping. The WMA is used for hunting, fishing, and recreation. Please note hunting seasons. License fees may apply. The range is open 365 days a year, from daylight to dark. North Cumberland Firing Range Information. Public use is permitted during all hunts. During daylight hours, all users outside of an enclosed vehicle or outside of camp must wear, on the upper portion of their body and head, a minimum of 500 square inches of blaze orange/pink, visible front and back, during the deer and elk gun and muzzleloader seasons.
TWRA Contact Information: Region 4 office: 1-423-587-7037, Toll-Free: 1-800-332-0900, Email the office, TWRA Area Manager: Keith Thomas 1-423-566-8557, OHV Information: TWRA Wildlife Manager: Seth Dunn 1-423-562-2013
All users should be aware that hazards associated with mining (deep and strip) exist in this area. No person shall remove minerals, including coal, trees, plants (including vines), or building stones from the area without specific authorization.
Additional Resources: Some areas are used for multiple recreational purposes. Please use these links before visiting.
• North Cumberland WMA Off-Highway Vehicle Regulations
• Elk in Tennessee
• TWRA on the Go
Description: The North Cumberland is the largest actively managed Wildlife Management Area (WMA) in the state of Tennessee. It is approximately 205,000 acres of mountainous terrain expanding across five East Tennessee counties: Morgan, Scott, Anderson, Campbell, and Claiborne.
The Management Area is currently divided into six management units: the New River Unit, the Royal Blue Unit, the Sundquist Unit, the Ed Carter Unit, Highcliff Unit, and the Otey Mills Refuge. Recreational activities in the wildlife management area include hunting, fishing, wildlife watching, camping, OHV trails, hiking, sightseeing, and a shooting range.
Located in the Cumberland Mountains, its steep slopes, vast ridges, winding creeks, and streams make it home to various terrestrial and aquatic wildlife species. The habitat ranges from mixed upland hardwood forests to old field-type early successional vegetation openings. It is most well known for being home to the majestic elk, which were reintroduced in the early 2000s. You can observe the elk in person from the Elk Viewing Tower located in the Sundquist Unit or log into the elk viewing camera.
Other wildlife you might encounter include Black bear, White-tailed deer, Eastern Wild Turkey, Bobcat, Coyote, Raccoon, Timber Rattlesnake, Green Salamander, Wood Rat, Cerulean Warbler, Golden-Winged Warbler, Scarlet Tanager, and many more. Our streams are home to a variety of fish and other aquatic species such as Smallmouth bass, Rock bass, Rainbow Darter, Scarlet Shiner, and the Upland Burrowing Crayfish.
North Cumberland also provides critical habitat for several Greatest Conservation Need (GCN) species, and some state or federally-listed threatened or endangered species such as the Indiana bat, Northern Long-eared Bat, Allegheny Wood Rat, Werhle’s Salamander, Emerald Darter, Cumberland Arrow Darter, Black sided dace, and several others.
Reintroduced elk are found across the area, but the Hatfield Knob viewing area is the best place to see elk. Cerulean Warbler and Golden-winged Warbler are found across North Cumberland WMA. Cerulean Warblers occur in mature forests and breed in the highest density anywhere within their breeding range. Golden-winged Warblers nest on early successional strip mines with grass and black locust cover. Many other Neotropical migratory songbirds nest in the area, including Wood Thrush, Scarlet Tanager, Ovenbird, Black-throated Green Warbler, and Kentucky Warbler, among many other species.
Brown-headed Cowbirds are becoming more common in the area with increased forest disturbance and clearing. Ruffed Grouse can be found across the area, primarily in areas of the dense understory. North Cumberland WMA is part of the TN SWAP, Catoosa / Emory River Conservation Opportunity Area (COA).
Regulations & Dates
Hooved animal riding, bicycles, and Off-Highway Vehicle (OHV) riding is restricted to roads marked “open to vehicular traffic."
Hooved animal and bicycling use is permitted only by individuals possessing High Impact Habitat Conservation Permit.
Off-Highway Vehicle (OHV)- A North Cumberland OHV Riding Permit is required for OHV use on all trails in the North Cumberland Wildlife Management Area. At least one adult per vehicle is required to possess a valid NCWMA OHV riding permit. If an individual 17 years of age or younger is operating an OHV by themselves, he/she is not required to possess the permit but must follow the manufacturer's age limit. A Sportsman or Lifetime Sportsman license holder must purchase a NCWMA OHV supplemental riding permit. The speed limit is 25 mph. Organized competitive events for motorized/nonmotorized vehicles are prohibited. A maximum noise limit of 86 dBs for all motorized vehicles is measured at 50 feet from the exhaust. (TCA 70-9-105) All operators or passengers under the age of 18 of an off-highway vehicle are required to wear an appropriate safety helmet. (TCRR 1660-01-14-.13(2)(b)) Use or possession of alcohol on the WMA is prohibited. For more information visit North Cumberland OHV.”
All users should be aware that hazards associated with mining (deep and strip) exist in this area. No person shall remove minerals, including coal, trees, plants (including vines), or building stones from the area without specific authorization. Public use is permitted during all hunts. During daylight hours all users (except waterfowl hunters) outside of an enclosed vehicle or outside of camp must wear 500 square inches of fluorescent orange/pink during the deer and elk gun and muzzleloader seasons. (TCRR 1660-01-14-.13(2)(b)) Use or possession of alcohol on the WMA is prohibited.
