Devils Backbone Wilderness
Devils Backbone Wilderness is a 6,691-acre wilderness area in Ozark County, Missouri. It rises from about 666 to 1,083 ft. The nearest town is South Fork, 10.8 miles away in a straight line.
Devils Backbone Wilderness map
Devils Backbone Wilderness boundary from USGS PAD-US or the managing agency, simplified for display. Not for navigation or legal boundaries.
Fire restrictions
Fire restriction orders for this unit are not tracked here yet. Restrictions change with the season, so check the current orders before any campfire, stove or target shooting.
Common questions
- The maximum group size at Devils Backbone Wilderness is 10.
- Campfires are prohibited in some areas: Prohibited within 100 feet of listed features.
- South Fork, MO is the nearest town, 10.8 miles in a straight line from the boundary (not a driving distance).
- The highest ground in Devils Backbone Wilderness is about 1,083 ft, and its lowest about 666 ft (USGS 3DEP elevation model).
Who manages Devils Backbone Wilderness
| Agency | Acres | Permit | Group size | Stay limit | Office |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Forest Service | 6,691 | Not on record | 10 | Not on record | Ava Ranger District, 417-683-4428 |
Getting to Devils Backbone Wilderness
- South Fork, MO is the nearest town, 10.8 miles in a straight line from the boundary (not a driving distance). (US Census places, accessed 2026-09-30)
Trailheads at Devils Backbone Wilderness
- Mcgarr Ridge Trailhead (0.01 mi outside the boundary, 1,008 ft), at 36.7613, -92.1314
- Raccoon Hollow Trailhead (0.02 mi outside the boundary, 983 ft), at 36.7677, -92.1774
- Collins Ridge Trailhead (0.05 mi outside the boundary, 1,028 ft), at 36.7190, -92.1448
- Cc Trailhead (0.09 mi outside the boundary, 1,016 ft), at 36.7621, -92.1286
Trailhead locations: Forest Service recreation sites layer , accessed 2026-09-30. Elevations from USGS 3DEP.
Named summits, canyons, and springs in Devils Backbone Wilderness
- Amber Spring spring
- McGarr Spring spring
Features whose official location is inside the boundary, from the USGS Geographic Names Information System, accessed 2026-09-30.
Public lands next to Devils Backbone Wilderness
- National forestDevils Backbone Wilderness lies inside Mark Twain National Forest.
Measured between the units' boundaries as mapped in USGS PAD-US. Distances are straight line, not driving.
Other wilderness areas in Missouri
- wilderness.net (accessed 2026-09-30)
- prd-tnm.s3.amazonaws.com (accessed 2026-09-30)
- prd-tnm.s3.amazonaws.com (accessed 2026-09-30)
- www2.census.gov (accessed 2026-09-30)
- apps.fs.usda.gov (accessed 2026-09-30)