Painted Rock Conservation Area

Driving Directions

7 miles southwest of Westphalia on Highway 133.

Highlights

This area is predominantly forest. Facilities/features: fishing jetties, trail, viewing decks, fishable lake (5 acres) and permanent stream (Osage River).

About This Area

Painted Rock Conservation Area is located on Highway 133, seven miles west of Westphalia in Osage County. The lands of Painted Rock Conservation Area show evidence of occupation by Native Americans as early as 9,000 years ago. An Indian burial cairn, located along Osage Scenic Bluff trail, was constructed between 500 and 1,500 years ago. The property was purchased in 1877 by a group of Jefferson City dignitaries, who named it the Painted Rock Country Club. Their successors sold the property in 1946. The Department of Conservation purchased the property from a private individual in 1981. Painted Rock Conservation Area consists of 1,480 acres. The Osage River intersects the property. The forest contains six ponds, which are managed primarily for wildlife, and Clubhouse Lake. The forest consists primarily of oak and hickory, with the areas along the Osage River dominated by bottomland hardwoods. Several small glades can be found in the forest. Timber harvesting is managed to improve wildlife habitat, and 60 acres of open land serve as wildlife food plots on a crop rotation basis. This Conservation Area was acquired in part through the Pittman-Robertson Wildlife Restoration Act administered by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service.

General Information

Central

Osage

573-884-6861

Owned by MDC

List of Activities
Activity Rating
(Definition)		 Comments
Bird Watching   Forest birds. Eagle viewing along Osage Bluff Scenic Trail. 
Camping - Walk-in and Backpack   Seasonal closures may apply. 
Camping in Designated Areas   Eight sites. No amenities provided, except two sites by the lake which have access to privy.  
Canoeing   Osage River 100 yards from lake parking lot. Allowed on lake also. 
Fishing - Bass starstar 
Fishing - Catfish starstarstar 
Fishing - Other starstarstarCarp, Drum, Buffalo, catfish in Osage River 
Fishing - Sunfish starstarBluegill, Warmouth 
Hiking   1.6 mile Osage Bluff Scenic Trail and other interior access roads. 
Hunting-Deer starstarstararchery antlerless-only and firearms antlerless-only permits not valid - closed during antlerless portion. 
Hunting-Squirrel starstarstar 
Hunting-Turkey starstarstar 
Nature Viewing   Wildflowers along roads, glades and savannas. 

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List of Facilities
Facility Item Name Count Comments
Camping Area - Primitive  8  No amenities are provided except two sites by lake which have access to privy. 
Fishing Jetty/Platform  2   
Parking Lot  3   
Privy/Restroom  1   
Viewing Deck/Tower Osage River overlook  1  Decks located along trail on Osage River Bluffs. Views of river and river valley. 

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List of Features
Feature Item Name Count Comments
Fishing Lake or Pond Clubhouse Lake 1  
Fishless Pond  6  
Stream - Permanent Osage River 1  

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List of Land Cover Types
Land Type Acres Comments
Glade 60.00  
Other 15.00  
Old Field 24.00  
Lakes/Ponds 5.00  
Forest and Woodland 1375.50  
Total Area Acres:1479.50 

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List of Designated Trails
Trail Name Trail Type Length
Osage Bluff Scenic Trail Hiking (Interpretive) 1.60 

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Shooting Range General Information

This area has no shooting ranges.

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