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Ozark Region - Conservation/Nature/Wildlife Areas - click on bars to view
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Blue Slip Towersite - Wright County
On Old Highway 60 and 2 miles west of Norwood.
Cabool Towersite - Texas County
2 miles north of Cabool on Route M.
Houston Towersite - Texas County
6 miles west of Houston on Highway 17, go 1 mile south on Highway 38.
Summersville Towersite - TexasCounty
(From Highway 17) Go 1 mile south on Route W, 1.5 miles west on County Road 4430, and 1.75 miles west on County Road 4334.
Squires Towersite - Douglas County
Squires Towersite is 1/4-mile west of Squires on Route JJ.
Tecumseh Towersite - Ozark County
Tecumseh Towersite is 10 miles east of Gainesville on Highway 160.
Timber Knob Towersite - Ozark County
Timber Knob Towersite is 2.25 miles south of Gainesville on Highway 5.
Barn Hollow Natural Area - map
Driving Directions
1 mile north of Moutain View on Route Y, right on County Road 353 for 1.25 miles, then right again on County Road 394 for 1 mile.
Highlights
This is a mostly forest area.
About This Area
Barn Hollow Conservation Area is located in Texas County, approximately 3 miles north of Mountain View.
Barn Hollow is the local name for a clear Ozark stream that drains directly into the Jacks Fork River. The 252-acre area is deeply dissected by the 1.2-mile canyon-like Barn Hollow.
The Conservation Department purchased the area in 1979. To protect their unique rugged topography and native flora, 115 acres of the tract were designated as a natural area.
Visitors may view the narrow, steep-walled hollow from a viewing platform located at the end of a 1/2-mile foot trail. The trail originates at the area parking lot, near the south boundary.
During your visit to the area, you may notice various wildlife habitat improvement projects in the old fields and young pine plantings.
General Information
Ozark
Texas,Howell
417-256-7161
Owned by MDC
Barn Hollow Natural Area.
Activities
Activity
(Activity Explanations) |
Comments
(Population Definition) |
| Bird Watching |
Excellent opportunities to view spring migrants and summer breeders, especially around Barn Hollow Creek. |
| Hiking |
Unimproved trail leading from the parking lot to the overlook. |
| Hunting-Deer |
Good population. |
| Hunting-Quail |
Fair population. Old fields are managed for upland game. Annual foodplots are installed annually. |
| Hunting-Rabbit |
Good population. |
| Hunting-Squirrel |
Good population. |
| Hunting-Turkey |
Good population. |
| Nature Viewing |
Wooden overlook. |
Conservation Department Facilities
| Facility Item |
Name |
Count |
Comments |
| Parking Lot |
|
1 |
|
| Viewing Deck/Tower |
|
1 |
At the end of hiking trail overlooking Barn Hollow. |
Features
| Feature Item |
Name |
Count |
Size |
Comments |
| Designated Natural Area |
Barn Hollow Natural Area |
1 |
135.00 acres |
180 acres total; 135 acres owned by MDC, 45 acres owned by National Park Service. For more information, visit http://www.mdc.mo.gov/areas/natareas/p141-1.htm. |
| Fishless Pond |
|
2 |
1.00 acres |
|
Land Cover Types
| Land Type |
Acres |
Comments |
| Forest and Woodland |
202.00 |
|
| Old Field |
50.00 |
|
| Total Area Acres: |
250.84 |
|
Designated Trails
| Trail Name |
Trail Type |
Length |
| hiking trail |
Hiking (Interpretive) |
0.50 |
P. F. Barnes Conservation Area - map
Driving Directions
P.F. Barnes Conservation Area is west of Houston on Highway 17, then 3.25 miles south on Highway 38 and 2 miles south on Barnes Road.
Highlights
This is a predominantly forest area.
General Information
Ozark
Texas
417-256-7161
Owned by MDC
Activities
Activity
(Activity Explanations) |
Comments
(Population Definition) |
| Hunting-Deer |
Good population. |
| Hunting-Quail |
Fair population. |
| Hunting-Rabbit |
Fair population. |
| Hunting-Squirrel |
Good population. |
| Hunting-Turkey |
Good population. |
Conservation Department Facilities
| Facility Item |
Name |
Count |
Comments |
| Parking Lot |
|
1 |
|
Features
| Feature Item |
Name |
Count |
Size |
Comments |
| Fishless Pond |
|
1 |
0.00 acres |
|
Land Cover Types
| Land Type |
Acres |
Comments |
| Crop Land |
5.00 |
|
| Old Field |
5.00 |
|
| Forest and Woodland |
110.00 |
|
| Total Area Acres: |
120.00 |
|
Cedar Gap Conservation Area - map
Driving Directions
Go west from Mansfield on Hwy 60 to Rte O, then south to the end of the blacktop, and continue on foot to rail crossing.
