Conservation Area Grand Trace

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Last Updated: December 5, 2025

The Conservation Area Grand Trace, located in the state of Missouri, is a beautiful and diverse natural area that offers visitors a range of outdoor activities.


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Summary

One of the main reasons to visit this area is to explore the stunning scenery, which includes rolling hills, forests, and streams. Visitors can hike, bike, and horseback ride through the many trails, with options for all skill levels.

One of the main points of interest in the Grand Trace Conservation Area is the Big River, which runs through the center of the park. This river offers excellent fishing opportunities, with a variety of fish species including bass, catfish, and crappie. There are also several designated hunting areas within the conservation area, with options for deer, turkey, and small game hunting.

There are several interesting facts about this area, including the fact that it was once home to the Native American tribes, who used the land for hunting and farming. The conservation area is also home to several endangered species, including the Indiana bat and the Eastern massasauga rattlesnake.

The best time of year to visit the Conservation Area Grand Trace is during the spring and fall, when the weather is mild and the scenery is at its most beautiful. Visitors can enjoy the changing colors of the leaves in the fall, or the blooming wildflowers in the spring.

Overall, the Conservation Area Grand Trace is a must-visit destination for nature lovers and outdoor enthusiasts. With its stunning scenery, diverse wildlife, and range of activities, it offers something for everyone to enjoy.

       

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Park & Land Designation Reference

National Park
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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