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The Devils Backbone Wilderness Area, Mark Twain National Forest, offers numerous hiking and camping adventures for all. On-trail hiking, off-trail hiking, primitive camping, backpacking, and more is available for the taking. Hikes can be anything from a few hundred yards to many miles, depending on what you are seeking. Camping can be from an afternoon to a week or more.

Located within the Willow Springs Ranger District of the Mark Twain National Forest, is the Devils Backbone Wilderness. Named by early settlers for a prominent ridge (map), the Devils Backbone comprises 6,595 acres of rugged Ozark hills and hollows. This area is under special preservation rules as a Wilderness area to maintain it for all adventuring individuals to enjoy. The Devils Backbone Wilderness is one of eight wilderness areas protected and preserved in Missouri.

The Devils Backbone Wilderness offers excellent on-trail and off-trail adventures, day hiking, overnight backpacking, primitive camping, and horseback riding trips (biking and motorized vehicles are prohibited). Your Ozarks adventure awaits your visit.

Thirteen miles of trails are maintained, and the off-trail hiking is limited only by your abilities, map skills, and imagination. Elevations range from 1,020 feet to 680 feet. Terrain features include everything from spectacular ridge lines to twisting spring-fed hollows. Numerous wild caves are also encountered within the Devils Backbone area.

There are three designated trailheads: Raccoon Hollow [located off highway CC], McGarr Ridge [also located off highway CC], and Collins Ridge [near KK highway]; as well as access at the Blue Springs parking area in the North Fork Recreation Area. 

"The forest is dominated by a variety of oaks, hickory, and short leaf pine. Dogwood, redbud, and wild azaleas give the wilderness a wild burst of color in the spring. Fall isn't to be outdone when the oaks, sweet gum, and sugar maple put on a show of yellows, oranges, and reds." The Devils Backbone Wilderness Area has 2 major springs; McGarr Spring and Amber Spring, with a third spring (Blue Spring) located just along the border within the North Fork Recreation Area at Hammond Camp access point.

The Devils Backbone Wilderness Area features the best of Ozark mountains, bluffs, hills, and hollows, as well as limestone glades and Karst topography. 

Abundant local wildlife inhabitants include white-tailed deer, gray squirrel, raccoon, coyote, red and gray fox, bobcat, and striped skunk for mammals. Bird species include wild turkey, red-tailed hawk, great horned owl, bald eagle, turkey vulture, great blue heron, pileated woodpecker, and various songbirds. Numerous reptiles may also be encountered, including two poisonous snakes; the copperhead and eastern timber rattler.

The Devils Backbone Wilderness is accessible most days of the year, but fall and spring offer the most pleasurable hikes. While no permit is required for the wilderness area, registration boxes are located at the trail heads and signing in is requested. 

Wilderness Regulations and Manners

Backpackers, hikers, primitive campers, horseback riders, photographers, and more seek the peace and solitude of the Wilderness area, and enjoy it in different ways. To assure that you may continue to enjoy this resource as well as preserve it for the future, please read the following wilderness regulations and suggested manners. By its definition, the wilderness area should be an area impacted by the forces of nature, and not man. Please leave no evidence of yourself and police up messes left by previous visitors by removing their trash, scattering their fire remains, etc. 

With increasing numbers of visitors to the wilderness areas, the presence of the visitors threatens the very peace and solitude the visitor came to seek. To insure a pleasant visit for all, please comply with the wilderness manners and regulations set forth for the Devils Backbone Wilderness Area by the Willow Springs Ranger District.

Regulations

The following practices are all forbidden within the Wilderness Area:

• Possessing or leaving refuse, debris or litter in an exposed or unsanitary condition;

• Placing in or near a stream, lake, or other water any substance which does or may pollute a stream, lake, or other water;

• Leaving a fire without completely extinguishing it;

• Cutting or defacing live or dead standing trees or other vegetation;

• Possessing or using a motor vehicle, motorboat, motorized equipment, or mechanical transport;

• Landing of aircraft, or dropping or picking up any material, supplies, or persons by means of aircraft, including helicopters and hang gliders;

• The building of "structures" such as rock fire rings, tables, lean-tos, and the like;

• Discharging a firearm or any other implement capable of taking human life or causing injury, in or within 150 yards of an occupied area, or in any manner or place whereby any person or property is exposed to injury or damage as a result of such discharge;

• Firing any tracer bullet or incendiary ammunition.