Camping is permitted on the entire area. Nighttime use by the general public and raccoon hunters
Wild hogs may be taken during any hunt with hunting devices legal for that hunt. Chasing with dogs not permitted.
Big Game, Small Game, and Trapping - Same as statewide seasons, except as noted below. Closed to Hunting - March 1 through the 4th Friday in Aug., except for spring turkey. Closed to spring squirrel and fall turkey hunting. Coyote hunting with centerfire weapons only allowed during deer gun seasons by licensed deer hunters. Archery Hunters will be required to meet legal blaze orange/pink requirements while hunting in the elk zones during the firearms elk hunts.
Beaver Trapping - restricted to designated compartments. Contact the WMA manager for information. An Annual harvest log must be maintained and submitted to WMA Manager by Jan. 15.
Dog Training - Sept. 1 - March 15. Chasing fox, coyotes, and bobcats with dogs is not permitted.
Spring Turkey - Only one (1) male bearded turkey is allowed during the first 14 days of the statewide turkey season, not to exceed two (2) for the entire season.
Fall Turkey - Closed.
Deer (Archery) - Bag limit of one (1) antlerless and one (1) antlered (counts toward statewide bag limit).
Deer (Muzzleloader/Gun Combined) - Bag limit of one (1) antlerless and one (1) antlered (counts toward statewide bag limit).
Deer (Gun - Young Sportsman) - Dates and bag limit same as statewide season.
Ed Carter Unit - antlered deer must have a minimum of four (4) points on one (1) antler or a fifteen-inch minimum outside antler spread.
Elk - Elk hunting by quota permit only.
Bear - Same as statewide Bear Hunt Zone 4. Archery season dates only. Bear hunting details.
Ginseng - Sept. 1– Dec. 31.
Shooting Range - Open daylight hours 7 days a week. Shooting Ranges. Permit required for range.
Camping - Allowed area-wide. Do not block roads, trails, or gates.
Otey Mills Refuge of North Cumberland WMA
Closed to all forms of use and trespass except as noted during big game and small game seasons. Dog Training and Trapping closed. Prohibited Activities: OHV riding, horseback riding, mountain bike riding, hiking, camping, and ginseng hunting.
Special Deer Restriction - Scouting days for deer quota hunts are Saturdays prior to each individual's permitted hunt dates. Quota hunters are required to check out all harvested big game at the Otey Mills Refuge Checking Station when in operation.
Deer/Bear Archery - Oct. 9–10, 2026. Hunter quota 15. Bag Limit-one (1) antlered deer and one (1) bear. Antlered deer must have a minimum of four (4) points on one (1) antler or a 15-inch minimum outside antler spread. Deer and bear count toward the statewide bag limit.
Deer Archery - Dec. 4–5, 2026. Hunter quota 15. Bag limit-one (1) antlered deer. Antlered deer must have a minimum of four (4) points on one (1) antler or a 15-inch minimum outside antler spread. Deer count toward the statewide bag limit.
Young Sportsman Deer Archery - Nov. 14–15, 2026. Hunter quota 15. Bag limit - one (1) deer of either sex, Antlered deer must have a minimum of four (4) points on one (1) antler or a 15-inch minimum outside antler spread. Antlered deer count toward the statewide bag limit.
Small Game - Jan. 1 – Feb. 28, 2027. Closed to quail and spring squirrel seasons. Walk-in access only.
Spring Turkey - Youth/Adult only- same as statewide season. Walk-in access only.
Fall Turkey - Closed to Fall turkey season
Download the Latest North Cumberland WMA OHV Trail Maps:
North Cumberland WMA OHV Trails - GIS Shapefile - Nov 14, 2024
North Cumberland WMA OHV Trails - Google Earth Kml - Nov 14, 2024
North Cumberland WMA OHV Trails - GPX - Nov 14, 2024
North Cumberland Wildlife Management Area (NCWMA) Off-Highway Vehicle (OHV) Riding 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.
Elk Viewing Tower
The Elk Viewing Tower on Hatfield Knob of North Cumberland Wildlife Management Area has been reconstructed.
The tower was recently named in honor of Terry and Jane Lewis, a local couple who have dedicated countless hours and resources to promoting Tennessee's elk herd. Terry and Jane led the construction of the new, handicap-accessible tower, as well as the original tower constructed in 2005.
"It's been a long journey. We certainly want to thank all of the volunteers that helped put this tower together and this viewing area for all the people to come and see," said Mr. Lewis during the opening ceremony. "One of our efforts was to create a high probability of viewing opportunities and I think you have it right here."
The elk viewing tower and NCWMA have been longtime attractions of Campbell County, which boasts 48 percent of its land as public property. A University of Tennessee study found that around 16,000 people visit the tower annually and thousands more enjoy viewing elk live through the TWRA elk camera also located at the tower.
The Rocky Mountain Elk Foundation has also been a strong partner in Tennessee's elk restoration, which began in the year 2000 when the first elk were released onto Horsebone Ridge of the now NCWMA. To date, 201 elk have been released into the area.
WildCasts Feature Elk Viewing
This episode of Wildcast has Terry and Jane Lewis as guests. The Lewis family was instrumental in creating an elk viewing tower. TWRA and partners came together to make improvements and reconstruct the tower at Hatfield Knob. Watch WildCast Episodes
