Brawley Pond Trailhead
This is a small trailhead and a single panel kiosk. This trailhead is very lightly used.
Trails
The major way of travel within the Irish Wilderness is the 18.6 mile Whites Creek Trail.
Wilderness Environment
Visitors may see snakes, bear, deer and other typical Ozark wildlife. This area is known for having a high concentration of bear. Please ensure that when visiting you are being Bear Aware.
As you hike through these wilds, you may encounter typical Ozark wildlife: deer, squirrel, rabbit, raccoon, fox, bobcat, coyote, turkey, vulture, hawk, and owl. Watch your step lest you disturb a sleeping copperhead, rattlesnake, or eastern cottonmouth.
Within the wilderness you will see a variety of trees, including oak, hickory, shortleaf pine, dogwood, persimmon, and sassafras.
Maps and Brochures
- Trail System Map (printable)and Trail System Map available on the Avenza app.
- Quadrangle maps for this wilderness are: Wilderness, Riverton, and small sections in Handy and Bardley. The Whites Creek Trail is entirely in the Wilderness and Riverton maps. They are available for sale at Forest Service Offices or on the USGS Website.
General Information
Camping
Protect the solitude; seek out campsites in the Wilderness that are out of sight and sound of trails and other camps. When sharing an area keep a low profile and maintain the solitude.
Dispersed camping is the term used for free camping anywhere in the National Forest OUTSIDE of a designated campground.
Dispersed camping means there are no toilets, no structures, no trash cans, no treated water, and no fire grates.
There are extra responsibilities required for this type of camp. It's a must to educate yourself before you try it, but we hope the adventure of dispersed camping in the Mark Twain National Forest calls to you!
- Pick a Campsite and follow the Leave No Trace Principles
- Camp 100 feet away from trails and water sources.
- Treat any water found in the area before consuming it.
- Human waste (Feces) must be buried at least 6 inches deep and covered.
- Pack out all of your garbage.
January - December
Day Use, 6 am to 10pm; vehicles can be left overnight
Wilderness
- Limit your party size to 10 persons;
- no camping within 100 feet of trails, water sources and other camps.
- Terrain is sometimes steep.
- No motorized or mechanized equipment allowed.
- Practice Leave No Trace outdoor ethics;
- Never tie stock directly to trees.
- Commercial use will not be permitted.
- Special uses will not be permitted, except for access to surrounded private property.
- Pack out all of your trash
Trailheads
- No trash containers; please pack out all your trash.
- Dogs on leash
- No fireworks
There are no fees
Trail Use
Dogs are allowed on hiking trails, as long as they are kept on a leash. Unleashed dogs can pose a danger to your pet, the natural resources of the area, and other forest visitors.
- Leashes must be six feet, or shorter, when in developed recreation sites, including trails within the boundaries (36 CFR 261.16(j)) when they are not inside an enclosed vehicle or tent.
- Yield your leashed dog around other hikers and horses.
- Pack out your dogs waste or bury it 100 feet from water and trails.
Camping
- Keep dogs on a six-foot, or shorter, leash when they are not inside a tent.
- Store dog food in bear-resistant containers and feed your pet away from the campsite.
- Pick up and bag your dog’s waste. Place it in a provided trash receptacle or pack it out.
- Do not leave your dog unattended at any time.
- Do not leave your dog in the vehicle on a hot day.
- Keep your dog in your tent or vehicle at night.
- Ensure that there is ample water available for your pet.
Wildlife
- Do not allow them to interact with wildlife
Address: #66 Confederate Ridge Road Doniphan, MO 63935
Phone: 573-996-2153
Hours: 8:00 am - 4:30 pm, Monday to Friday; District Offices closed 1 - 1:30 for lunch (Closed on federal holidays)
Office Email: sm.fs.marktwainnf@usda.gov
Getting There
Latitude / Longitude
Latitude: 36.77928611
Longitude: -91.20142778
Directions
From Van Buren
- Take US 60 west for 10 miles
- Turn left to go south on Highway J and drive about 10 miles south and turn right on Highway K.
- Take Highway K for 2.8 miles
- Turn right onto County Road 158 for .3 miles
- Turn left onto County Road 160 for .2 miles.
- At the 90 degree turn right to stay on County Road 160 for 1/10 of a mile
- Turn left onto County Road 163 for .4 miles and the trailhead will be on the right
Parking
4 vehicles
Facility and Amenity Information
Accessibility
Restrooms
Restrooms are not available at this site.
Water
Potable water is not available at this site.
Recreation Opportunities
Day Hikes Info
Visiting the Wilderness is a primitive experience: trails are not well marked, and there are no bridges crossing streams.
Be aware of natural hazards that may occur within the Wilderness, and take precaution to maintain your safety.
We recommend you download a digital map or obtain a print map before heading into the wilderness.
Whites Creek Trail
The Whites Creek Trail is a 18.6 mile trail within the Irish Wilderness. Trails within the wilderness are not signed or marked, except at junctions.
The major trailhead into the Wilderness is Camp Five Pond located off Highway J.
There are three short spur trails from the main trail at Fiddler Spring, Whites Creek Float Camp, and Bliss Spring. There is also trail access at Brawley Pond Trailhead.
Backpacking Info
Visiting the Wilderness is a primitive experience: trails are not well marked, and there are no bridges crossing streams.
Be aware of natural hazards that may occur within the Wilderness, and take precaution to maintain your safety.
We recommend you download a digital map or obtain a print map before heading into the wilderness.
Whites Creek Trail
The Whites Creek Trail is a 18.6 mile trail within the Irish Wilderness. Trails within the wilderness are not signed or marked, except at junctions.
The major trailhead into the Wilderness is Camp Five Pond located off Highway J.
There are three short spur trails from the main trail at Fiddler Spring, Whites Creek Float Camp, and Bliss Spring. There is also trail access at Brawley Pond Trailhead.
Horseback Riding Info
Visiting the Wilderness is a primitive experience: trails are not well marked, and there are no bridges crossing streams.
Be aware of natural hazards that may occur within the Wilderness, and take precaution to maintain your safety.
We recommend you download a digital map or obtain a print map before heading into the wilderness.
Whites Creek Trail
The Whites Creek Trail is a 18.6 mile trail within the Irish Wilderness. Trails within the wilderness are not signed or marked, except at junctions.
The major trailhead into the Wilderness is Camp Five Pond located off Highway J.
There are three short spur trails from the main trail at Fiddler Spring, Whites Creek Float Camp, and Bliss Spring. There is also trail access at Brawley Pond Trailhead.
Viewing Scenery Info
Eleven Point Wild and Scenic River
The Eleven Point National Wild and Scenic River meanders through the picturesque Ozark hills of southern Missouri. Its course is cut in the shadows of steep bluffs, through sloping forested valleys, and low-lying riparian ecosystems. Barely more than a small stream at its upper reaches near Thomasville, it gains considerable width and depth as its proceeds south-eastward.
Access to the Irish Wilderness from the Eleven Point Wild and Scenic River is from Whites Creek Float Camp, a short spur trail will connect you to the Whites Creek Trail, located within the wilderness.
Recreation Groups
The 16,277-acre Irish Wilderness is a dense forest of oaks and hickory that was designated in 1984.