Forks of the River WMA
Site Directions: From I-40, take James White Pkwy Exit (388A) and stay to the left to continue on James White Parkway. Cross over the TN River and take the Sevier Ave./Hillwood Dr. Exit.
Turn Left onto Sevier Ave. (turns into Hillwood Dr.). Turn right onto Island Home Ave. (at bottom of the hill). Forks of the River WMA is just past the Ijams Nature Center on the left. Follow signs to the WMA.
Lat: 35.952572°N Long:-83.858632°W
Hours: daylight hours
Seasonality: year-round
Fees: none
Knox County, 648 ACRES
Special Use - All trails on the WMA used for bicycling requires the High Impact Habitat Conservation Permit except the Perimeter Trail.
The Perimeter trail is defined as the Will Skelton Greenway, Whaley Trail, and Western The Perimeter Trail is open year-round.
All other trails are open only to hunters from Sept.1-May 31.
No hooved animal riding or motorized vehicles.
Shotguns, Muzzleloader, and Archery equipment only. Paintball guns and accessories are prohibited.
The area is closed one hour after sunset to one hour before sunrise, except for raccoon and opossum hunters and scheduled events.
All animals accompanied by a non-hunting person are required to be leashed.
Big game and small game are the same as statewide seasons, except as noted.
All hunting is closed from March 1 through 4th Friday in Aug., except for spring squirrel and spring turkey season.
The early September waterfowl seasons are closed.
Quail - Nov. 4, 2023 - Jan. 15, 2024
Dove - September 1, 2, 4, and remainder of statewide season. September 3: Youth/Adult Only, All Fields.
Two marked fields are Youth/Adult only on September 1, 2, and 4; while remaining fields are open to all ages.
Gate opens at 06:30 all days (September 1, 2, 3, and 4).
-Season starts at 12 noon on September 1st
-Legal hunting hours after gate opens on September 2, 3, and 4.
Open to all hunters, foot travel only, on any field starting September 5 and remainder of statewide season.
Pigeon is open with dove season.
Falconry and Crow - Opens Sept. 9, and runs concurrently with the statewide season.
Site Description: Forks of the River WMA has access to the Will Skelton Greenway (paved) that runs south out of Knoxville.
The WMA has mixed hardwood forests and crop fields with a cedar-lined dirt road just past the parking lot.
The greenway provides views of the river in many places.
Forks of the River WMA is part of The Foothills Conservation Opportunity Area.
Wildlife to Watch: Songbird migration can be excellent in the park along the greenway.
Deer and turkey may be seen year-round.
Sparrows are common in the hedgerows and old fields.
General wildlife viewing is excellent at this site, especially with the paved greenway access.
