Compton Park
Rate this placeNearby: Bringhurst City Park Levee Park
Last Updated: December 5, 2025
Compton Park is a popular destination located in the state of Missouri.
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Summary
It is a 154-acre park situated in the city of Springfield and is known for its beautiful hiking trails, fishing opportunities, and picnic areas.
One of the top reasons to visit Compton Park is to explore its hiking trails. The park has over five miles of hiking trails that take visitors through scenic forests, fields, and creeks. The trails are well-maintained and offer plenty of opportunities for bird watching and wildlife spotting.
In addition to hiking, Compton Park is a great place to go fishing. The park has two fishing ponds stocked with a variety of fish species, including bluegill, catfish, and bass. Fishing permits are required and can be obtained at the park office.
Other points of interest in Compton Park include the playground areas, picnic shelters, and sports fields. The park also has a historic one-room schoolhouse that dates back to the early 1900s, which visitors can tour and learn about the history of the area.
Interesting facts about Compton Park include its designation as a certified wildlife habitat by the National Wildlife Federation. The park is home to a variety of wildlife, including deer, foxes, and a variety of bird species.
The best time of year to visit Compton Park is during the spring and fall when the weather is mild and the foliage is at its peak. However, the park is open year-round and offers a variety of activities for visitors to enjoy during all seasons.
Overall, Compton Park is a wonderful destination in Missouri with plenty of outdoor activities and points of interest for visitors of all ages.
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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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