Two Hundred for Seven Nonresident Days
The $200 seven-day nonresident permit can be a practical choice for a week of riding in North Cumberland, but it is not a statewide trail pass. The key is knowing which permit covers your vehicle, when the price makes sense, and what you still need to check before unloading.
What the $200 permit covers
The North Cumberland Wildlife Management Area, often shortened to NCWMA, has its own OHV riding permit system. According to the Tennessee Wildlife Resources Agency (TWRA), the nonresident seven-day permit costs $200. It is intended for a nonresident planning to ride in the area during the permit period—not for use as a general permit for every Tennessee trail or park.
TWRA’s North Cumberland permits are required on a per-vehicle basis. At least one adult per vehicle must possess a valid permit to ride there. That means a permit bought for one vehicle does not cover a second vehicle in the same group. Before paying, count the machines that will be ridden and make sure each vehicle has the required permit coverage.
There is an age-related exception: according to TWRA, an individual aged 17 or younger who operates an OHV alone does not need a permit, but must follow the machine manufacturer’s age limits. Do not confuse that exception with an adult carrying a permit for a vehicle. If an adult is riding in or operating a vehicle, check TWRA’s current instructions for how the permit requirement applies to that vehicle and its occupants.
| North Cumberland OHV permit | Nonresident cost | A situation it may suit |
|---|---|---|
| One-day permit | $50 | A brief visit |
| Three-day permit | $125 | A short stay |
| Seven-day permit | $200 | A longer trip |
| Annual permit | $300 | Repeated visits over the year |
The costs in the table are listed by TWRA as of November 2026. The best fit depends on how long you will ride and whether you expect to return. If you are weighing a short visit against a longer stay, compare the Tennessee’s $50 Nonresident Day Permit and $125 for a Three-Day Nonresident North Cumberland Permit options with the seven-day permit. For repeated visits, the North Cumberland Nonresident Permit Cost explains the annual option.
Do not assume that a longer permit automatically makes the total trip cheaper. Your decision should reflect the number of days you expect to ride, whether your schedule is firm, and whether you are actually visiting NCWMA. A permit for time you do not use may not be useful, while choosing a shorter term and later needing more riding days can add an extra purchase. Check the permit terms before buying, especially if your travel dates might change.
Make sure North Cumberland is where you need it
The seven-day nonresident permit is specifically connected to NCWMA. TWRA identifies North Cumberland as the only wildlife management area in Tennessee that allows recreational ATV riding outside of riding for hunting. That makes it important to separate a North Cumberland ride from a trip to another public riding location: a North Cumberland permit does not act as an all-purpose state trail pass.
TWRA says riders using other designated wildlife management areas outside NCWMA still need the High Impact Habitat Conservation Permit. The North Cumberland permit system and the High Impact permit are separate requirements, so check the rules for each property on your itinerary rather than assuming one purchase will work everywhere. For the broader distinction, see Why Tennessee Has No Statewide Trail Sticker and Why a Tennessee Park Permit Does Not Travel.
This also matters if your group is trailering between riding areas. Verify the permit required at each destination before leaving home, and do not rely on a permit from a private park, another wildlife management area, or a neighboring state to satisfy North Cumberland’s requirement. TWRA does not describe its permit as reciprocal with other riding areas.
Permit rules also changed on a specific date. TWRA says the new NCWMA OHV permit requirements took effect July 1, 2026. High Impact permits and annual licenses purchased before that date are honored on NCWMA until they expire. TWRA says High Impact permits and licenses purchased on or after that date are not valid for riding on NCWMA. If you have an older permit or license, confirm its purchase date and expiration status rather than relying on the name printed on it.
The NCWMA riding permit is not included in an Annual or Lifetime Sportsman license, according to TWRA. A person with a valid Annual or Lifetime Sportsman license may purchase the Sportsman Supplemental Annual OHV Permit, which TWRA lists at $40 as of November 2026. That supplemental option is distinct from the regular nonresident seven-day permit. Check eligibility and current purchase instructions before choosing it; having a Sportsman license by itself does not satisfy the North Cumberland OHV permit requirement.
