Peck Ranch Conservation Area
Rate this placeLast Updated: December 5, 2025
Peck Ranch Conservation Area is not located in the state of Louisiana but in Missouri.
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Summary
Peck Ranch Conservation Area is a wildlife conservation area located in southeastern Missouri. It covers over 23,000 acres and is home to a diverse array of wildlife, including elk, deer, turkey, and black bear. Visitors to the area can enjoy hiking, fishing, and wildlife viewing.
Some of the specific points of interest at Peck Ranch Conservation Area include the elk viewing area and the Ozark National Scenic Riverways. The elk viewing area is a popular spot to observe elk, which were reintroduced to the area in the 2010s. The Ozark National Scenic Riverways is a national park that offers opportunities for canoeing, kayaking, and fishing on the Current and Jacks Fork Rivers.
One interesting fact about Peck Ranch Conservation Area is that it was once a homestead and farm that was purchased by the Missouri Department of Conservation in the 1940s. The area was then restored to its natural state to provide habitat for wildlife.
The best time of year to visit Peck Ranch Conservation Area depends on the activities you want to do. Spring and fall are popular times to visit for hiking and wildlife viewing, while summer is a great time for fishing and water activities. Winter can also be a good time to visit for wildlife viewing, especially for elk.
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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.
Related References
Area Campgrounds
| Location | Reservations | Toilets |
|---|---|---|
Van Buren
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Watercress Recreation Area
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Watercress
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Big Spring - Ozark National Scenic River
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Logyard
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Big Spring Campgrounds
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Mule Hollow Glade Natural Area
Conservation Area Current River
Conservation Area Rocky Creek