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

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Title	County	Designation Date
Piney River Narrows	Texas	12/20/1971
Pioneer	Shannon	07/21/1977
Pipestem Hollow	Shannon	12/14/2001
Poplar Bluff Forest	Butler	12/20/1971
Powder Mill Cave	Shannon	12/20/1971
Prairie Hollow Gorge	Shannon	05/27/1980
Prairie Slough	Lincoln	03/13/1987
Quercus Flatwoods	Texas	12/16/1983
Razor Hollow	Warren	01/30/2008
Red Maple Pond	Ripley	08/29/1989
Regal Tallgrass Prairie	Barton	02/10/1981
Ripgut Prairie	Bates	03/13/1987
Roaring River Cove Hardwoods	Barry	06/05/1978
Rock Spring Bluff	Barry	12/18/1973
Royal Gorge	Iron	03/17/1973
Sand Ponds	Ripley	03/13/1987
Schnabel Woods	Boone	07/24/1978
Shaw Bottomland Forest	Franklin	06/26/2003
Solomon Hollow Glades	Phelps	12/15/2000
Spiderlily	Ripley	01/30/2008

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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!