| In the state of Missouri there are over 900 | | | | hunting. While not as big as Peck Ranch (around |
| properties operated by the Missouri Department | | | | 8,000 acres), it has about 12 total acres of fishing |
| of Conservation (MDC) as "Conservation Areas." | | | | lakes and ponds, including Union Ridge Lake. These |
| These Conservation Areas (CA's) can be | | | | lakes have populations of bass, crappie, catfish, |
| operated for a variety of purposes. Some are | | | | and sunfish. |
| managed as nature preserves, some allow | | | | If you are camping at a CA, and you will want a |
| hunting, some allow fishing, some are mainly boat | | | | campground, keep in mind that if there is a |
| accesses, and some are combinations of all or | | | | campground it will offer only "primitive camping" |
| some of these. If you are considering a camping | | | | facilities. This means that you will have a fire ring, |
| trip to a CA, it is wise to know what the area is | | | | and perhaps a picnic table and/or outhouse. Having |
| used for primarily, and also to make sure camping | | | | said this, some of these campgrounds are quite |
| is allowed. For example, if you are not camping in | | | | well maintained and in absolutely beautiful settings. |
| an area for hunting purposes and will be camping | | | | Since some of these campgrounds are quite |
| during the Fall deer firearms season, you might | | | | small, and there is no reservation system, you |
| not fully enjoy your stay. | | | | might wish to also be prepared to camp outside |
| One of the areas we have used that offers a bit | | | | these areas. |
| of everything is Peck Ranch Conservation area in | | | | If you choose to camp outside a campground at |
| the Ozarks of Missouri. While it is not | | | | a CA, assuming this is allowed, keep in mind that |
| representative of all CA's, it does suggest what | | | | you must be 100 yards from the nearest road or |
| some of those that are most amenable to | | | | parking lot. Also, if you are camping along a |
| camping have to offer. There are two designated | | | | stream or river, camp at least 100 feet away. |
| camping areas at Peck. One is designated for | | | | Also, keep in mind that under certain weather |
| campers who will not use generators and one for | | | | conditions flooding or even flash flooding can be a |
| those who will. This is nice for those tent campers | | | | danger. |
| who wish to have peace and solitude without the | | | | To find a CA that meets your needs, a bit of |
| noisiness of a generator blaring in the background. | | | | research can go a long way. Fortunately, there |
| At the non-generator site there are also pit toilets. | | | | are two very nice resources to aid you in this |
| Both campgrounds are outfitted with fire rings | | | | process. First, is the MDC Conservation Atlas. This |
| and picnic tables. This is most certainly an | | | | atlas is very helpful in that it gives area |
| example of a campground where there is much | | | | descriptions, maps, regulations, an outline of |
| activity associated with deer and turkey hunting | | | | allowable activities, and of course, information on |
| seasons. So, if you wish to avoid this, avoid | | | | camping. Most of these have downloadable maps |
| visiting at these times. This unique CA has over | | | | and/or brochures with trails, camping areas, and |
| 25,000 acres of total area, about half of which is | | | | even driving directions to the area. The CA's in |
| a designated wildlife area and fenced off from the | | | | the atlas are searchable by name of the CA, |
| rest. It was once a logging operation and has | | | | county, or region. This process of switching back |
| some unique history as well as geographical | | | | and forth from the CA to the atlas can be a bit |
| features. Summertime is a great time to visit for | | | | laborious. You end up doing quite a lot of |
| those who are looking for a camping place away | | | | navigating back and forth between the atlas and |
| from the crowds. | | | | the CA pages. The resource below might assist |
| Another example of a nice CA for camping at the | | | | you in narrowing down the possibilities. |
| other end of the state (northern Missouri) is Union | | | | The possibilities for camping in Missouri |
| Ridge just West of Kirksville. There, unlike most | | | | Conservation Areas will greatly expand the pool |
| CA's, you can camp adjacent to area parking lots. | | | | of camping areas available to the Missouri camper. |
| Additionally, at "Parking Lot N" off of County Road | | | | If you do not want or need the amenities of a |
| D, there is a campground with similar facilities to | | | | "fancy" private campground or one run by |
| those described at Peck Ranch. Again, things can | | | | another government agency, these areas might |
| be a bit hectic for non-hunters during deer | | | | be just right for you. |
| season, but this area has more to offer than | | | | |