About the Area
The main feature of Bushwhacker is the 157-acre Bushwhacker Lake. Many shorebirds, ducks, geese, pelicans, and swans like to stop by this small lake during migration. An unusual diversity of herons have also been spotted here, including American bittern, little blue heron, white ibis, and cattle egret. Visitors often see bald eagle and osprey at the lake as well. In addition to Bushwhacker Lake, the area features an astonishing 1,508-acre native prairie, and a good amount of woodland that interspersed with patches of savanna. This prairie has a good diversity of grassland birds including dickcissel, grasshopper sparrow, Henslow’s sparrow, and short-eared owl. Historically, a greater prairie chicken lek was located on the west side of the area. Look to the sky for your falcon species – prairie falcon, American kestrel, and merlin have all be spotted using Bushwhacker. As you hike through the woodland, listen for wood warblers, vireos, nuthatches, wrens, and gnatcatchers. Thrushes are common along Little Dry Wood Creek. You’ll notice on the area map that there are several small brushy bluffs along this creek. Painted buntings have been spotted on the area in years past as well. Examining the map is important on a large area like Bushwhacker. Try a different parking lot and path each visit and explore everything the area has to offer.
From Joplin, take MO-43 N out of town to NW 100th Rd and turn east. Then turn north on 1175 Rd and the road to Bushwhacker Lake will be on your right.
From Springfield, take I-44 W to I-49 N. In Irwin, take MO-V west out of Irwin. Follow MO-V to NW 80th Rd, and turn north. This road will come to a T – turn right and take your next left onto 1175 Rd. The road to Bushwhacker Lake will be on your right.
Joplin and Springfield are the two largest cities in the southwest corner of the state, each with good options for food and lodging. In Joplin, the Shoal Creek Conservation Education Center is a great place to bring the family for wildlife viewing and for hiking the scenic trails through Missouri’s rare glade habitat. While in the area, you will want to visit Grand Falls, the largest waterfall in Missouri. For arts and humanities, try the Spiva Center for the Arts or the Joplin Museum Complex.
Prairie State Park and Shawnee Trail Conservation Area are to the south and a bit west of Bushwhacker. These three areas make a nice loop of wetland, prairie, and forest/woodland habitats. You can find ducks, geese, herons, and shorebirds at Shawnee during spring and fall migration. Prairie State Park has elk and bison, upland sandpipers, short-eared owls, grasshopper sparrows, Henslow’s sparrows, meadowlarks, blue grosbeaks, and many other prairie species.