Nothing remains but the name and the rolling to steep topography of the Irish, Missouri's largest Wilderness. Here you'll find sinkholes, disappearing streams that reappear downstream and caves including Whites Creek Cave, a spacious walk-in with numerous crystalline formations. The western boundary of Irish is near Eleven Point National Scenic River and high places in the Wilderness overlook the river. About 18.6 miles of the Whites Creek Trail provides the main thoroughfare of Irish, a looping path through oak, hickory, shortleaf pine, dogwood, persimmon and sassafras . . . Central southern Missouri.
Most people come in spring and fall.
A forest map is available from the district ranger for three dollars. USGS topographic maps are Bardley, Handy, Riverton and Wilderness. Click here to find out how. Copyright Rodale, Inc. 2001.