The United States Congress designated the Irish Wilderness in 1984 and it now has a total of 16,227 acres. The Irish Wilderness is located within the Eleven Point Ranger District, of the Mark Twain National Forest, 10 miles northeast of Alton, Missouri. It was named after an Irish Catholic Priest, John Joseph Hogan, founded a settlement of about forty Irish families here starting in 1858; the settlement was wiped out during the American Civil War and has remained a wilderness ever since. The Irish Wilderness is one of eight wilderness areas protected and preserved in Missouri.

Hiking is popular on the White's Creek Trail, and 18.6 miles travelway throughout the wilderness. Attractions include Fiddler and Bliss Springs, along with overlooks of the Eleven Point River. The Karst topography of the area creates very scenic views along this trail.

Wilderness areas do not allow motorized or mechanical equipment including bicycles. Although camping and fishing are allowed with proper permit, no roads or buildings are constructed and there is also no logging or mining, in compliance with the 1964 Wilderness Act. Wilderness areas within National Forests and Bureau of Land Management areas also allow hunting in season.

See also

• Bell Mountain Wilderness
• Devils Backbone Wilderness
• Hercules-Glades Wilderness
• Paddy Creek Wilderness
• Piney Creek Wilderness
• Rockpile Mountain Wilderness

External links

• History of Irish Creek Wilderness PDF
• Wilderness.net
• Irish Wilderness on www.wilderness.gov
• Topozone map

Geography of Missouri | Wilderness Areas of Missouri