Highlights
This is a forest area at the headwaters of Bryant Creek.
General Information
Ozark
Wright
417-255-9561
Owned by MDC
Activities
Activity
(Activity Explanations) |
Comments
(Population Definition) |
| Hiking |
1.6 mile loop. |
| Hunting-Deer |
Fair population. |
| Hunting-Squirrel |
Good population. |
| Hunting-Turkey |
Good population. |
Conservation Department Facilities
| Facility Item |
Name |
Count |
Comments |
| Parking Lotaccessible |
|
1 |
Gravel parking lot that has a concrete pad poured around the privy. |
| Privy/Restroomaccessible |
|
1 |
|
Features
| Feature Item |
Name |
Count |
Size |
Comments |
| Stream - Permanent |
Headwaters of Bryant Creek |
1 |
1.00 miles |
|
Land Cover Types
| Land Type |
Acres |
Comments |
| Forest and Woodland |
351.00 |
|
| Glade |
70.00 |
|
| Other |
10.00 |
Abandoned rock quarry |
| Total Area Acres: |
431.00 |
|
Designated Trails
| Trail Name |
Trail Type |
Length |
| Cedar Gap Trail |
Hiking (Non-Interpretive) |
1.60 |
Peter A. Eck Conservation Area - map
Driving Directions
Peter A. Eck Conservation Area is 12 miles northwest of Licking in Texas County. To reach it by boat or canoe on the Big Piney River, watch for yellow MDC signs posted there. To reach it by road (a high clearance vehicle is recommended), from Highway 32 take Highway N northwest to Mooney Hollow Road (gravel), turn north and then northwest onto Eck Road which changes from a maintained gravel road to a dirt road.
Highlights
It contains an old growth, pine-oak forest and Eck Natural Area.
General Information
Ozark
Texas
417-256-7161
Owned by MDC
Activities
Activity
(Activity Explanations) |
Comments
(Population Definition) |
| Bird Watching |
|
| Canoeing |
No access from this area. |
| Fishing - Bass |
Good population. |
| Fishing - Catfish |
Good population. |
| Fishing - Other |
Good population. Suckers |
| Fishing - Sunfish |
Good population. |
| Hiking |
A short designated trail. Hiking is also permissible on old logging roads. |
| Hunting-Deer |
Fair population. firearms firing single projectile are prohibited |
| Hunting-Turkey |
Good population. |
Conservation Department Facilities
| Facility Item |
Name |
Count |
Comments |
| Parking Lot |
|
1 |
|
Features
| Feature Item |
Name |
Count |
Size |
Comments |
| Designated Natural Area |
Eck Memorial Natural Area |
1 |
265.00 acres |
this old-growth chert forest is the best example of an old-growth pine stand known on MDC land. For more information, visit http://www.mdc.mo.gov/areas/natareas/p136-1.htm. |
| Stream - Permanent |
Big Piney River |
1 |
0.75 miles |
|
Land Cover Types
| Land Type |
Acres |
Comments |
| Forest and Woodland |
370.00 |
part of this forest contains an old growth pine/oak ecosystem |
| Total Area Acres: |
370.88 |
|
Designated Trails
| Trail Name |
Trail Type |
Length |
| Eck trail |
Hiking (Non-Interpretive) |
1.00 |
John Alva Fuson, MD Conservation Area - map
Driving Directions
3.75 miles north of Grovespring on Highway 5, go 1.75 miles west on Smittle Cave Road. This road leads to Parks Creek Road, which runs through the mostly forest area.
Highlights
Facilities/features: picnic area and intermittent stream (Parks Creek).
About This Area
John Alva Fuson, MD Conservation Area is in Wright County, 16 miles northwest of Hartville. The late Dr. Fuson practiced medicine throughout Wright County. To commemorate his years of service, his daughter, Maurine Fuson Raidler, left funds in her estate to purchase this area.
This 1,280-acre area is approximately 85% forested. The remainder of the tract is open land divided by several small pastures and creek bottom fields. A great diversity of wildlife is found here.
The east side of the area features three caves: Smittle, Little Smittle and Lowell caves.
Smittle Cave is one of the largest caves in the state, with over 2 miles of mapped passages. The cave harbors large populations of Indiana and gray bats, both of which are on the Federal Endangered Species List. To protect these animals, public access to this cave is limited. (See "Rules and Regulations" section.)
Little Smittle Cave and Lowell Cave are open to the public year-round. Both of these caves offer attractive sights and challenging passageways.
Other natural communities on the area include 2 chert savannas, flatwoods, and a dolomite glade. The savannas, located on the west- and south-facing slopes of the area, are home to the reed bent grass and open-grown post and black oak and other canopy trees from 80 to over 200 years old. The dolomite glade has big and little bluestem grasses, flowering spurge, calamint, and white and purple prairie clover growing among dolomite outcrops.
