Devils Backbone Wilderness
Devils Backbone Wilderness is a protected area in Missouri that is maintained by the United States Forest Service and was designated as such by the United States Congress in 1980. The wilderness area now has a total of. Devils Backbone is located within the Willow Springs portion of the Ava-Cassville-Willow Springs Ranger District, of the Mark Twain National Forest, near Willow Springs. It was named for a prominent ridge down the center of the area. Devils Backbone Wilderness is one of eight wilderness areas protected and preserved in Missouri.
Geography
The Devils Backbone Wilderness area is located in northeastern Ozark County about north of the Arkansas-Missouri border. It has a flatter topography than most of the Ozarks with a maximum elevation of. The nearest city is West Plains which is east.
Ecology
Flora
Devils Backbone offers a variety of recreational activities for visitors. In the spring season, dogwood, redbud, and serviceberry trees are flowering in full force. Then, in fall the foliage of the oaks, sassafras, and red maples begin to turn a vast array of reds, yellows, and oranges.
Fauna
For those interested in wildlife, White-tailed deer, red and grey fox, bobcats, skunks, squirrels, coyotes, and raccoons can be seen roaming the limestone glades. Visitors, especially hikers should be aware of potentially threatening copperhead snakes and Eastern timber rattlesnakes are likewise commonly seen.
Recreation
The North Fork River is also main attraction for visitors to the area. There are three springs within Devils Backbone that feed the North Fork. There is even a canoe launch for the river which offers smallmouth bass, blue gill, and rock bass angling opportunities. Horseback riding is popular on a network of trails in the wilderness.