Castor River State Forest
Rate this placeNearby: Club Creek State Forest Duck Creek (Dark Cypress Swamp Unit) State Conservation Area Or Park
Last Updated: December 5, 2025
Castor River State Forest is located in southeastern Missouri and offers visitors a variety of opportunities for outdoor recreation and relaxation.
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Summary
The forest spans over 11,000 acres and is known for its rugged terrain, scenic views, and diverse wildlife.
One of the primary reasons to visit Castor River State Forest is for hiking and camping. The forest has several trails that range in difficulty and length, including the 1.5-mile Cedar Bluff Trail and the 3.5-mile Whispering Pine Trail. Camping is also available at the forest, with both primitive and developed campsites.
Additionally, Castor River State Forest offers opportunities for hunting and fishing. The forest is home to a variety of game species, including deer, turkey, and squirrel, and several ponds and streams offer fishing for bass, catfish, and other species.
Some points of interest to see at Castor River State Forest include the Castor River Shut-ins, which are a series of rocky rapids and pools that offer a unique swimming experience, and the Marble Creek Trail, which takes visitors on a scenic hike through a hardwood forest and past a historic cemetery.
Interesting facts about the area include that the Castor River State Forest was established in the 1940s as a way to reforest the land after it was heavily logged in the early 20th century. Today, the forest is managed by the Missouri Department of Conservation and is open to the public year-round.
The best time of year to visit Castor River State Forest depends on what activities you are interested in. Spring and fall are popular times for hiking and camping, as the temperatures are mild and the foliage is beautiful. Summer is a great time for swimming and fishing, while the winter months offer opportunities for hunting and wildlife viewing.
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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
Club Creek State Forest
Duck Creek (Dark Cypress Swamp Unit) State Conservation Area or Park
Sank Conservation Area
Yokum School Conservation Area
Duck Creek Conservation Area