During your visit to the area, you may view various forest management practices designed to improve tree growth, quality, and species composition. The practices also help improve wildlife habitat and maintain watershed quality. Any disturbance is only temporary.
Wildlife habitat management includes the creation of watering ponds and the manipulation of fields within the forest to provide added food sources. Timber harvests also produce forage and cover wildlife.
General Information
Ozark
Wright
417-256-7161
Owned by MDC
Activities
Activity
(Activity Explanations) |
Comments
(Population Definition) |
| Camping in Designated Areas |
3 camping areas. No amenities provided. |
| Hiking |
No designated trails but hikers can use area access trails. |
| Hunting-Deer |
Good population. |
| Hunting-Dove |
Fair population. |
| Hunting-Quail |
Good population. |
| Hunting-Rabbit |
Good population. |
| Hunting-Squirrel |
Good population. |
| Hunting-Turkey |
Good population. |
Conservation Department Facilities
| Facility Item |
Name |
Count |
Comments |
| Camping Area - Primitive |
|
2 |
No amenities provided. |
| Parking Lot |
|
4 |
|
| Picnic Table |
|
2 |
|
Features
| Feature Item |
Name |
Count |
Size |
Comments |
| Fishless Pond |
|
3 |
1.00 acres |
|
| Stream - Intermittent |
Parks Creek |
1 |
1.50 miles |
|
Land Cover Types
| Land Type |
Acres |
Comments |
| Forest and Woodland |
1123.00 |
|
| Wetland |
10.00 |
|
| Old Field |
171.00 |
|
| Crop Land |
80.00 |
|
| Glade |
20.00 |
|
| Grassland (non-prairie) |
40.00 |
|
| Savanna |
90.00 |
|
| Total Area Acres: |
1534.00 |
|
Gist Ranch Conservation Area - map
Driving Directions
4 miles west of Summersville on Highway 17, turn south on Route W and go 3 miles, then turn west on Ranch Road, and go 1.75 miles. An entrance road to the area is 5 miles west of Summersville on Highway 17.
Highlights
This area is predominantly forest with glades, savanna, and old fields. Facilities/features: primitive camping and 2 intermittent streams (Peters Creek, Sanders Branch).
About This Area
Gist Ranch Conservation Area is in Texas County, approximately 5 miles west of Summersville and 14 miles east of Houston.
Gist Ranch is a local name for this tract of land. The Conservation Department purchased this property in 1997 from Smith Flooring Company of Mountain View.
The 11,204-acre area is contained in one contiguous tract and is heavily forested. Visitors to the area will find abundant populations of deer, turkey, and other forest wildlife species.
A number of natural communities can be found on Gist Ranch CA. These include small springs and wetlands (also called "fens"). The spring and fen areas host wildflowers like orange coneflower and cowbane and provide valuable habitat for salamanders, frogs, and other wildlife. Small dolomite glades, surrounded by savanna, also occur on the ridges, and on south- and west-facing slopes on Gist Ranch CA. These areas support a diverse flora, including little bluestem, leadplant, wild quinine, blazing star, and rattlesnake master. They also serve as important foraging spots for deer, turkey, and quail.
The Conservation Department is working to improve the area for visitors by constructing ponds and lakes, grading or paving roads and building camping and picnic facilities. Watershed stabilization, upland wildlife habitat practices, and forest management are being implemented.
General Information
Ozark
Texas
417-256-7161
Owned by MDC
Activities
Activity
(Activity Explanations) |
Comments
(Population Definition) |
| Camping - Walk-in and Backpack |
Seasonal closures may apply. |
| Camping along Roads and Parking Lots |
No amenities provided. |
| Camping in Designated Areas |
3 designated camping areas with fire grates at each area. No other amenities. |
| Fishing - Bass |
Good population. 2 fishing lakes on area |
| Fishing - Catfish |
Good population. 2 fishing lakes on area |
| Fishing - Sunfish |
Good population. 2 fishing lakes on area |
| Hiking |
No designated trails, but numerous old logging roads offer hiking opportunities. |
| Hunting-Deer |
Good population. |
| Hunting-Dove |
Fair population. |
| Hunting-Quail |
Good population. |
| Hunting-Rabbit |
Good population. |
| Hunting-Squirrel |
Good population. |
| Hunting-Turkey |
Good population. |
| Other |
Rifle and shotgun ranges. |
Conservation Department Facilities
| Facility Item |
Name |
Count |
Comments |
| Camping Area - Primitive |
|
3 |
Fire rings at each area. No other amenities. |
| Fire Tower |
Summersville Tower Site |
1 |
|
| Otheraccessible |
Gist Ranch Shooting Range |
1 |
Unmanned firing range containing 25 yard, 50 yard, 100 yard, 300 yard and shotgun range. Associated facilities include disabled user privy and parking lot. |
| Parking Lotaccessible |
|
5 |
|
| Privy/Restroomaccessible |
|
1 |
Disabled accessible privy in firing range parking lot. |
Features
| Feature Item |
Name |
Count |
Size |
Comments |
| Fishing Lake or Pond |
|
2 |
8.00 acres |
Two fishing ponds have been constructed that average 4 acres apiece. A picnic table is available at each pond. No camping allowed. |
| Fishless Pond |
|
25 |
6.00 acres |
20 new fishless wildlife ponds have been constucted, average size about 1/4 acre. |
| Stream - Intermittent |
Peters Creek |
1 |
3.00 miles |
|
| Stream - Permanent |
Sanders Branch |
1 |
2.00 miles |
|
Land Cover Types
| Land Type |
Acres |
Comments |
| Glade |
310.00 |
|
| Savanna |
200.00 |
|
| Forest and Woodland |
10525.00 |
|
| Old Field |
109.00 |
|
| Other |
20.00 |
Shooting range |
| Total Area Acres: |
11164.00 |
|
Grundy Memorial Wildlife Area - map
Driving Directions
(Northwest of Goodhope) From NN, turn 1.5 miles south on County Road 537.
