Camping on Missouri Public Lands – Conservation Areas
In the state of Missouri there are over 900 properties operated by the Missouri Department of Conservation (MDC) as “Conservation Areas”. These Conservation Areas (CA) can be operated for a variety of purposes. Some are managed as nature reserves, some allow hunting, some allow fishing, some are primarily boat access, and some are combinations of some or all of these. If you’re considering a camping trip to a CA, it’s wise to know what the area is primarily used for and also make sure camping is allowed. For example, if you are not camping in an area for hunting purposes and will be camping during fall deer gun season, you may not fully enjoy your stay.
One of the areas we have used that offers a little bit of everything is the Peck Ranch Conservation Area in the Missouri Ozarks. While not representative of all CAs, it does suggest what some of the more camping-friendly ones have to offer. There are two designated camping areas at Peck. One is designated for campers who won’t be using generators and one for those who will. This is good for those campers who want some peace and solitude without the noise of a blaring generator in the background. On the site without a generator there are also pit baths. Both campgrounds are equipped with fire rings and picnic tables. This is certainly an example of a campground where there is a lot of activity associated with the deer and turkey hunting seasons. So if you want to avoid this, please avoid visiting at these times. This unique CA is over 25,000 acres in total area, about half of which is designated wildlife area and fenced off from the rest. It was once a logging operation and has a unique history as well as geographic features. Summer is a great time to visit for those looking for a place to camp away from the crowds.
Another example of a good camping CA on the other end of the state (northern Missouri) is Union Ridge, just west of Kirksville. There, unlike most CAs, you can camp next to area parking lots. Also, in “Parking N” off of County Road D, there is a campground with facilities similar to those described at Peck Ranch. Again, things can be a bit hectic for non-hunters during deer season, but this area has more to offer than just hunting. While not as large as Peck Ranch (about 8,000 acres), it is about 12 total acres of lakes and fishing ponds, including Union Ridge Lake. These lakes have populations of bass, crappie, catfish, and sunfish.
If you are camping in a CA and will want a campground, please note that if there is a campground, it will only offer “primitive camping” facilities. This means you’ll have a fire ring and maybe a picnic table and/or outhouse. Having said this, some of these campsites are quite well maintained and in absolutely beautiful settings. Since some of these campgrounds are quite small and there is no reservation system, you may want to be prepared to camp outside of these areas as well.
If you choose to camp outside of a campground in a CA, assuming this is allowed, keep in mind that you must be within 100 yards of the nearest road or parking lot. Also, if you are camping along a stream or river, camp at least 100 feet away. Also, be aware that under certain weather conditions, flooding or even flash flooding can be a hazard.
To find a CA that meets your needs, a little research can go a long way. Fortunately, there are two very good resources to help you through this process. First, there is the MDC Conservation Atlas. This atlas is very useful as it provides area descriptions, maps, regulations, a summary of permitted activities, and of course, camping information. Most of these have downloadable maps and/or brochures with trails, campgrounds, and even directions to the area. CAs in the atlas can be searched by CA name, county, or region. This process of going back and forth from the CA to the atlas can be a bit laborious. You end up doing quite a bit of browsing back and forth between the atlas and the CA pages. The resource below can help you narrow down the possibilities.
Camping opportunities in Missouri Conservation Areas will greatly expand the pool of campgrounds available to Missouri campers. If you don’t want or need the comforts of a “fancy” private campground or one run by another government agency, these areas may be right for you.