View source for Paddy Creek Wilderness

{{Short description|Wilderness area in Missouri, United States}}
{{Use mdy dates|date=January 2025}}
{{Infobox protected area 
| name = Paddy Creek Wilderness 
| iucn_category = Ib
| photo = 
| photo_caption = 
| map = USA
| relief = 1
| map_caption = 
| location = [[Texas County, Missouri]], [[United States|USA]]
| nearest_city = [[Licking, Missouri]]
| coordinates = {{coord|37|31|16|N|92|4|26|W|region:US|format=dms|display=inline,title}}
| coords_ref = 
| area = {{convert|7019|acre|km2|0}} 
| established = 1983
| visitation_num = 
| visitation_year = 
| governing_body = [[United States Forest Service|U.S. Forest Service]]
}}
The '''Paddy Creek Wilderness''' is a {{convert|7019|acre|km2|adj=on}} [[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]], {{convert|10|mi|km|0}} northwest of [[Licking, Missouri]]. It was named for Big and Little Paddy Creeks that run through the area. The Paddy Creek Wilderness is one of eight wilderness areas protected and preserved in Missouri. [http://www.fs.fed.us/r9/forests/marktwain/recreation/sites/big_piney_trail/ Big Piney Trail] is a {{convert|17|mi|km|0|adj=on}} long loop that traverses this wilderness area and is popular among avid backpackers. The {{convert|17|mi|km|0|adj=on}} loop trail can be hiked as a {{convert|10|mi|km|0|adj=on}} stretch (north section) or the {{convert|7.5|mi|km|1|adj=on}} south section. The trails are rugged and can be challenging for the inexperienced or unprepared hiker. Horseback riding is also common on the Piney Creek Trail. 
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The Paddy Creek Recreation Area is nearby, and offers many camping amenities. There are many single sites, and a few double sites available. There is also fishing access on the Big Piney River, via a trail access from the campground.

== See also ==

* [[Bell Mountain Wilderness]]
* [[Devils Backbone Wilderness]]
* [[Hercules-Glades Wilderness]]
* [[Irish Wilderness]]
* [[Piney Creek Wilderness]]
* [[Rockpile Mountain Wilderness]]

== External links ==
* [http://www.wilderness.net/index.cfm?fuse=NWPS&sec=stateView&state=mo&map=mo Missouri Wilderness Areas]
* [http://www.n2trailhiking.com/HikePages/HikePage.aspx?HikeID=68 Hike Report and Directions]
* [http://www.caninescottonwoodsandcornfields.com/bigpiney.htm Hike Report, Maps, and Photo Gallery]

{{Protected areas of Missouri}}

[[Category:IUCN Category Ib]]
[[Category:Protected areas of Texas County, Missouri]]
[[Category:Wilderness areas of Missouri]]
[[Category:Mark Twain National Forest]]
[[Category:Protected areas established in 1983]]
[[Category:1983 establishments in Missouri]]


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{{Missouri-protected-area-stub}}