Highlights
This is a forest area with a 3,370-foot-loop field archery range trail.
General Information
Ozark
Douglas
417-256-7161
Owned by MDC
This 40-acre tract is managed as an archery range. No hunting is allowed.
Activities
Activity
(Activity Explanations) |
Comments
(Population Definition) |
| Demonstrations |
Forest Mgt. of Old Growth Oak-Hickory Forest. |
| Hiking |
On Archery Trail loop. |
| Other |
Archery Shooting Range; (30) stations; (1)Shooting Tower; (1) target is disabled accessible. |
Conservation Department Facilities
| Facility Item |
Name |
Count |
Comments |
| Otheraccessible |
Grundy Archery Range |
1 |
This trail contains a 3,370 foot loop field archery range with 33 seperate targets and one shooting tower. The parking lot directly serves a disabled user target via a concrete shooting area and runway. |
| Parking Lotaccessible |
|
1 |
1-Gravel Parking Lot with a concrete pad. |
| Picnic Table |
|
2 |
Picnic tables with grills. |
Features
| Feature Item |
Name |
Count |
Size |
Comments |
| Fishless Pond |
|
1 |
0.00 acres |
Wildlife water facility. |
Land Cover Types
| Land Type |
Acres |
Comments |
| Forest and Woodland |
40.00 |
|
Richard Massengill Conservation Area - map
Driving Directions
Richard Massengill Conservation Area. From Highway 95 go east on Route W to Route AH. Turn east on AH for 1.5 miles to County Road 272. Travel 1 mile to access road and turn south.
Highlights
This area contains forest and old fields.
General Information
Ozark
Douglas
417-256-7161
Owned by MDC
Activities
Activity
(Activity Explanations) |
Comments
(Population Definition) |
| Hunting-Deer |
Fair population. |
| Hunting-Squirrel |
Good population. |
| Hunting-Turkey |
Fair population. |
Conservation Department Facilities
| Facility Item |
Name |
Count |
Comments |
| Parking Lot |
|
1 |
Gravel parking not disabled accessible. |
Features
| Feature Item |
Name |
Count |
Size |
Comments |
| Spring |
|
1 |
0.00 # gallons per day |
|
| Stream - Intermittent |
|
1 |
0.00 miles |
|
Land Cover Types
| Land Type |
Acres |
Comments |
| Forest and Woodland |
188.00 |
|
| Old Field |
19.00 |
|
| Total Area Acres: |
207.00 |
|
Norfork Lake Management Lands - map
Driving Directions
Norfork Lake is about 20 miles southwest of West Plains, and can be reached from routes O, T, or Highway 160.
Highlights
This area contains almost forest along with cropland, wetlands and glades. Facilities,/features: boat ramp, boat rental, boat dock, improved camping, picnic area, and Norfork Lake (1,000 acres).
General Information
Ozark
Ozark
417-256-7161
Leased
Facilities are owned and maintained by the Corps of Engineers.
