Catoosa Wildlife Management Area Directions

Above: Sabatia angularis aka Rose Pinks growing along the road at Catoosa

 Catoosa Wildlife Management Area Directions 

and Interactive Catoosa Map Here 

Order Your Catoosa WMA Map HERE 

Catoosa Pix Here 

The Directions below are copied directly from the state's info page.  I did this not to plagiarize the material, but because the state websites have good info AND a serious history of failing to function.  I will add my own directions below this info.  These are the basics. 

Site Directions: From I-40, take exit 320, Genesis Road, and travel north 8 miles to the entrance to Catoosa WMA. 

For specific locations and access points:

Wartburg entrance: Take Catoosa Road from Wartburg to Old Catoosa Campground, eight miles. Once inside the WMA, there are several campgrounds, wildlife, and scenic opportunities.

If you would like more information, you should go to the check-in station via the following directions. Turn left at Catoosa Campground. Go five miles to Bi-color Station.

Peavine Rd entrance - From I-40, exit 322, Peavine Rd, travel north on Peavine Rd for 1.8 miles and make a left onto Firetower Rd. Once on Firetower Rd, travel 2.8 miles to the end of pavement and continue 0.6 miles more to a gate (Google maps show the road as Otter Creek Rd).

This is the entrance to Catoosa WMA. Follow the road 3.1 miles to the savanna restoration site. Travel 8.2 miles past the gate to the Devil's Breakfast Table area (or 14.7 miles from turning onto Firetower Rd).

Devil's Breakfast Table area - follow Peavine Rd entrance directions. Devil's Breakfast Table parking area is on the right just across the bridge. There is a trailhead about 40 yards down the road.

Devil's Breakfast Table, Lat-Long: 36.058796,-84.792257

SW access road Lat-Long 36.03199, -84.927887

Genesis Rd Checking Station access - Lat-Long 36.07356, -84.96071

Potters Ford Rd - Lat-Long: 36.08204, -84.94926

Bicolor Rd Checking Station access - Lat-Long: 35.9938, -84.6776

Old Catoosa Entrance N 36.0538 W -084.6728

Bicolor Entrance N 35.993 W -84.678

Oak savannah restoration locations and directions: from Genesis Rd (Hwy 298), go east on Potter's Ford until the road comes to a T (Otter Creek Rd). Make a left and go about a mile until you reach the open savanna habitat. There are approximately 3000 acres of open savanna in the area. Several side roads provide access to other areas of open woodlands.

Hours: daylight hours

Seasonality: year-round

**EXCEPTIONS-- Closed to All except small game hunters and trappers  from Feb. 1 each year through the last Friday in March. Reopens to all users First Saturday in March.     Cumberland Trail hikers have access YEAR Round with special conditions.  During hunting season all hikers must wear fluorescent clothing (neon yellow or blaze orange) on head and chest and stay within 100 feet of the Cumberland Trail at all times.  

Fees: none

Directions for Cove Branch Falls and Little Cove Branch Falls 

Cove Branch Waypoint from Tennessee Landforms Here

To reach this you must either hike the Cumberland Trail from either direction OR

For a shorter but rougher hike off the Cumberland Trail you must approach it from the WEST SIDE as the bridge over Daddy's Creek is out.  You would then need to pull off  of Otter Creek Road and find your way the best you can.  It is doable, but not easy at all especially as you near the falls.  Not for folks who are inexperienced at way finding.

Below: Cove Branch aka Fire Rake Falls 

Little Cove Branch Falls Waypoint from TN Landforms Here

Either hike the Cumberland Trail from either direction and may be approached at your own risk from either side of Daddy's Creek Bridge.   It is so/so for pedestrian traffic at the time of this writing, but that may change.  The bridge is sketchy with no plans in the works to repair it.  

Better to approach from the West side on Otter Creek Road during the time of year it is open. 

Hike CT from trailhead to just before the bridge.  Once you can see the falls it is necessary to hike off trail toward it.

You will have to take a rope or make your way the best you can.  Not for those inexperienced in way finding or use of ropes and accustomed to bushwhacking.  

The falls dries up significantly during Summer and times of little rain making it not worth the considerable effort.

At the time of this writing there was a large tree down across the Cumberland Trail entrance just within sight of Otter Creek Road.  

Otter Creek Road is rutted out deeply toward Daddy's Creek bridge with little place to pull off and/or turn around.

Use caution.  

Below: Little Cove Branch Falls 

Main Westernmost Access Road for Catoosa is Genesis Road

Potters Ford Road cuts across between Genesis Road and Otter Creek Road

**Familiarize yourself with the interactive map. The gray areas on it are private inholdings. They are strict no trespassing zones.   Catoosa is a huge area at 82,000 acres of wild lands. No facilities to speak of .  Whatever you take there take it back out with you. Do not litter.    Being multi use area read over the rules and regulations before you go.

Many Areas of Catoosa DO NOT HAVE CELL PHONE SIGNAL.  We found that up high along the Oak Savannas on Otter Creek Road we did have a signal. Everywhere else we did not.   

  I have limited knowledge and directions for Catoosa, but will add to this guide as I am able.

At least this will get you started and help you avoid some of the foolish mistakes Kenny and I have made.