Cuivre River State Park

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Last Updated: December 5, 2025

Cuivre River State Park is located in the state of Missouri and offers visitors a variety of outdoor recreational activities.


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Summary

The park covers over 6,000 acres of land and features hiking trails, camping areas, fishing spots, and picnic areas.

One of the main attractions at Cuivre River State Park is the lake, which is stocked with a variety of fish including bass, catfish, and crappie. Visitors can rent boats or bring their own to enjoy a day on the water.

The park also has several hiking trails that range in difficulty, including a three-mile trail that leads to a scenic overlook of the surrounding countryside. For those interested in camping, there are over 40 campsites available, as well as four cabins that can be rented year-round.

Interesting facts about the area include the park's name, which comes from the French word for "copper" due to the presence of copper deposits in the nearby countryside. The park also contains several historic structures, including the Cuivre River State Park Historic District, which is listed on the National Register of Historic Places.

The best time of year to visit Cuivre River State Park is in the spring or fall when the weather is mild and the foliage is at its peak. Summer can be hot and humid, while winter can be cold and snowy.

Overall, Cuivre River State Park is a great destination for those looking to enjoy outdoor activities in a scenic and historic setting.

       

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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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