Places To Ride - East Tennessee / North Georgia

Coal Creek OHV Area
Oliver Springs, Tennessee
www.coalcreekohv.com

Probably the most popular off road riding area in the south. Over 72,000 acres of land that is owned by a mining company that also manages nearly 200 miles of the trail. A very good map is available, and all the trails are marked. Everything is at least ATV wide; some are wide enough for jeeps. In 2008 a great Campground was built with direct access to the riding area.

Windrock
Oliver Springs, Tennessee
www.windrockpark.com

This area does get a lot of riding, and the trails are not one-direction. Always watch for someone coming the other way. Check the schedule and make sure you don’t show up on the date of their big fall event, the place gets totally packed.

Permits are $88 Annual, $17 Daily Get them at the Snack Shack at the Windrock Parking area, or the Exxon in Oliver Springs

North Cumberland Wildlife Management Area (AKA Royal Blue)
La Follette, Tennessee

This is a very unique area in that it is actually under the management of the Tennessee Wildlife Resource Agency (TWRA). The whole area is crisscrossed with trails, but despite what TWRA says, they (TWRA) aren’t that crazy about Off Highway Recreation. They only let people ride on this area because it was stipulated years ago when the land was turned over to them. It’s the only Wildlife Management Area (WMA) in the State of Tennessee where riding is allowed. Despite this there is still some excellent riding, it’s just that there aren’t many excellent maps.

In the name of “Wildlife management” TWRA has turned many of trails into gravel roads over the years, and left some to deteriorate to the point that they can justify closing them. Sometimes trails are marked, and sometimes they ain't. I suggest you take a GPS with you. I’ve ridden this area for years, and there are still some good trails, you just have to keep riding until you find them. Beware of mud holes. The rule of thumb is if you can go around it, do it.

The North Cumberland WMA is actually divided into 3 sections, Royal Blue, Sundquist, and Brimstone/New River. The area to the right of I-75 was the original riding area known by everyone as Royal Blue. The Brimstone /New River section was part of the Brimstone riding area (See Below) before TWRA took it over in 2008, so there are still some really good trails in this area. If you can lay your hands on one of the old Brimstone maps you’ve got gold, because TWRA hasn’t mapped these trails yet (if ever)

The main parking area is located near the I-75/Hwy 63/ Huntsville /Oneida exit. Going north, exit, turn to your right, and follow the road that parallels the interstate. You’ll drive past Adult World (please don’t stop), go about a mile, and take the gravel road that bears to your left. Follow this until you find the parking area.

You’ll have to buy your permits in Wal-Mart, or wherever you buy hunting and fishing licenses. There is no place to buy the permits at the riding area, but there are rangers who will give you a ticket for not having them. Also, during deer season you are required to wear blaze orange, just like hunters. This includes your helmet.

Permits for TWRA managed land - North Cumberland Wildlife Management Area.(WMA) (Royal Blue/Sundquist/Brimstone sections). $61 Annual Resident OHV Permit, OR you can get a type 01 hunting/fishing license ($28) and a $17 Type 093 WMA small game permit (for a total of $45). You can get it at any Wal-Mart.

Non-Tennessee Resident can buy an annual permit for $191, or a daily permit for $30.50

Here is a rough map of the area.

Here is an article from the Knoxville News Sentinel.

Brimstone Recreation Area
Huntsville Tennessee
www.brimstonerecreation.com

One of the newest “managed” riding areas in Tennessee, and run by the nicest people you will ever meet. Covering 19,000 acres, Brimstone actually butts up against the North Cumberland WMA/New River section. If you have both a Brimstone and a TWRA permit, you can really cover some ground. Great maps are available, and all the trail are marked. A campground sits at the bottom of the Mountain at the main trail entrance.

Much of the area was timbered in 2009, but the management has worked hard to keep the trails open. They claim to have nearly 300 miles of trails. Before it was cut for timber, the local Volunteer Riders Dirt Bike Club in Knoxville had built over 30 miles of absolutely great single-track trail, but timber operations have wiped out most of it. New sections may be built when the timber cutters are finished.

Permits $65 Annual, $18 Daily. Brimstone office, Huntsville Monday thru Saturday

Highland Park
Rome, Georgia
www.highlandparkresort.com

Highland park is a privately owned motorcycle riding area located just south of Rome Georgia. It’s about a 2 ½ hour drive from Knoxville, but well worth the trip. 70 miles of one-way trails for all skill levels. They also have trails and mx tracks that are for kids only, which is really nice if you have beginning riders.

There is a large parking area where you can also camp, and cabins are available to rent. The real kicker is that they have a full service KTM Dealership on site. (KTM World) The only place I know of where you can buy a new bike, all the gear, and literally ride it off the showroom floor onto the trail.

The main loop is a wide, one-way dirt trail, and smaller trails branch off and reconnect. They change the directions of the trails periodically, and when you sign in they give you a current map. In fact, Highland Park was voted to have the best single track trail in Georgia. The nice thing about the set up is that all skill levels can have a good time, and you can’t get lost. We had a great time when we went. We would make a loop, come back to camp for a break, make another loop, and repeat.