Summary
The area covers over 3,100 acres and offers a variety of activities such as fishing, hiking, hunting, and wildlife watching. The conservation area is home to a diverse range of flora and fauna, including white-tailed deer, wild turkey, and bald eagles.
One of the main attractions of Bray (Marguerite) Conservation Area is the Bray Conservation Trail, which is a 3.5-mile loop that takes visitors through a beautiful forested area. The trail is easy to hike and offers great views of the surrounding landscape.
Another popular activity in the area is fishing. The conservation area is home to numerous ponds and lakes that are stocked with fish such as bass, catfish, and bluegill. Visitors can fish from the shore or rent a boat from the on-site marina.
In addition to hiking and fishing, Bray (Marguerite) Conservation Area also offers hunting opportunities. The area is open for hunting during designated seasons and offers a variety of game such as deer, turkey, and small game.
The best time to visit Bray (Marguerite) Conservation Area depends on the activity you are interested in. Spring and early summer are great for hiking and wildlife watching, while fall is the best time for hunting and fishing.
Overall, Bray (Marguerite) Conservation Area is a fantastic destination for anyone looking to enjoy the great outdoors in Missouri. With its beautiful scenery, diverse wildlife, and variety of activities, it is a must-visit for nature enthusiasts.
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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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