Missouri Department of Conservation hunting and fishing regulations and license requirements apply.

Wilderness Manners

To keep the wilderness area pristine, one must tread lightly and leave no sign of their presence. Leave the area as beautiful as it was for you for the next visitor.

At each trail head there is a registration box. Visitors are requested to sign in with a few details about their trip, which facilitates management of the resources and aids in locating you and your party if the need arises. Group size is limited to 10 persons or less, to reduce the impact to the ground cover and soil. Camp sites are available on first-come, first-served basis.

You should always leave your campsite cleaner than you found it. Pack out what you pack in. Buried trash will only be dug up by animals, so please don't bury any trash or garbage. Human waste must be disposed of at least 100 feet from campsites, trails, and waterways. Dig a shallow hole and cover when done. Nature will do the rest.

Campfires should be modest in size so as to not consume too many resources. Dead wood is a natural resource and limited in supply. Future shortages could jeopardize the future of campfires within the wilderness area. Fire rings are forbidden. The use of gas or chemical cooking stoves is recommended. Please use extreme caution with open campfires and insure the fire is out completely, scattering the evidence, before leaving.

To make your experience more enjoyable while preserving the area, seek out campsites that are out of sight and sound of the trail and other camp sites. Avoid the use of popular areas and search for your own little secret spot. This will give you and your possible neighbors the solitude you seek. If you share an area, keep a low profile and maintain the solitude. 

Before your hike, insure that every member of your party is physically and mentally prepared for the adventure and the seasonal conditions. Make sure everyone has the right equipment and clothing and is familiar with general hiking safety rules. 

Please do not use blazes, ribbons, or other trail markers. Either stay on the trail or follow your map and compass. Saddle and pack stock have the right-of-way on trails. Give way to them to avoid possible conflicts and accidents.

Stock must be picketed at least 200 feet from waterways, trails, or camps and must not be tied directly to small trees. A hitch rail set up between two trees is more desirable. Once camp is broke, the manure should be scattered and the area smoothed over. Avoid prolonged grazing in one area and it is requested that you pack concentrated supplement feed to help reduce this impact.

The Devils Backbone Wilderness Area is surrounded by private property. Please respect the rights and property of the private land owners.

General Comments

The Ozarks climate is mild enough to make year round visits possible. Please wear proper clothing and bring adequate gear to make your visit enjoyable. When possible, plan your trip outside the peak spring and fall use seasons. This will give you a more private and pleasant experience.

While there are numerous fresh water sources within the area, the water is not recommended for drinking without proper treatment. Please pack adequate water or a water purification system.

USGS quadrangle maps may be purchased from the Forest Service or the U.S. Geological Survey. The Wilderness is located on Dora, Siloam Springs, Cureall NW, and Pottersville quadrangle maps. Maps of each Ranger District scaled at one half inch to the mile may be purchased from the Forest Service.

Trailheads and the interior are visited by Wilderness rangers, who are there to assist visitors and answer questions. The Willow Springs Ranger District wants you to "Have a pleasant wilderness experience and remember, leave only foot prints and take only photographs and memories."

The River of Life Farm offers elegant secluded lodging within a few miles of the Devils Backbone Wilderness, as well as exceptional private camping grounds. Shuttle services to trailheads or pickups are available. Inquire with Myron for details.

For Further Information Contact:

Ava/Cassville/Willow Springs Ranger District
Ava Office
P.O. Box 188
Ava, MO 65608
(417) 683-4428 TTY

Forest Supervisor
Mark Twain National Forest
401 Fairgrounds Road
Rolla, MO65401
(573) 364-4621 TTY

• Please follow all safety rules when hiking.
• Please respect the rights of the private land owners bordering the Devils Backbone Wilderness.
• This hike can be as gentle or as challenging as you want it. Please be prepared.
• Before entering any cave please be aware of caving safety rules, preservation rules, and have the proper gear and training.
• Be sure and notify someone of your hiking route, time of return, and pack plenty of water and snacks for the trip. A compass, map, and the knowledge to use them are recommended.
• Email the Webmaster for more details or if you have any questions.

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