Amsterdam Sloughs Wildlife Area
Rate this placeLast Updated: December 5, 2025
Amsterdam Sloughs Wildlife Area is a wetland area located in Bates County, Missouri that is home to a diverse range of plant and animal species.
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Summary
Visitors to the area can take part in recreational activities such as fishing, hunting, and wildlife viewing. The wildlife area is home to a variety of waterfowl, including ducks and geese, as well as other bird species like bald eagles, great blue herons, and woodpeckers. Other animals that can be spotted in the area include whitetail deer, beavers, and otters.
There are several points of interest within the Amsterdam Sloughs Wildlife Area, including the wetlands themselves, which are composed of flooded forest and marshland. The area also has several trails that visitors can explore, including the Paint Brush Trail and the Dome Trail. There is also a small boat ramp available for visitors who want to explore the area by water.
One interesting fact about Amsterdam Sloughs Wildlife Area is that it was created in the 1940s through a partnership between the Missouri Department of Conservation and the US Army Corps of Engineers. The area was created as a way to manage the flooding of the Marais des Cygnes River, which had caused significant damage to nearby communities in the past.
The best time to visit Amsterdam Sloughs Wildlife Area is during the fall and winter months, when large numbers of waterfowl migrate through the area. Hunting season also takes place during this time, so visitors should take caution if they plan to explore the area during this time.
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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
Clam Lake Wildlife Area
Kiezer Lake Wildlife Area
Crex Meadows Wildlife Area
Danbury Wildlife Area