Natural Areas
Explore Missouri's Original Landscapes
Missouri's natural areas represent some of the best—and last—examples of the state’s original natural landscape, each offering a shining example of Missouri’s outstanding biological and geological features. Hiking through a natural area, you can observe rare plants and animals that would have been familiar sights to native Americans or explorers, such as Lewis and Clark. Natural areas are defined as natural communities or geologic features that represent the natural character, diversity and ecological processes of Missouri’s native landscapes. Natural communities are groups of plants and animals and the landscapes, such as forests or prairies, that they inhabit—and that occur repeatedly throughout the state.
Use the information in this section to plan a visit to a natural area. Whether your interest is in nature study, birding, hiking, fishing, hunting or photography, you'll find a designated Missouri natural area to explore and enjoy your favorite low-impact outdoor recreational activity.
How to Use the Natural Areas Directory
Each natural area featured in the directory contains a basic set of information to help you learn about the site, how to get there, and who manages it. Natural areas can be searched for alphabetically or by county. Each natural area features the following fields:
- Name
- Points of Interest
- Natural History
- Access Information: Driving directions to the easiest point to enter the natural area. Also includes information on whether hiking trails, parking lots and other infrastructure is available at the site. Hunting and fishing regulations are noted here, too.
- Location: The latitude and longitude coordinates of the natural area's access point for use with GPS units and maps. Also a link to Google maps will produce a map of the natural area's point of access and its surroundings.
- General Information: Information on the natural area's designation date, acreage, owner, county, contact organization/office and a point of contact phone number.
- Management: Identifies which agency or organization manages the land. Also provides the name of the larger land management unit in which the natural area may be embedded. For example, White River Balds Natural Area is located within the Ruth and Paul Henning Conservation Area.
- Web Assets: Topographic and locator maps for the natural area. Also photos either of the natural area or plants or animals that might be seen there.
- Links: Links to websites of other organizations. Also, locator maps for Missouri Department of Conservation managed natural areas are provided via a web link to the map.
Natural Areas Directory
Title |
County | Designation Date |
|---|---|---|
| Alley Spring | Shannon | 04/20/2007 |
| Allred Lake | Butler | 02/25/1982 |
| Ashe Juniper | Stone | 01/24/1986 |
| Babler Southwoods Hollow | St. Louis | 09/25/1978 |
| Bald Hill Glade | Ripley | 08/27/1993 |
| Ball Mill Resurgence | Perry | 08/20/1979 |
| Barn Hollow | Texas | 05/27/1980 |
| Beech Springs | Stoddard | 12/04/1981 |
| Bennett Spring Hanging Fen | Dallas | 03/18/1982 |
| Big Barren Creek | Carter | 08/29/1989 |
| Big Buffalo Creek Fen | Benton | 06/27/1972 |
| Big Oak Tree | Mississippi | 10/21/1977 |
| Big Spring | Carter | 02/14/1983 |
| Big Spring Pines | Carter | 01/29/1993 |
| Big Sugar Creek | Lincoln | 09/18/1979 |
| Blair Creek Raised Fen | Shannon | 01/24/1986 |
| Blue Pond | Bollinger | 10/24/1977 |
| Blue River Glades | Jackson | 01/21/1983 |
| Blue Spring | Shannon | 06/27/1972 |
| Bona Glade | Dade | 02/16/1979 |
