Wilderness
Wilderness is a natural area affected primarily by the forces
of nature with little evidence of man's works -- where man himself is a visitor
who does not remain. Many individuals seek out its peace and solitude,
yet it has different meanings and values to different people depending on whether
they are backpackers, hunters, photographers, or hikers.
Increasing numbers of Wilderness users may seriously impact the
very values they seek. To insure that these values remain intact, please practice
good wilderness manners and comply with the regulations listed below.
The wilderness deserves your protection. When you visit, practice "leave no trace" techniques
of traveling and camping.
To learn more about the wilderness areas on Mark Twain National Forest, click
on the image below. Click here for a map
of Missouri wildernesses.
Mark Twain National Forest boasts 7 wilderness areas scattered
from east to west in southern Missouri. Although smaller than most Wildernesses
in the National Forest System, they are nonetheless wild areas of great natural
beauty.
Regulations
There are certain human impacts that could damage or destroy the wilderness
resource. These practices are not allowed within the Wilderness.
- 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 motorized equipment or mechanized transport;
- Landing of aircraft, or dropping or picking up any material, supplies
or persons by means of aircraft including helicopters;
- 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
- Today, backpackers should leave no sign of their presence so that the next
person can enjoy natural scenes and solitude. You must tread lightly so
nature can endure and replenish.
- There are self-registration stations at each wilderness trailhead entrance
shown on the map. Overnight and day use visitors are requested to register.
- Plan your party size, limit size of group to 10 persons or less. This reduces
impact on soil and ground cover. Campsites are available on a first-come,
first-served basis.
- Leave your camp cleaner than you found it. Pack out what you pack in. Animals
generally dig up what you bury, so don't. Dispose of human waste at least
100 feet from campsites, trails and waterways. Dig a shallow hole and cover,
nature
will biologically decompose.
- Keep the number of campfires low and small in size. Dead fallen trees add
to the natural environment and future shortages may cause complete restrictions.
Fire rings are unnatural signs of man and should be avoided. The use of
small gas or chemical cooking stoves is recommended. Use care with open campfires
- make sure they are dead out and their evidence is scattered before leaving.
- Protect the solitude; seek out campsites that are out of sight and sound
of trails and other camps. When sharing an area keep a low profile and maintain
the solitude.
- Avoid overuse of popular areas, and search out the lesser known attractions.
- Be prepared --- have the right equipment and clothing for primitive travel
and the season of the year. Carry a good map and compass; practice safety
and carry a first aid kit. The universal distress signal is three of anything:
shots, shouts, smokes, whistles.
- If you choose to carry a cell phone for safety or emergencies, be considerate of other visitors, many of whom go to the out-of-doors to get away from technology. Carry and use cell phones out-of-sight and sound of other people; keep them turned off until needed or on the “vibrate” or “silent” ringer setting.
- Be self reliant, whether carrying cell phones or not. Don’t be ill-prepared or engage in risky actions just because you have a cell phone to call for rescue. Remember that in many remote areas cell phone coverage is limited or non-existent.
- When traveling on a trail, stay on the trail. When traveling cross-country
use your map and compass. Use of blazes, ribbons or other trail markers
should be avoided; let the next fellow find his own way as you did.
- Pack your own shelter, including needed poles and stakes; they are more
comfortable than lean-tos.
- The Wilderness may be surrounded by private property. Please respect
the rights and property of private landowners.
"A wilderness... is hereby recognized as an area where the earth and its community of life are untrammeled by man, where man himself is a visitor who does not remain." The Wilderness Act of 1964
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