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
Spring Creek Gap Glades	Maries	02/25/1982
Spring Creek Ranch	Adair Putnam Sullivan	09/15/2009
Spring's End Forest	Crawford Phelps	11/15/1972
Spurgeon Hollow	Shannon	03/20/2003
St. Francis River	Madison	06/16/1983
St. Francois Mountains	Iron Reynolds	08/16/1996
Star School Hill Prairie	Atchison	08/27/1993
Stegall Mountain	Shannon	12/17/1993
Sunklands	Shannon	02/21/1980
Taberville Prairie	St. Clair	12/20/1971
Tarkio Prairie	Atchison	08/29/1989
The Pinnacles	Boone	01/21/1983
Tingler Prairie	Howell	06/26/2003
Tower Rock	Perry	11/15/1972
Tucker Prairie	Callaway	03/26/1999
Tunnel Bluff Woods	Carter Ripley	09/23/1994
Tupelo Gum Pond	Oregon	08/24/1982
Twenty-Five Mile Prairie	Polk	12/18/2009
Valley View Glades	Jefferson	08/24/1982
Vancill Hollow	Cape Girardeau	10/21/1977

• « 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!