Activities
Activity
(Activity Explanations) |
Comments
(Population Definition) |
| Bird Watching |
|
| Canoeing |
|
| Fishing - Bass |
Good population. |
| Fishing - Catfish |
Good population. |
| Fishing - Crappie |
Good population. |
| Fishing - Other |
Good population. walleye |
| Fishing - Sunfish |
Good population. |
| Hunting-Deer |
Good population. |
| Hunting-Dove |
Fair population. |
| Hunting-Quail |
Fair population. |
| Hunting-Rabbit |
Fair population. |
| Hunting-Squirrel |
Good population. |
| Hunting-Turkey |
Good population. |
| Hunting-Waterfowl |
Fair population. |
Conservation Department Facilities
| Facility Item |
Name |
Count |
Comments |
| Boat Ramp - Lake - Concrete |
|
4 |
|
| Dock - Boat/Courtesy |
|
1 |
|
| Parking Lot |
|
6 |
Gravel lots |
Features
| Feature Item |
Name |
Count |
Size |
Comments |
| Fishless Pond |
|
12 |
3.00 acres |
|
| Spring |
|
6 |
6.00 # gallons per day |
|
| Stream - Permanent |
|
5 |
3.00 miles |
Liner Creek, Lick Creek, Bryant Creek, Bridges Creek, North Fork River |
Land Cover Types
| Land Type |
Acres |
Comments |
| Wetland |
630.00 |
|
| Forest and Woodland |
1852.00 |
|
| Glade |
508.00 |
|
| Lakes/Ponds |
901.00 |
|
| Crop Land |
970.00 |
|
| Total Area Acres: |
4861.00 |
|
Rippee Conservation Area - map
Driving Directions
Rippee Conservation Area is 11 miles east of Ava on Highway 14 and 1.5 miles south on County Road 328.
Highlights
This area is predominantly forest. Facilities/features: primitive camping, picnic areas, 2 permanent streams (Rippee Creek, Bryant Creek), Bryant Creek Natural Area (riparian corridor).
About This Area
Rippee Conservation Area is at the junction of Rippee and Bryant Creeks in central Douglas County. This 408-acre tract is about 15 miles east of Ava off Highway 14.
The site has a lively history, which includes Indian Camps, Civil War skirmishes and a large pioneer settlement supported by a major wagon road.
The forest is a mixture of oak-hickory, short leaf pine, and bottomland hardwood trees. There is a dolomite glade on a steep, south-facing slope above a 50-foot bluff to the north of Bryant Creek. Glades are rocky openings in forests or woodlands mainly on south or west slopes. Bedrock is at or near the land surface in glades, and the shallow soil layer supports dwarfed trees and nonwoody plants. Little bluestem grass and Missouri coneflower are 2 types of plants that grow here. There is also a seep on the glade. Plants growing here include Venus' hair fern and grass of Parnassus. The upper part of the glade is dolomite and sandstone and grades into a sandstone forest/savanna.
About 18 acres (1.5 miles of creek and buffer zone) of the Rippee Conservation Area is designated as Bryant Creek Natural Area. Bryant Creek is a high quality, small river with 15 species of fish and crayfish that occur in the Ozarks and nowhere else in the world. Those species include the Ozark shiner, Ozark madtom, bluestripe darter, golden crayfish, and Ozark crayfish. Bryant Creek also offers excellent fishing, and 43 kinds of fish have been found in its water. Some of the popular sport fish include: largemouth and smallmouth bass, sunfish, bluegill, goggle eye, and channel catfish.
During your visit to Rippee Conservation Area you may notice forest improvement practices designed to improve tree growth, quality and variety. The practices improve wildlife habitat and help maintain watershed quality. Any physical disturbance is temporary.
Wildlife habitat management includes converting fescue fields into wildlife-friendly grasses, constructing brush piles and the planting of food plots. Turkey, deer, quail, rabbits, river otters, squirrels, and bald eagles live within or visit the area.
General Information
Ozark
Douglas
417-256-7161
Owned by MDC
Activities
Activity
(Activity Explanations) |
Comments
(Population Definition) |
| Bird Watching |
|
| Camping in Designated Areas |
Privies, campfire rings, and picnic tables are provided. |
| Canoeing |
access to Bryant Creek during early spring months |
| Fishing - Bass |
Fair population. |
| Fishing - Sunfish |
Fair population. |
| Hunting-Deer |
Good population. |
| Hunting-Rabbit |
Fair population. |
| Hunting-Squirrel |
Fair population. |
| Hunting-Turkey |
Fair population. |
Conservation Department Facilities
| Facility Item |
Name |
Count |
Comments |
| Camping Area - Primitive |
|
1 |
Adjoins Bryant Creek Natural Area. 15 individual camping sites. |
| Parking Lot |
|
3 |
|
| Picnic Table |
|
17 |
15 are located at camp sites, two are in a picnic area. |
| Privy/Restroom |
|
3 |
One is located in the picnic area, two are in the campground. |
Features
| Feature Item |
Name |
Count |
Size |
Comments |
| Designated Natural Area |
Bryant Creek Natural Area |
1 |
30.00 acres |
For more information, visit http://www.mdc.mo.gov/areas/natareas/p55-1.htm. |
| Spring |
|
2 |
0.00 # gallons per day |
|
| Stream - Permanent |
Rippee Creek |
1 |
0.75 miles |
|
| Stream - Permanent |
Bryant Creek |
1 |
1.50 miles |
|
Land Cover Types
| Land Type |
Acres |
Comments |
| Forest and Woodland |
328.00 |
|
| Old Field |
26.00 |
|
| Lakes/Ponds |
1.00 |
|
| Other |
9.00 |
Campground & parking lots. |
| Grassland (non-prairie) |
46.00 |
|
| Other |
9.00 |
Campground & parking lots. |
| Crop Land |
5.00 |
Wildlife food plots |
| Glade |
3.00 |
|
| Total Area Acres: |
418.70 |
|
Shannon Ranch Conservation Area - map
Driving Directions
Shannon Ranch Conservation Area is 1.25 miles south of Vanzant on Highway 95.
