NASHVILLE – After extensive restoration efforts, the northwestern section of Pickett State Forest will be accessible to motorized vehicles starting February 1, 2025. These efforts were initiated by the Tennessee Department of Agriculture Division of Forestry (TDF) in May 2024, following significant damage caused by off-road vehicles. This damage had impacted the forest’s health, hindered management activities, and posed safety risks to visitors and staff.
State Forester Heather Slayton emphasized the importance of balancing sustainable forest management with recreational use, stating, “As stewards of Tennessee’s state forests, we recognized our responsibility to balance sustainable forest management, timber production, and recreational use.” Over the past months, TDF has worked to address ecological and safety concerns related to off-road vehicle use while ensuring continued forest management and visitor safety.
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The rehabilitation project involved restoring nearly five miles of roads and trails, eliminating mudholes, sowing seeds, and installing cables and gates to close specific areas in Pickett State Forest, which spans Pickett and Fentress Counties.
A new Recreation Use map for Pickett State Forest delineates various trails and roads: 14.5 miles are designated for hiking only, 18.2 miles for non-motorized activities like hiking, biking, and horseback riding, and 34.7 miles for motorized use. Yellow Doors Road and Redmond Rim Road have been designated as seasonal motorized use roads to prevent damage during wet seasons while allowing access during drier months. They will be open from March 15 to December 20.
Gates have been added at the northern forest boundary to block access to Kentucky via Redmond Mountain Road and Carpenter Rockhouse Road. In the northwestern area, motorized use roads can be accessed by taking the left at the Redmond Mountain Road/Store 14 Road split. Designated usage includes:
– Redmond Mountain Road (before Carpenter Rockhouse Split): Motorized Use Allowed
– Redmond Mountain Road (after Carpenter Rockhouse Split): Non-Motorized Use Only
– Redmond Rim Road: Seasonal Limited Access for Motorized Use (Closed Dec. 20 to Mar. 15)
– Yellow Doors Road: Seasonal Limited Access for Motorized Use (Closed Dec. 20 to Mar. 15)
– Oil Well Road: Non-Motorized Use Only
– Jim Spike Bluff Road: Non-Motorized Use Only
– Three Corners Ridge Road: Non-Motorized Use Only
– Redmond Cable Road: Non-Motorized Use Only
– Carpenter Rockhouse Road: Non-Motorized Use Only
To enforce these usage restrictions, state park rangers and TDA Agricultural Crime Unit Special Agents will patrol Pickett State Forest. Activity is only permitted during daylight hours, and motorized vehicles must adhere to Tennessee laws. Violating these restrictions, such as tampering with signs or driving on restricted roads, is a Class A misdemeanor.
The Division of Forestry prohibits the use of motorcycles, trail bikes, all-terrain vehicles, bicycles, and other off-road vehicles outside designated areas. Efforts to restore and manage the forest are part of broader initiatives across Tennessee’s state forest system, which includes 16 forests covering more than 173,000 acres.
The Tennessee Division of Forestry plays a crucial role in protecting the state’s forests by managing wildland fires, responding to emergencies, guiding prescribed fires, and conducting training. They also assist landowners, provide seedlings, monitor forest health, improve urban forests, manage state forests, and support the state’s forest industries. For more information, visit www.tn.gov/agriculture/forests.
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Tennessee Agricultural Fairs Celebrated at Annual Convention
The 103rd Tennessee Association of Fairs Convention in Murfreesboro celebrated Tennessee’s agricultural fairs, recognizing 52 fairs for excellence and awarding the Greene County Fair as Champion of Champions for 2024. The event highlighted the importance of these fairs in promoting agriculture and community, with over 20,000 volunteers contributing to their success. Multiple awards were given across different divisions, and special recognitions were made, including scholarships and memorial awards. The event also showcased numerous entries in various fair-related categories, reflecting the fairs’ significant economic and cultural impact.