$125 for a Three-Day Nonresident North Cumberland Permit
A visit to North Cumberland can get confusing when trail access, vehicle paperwork and permit costs are treated as one issue. The three-day nonresident permit costs $125, but it is required per vehicle and does not replace other rules for riding the area. Here’s how to compare it with the other permit options, understand who needs one and prepare before heading out.
What the $125 permit covers
The North Cumberland Wildlife Management Area (NCWMA) has its own OHV riding permit. According to the Tennessee Wildlife Resources Agency (TWRA), a three-day permit for a nonresident costs $125. It is for riding at North Cumberland, not a general Tennessee trail pass or a substitute for a machine’s title, sticker or other required paperwork.
That distinction matters because Tennessee has different rules and permits for different places. The NCWMA permit is specific to this area. A permit for another OHV park does not automatically work at North Cumberland, and a North Cumberland permit does not provide access to every trail elsewhere in the state. For the broader distinction between location permits and statewide requirements, see Why Tennessee Has No Statewide Trail Sticker.
The permit is required on a per-vehicle basis. According to TWRA, at least one adult per vehicle must possess a valid permit to ride the NCWMA. In practical terms, plan around the vehicle you intend to operate, not just the number of people in your group. If you bring more than one machine, account for each vehicle separately.
There is a specific exception for young riders: according to TWRA, an individual who is 17 or younger and operates an OHV alone does not need a permit, but must follow the machine manufacturer’s age limits. That does not mean a young rider can ignore other safety rules. TWRA also requires all minors to wear a helmet while riding an ATV.
The new NCWMA permit requirements took effect July 1, 2026, according to TWRA. Older High Impact Permits and annual licenses purchased before that date are honored at NCWMA until they expire. TWRA says permits or licenses purchased on or after that date are not valid for riding NCWMA. So, if you already have a permit or license, check when you bought it and when it expires rather than assuming it covers a North Cumberland trip.
The permit is also separate from a Tennessee Department of Revenue (TDR) sticker. A TDR sticker is evidence that a title has been issued for an OHV that is not registered for road operation; it is issued by county clerks and is non-renewable and non-transferable. TWRA’s NCWMA riding permit, by contrast, addresses permission to ride on the area. One should not be treated as a replacement for the other. For details about the title sticker, see What the TDR Sticker on Your Title Means.
Compare the nonresident choices before you buy
A three-day permit can make sense for a short visit, but the right option depends on how long you plan to ride and whether you expect another trip. The comparison below lists the permit options and costs TWRA gives for North Cumberland, as of November 2026.
| Permit type | Cost |
|---|---|
| Nonresident 1-day permit | $50 |
| Nonresident 3-day permit | $125 |
| Nonresident 7-day permit | $200 |
| Nonresident annual permit | $300 |
| Resident 1-day permit | $20 |
| Resident 3-day permit | $30 |
| Resident 7-day permit | $100 |
| Resident annual permit | $150 |
| Sportsman Supplemental annual permit | $40 |
According to TWRA, the three-day nonresident permit costs $125, compared with $50 for a one-day permit and $200 for a seven-day permit. The table can help you compare the listed options, but it does not settle every trip-planning question. Confirm how the permit’s dates are applied before purchase, especially if your riding plans span separate visits rather than one continuous stay.
For a quick visit, the one-day option has the lowest total cost. If your plans extend beyond the period covered by that option, compare the three-day and seven-day choices rather than assuming you can simply add individual days at the same rate. If you expect to ride repeatedly, the annual nonresident option may be worth comparing with multiple short-term permits. The useful comparison is your likely riding schedule against the applicable permit terms—not just the advertised total.
The resident options are included for context, but nonresidents should not select a resident permit based on where their machine is registered or where they are staying. Confirm how TWRA defines residency for its permit portal before buying. If you are a Tennessee resident, Tennessee’s $20 Resident Day Permit explains the resident day option, and North Cumberland OHV Permit Cost gives a focused overview of permit costs.
A nonresident who holds a valid Annual or Lifetime Sportsman license has another option to check. TWRA says the North Cumberland OHV permit is not included with those licenses, but eligible holders may purchase the Sportsman Supplemental annual OHV permit. According to TWRA, that supplemental permit costs $40. It is not the same as the standard nonresident annual permit, so confirm eligibility and the scope of the supplement before relying on it for your trip.
If you are paying for guided or commercial OHV operation rather than riding as a visitor, do not assume a standard riding permit covers the business activity. TWRA requires people compensated for tour guide services or commercial OHV operation on NCWMA to obtain a guide permit. The guide permit includes the privileges of a standard riding permit, and roadside assistance providers are not required to obtain one. See Tennessee’s Guide Permit for more on that separate requirement.