Highlights
This area contains forest, grassland, savanna and glades. Facilities/features: primitive camping and several intermittent streams.
About This Area
This 1,565-acre area is named for the family which farmed it for several years. It is located on Highway 95 about 13 miles south of Mountain Grove in Douglas County.
Tree species native to the area, such as oaks, hickories, shortleaf pine and cedar, grow abundantly here.
One method used to manage forests is the harvesting of trees. Foresters survey the size, age, and condition of the trees and assess the wildlife habitat needs.
Trees are harvested to create different kinds of wildlife habitat. When a tree is removed, more sunlight reaches the young growth on the forest floor. Wildlife depends on this new growth for food and cover, and a well-managed forest keeps a balance of mature trees and new growth.
Ozark glades are found throughout the area. Glades are openings in the woods with rock at or near the surface and a thin soil covering. Unique plants and animals are found on glades.
During your visit to the area, you may notice forest management practices designed to improve tree growth, quality, and variety. These practices will improve wildlife habitat and help maintain watershed quality. Any physical disturbance is temporary.
Wildlife habitat management includes the creation of watering ponds and the conversion of old fields from fescue to native grasses. Shannon Ranch offers good hunting or nature photograpy.
Visitors interested in uncommon plants or striking geological features may want to explore one of the glade communities.
General Information
Ozark
Douglas
417-256-7161
Owned by MDC
Activities
Activity
(Activity Explanations) |
Comments
(Population Definition) |
| Camping in Designated Areas |
Picnic tables and grills provided. |
| Hiking |
No designated trails, but opportunity to hike on interior access trails. |
| Hunting-Deer |
Good population. |
| Hunting-Rabbit |
Fair population. |
| Hunting-Squirrel |
Fair population. |
| Hunting-Turkey |
Good population. |
Conservation Department Facilities
| Facility Item |
Name |
Count |
Comments |
| Camping Area - Primitive |
|
1 |
Two separate camp sites. |
| Other |
|
1 |
Scenic overlook. |
| Parking Lot |
|
8 |
|
| Picnic Table |
|
3 |
|
Features
| Feature Item |
Name |
Count |
Size |
Comments |
| Fishless Pond |
|
11 |
3.00 acres |
|
| Spring |
|
0 |
5.00 # gallons per day |
|
| Stream - Intermittent |
|
7 |
0.00 miles |
|
Land Cover Types
| Land Type |
Acres |
Comments |
| Forest and Woodland |
945.00 |
|
| Crop Land |
8.00 |
|
| Glade |
135.00 |
|
| Grassland (non-prairie) |
265.00 |
|
| Savanna |
212.00 |
|
| Total Area Acres: |
1565.00 |
|
Wilbur Allen Memorial Conservation Area - map
Driving Directions
Wilbur Allen Memorial Conservation Area is a mile north of Manes on Highway 95 and 1.5 miles west on Radford Drive.
Highlights
This area contains forest, old fields, cropland, and grassland. Facilities/features: primitive camping, picnic area, and a permanent stream (Gasconade River).
About This Area
Wilbur Allen Memorial Wildlife Area is located on a gravel road off Highway 95 about 20 miles northeast of Hartville in Wright County.
The area was named in honor of Mr. Wilbur Allen, the inventor of the compound bow. To commemorate Mr. Allen's contribution to archery, his family in cooperation with the Missouri Department of Conservation, established this area in 1981. Its purpose is to promote the sport of bow hunting by providing a place where deer are hunted exclusively by bow. (Other wildlife species may be taken with firearms during the prescribed season.)
The 380-acre tract is half forested. The remainder is planted with native grasses and other plants to benefit a large number of wildlife species. 1 mile of the Gasconade River runs through the area, affording many recreational opportunities. This river is well known for its excellent smallmouth bass and goggle-eye fishing.
During your visit, you may view various forest improvement practices designed to improve tree growth, quality, and species composition. The practices also improve wildlife habitat and watershed quality.
Wildlife habitat management includes the creation of watering ponds and the manipulation of fields within the forest to provide added food sources. Timber harvests also produce forage and cover for wildlife.
