Cantwell Park
Rate this placeNearby: Stockstill Park Epps Park
Last Updated: December 5, 2025
Cantwell Park is a popular recreational destination in the state of Missouri, attracting visitors with its natural beauty and diverse range of amenities.
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Summary
The park spans over 105 acres and is located in the city of Columbia, Missouri. There are many good reasons to visit Cantwell Park, including its picturesque scenery, family-friendly atmosphere, and opportunities for outdoor recreation.
One of the main points of interest at Cantwell Park is its extensive system of walking and hiking trails. These trails wind through the park's dense woods, along streams and ponds, and over rolling hills, providing visitors with a chance to immerse themselves in nature. The park also features several sports fields and courts, a playground, and picnic areas, making it an ideal spot for families to spend a day outside.
Interesting facts about Cantwell Park include that it was named after former Columbia City Council member James Cantwell, who was instrumental in the park's development. The park also boasts a number of unique natural features, such as a limestone bluff that serves as a backdrop for the walking trails.
The best time of year to visit Cantwell Park depends on personal preferences and the activities you plan to undertake. Spring and fall are popular times to visit, as the weather is mild and the park's natural beauty is particularly striking. Summer is also a great time to visit, especially for those looking to enjoy the park's numerous outdoor recreational opportunities.
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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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