Leatherwood Wilderness
The Ozarks are known for their ridgetop country, and some of the loveliest specimens can be found in Leatherwood Wilderness. The Wilderness is named for the region's largest drainage, clear-flowing Leatherwood Creek, which runs across the northern portion and into the Buffalo River. Leatherwood Creek itself takes its name from a slow-growing shrub that produces pale yellow flowers in March and April; its extremely flexible wood has been dubbed "leatherwood." Steep V-shaped valleys separate the high ridges, valleys often sided with sheer rock walls or benches that drop in marvelous "stair-steps" to the drainages below. Glades of cedar hide among a forest of oak, gum, and hickory.
Description from Wilderness Connect (wilderness.net).
| Designation | Wilderness |
| Managed by | U.S. Forest Service |
| State | Arkansas |
| Size | 16,652 acres |
| Designated | 1984, by Congress |
| Center point | 36.09° N, 92.39° W |
| Night sky | About as dark as the ground gets (Black Marble reading 11) |
Boundary map
Boundary, simplified to about 0.005 degrees Federal campground
The outline is the agency boundary simplified for display, so small parcels and inholdings may not show. The agency page has the authoritative map.
Weather by month
Large units span more than one climate. The station stands in for the center point, and the outer parts of the boundary can be warmer or colder.
Where to camp
None of the 5 federal campgrounds within ten miles sit inside the boundary. Nearest first. Distances are from the campground point to the boundary edge, from the Campsite Atlas index.
Explore
Nearby on the other atlases
- 1.5 miCold Springs School ↗Big Flat, AR
- 1.7 miUncle Willie Huffines Park ↗Big Flat, AR
- 2.5 miDomino Shed ↗Big Flat, AR
- 2.6 miBig Flat School Gymnasium ↗Big Flat, AR
- 3.7 miCold Water School ↗Big Flat, AR
- 4.9 miWolf Cemetery ↗Norfork, AR
- 5.9 miHorace Mann School Historic District ↗Norfolk, AR
- 6 miHutcheson, Sid, Building ↗Norfork, AR
Landmarks are listed first, then by distance from the boundary.
Guidebooks for Arkansas
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Titles come from Open Library's catalog, matched by subject heading or by title.
Reference
Questions people ask
How big is Leatherwood Wilderness?
16,652 acres.
Source: Wilderness Connect
Who manages Leatherwood Wilderness?
The U.S. Forest Service.
Source: Wilderness Connect
What state is Leatherwood Wilderness in?
Arkansas.
Source: Wilderness Connect
When was Leatherwood Wilderness designated?
Congress designated it in 1984.
Source: Wilderness Connect
Can I camp at Leatherwood Wilderness?
Camping inside a wilderness is usually allowed away from roads, with no facilities, and the managing agency page has the permit rules. The federal campgrounds within ten miles are listed under Where to camp.
Source: Where to camp
How do I get to Leatherwood Wilderness?
A point inside the boundary is at 36.091° N, 92.387° W. Buffalo National River is 26 miles away. The official page carries directions and the office address.
Source: Wilderness Connect
Which national parks are near Leatherwood Wilderness?
Buffalo National River (26 mi). Park Atlas has fees, hours and alerts for each.
Source: Nearby on the other atlases
Are there historic places near Leatherwood Wilderness?
The National Register has 68 listings within 15 miles, including Cold Springs School and Uncle Willie Huffines Park.
Source: Register Atlas
Sources
- Boundary, name, acreage, designation year, states and description: Wilderness Connect.
- Campgrounds: the Campsite Atlas index of federal campgrounds, matched to this boundary at build time.
- Trailheads and sites: the Forest Service Recreation Opportunities layer, points inside the boundary.
- Night sky: NASA Black Marble (VIIRS, 2016 composite) sampled at zoom 6 around the center point.
- Weather, alerts, air quality, river flow and earthquakes load live in your browser from NWS, AirNow, USGS and iNaturalist when you open the page.