Prentice Cooper State Forest
Prentice Cooper State Forest in Marion County, Tennessee, is a 24,459-acre state forest perched on the Walden Ridge section of the Cumberland Plateau immediately west of downtown Chattanooga, overlooking the Tennessee River Gorge, the dramatic canyon where the Tennessee River breaks through the plateau's western edge on its way to the Tennessee Valley. The ridgeline location is one of the scenic high points of OHV riding in Tennessee: the forest's 75 miles of OHV trails on designated jeep-symbol roads follow the plateau terrain through hardwood forest and across open sandstone outcrops with views into the gorge country below. Access is free, no permit or fee required for the motorized trail use, making Prentice Cooper the most cost-accessible major OHV destination in the Chattanooga area. The free designation is paired with enforcement: a 25 mph speed limit and 86 dB noise limit are actively monitored, keeping the trail environment compatible with the forest's multi-use character (the system also serves cyclists and equestrians on non-motorized sections). ATVs, OHVs, and motorcycles are permitted on designated routes; full-size trucks and passenger vehicles are restricted to established roads. The trail closes December 20 through March 15 and during scheduled managed hunts. Confirm the hunt calendar with the Marion County office before visiting in fall (423-658-5551). Chattanooga provides full urban services within 15 minutes of the forest boundary.