Leatherwood Wilderness

The Leatherwood Wilderness Area contains some of the most broken and rugged terrain within the Ozarks. In several locations, sheer cliffs over rise about creek drainage areas. Backpacking and camping are allowed in the entire wilderness area, but no pre-made trails exist and, because of the secluded nature of the terrain, caution is advised. Hikers will occasionally run onto old roads, farms, and cabins from before the area was designated as a wilderness area that are returning to nature. Many caves exist within the wilderness area, but all of them are closed to human entrance to prevent the spread of white nose syndrome among bat populations. ==Wildlife==

The Leatherwood Wilderness is home to white-tailed deer, wild turkeys, black bears, as well as various bat species. Besides Dirca palustris, the Leatherwood Wilderness is home to a wide variety of trees, including oak, hickory, and gum trees. The wilderness also has several cedar glades and pine stands, some of them old-growth. Other common plants include spicebush. ==See also==