General Information
Ozark
Wright
417-256-7161
Owned by MDC
Activities
Activity
(Activity Explanations) |
Comments
(Population Definition) |
| Camping in Designated Areas |
No amenities provided. |
| Canoeing |
|
| Fishing - Bass |
Good population. |
| Fishing - Catfish |
Fair population. |
| Fishing - Other |
Fair population. |
| Fishing - Sunfish |
Good population. |
| Hiking |
No designated trails |
| Hunting-Deer |
Good population. Archery Only |
| Hunting-Dove |
Fair population. |
| Hunting-Quail |
Fair population. |
| Hunting-Rabbit |
Good population. |
| Hunting-Squirrel |
Good population. |
| Hunting-Turkey |
Forest part is accessible by boat |
Conservation Department Facilities
| Facility Item |
Name |
Count |
Comments |
| Boat Ramp - Stream - Other |
|
1 |
|
| Camping Area - Primitive |
|
1 |
No amenities provided. |
| Parking Lot |
|
2 |
|
| Picnic Table |
|
2 |
|
| Privy/Restroom |
|
1 |
|
Features
| Feature Item |
Name |
Count |
Size |
Comments |
| Stream - Permanent |
Gasconade River |
1 |
1.00 miles |
|
Land Cover Types
| Land Type |
Acres |
Comments |
| Crop Land |
10.00 |
|
| Old Field |
60.00 |
|
| Grassland (non-prairie) |
30.00 |
|
| Forest and Woodland |
280.00 |
|
| Total Area Acres: |
380.28 |
|
Caney Mountain Conservation Area - map
Driving Directions
5 miles north of Gainesville on Hwy 181, then .50 mile west on gravel entrance road.
Highlights
This area contains forest, savanna, and dolomite glades. Facilities/features: firearms and archery ranges, Caney Mountain Natural Area (1,330 acres). Interpretive nature programs are held at various times during the year.
About This Area
Caney Mountain Conservation Area is in Ozark County, five miles north of Gainsville.
This 7,919-acre area is characterized by unusual geology, including the roughest parts of a precipitous range of hills. These hills are a remnant of an old elevated plateau that has been dissected by numerous feeder streams.
From area roads, visitors can view numerous prominent peaks, including Bear Cave Mountain, High Rock Mountain, Morrison Knob, Long Bald, and Tater Cave Mountain.
The area also includes unique plant communities. Glades, savannahs, forest openings, and old growth forest cover the rugged terrain along the small creek bottoms. Several of the state's rare and endangered species are being protected on the area as well as the state record black gum tree.
Caney Mountain was a stronghold of the eastern wild turkey in Missouri, even when the state population dropped to less than 40 birds. The area was acquired as a turkey refuge in 1940, and A. Starker Leopold, son of Aldo Leopold, the pioneer of modern wildlife conservation, prepared the first wildlife management plan. Prior to its purchase, the land had been repeatedly burned and had been subjectd to open range grazing.
The Conservation Department released 30 deer captured from what is now the Drury-Mincy Conservation Area here in the fall of 1940. This area then provided both deer and turkeys to restore populations in the rest of the state.
General Information
Ozark
Ozark
417-256-7161
Owned by MDC
Activities
Activity
(Activity Explanations) |
Comments
(Population Definition) |
| Bicycling |
Numerous gravel roads and trails through the area also provide mountain biking opportunities. Bicycling allowed only on gravel roads and trails open to vehicle traffic. |
| Bird Watching |
|
| Camping in Designated Areas |
Zone 1 has privies. Zone 2 has fire rings and picnic tables. Zone 3 offers primitive camping only. |
| Demonstrations |
Glade and woodland restoration areas. |
| Hiking |
Two designated hiking trails in the Natural Area. Numerous gravel roads and trails through the area also provide nice hiking opportunities. |
| Hunting-Deer |
Good population. Statewide regulations apply to Zone 2 and Zone 3. Two Managed Deer Hunts (one Muzzleloader Only and one Archery Only)are available within Zone 1. |
| Hunting-Squirrel |
Good population. Zone 2 and 3 are open to statewide regulations. Squirrel hunting in Zone 1 is permitted EXCEPT from September 1 thru November 30. |
| Hunting-Turkey |
Good population. Zone 2 and 3 are open to statewide regulations. Zone 1 offers 4 Managed Turkey Hunts (contact the West Plains Regional Office at 417-256-7161 for more information.) All portions of the Area are open to statewide regulations for fall turkey hunting. |
| Other |
