$100 for a Seven-Day Resident WMA Permit

A week of riding on North Cumberland can make the resident WMA permit feel like a simple purchase, but the $100 option is only one part of the decision. The key is knowing which area it covers, whether your group needs a permit for each vehicle, and how the new permit differs from other Tennessee OHV requirements.

What the seven-day resident permit covers

The seven-day resident permit is for riding an OHV on the North Cumberland Wildlife Management Area, often shortened to NCWMA. According to the Tennessee Wildlife Resources Agency (TWRA), the permit costs $100 for residents as of November 2026. It is a time-limited option for eligible Tennessee residents, not a general pass for every trail or public riding area in the state.

The permit requirement is tied to the place where you ride. TWRA identifies North Cumberland as the only WMA in Tennessee that allows recreational ATV riding outside of use for hunting. The area is divided into three units, so check your intended route and current area information before setting out. A permit does not mean every road or trail is open, and it does not replace the need to follow closures and property-specific restrictions.

The new North Cumberland OHV permit requirements took effect on July 1, 2026, according to TWRA. Permits are available through the TWRA customer portal. Before buying, confirm that the permit you select is the resident option and that its dates match your trip.

The resident price options give riders a way to compare a shorter visit with a week or a full riding season. According to TWRA, the permit prices below apply as of November 2026:

North Cumberland OHV permit	Resident cost
One-day permit	$20
Three-day permit	$30
Seven-day permit	$100
Annual permit	$150

The seven-day permit is not always the cheapest choice for a trip. If you are riding for a shorter visit, compare it with the one-day and three-day permits. If you expect to return, check whether an annual permit makes more sense. The right option depends on how long you will ride and whether you are a resident; the permit is not transferable between people or vehicles simply because you have time left on it.

TWRA requires permits on a per-vehicle basis. In practical terms, plan for the machine, not just the number of people in your group. If several vehicles are going, check that each one is covered under the applicable requirement. Highway-legal vehicles such as Jeeps and trucks also need the required NC OHV permit when used on the trails, according to TWRA.

The rule about an adult holding a permit is separate from the per-vehicle basis. According to TWRA, at least one adult per vehicle must possess a valid permit on North Cumberland. TWRA also says that an individual aged 17 or younger operating an OHV alone does not need a permit, but must follow the manufacturer’s age limits. Because these rules address different situations, families should confirm the permit setup for each vehicle and rider before arriving.

If you are deciding between a resident and nonresident option, do not assume that living nearby or having a license from another state changes the permit category. Check the eligibility rules shown in the TWRA portal. For a broader explanation of how permits work across Tennessee riding areas, see Tennessee Trail Permits Explained and Does Tennessee Honor Out-of-State Registration?.

What the permit does and does not replace

The North Cumberland riding permit is not the same thing as an OHV title, a county-issued Tennessee Department of Revenue (TDR) sticker, or a permit for a different WMA. These requirements serve different purposes, and having one does not automatically satisfy the others.

For an OHV that is not registered for road operation, the Tennessee Department of Revenue says a TDR sticker must be affixed to the vehicle as evidence that a title has been issued. The sticker is issued by County Clerks, and the department says it must be affixed to an OHV or ATV operated in many federal or state-owned facilities, including parks and game reserves. TDR stickers are non-renewable and non-transferable, and become invalid when the vehicle is sold or dismantled.

That title sticker is not the North Cumberland trail permit. The sticker is evidence related to the state title; the riding permit is permission required for riding in the designated area. If you are not sure whether your machine has the correct title documentation, see Titling an OHV in Tennessee and A Sticker That Proves a Tennessee Title Exists. For the specific distinction between the vehicle sticker and the riding pass, Why Tennessee Has No Statewide Trail Sticker is also useful.

The North Cumberland permit should not be treated as a statewide trail pass. According to TWRA, riders using other designated wildlife management areas outside NCWMA are still required to obtain the High Impact Habitat Conservation Permit. TWRA also states that the NCWMA OHV riding permit is not included in Annual or Lifetime Sportsman licenses.

There is a separate supplement for certain Sportsman license holders. According to TWRA, a person with a valid Annual or Lifetime Sportsman license may purchase the Sportsman Supplemental Annual OHV Permit for $40 as of November 2026. The supplement does not change the fact that the ordinary NCWMA riding permit is excluded from those licenses. Check the portal’s current product description to determine which option applies to your license and planned location.

TWRA says High Impact Permits and Annual Licenses purchased before July 1, 2026, will be honored on NCWMA until the license expires. It also says permits and licenses purchased on or after July 1, 2026, will not be valid for riding on NCWMA. That transition matters if you already had an older permit or license: do not assume a new purchase of the old type will cover a North Cumberland ride.

