Summary
It is the largest wildlife management area in the state, covering over 60,000 acres of forest, wetlands, and grasslands.
There are many good reasons to visit Peabody Wildlife Management Area, including its abundance of wildlife. Visitors can spot a variety of animals, including deer, turkey, coyotes, and even bald eagles. The area is also home to numerous bird species, making it a great spot for birdwatching.
Some specific points of interest to see at Peabody Wildlife Management Area include the Jones-Keeney Wildlife Management Area, which features hiking trails and fishing opportunities, as well as the 2,500-acre Peabody Coal Company Lake, which offers boating and fishing. Visitors can also check out the Dixon Cemetery, which dates back to the early 1800s.
There are many interesting facts about Peabody Wildlife Management Area, such as its history as a former coal mining site. The area was transformed into a wildlife management area in the 1990s, and efforts have been made to restore the land to its natural state. Additionally, Peabody Wildlife Management Area is home to the largest stand of old-growth timber in the state.
The best time of year to visit Peabody Wildlife Management Area depends on the activities you plan to participate in. Spring and fall are popular times for hunting and fishing, while summer is a great time for boating and hiking. Winter is a quieter time to visit, but visitors can still enjoy hiking and wildlife viewing.
Weather Forecast
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.
Related References