Mingo Wilderness
Encyclopedia
Mingo Wilderness is an 8,000 acre (32 km2) U.S. Wilderness Area located in southeastern Missouri
in the Mingo National Wildlife Refuge
. It was established and governed under the Wilderness Act
of 1964.
This tract of forest has been set aside for future generations to enjoy. No further uses such as timber harvesting, farming, or road building will be permitted. While the public is invited to engage in recreational opportunities such as fishing, hiking, canoeing, and wildlife observation, all uses are primitive and nondestructive and all access is by either foot traffic or nonmotorized boat.
A special auto tour is open on Saturdays and Sundays in April, October, and November that runs around the perimeter of the Wilderness Area.
The following specific activities are permitted in the Wilderness Area:
Missouri
Missouri is a US state located in the Midwestern United States, bordered by Iowa, Illinois, Kentucky, Tennessee, Arkansas, Oklahoma, Kansas and Nebraska. With a 2010 population of 5,988,927, Missouri is the 18th most populous state in the nation and the fifth most populous in the Midwest. It...
in the Mingo National Wildlife Refuge
Mingo National Wildlife Refuge
The Mingo National Wildlife Refuge is a 21,676 acre National Wildlife Refuge located in northwestern Stoddard and southeastern Wayne counties in Missouri. Its southwesternmost portion lies on the shores of Lake Wappapello...
. It was established and governed under the Wilderness Act
Wilderness Act
The Wilderness Act of 1964 was written by Howard Zahniser of The Wilderness Society. It created the legal definition of wilderness in the United States, and protected some 9 million acres of federal land. The result of a long effort to protect federal wilderness, the Wilderness Act was signed...
of 1964.
This tract of forest has been set aside for future generations to enjoy. No further uses such as timber harvesting, farming, or road building will be permitted. While the public is invited to engage in recreational opportunities such as fishing, hiking, canoeing, and wildlife observation, all uses are primitive and nondestructive and all access is by either foot traffic or nonmotorized boat.
A special auto tour is open on Saturdays and Sundays in April, October, and November that runs around the perimeter of the Wilderness Area.
The following specific activities are permitted in the Wilderness Area:
- Hiking and backpacking: Most hiking is associated with and used as the means to accomplish other activities such as wildlife observation, berry picking, or fishing. There are no established hiking trails in the Wilderness Area.
- Fishing: Most fishing is done from small boats and canoes or from the bank. Fishing pressure is usually heaviest during the spring and summer months, especially on week-ends. Boat motors are prohibited in the Wilderness Area.
- Wildlife Observation: Wildlife and wild lands observation is a popular activity in the Wilderness Area. Deer, wild turkey, raccoon, migratory birds and other wildlife are readily seen in this area.
- Environmental Education and Interpretation: School groups and college classes are able to utilize the Wilderness area as well as other groups wishing to use the area for educational purposes.
See also
- Bell Mountain WildernessBell Mountain WildernessThe United States Congress designated the Bell Mountain Wilderness in 1980. The wilderness area now has a total of . Bell Mountain is located within the Potosi-Fredericktown Ranger District of the Mark Twain National Forest, south of Potosi, Missouri in the United States...
- Devils Backbone WildernessDevils Backbone WildernessThe Devils Backbone Wilderness is one of eight wilderness areas protected and preserved in the U.S. State of Missouri. The United States Congress designated the wilderness area in 1980, and it now has a total of 6,595 acres...
- Hercules-Glades Wilderness
- Irish WildernessIrish WildernessThe Irish Wilderness is a wilderness area in the U.S. state of Missouri. The United States Congress designated it a wilderness in 1984. The Irish Wilderness is located within the Eleven Point Ranger District, of the Mark Twain National Forest, northeast of Alton, Missouri...
- Paddy Creek WildernessPaddy Creek WildernessThe Paddy Creek Wilderness is a wilderness area in the U.S. state of Missouri, United States. The United States Congress designated it wilderness in 1983. Paddy Creek Wilderness is located within the Houston-Rolla Ranger District, of the Mark Twain National Forest, northwest of Licking, Missouri....
- Piney Creek WildernessPiney Creek WildernessThe Piney Creek Wilderness is an wilderness area in the U.S. state of Missouri. The United States Congress designated it wilderness in 1980. The Piney Creek Wilderness is located within the Ava-Cassville-Willow Springs Ranger District, of the Mark Twain National Forest, east of Cassville, Missouri...
- Rockpile Mountain WildernessRockpile Mountain WildernessThe Rockpile Mountain Wilderness is a wilderness area in the U.S. state of Missouri. It takes its name from an ancient circle of granite rock, piled by some earlier man on top of the mountain. It is located in Madison County, Missouri southeast of Bell Mountain and southwest of Fredericktown,...
- Mingo National Wildlife RefugeMingo National Wildlife RefugeThe Mingo National Wildlife Refuge is a 21,676 acre National Wildlife Refuge located in northwestern Stoddard and southeastern Wayne counties in Missouri. Its southwesternmost portion lies on the shores of Lake Wappapello...