A few other permit categories are aimed at different uses. According to TWRA, anyone receiving compensation for tour guide services or commercial OHV operation on NCWMA must obtain a North Cumberland OHV Guide Permit. The guide permit includes the privileges of a standard riding permit, and roadside assistance providers do not need one. For the permit rules around commercial rides, see Tennessee Rules for a Commercial Guide or Guiding Riders for Pay in Tennessee.

Before you pay, match these details:

• Where you plan to ride: NCWMA or another designated WMA.
• Who is riding: resident or nonresident status, adults, minors, and any applicable license exemptions.
• How many vehicles are going: TWRA applies the permit requirement per vehicle.
• What kind of use it is: personal riding, hunting, or compensated guiding or commercial operation.
• What paperwork you already have: a title sticker, an older High Impact Permit, or a Sportsman license may not replace the current NCWMA permit.

Buying the permit and planning your ride

TWRA says permits are available on its customer portal beginning July 1. Use the portal to select the appropriate resident permit, review the dates, and confirm the vehicle and rider details before completing the purchase. Save the confirmation where you can access it during the trip, and check the official instructions for whether a printed or electronic copy is accepted.

A useful pre-trip routine is:

• Confirm that your destination is North Cumberland and that the planned route is open to OHV use.
• Select the correct resident permit duration for the dates you intend to ride.
• Account for every vehicle in the group.
• Check whether any rider is relying on an age or license exception.
• Carry the permit confirmation and any other paperwork the applicable rules require.
• Review current notices before unloading, since a permit does not override closures or operating restrictions.

If you have a valid Annual or Lifetime Sportsman license, compare the Sportsman Supplement option with the permit product shown for your trip. According to TWRA, the Sportsman Supplement is an annual permit; it should not be confused with the seven-day resident option. Riders who already hold an older High Impact Permit should check its expiration and purchase date against TWRA’s transition rules rather than assuming it remains valid indefinitely.

The seven-day pass also does not grant permission to ride on private property, closed routes, or roads where OHV riding is prohibited. Follow signs and posted notices, and verify any route you plan to use. TWRA says the area-wide speed limit is 25 mph, and driving an ATV above that speed is considered reckless driving. For preparation and route checks, see Tennessee Trail Conditions Before You Ride and Tennessee Trail Closures to Check First.

Rules to remember while riding

Permit compliance is only one part of riding responsibly on North Cumberland. Riders should review current TWRA rules for the area, including seasonal requirements and equipment restrictions. Some provisions apply to the vehicle, some to each rider, and some only during particular seasons.

According to TWRA, riders must wear at least 500 square inches of daylight fluorescent orange during deer and elk gun seasons and muzzleloader seasons. During big game seasons, riders must meet hunter-orange apparel requirements. If you are carrying a firearm on an ATV, TWRA says it must be unloaded. Riders hunting during a season must also be properly licensed for that season and carry only legal firearms or archery equipment.

All minors are required to wear a helmet while riding ATVs, according to TWRA. Families should also check the manufacturer’s age limits for each machine. The fact that an individual aged 17 or younger operating alone does not need a permit does not waive the age and safety conditions that apply to the rider or vehicle.

The sound rule is worth checking before the ride as well. According to TWRA, the maximum noise limit for motorized vehicles is 86 dB measured at 50 feet from the exhaust, as of November 2026. TWRA also requires off-highway vehicles to have mufflers that keep noise output acceptable. A machine that sounds unusually loud may need attention before it is used on the area.

Property rules can differ even within the broader set of TWRA-managed lands. For example, TWRA says that at Chuck Swan State Forest, ATVs may not be operated on the main forest road, and its noise limit there is 86 decibels measured at 50 feet from the exhaust. Do not apply a North Cumberland pass or an NCWMA route plan to a different property without checking that property’s requirements. TWRA identifies the annual Tennessee Hunting & Trapping Guide as a useful source for regulations that apply to individual properties.

A practical way to avoid a bad surprise is to treat the permit as one item in a larger pre-ride check: confirm the correct area, check the exact permit, review open routes, and prepare for any seasonal clothing or equipment rule. If the portal’s categories or the exceptions seem unclear for your group, confirm the answer with TWRA before traveling. A small amount of checking beforehand is easier than arriving with a pass that does not cover the place, vehicle, or rider you intended.

Sources

• Tennessee Department of Revenue — Off Highway Vehicles (checked November 3, 2026)
• Tennessee Wildlife Resources Agency — North Cumberland OHV Riding Area (checked November 3, 2026)
• Tennessee Wildlife Resources Agency — New OHV Permit Requirements to Take Effect July 1, 2026 (checked November 3, 2026)
• Tennessee Wildlife Resources Agency — ATVs: Rules of the Off-road by Paul E. Moore (checked November 3, 2026)

Disclaimer

This article is for general informational purposes only and does not constitute professional advice. Laws, prices and regulations vary by location and change over time. Consult a qualified professional for guidance on your specific situation.