The Hercules Glades Wilderness is a 12,314-acre (50 km2) wilderness area in the U.S. state of Missouri. The United States Congress designated it a wilderness in 1976 making it the oldest wilderness area in Missouri. It is one of eight wilderness areas in the Mark Twain National Forest and is within the Ava-Cassville-Willow Springs ranger district, about 10 miles (16 km) northeast of Branson, Missouri. Often considered to hold some of the most scenic country in the midwest, Hercules Glades Wilderness derives its name from the open limestone glades (balds) that dot its landscape. The high points of Coy Bald and Pilot Knob stand 600 feet above Long Creek and offer splendid views of the drainage. Long creek also offers views at small waterfalls and cascades along its path.