For a trip that includes both public and private riding areas, make a simple list before buying:
- Identify every property where you plan to ride.
- Confirm whether it is NCWMA or another designated wildlife management area.
- Check the permit required for each location.
- Match the permit to each vehicle that will be operated.
- Confirm whether an existing license or permit remains valid for that property.
This avoids a common planning mistake: choosing a permit based on the state or region rather than the particular land where the machine will be used. For more on the limits of coverage across North Cumberland itself, see Does One Permit Cover Every North Cumberland Unit?.
How to buy and avoid permit confusion
TWRA says North Cumberland permits are available through its customer portal, with purchases available on GoOutdoorsTennessee.com beginning July 1. Before you complete a purchase, check that you are selecting the nonresident permit and the intended duration. Review the vehicle information requested in the portal, save the confirmation, and keep a copy accessible during the ride.
The permit is a trail-use requirement, not a title or road-registration document. Tennessee has separate paperwork for ownership and some types of road operation. According to the Tennessee Department of Revenue, an off-highway vehicle not registered for road operation must have a TDR sticker affixed as evidence that a title has been issued; those stickers are issued by county clerks. A TDR sticker does not replace the NCWMA riding permit, and the riding permit does not establish ownership. See Tennessee Trail Permits Explained and A Sticker That Proves a Tennessee Title Exists for the difference.
If a machine is newly purchased, has a title issue, or is being brought from another state, resolve those questions separately from your trail-permit purchase. The Tennessee Department of Revenue says OHV title and registration applications require proof of ownership documentation. For details about the title process, Tennessee OHV Title Paperwork can help you plan the administrative side without mistaking it for trail access.
Group organizers should not treat one permit as a group-wide pass. Because TWRA requires permits per vehicle, check each machine individually, including a vehicle rented or borrowed for the trip. If you are renting, ask the rental provider whether a North Cumberland permit is included or whether you must purchase it separately. Do not assume the rental agreement, a park booking, or a permit for another vehicle covers your machine.
Before setting off, keep the permit confirmation and identification available, and check the current property notice for any closures or additional rules. A valid permit is necessary for access where required, but it does not guarantee that every road or trail is open or suitable for your machine on the day you arrive.
Costs are only one part of the ride plan
A permit covers the required authorization; it does not remove the need to follow the riding rules. TWRA sets the area-wide speed limit at 25 mph, and says driving an ATV above that speed is considered reckless driving. The agency also requires mufflers that keep noise output acceptable; the maximum noise limit for motorized vehicles on the area is 86 dB measured at 50 feet from the exhaust, according to TWRA as of November 2026.
Seasonal requirements can affect clothing and equipment. TWRA requires users to wear at least 500 square inches of daylight fluorescent orange during deer or elk gun and muzzleloader seasons. The agency also says all minors must wear a helmet while riding ATVs. Check current notices and hunting-season requirements for your dates, since a permit purchase does not waive those rules.
If your trip falls during a hunting season, be deliberate about what you carry and where you ride. TWRA says firearms transported on ATVs must be unloaded, and riders must 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. TWRA also prohibits shooting from a motorized vehicle on its properties.
A practical pre-trip check is more useful than relying on a price alone:
- Confirm the destination is NCWMA and the permit is valid for it.
- Make sure the permit duration fits the planned ride and that each vehicle is covered.
- Review the current trail and property notices.
- Check seasonal clothing and helmet requirements.
- Confirm that the machine meets applicable equipment and noise rules.
- Keep proof of purchase accessible while riding.
Nonresidents planning a longer stay may find the $200 seven-day permit a straightforward choice, while a shorter visit or frequent return trips may call for a different option. The key is to buy for the actual property, vehicle, and riding period—not to expect one permit to cover every Tennessee destination.
Sources
- 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.
