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.

Natural Areas Directory

• « previous page
• 1
• 2
• 3
• 4
• 5
• 6
• 7
• 8
• 9
• next page »

Title	County	Designation Date
Vancill Hollow	Cape Girardeau	10/21/1977
Blue Pond	Bollinger	10/24/1977
McCormack Loess Mounds	Holt	02/17/1978
Pin Oak Slough	Johnson	03/30/1978
Hidden Valley	Clay	04/17/1978
Elephant Rocks	Iron	06/05/1978
Roaring River Cove Hardwoods	Barry	06/05/1978
Johnson's Shut-Ins	Reynolds	06/05/1978
Schnabel Woods	Boone	07/24/1978
Babler Southwoods Hollow	St. Louis	09/25/1978
Des Moines River Ravines	Clark	09/25/1978
Paintbrush Prairie	Pettis	09/26/1978
Maple Woods	Clay	09/26/1978
Bona Glade	Dade	02/16/1979
Locust Creek	Linn	06/03/1979
Montauk Upland Forest	Dent	06/04/1979
Ball Mill Resurgence	Perry	08/20/1979
Pickle Creek	Ste. Genevieve	09/18/1979
Coonville Creek	St. Francois	09/18/1979
Big Sugar Creek	Lincoln	09/18/1979

• « previous page
• 1
• 2
• 3
• 4
• 5
• 6
• 7
• 8
• 9
• next page »

Get a complete alphabetical list of Natural Areas.

Natural Areas Visitor Guidelines

Regulations on each Missouri natural area vary, so please consult the area's Web page and call the manager for permitted uses and other details before you visit.

Natural Areas Newsletter

See the latest edition of the Missouri Natural Areas Newsletter for information on natural areas, natural community management, and biological diversity conservation news!