August A. Busch Memorial Conservation Area
Jump to the Busch Area’s Conservation Atlas page for full details, including permitted recreation activities/opportunities, facilities, lakes and ponds, trails, and history, as well as map, brochure and regulations.
Area highlights
Located in St. Charles County, the 3,000-acre August A. Busch Memorial Conservation Area is home to the St. Louis regional office, which includes a visitor center. With hiking trails and numerous hunting and fishing opportunities, the Busch Area is also your local connection to Missouri’s fish, forests, and wildlife.
Stop by for a fishing/hunting license, and stay to enjoy our exhibits, including a 1,300-gallon aquarium. Catch one of our free nature programs, go for a hike, enjoy a picnic, or wet a line in some of our 32 fishable lakes and ponds.
Contact info
Find our address, phone and Google map in the Address Information block to your right.
Building Hours
- Open year-round, from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday
- Closed all state holidays and Thanksgiving weekend
Area Hours
- Open daily from 6 a.m. to 10 p.m.
Directions
South on Highway 94 from Highway 40/61. West 1.5 miles on Highway D.
Free programs and other fun stuff
Activities are available for school groups, youth organizations, and the general public by reservation. Topics include aquatic ecology, forest ecology, reptiles, birds, trees, and more. We welcome you to join our staff on an owl prowl, a fall color walk, or a spring frog walk. Contact area headquarters for more information.
Kids fishing opportunities
The Busch Area is a great place to bring the kids out for a fun day of fishing. The area has excellent opportunities for kids to learn to fish, including Kids Fishing Lake, Kids Fishing events, and seasonal opportunities to catch large numbers of wild crappie, bluegill and bass.
Permitted activities and regulations
Visit the area’s Conservation Atlas page for full details about permitted activities, including field retriever trials and dog training, as well as the area’s rules and regulations.
Please respect private property
Land surrounding the area belongs to private landowners. The boundaries adjoining private property are clearly marked. Please respect landowners' rights with these simple courtesies: obtain permission before going on private property, pick up all litter, be careful with fire, do not damage property, practice safe hunting.
Shooting range information
Visit the August A. Busch Conservation Area Shooting Range web page under Related Information below for details about location, hours, facilities and regulations.
