Places to Go: John Alva Fuson, MD Conservation Area

John Alva Fuson, MD CA

Just what the doctor ordered

As the health benefits of time spent in nature become better known, a day, night, or weekend spent hiking, camping, horseback riding, birding, or other outdoor endeavor at John Alva Fuson, MD Conservation Area (CA) may be just what the doctor ordered.

Located on 1,534 acres in southwest Missouri, the area was purchased in part with funds donated from the estate of Maurine Fuson Raidler to honor her father’s years of medical practice throughout Wright County.

Like many conservation areas, Fuson CA sees its share of turkey hunters in April, but that’s not the only common public use on the area, said Bryant Creek District Supervisor Randall Roy.

“I would say use in April would be primarily turkey hunting,” Roy said. “Horseback riding on interior service roads is permitted by special use permit as well.”

The area also includes almost 6 miles of mowed service roads, which can open much of its primarily forested landscape to hikers. On the eastern side of the area, Parks Creek, which runs from the northern boundary of the area to the southern boundary, contributes an estimated 10,000 feet of stream frontage, making it an ideal spot for wildlife viewing.