In the early 1950s the last permanent residence was abandoned in the region of Piney Creek. The ridgetops rise 400 or more feet above hollows and drainages that dissect the area. Numerous small springs feed several waterways, but the main stream is Piney Creek itself. All five miles of the Piney Creek watershed lie within the Wilderness. Oak and hickory dominate the ridges today, and along the drainages you'll find hardwoods such as sycamore, ash, elm, buckeye and walnut.
Wildlife species are typical of the Ozarks, and armadillos also live here.
Copperheads, eastern timber rattlers and western pygmy rattlers are common. Great blue herons and pileated woodpeckers add to local color. The major east-west trail follows Piney Creek for approximately four miles. From Pineview Tower Trailhead on the north, two paths of approximately 1.5 miles each head south to Piney Creek. Two other maintained foot and horse trails leave the main trail to head south for a grand total of 13.1 Wilderness miles.