Forks of the River Wildlife Management Area
Entrance: 3140 McClure Lane
Length: 6.5 miles
Type: single track, old roads
Difficulty: easy to moderate
Features: Walk, run or bike the Will Skelton Greenway which terminates at Forks of the River
Trailhead Parking: 3140 McClure Lane
Directions: Directions: Take I-40 to the James White Parkway and cross the river. Take the Sevier Ave/Hillwood Dr. exit and turn left. At the end of Hillwood Dr. turn right onto Island Home Ave. Pass Ijams Nature Center on the left, cross the railroad tracks to take a left onto McClure Lane which ends in the parking area.
Trailhead Parking: 5907 Burnett Creek Road
Directions: Take I-40 to the James White Parkway and cross the river. Take the Sevier Ave/Hillwood Dr. exit and turn left. At the end of Hillwood Dr. turn right onto Island Home Ave. Stay on Island Home Ave which will become Island Home Pike. Go 2.5 miles and turn left onto Burnett Creek. Go 0.7 miles and turn left into the parking area (trail post marks entrance).
A unique TWRA Wildlife Management Area, offering hunting and recreation opportunities
Forks of the River Wildlife Management Area is an active hunting ground that allows trail access for recreational activities. From Ijams Nature Center, the paved Will Skelton Greenway connects to Forks of the River to the confluence of the Holston and French Broad Rivers forming the Tennessee River. From there, 6.5 miles of natural trails and dirt or gravel roads wind through fields and woods. The Whaley Trail follows the French Broad River before crossing Burnett Creek Road and connecting to the Helix Trails.
The Perimeter Trail – defined as the Will Skelton Greenway, Whaley Trail and West perimeter trail - is open year-round. All other interior trails including Utility Road, are open to users with a high impact user permit from June 1- August 31 only.
A High Impact Habitat Conservation Permit is required for all bicycling on the Forks of the River trails except for the perimeter trails. Information on the permit is available online at https://www.tn.gov/twra/article/special-use-permits-j1
General information regarding Forks of the River Wildlife Management Area can be found here, https://www.tn.gov/content/tn/twra/wildlife-management-areas/east-tennessee-r4/forks-of-the-river-wma.html
For questions about high impact conservation permit, land management or hunting regulations please visit tn.gov/twra or call TWRA at 1-800-332-0900