Field archery range in Zone 1. Black Powder range in Zone 1. 100 yard rifle range in Zone 2. |
| Tours |
With over 20 miles of roads that are open to the public, the Area offers excellent spring and fall foliage and wildlife viewing opportunities. |
Conservation Department Facilities
| Facility Item |
Name |
Count |
Comments |
| Camping Area - Primitive |
|
3 |
Camping area in Zone 1 has privies. Zone 2 has fire rings and picnic tables. Zone 3 offers primitive camping only. |
| Parking Lotaccessible |
|
7 |
2 Gravel Parking Lots with a concrete pad. |
| Privy/Restroomaccessible |
|
2 |
|
| Viewing Blindaccessible |
|
1 |
|
Features
| Feature Item |
Name |
Count |
Size |
Comments |
| Designated Natural Area |
Caney Mountain Natural Area |
1 |
1330.00 acres |
For more information, visit http://www.mdc.mo.gov/areas/natareas/p92-1.htm. |
| Fishless Pond |
|
40 |
77.00 acres |
|
| Spring |
|
17 |
17.00 # gallons per day |
Spout Spring-<30 GPS |
| Stream - Intermittent |
|
112 |
0.00 miles |
Caney Creek-3 miles |
Land Cover Types
| Land Type |
Acres |
Comments |
| Savanna |
3974.00 |
|
| Crop Land |
136.00 |
|
| Glade |
1409.00 |
|
| Forest and Woodland |
2179.00 |
|
| Old Field |
200.00 |
|
| Total Area Acres: |
7898.87 |
|
Designated Trails
| Trail Name |
Trail Type |
Length |
| Long Bald Nature Trail |
Hiking (Non-Interpretive) |
0.50 |
| Spout Spring Trail |
Hiking (Non-Interpretive) |
1.50 |
| multi-use trail |
Multi-Use (Hike/Bike/Horse) |
6.50 |
Shooting Range General Information
91*14'00.6"W
36*58' 56.8"N
UnManned
Varies
1/2 hour before sunrise to 1/2 hour after sunset, unless posted otherwise.
Bull Shoals Lake Management Lands - map
Driving Directions
Bull Shoals Lake ML spreads across southwest Ozark County, eastern Taney County and northern Arkansas. Several county and state roads provide access to the lake.
Highlights
Bull Shoals Lake ML has more than 16,000 acres of fishable water. Permanent streams in the area include Swan Creek, Beaver Creek, Big Creek, Pond Fork, Little Norfork, and Spring Creek. The area also contains large tracts of forest and wetlands in addition to savanna, old fields, and glades. Facilities are managed by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers and include boat ramps, jetties and docks, camping areas, picnic grounds and pavilions. For more information, contact the Ozark Regional Office, West Plains, MO.
General Information
Ozark
Ozark,Taney
417-256-7161
Leased
All facilities associated with this area are managed by the US Army Corps of Engineers located at the Mtn. Home Project Office, phone #: (870) 425-2700
Activities
Activity
(Activity Explanations) |
Comments
(Population Definition) |
| Bird Watching |
|
| Camping in Designated Areas |
On Corps Of Engineers designated camping areas. |
| Canoeing |
|
| Demonstrations |
Several native grass plantings. |
| Fishing - Bass |
Good population. |
| Fishing - Catfish |
Good population. |
| Fishing - Crappie |
Good population. |
| Fishing - Other |
Good population. walleye |
| Fishing - Sunfish |
Good population. |
| Hunting-Deer |
Good population. |
| Hunting-Dove |
Good population. |
| Hunting-Quail |
Good population. |
| Hunting-Rabbit |
Good population. |
| Hunting-Squirrel |
Good population. |
| Hunting-Turkey |
Good population. |
| Hunting-Waterfowl |
Good population. |
Conservation Department Facilities
| Facility Item |
Name |
Count |
Comments |
| Dock - Boat/Courtesy |
|
4 |
Corps of Engineers |
| Parking Lot |
|
15 |
Gravel lots maintained by MDC staff |
Features
| Feature Item |
Name |
Count |
Size |
Comments |
| Fishless Pond |
|
3 |
3.00 acres |
|
| Spring |
|
15 |
0.00 # gallons per day |
|
| Stream - Intermittent |
|
21 |
0.00 miles |
|
| Stream - Permanent |
Little Norfork |
1 |
2.00 miles |
|
| Stream - Permanent |
Pond Fork |
1 |
2.00 miles |
|
| Stream - Permanent |
Big Creek |
1 |
2.00 miles |
|
| Stream - Permanent |
Beaver Creek |
1 |
2.00 miles |
|
| Stream - Permanent |
Spring Creek |
1 |
1.00 miles |
|
| Stream - Permanent |
Swan Creek |
1 |
1.00 miles |
|
Land Cover Types
| Land Type |
Acres |
Comments |
| Forest and Woodland |
3544.00 |
|
| Crop Land |
1954.00 |
MDC and Ag Crop |
| Glade |
1583.00 |
|
| Wetland |
4415.00 |
|
| Savanna |
3078.00 |
|
| Lakes/Ponds |
16111.00 |
|
| Grassland (non-prairie) |
803.00 |
|
| Old Field |
3248.00 |
|
| Total Area Acres: |
34736.00 |
|
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