{{Short description|Wilderness area in Missouri, United States}} {{Use American English|date=July 2025}} {{Use mdy dates|date=January 2025}} {{Infobox protected area | name = Devil's Backbone Wilderness | iucn_category = Ib | image = | image_caption = | map = USA | relief = 1 | map_caption = | location = Ozark County, Missouri, USA | nearest_city = Willow Springs, Missouri | coordinates = {{coord|36|44|3|N|92|8|42|W|region:US|display=inline, title}} | area = {{convert|6687|acre|ha}} | established = 1980 | visitation_num = | visitation_year = | governing_body = U.S. Forest Service }}
'''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 {{convert|6687|acre|ha}}. 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.<ref name="usda">{{cite web|url=https://www.fs.usda.gov/r09/marktwain/recreation/devils-backbone-wilderness|title=Devils Backbone Wilderness|publisher=U.S. Forest Service|access-date=June 16, 2025}}</ref>
== Geography == The Devils Backbone Wilderness area is located in northeastern Ozark County about {{convert|15|mi|km|abbr=on}} north of the Arkansas-Missouri border. It has a flatter topography than most of the Ozarks with a maximum elevation of {{convert|1020|ft|m|abbr=on}}.<ref name="usda"/> The nearest city is West Plains which is {{convert|15|mi|km|abbr=on}} east.<ref name="FSTOPO"/>
==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.<ref name="wild">{{cite web|url=https://wilderness.net/visit-wilderness/?ID=156|title=Devils Backbone Wilderness|publisher=Wilderness Connect|access-date=June 16, 2025}}</ref>
===Fauna=== For those interested in wildlife, White-tailed deer (''Odocoileus virginiana''), red and grey fox (''Vulpes vulpes'' and ''Urycyon cinereoargenteus''), bobcats (''Lynx rufus''), skunks (''Mephitis mephitis''), squirrels (''Sciurus niger'' and ''S. carolinensis''), coyotes (''Canis latrans''), and raccoons (''Procyon lotor'') can be seen roaming the limestone glades. Visitors, especially hikers should be aware of potentially threatening (but easily avoided) copperhead snakes (''Agkistrodon contortrix'') and Eastern timber rattlesnakes (''Crotalus horridus'') are likewise commonly seen.<ref name="usda"/>
==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 (Blue, Amber, and McGarr).<ref name="FSTOPO">{{cite web|url=https://data.fs.usda.gov/geodata/rastergateway/states-regions/states.php|publisher= USDA Forest Serivec|website=FSGeodata Clearinghouse|title=FSTopo Map|access-date=June 16, 2025}}</ref> 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.<ref name="usda"/>
== See also == * List of U.S. Wilderness Areas
== References == {{Reflist}}
== External links == * {{cite web |title=Devils Backbone Wilderness |work=USDA |url=http://www.fs.fed.us/r9/forests/marktwain/recreation/sites/devils_backbone/ |access-date=June 11, 2007 }}
{{Protected Areas of Missouri}} {{Authority control}}
Category:IUCN Category Ib Category:Protected areas of Ozark County, Missouri Category:Wilderness areas of Missouri Category:Mark Twain National Forest