Brickyard Hill Natural Area
Rate this placeLast Updated: December 5, 2025
Brickyard Hill Natural Area is a 128-acre protected natural area located in the state of Missouri.
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Summary
The area is known for its scenic beauty, diverse flora and fauna, and unique geological features. There are several good reasons to visit Brickyard Hill, including hiking, bird watching, and nature photography. Visitors can also enjoy exploring the area's many trails, which offer stunning views of the surrounding landscape.
One of the most popular points of interest in Brickyard Hill is the area's unique rock formations, which were formed millions of years ago through the process of erosion. These formations include towering cliffs, rugged canyons, and deep valleys. The area is also home to a variety of plant and animal species, including wildflowers, mushrooms, and birds of prey.
Interesting facts about Brickyard Hill Natural Area include its history as a former quarry site, which has resulted in the creation of several man-made lakes and ponds. The area is also home to the endangered Ozark hellbender, a species of giant salamander that is found only in the Ozark region of Missouri and Arkansas.
The best time of year to visit Brickyard Hill Natural Area is during the spring and fall, when the weather is mild and the foliage is at its most vibrant. Visitors should be aware that the area can be difficult to navigate during the winter months, due to snow and ice on the trails. Overall, Brickyard Hill is a must-visit destination for anyone interested in experiencing the natural beauty of Missouri.
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Park & Land Designation Reference
Large protected natural areas managed by the federal government to preserve significant landscapes, ecosystems, and cultural resources; recreation is allowed but conservation is the priority.
State Park
Public natural or recreational areas managed by a state government, typically smaller than national parks and focused on regional natural features, recreation, and education.
Local Park
Community-level parks managed by cities or counties, emphasizing recreation, playgrounds, sports, and green space close to populated areas.
Wilderness Area
The highest level of land protection in the U.S.; designated areas where nature is left essentially untouched, with no roads, structures, or motorized access permitted.
National Recreation Area
Areas set aside primarily for outdoor recreation (boating, hiking, fishing), often around reservoirs, rivers, or scenic landscapes; may allow more development.
National Conservation Area (BLM)
BLM-managed areas with special ecological, cultural, or scientific value; more protection than typical BLM land but less strict than Wilderness Areas.
State Forest
State-managed forests focused on habitat, watershed, recreation, and sustainable timber harvest.
National Forest
Federally managed lands focused on multiple use—recreation, wildlife habitat, watershed protection, and resource extraction (like timber)—unlike the stricter protections of national parks.
Wilderness
A protected area set aside to conserve specific resources—such as wildlife, habitats, or scientific features—with regulations varying widely depending on the managing agency and purpose.
Bureau of Land Management (BLM) Land
Vast federal lands managed for mixed use—recreation, grazing, mining, conservation—with fewer restrictions than national parks or forests.
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