Buy the right permit and keep the requirements straight
TWRA says North Cumberland permits are available through the GoOutdoorsTennessee.com customer portal. Before you purchase, check the permit category, dates, residency details and vehicle count against your actual plan. A brief review before checkout can prevent the common problem of arriving with a permit that covers the wrong period, vehicle or location.
Use this checklist:
- Confirm that you are riding at North Cumberland. The permit discussed here applies to NCWMA. A permit for another riding area is not automatically valid there.
- Count the vehicles that will be operated. TWRA requires permits on a per-vehicle basis. Do not assume a permit bought for one machine automatically covers another.
- Identify who will operate each vehicle. At least one adult per vehicle must possess a valid permit. A rider 17 or younger operating an OHV alone is exempt from the permit requirement, but must follow manufacturer age limits.
- Choose the permit duration that matches your plans. Compare the one-day, three-day, seven-day and annual options, and confirm the date rules with TWRA before purchase.
- Check for an existing license or permit. Older High Impact Permits and annual licenses may be honored until expiration if purchased before the new rules took effect. Items purchased on or after that point do not cover NCWMA riding.
- Review the separate rules for the area. A riding permit is not permission to ride outside open routes or ignore safety, equipment and seasonal restrictions.
A vehicle’s title status is a separate matter. According to the Tennessee Department of Revenue, OHV title and registration applications require proof of ownership documentation, and applications for OHV registration plates should be made through a local county clerk. For machines not registered for road operation, the Department of Revenue says a TDR sticker must be affixed as evidence that a title has been issued. Those requirements concern ownership or vehicle status; they do not replace TWRA’s area riding permit.
This separation is easy to miss when a machine has documents from another state. The permit is tied to access at North Cumberland, while title and sticker questions concern the machine itself. If you are bringing a machine from elsewhere, see Does Tennessee Honor Out-of-State Registration? and Tennessee OHV Title for a Nonresident. For the riding permit specifically, see Tennessee Rules for a Visiting Rider.
Highway-legal vehicles such as Jeeps and trucks also need the required NCWMA OHV permit when used on the trails, according to TWRA. A vehicle’s ability to use public roads does not by itself exempt it from the area’s permit requirement. Check the vehicle rules that apply to the route and confirm the appropriate permit before you ride.
One other detail worth checking is whether your group’s activity falls under a different permit category. Recreational riding and compensated guiding are not interchangeable. If a trip involves paid tours or commercial OHV operation, review TWRA’s guide permit requirements rather than assuming each participant’s standard permit is enough.
Plan for the rules beyond the permit
Buying a permit is only one part of preparing for North Cumberland. TWRA sets an area-wide speed limit of 25 mph. According to TWRA, driving an ATV above 25 mph is considered reckless driving. Keep speed appropriate to trail conditions and visibility, particularly where the route is narrow, uneven or shared.
Noise and seasonal clothing rules also matter. TWRA requires mufflers that keep noise output acceptable, and states a maximum limit of 86 dB measured at 50 feet from the exhaust. During deer or elk gun and muzzleloader seasons, riders must wear at least 500 square inches of daylight fluorescent orange, according to TWRA. Check the current season and property notices before loading; do not assume a previous visit’s requirements still apply.
Other hunting-related rules may affect riders during hunting seasons. TWRA says firearms transported on ATVs must be unloaded. Riders must also be properly licensed for the specific hunting season and carry only legal firearms or archery equipment. During big game seasons, hunter-orange apparel requirements apply. Shooting from a motorized vehicle, or road hunting, is illegal on TWRA properties.
Route access is not unlimited just because you have the permit. North Cumberland is a wildlife management area, and riders need to follow posted restrictions and use routes open to OHVs. TWRA identifies North Cumberland as the only WMA in the state that allows recreational ATV riding outside hunting use, but that does not make every road or track open. Check the current map and local notices before setting out. For a broader overview, see Tennessee Rules for Riding a WMA and Does One Permit Cover Every North Cumberland Unit?.
The area is divided into three units, according to TWRA. If your route crosses between units or you are unfamiliar with the area, use an up-to-date map and confirm where riding is allowed. TWRA says a detailed color map can be purchased through its WMA map form; check the agency’s current information for the price and ordering details. A map can help with route planning, but posted closures and current instructions take priority.
Before heading out, make a final check of the permit, the vehicle and the planned route. Confirm that the right adult has the permit for each vehicle, that each rider meets applicable age and safety requirements, and that the machine meets applicable equipment rules. If weather or seasonal conditions change your plans, check for updated notices rather than relying on an old map or a past visit.
The $125 three-day nonresident permit is a defined access cost, not an all-purpose pass. Match the permit to your vehicle and visit, understand how it relates to prior licenses, and check TWRA’s current instructions for the conditions of use. Doing that before arrival makes it easier to focus on the ride rather than sorting out paperwork at the trailhead.
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.
