TWRA North Cumberland (Pioneer/LaFollette)

The TWRA North Cumberland Wildlife Management Area is the largest public riding area in East Tennessee and one of the biggest in the entire eastern United States, encompassing nearly 200,000 acres of mountainous terrain with over 600 miles of marked trails across five counties, Morgan, Scott, Anderson, Campbell, and Claiborne. Managed by the Tennessee Wildlife Resources Agency, this massive system is commonly known by riders as Royal Blue, after the Royal Blue Unit that anchors the trail network. From the Pioneer area near Interstate 75, riders can access hundreds of miles of trails without ever loading a trailer.

The management area is divided into four distinct units, each with its own character. The Royal Blue Unit and the Sundquist Unit, commonly called Ride Royal Blue, make up the core riding area near Pioneer and LaFollette. The New River Unit extends the system westward with more remote, less-trafficked terrain. The Ed Carter Unit adds additional mileage to the south. Together, these four units create a trail network so large that riders can spend a full week exploring without repeating a single route.

The terrain varies significantly across the system. Riders encounter everything from smooth, hard-packed forest roads to rugged, rutted mountain trails with gradual hill climbs and technical descents. Water crossings are common throughout the lower-elevation sections, and the system is studded with waterfalls, abandoned mine sites, caves, and large rock formations that break up the forest riding with points of interest worth stopping for. Named features like the Dragon's Back, Widow Maker, and the Sand Mines have become well-known waypoints among repeat visitors. The overall difficulty leans intermediate, riders with basic offroad experience will find plenty of accessible terrain, while more experienced riders can seek out the challenging sections on the higher-rated trails.

One of the most unique attractions in the entire system is the Elk Viewing Tower at Hatfield Knob in the Sundquist Unit. Tennessee reintroduced elk to the North Cumberland area, and the herd has grown to over 300 animals. The viewing tower, which opened in 2005, offers a panoramic vantage point where riders can watch elk grazing in the mountain meadows below, an experience that exists nowhere else in the Tennessee offroad world. The tower is free to visit and accessible via a half-mile gravel hike from the parking area.

Trails are named and numbered with signs at trailheads, and confidence markers are placed at half-mile intervals to help riders navigate. The Sundquist Unit has a paper trail map available, though the Royal Blue, New River, and Tackett Creek units are best navigated with GPS mapping systems as they are not marked on paper maps. The area-wide speed limit is 25 miles per hour. Trails are open 24 hours a day, and trail signs indicate difficulty levels and which vehicle types are permitted on each route.

The system accommodates UTVs, ATVs, Jeeps, dirt bikes, four-wheel-drive trucks, rail buggies, and mountain bikes. This broad vehicle acceptance means groups with different machines can all ride the same system. Multiple campgrounds and resorts provide direct trail access, with Ride Royal Blue Resort at Exit 144 off I-75 serving as the most popular staging point for out-of-state visitors. Cabins, RV sites, and primitive camping options are available throughout the area.

A TWRA WMA permit is required for all riders, $15 per day for Tennessee residents and $38 per day for non-residents. Blaze orange is required during hunting seasons, as the WMA is actively managed for wildlife and hunting takes place on designated dates throughout the year. Riders should check the current hunting schedule before planning trips during fall and winter months.

The North Cumberland system continues to expand, with over 100 new miles of trails expected in coming years as TWRA opens additional sections of the management area to OHV use. The trail network is already the largest in the region and is only getting bigger.

Booking a local guide for the North Cumberland system is the most efficient way to navigate this massive area. With 600-plus miles of trails across four units, a guide who knows the system can build a route that hits the best overlooks, waterfalls, and technical sections while keeping you on trails that match your vehicle and skill level. A guide can also take you to the Elk Viewing Tower and help you spot the herd, local knowledge of where the elk are grazing on any given day makes a significant difference.