Meadow Branch Trail

Meadow Branch Trail is a relatively difficult OHV route suited for riders comfortable with uneven terrain while exploring the southern portion of the Sundquist Unit in North Cumberland Wildlife Management Area. The trail branches from Cumberland Mountain Trail and runs toward Jennings Creek Trail, traversing forested hollows and ridgelines typical of the Cumberland Plateau. Its surface is primarily dirt and native forest soil mixed with loose rock and irregular ground that can develop ruts from water runoff and regular use. Riders should expect moderate elevation changes and tighter wooded sections where careful throttle control and line choice are helpful, particularly after rainfall when muddy or slick conditions can increase the challenge. As it travels between Cumberland Mountain Trail and Jennings Creek Trail, Meadow Branch Trail also intersects with Short Mountain Trail, creating additional routing options for riders building longer loops through the southern Sundquist Unit trail network. These connections allow ATVs and permitted OHVs such as side-by-sides and UTVs to move between several interior routes while navigating the area’s forested terrain. Trail conditions can vary with weather and seasonal use, with loose rock, muddy stretches, and rutted surfaces common across Appalachian OHV trails. The wildlife management area remains open during hunting seasons, though Tennessee Wildlife Resources Agency regulations require at least 500 square inches of daylight fluorescent orange on the head and upper body when outside a vehicle or camp during deer and elk gun or muzzleloader seasons, and riders should remain aware that forestry or mining operations within the WMA may occasionally result in heavy equipment traffic or changing trail conditions.