Mark Twain National Forest

Eleven Point Ranger District

Click here or on the image to view the site photo gallery

The untamed beauty of the Irish Wilderness looks much the same today as it did in the mid-1800s, when a group of Irish immigrants established a settlement there. Though the settlers left after being set upon time after time by bushwhackers during the Civil War era, the name commemorates those early pioneers.

During the advent of the railroads after the Civil War, the area was heavily logged. Overgrazing scoured vegetation from the land.

Because of the efforts of the "CCC", or Civilian Conservation Corps and, later, the Forest Service, the Irish Wilderness has regained its original character.

In 1934, the Forest Service acquired the first purchase unit of what was to become the Mark Twain National Forest.

The Eleven Point takes its name from the Eleven Point River, designated a National Scenic River in 1968.

There are several stories of how the river got its name.

One tale says that early surveyors, having to change their compass readings eleven times in one mile, named the Eleven Point River out of frustration at the winding, crooked path it follows.

Today, canoeists on the river enjoy the beauty of the clear Ozark stream all the more because of its meandering course.

Main Office
Eleven Point Ranger District
#4 Confederate Ridge Road
Doniphan, MO 63935
(573) 996-2153
(573) 996-5410 TTY

Winona Office
Eleven Point Ranger District
Highway 19
Winona, MO 65588
(573) 325-4233
(573) 325-4529 TTY

Quickpick (location map of all Recreation Areas for this area)
Recreation opportunities:
Deer Leap
Float Camp
Greer Crossing
Watercress
Irish Wilderness
Ozark National Scenic Riverways
Canoe Rentals - Outfitter and Guide Services authorized by the US Forest

Frequently asked questions:
What are the horsepower liits for motorboats?
Where may I camp?
What about river levels?

What's new?
Printable brochures!
Blue Ridge Horse Trail 1.3Mb PDF format
Birding the Eleven Point 149Kb PDF format
Fishing the Eleven Point 196KB PDF format
Irish Wilderness Brochure 605Kb PDF format
Greer Springs and Trail 728Kb PDF format

Click on the book cover above to link to a copy of History of the Irish Wilderness Country,
written in the 70s by former Mark Twain Forest Historian, Ron Wehebrink (750Kb PDF format)

US Forest Service - Mark Twain National Forest
Last modified: Friday, 07 March 2008
http://www.fs.fed.us/r9/forests/marktwain