Cylon Wildlife Area
Rate this placeNearby: Black Brook County Park Mary Park
Last Updated: December 5, 2025
Cylon Wildlife Area is a 2,750-acre wildlife refuge located in the state of Missouri.
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Summary
There are several good reasons to visit this area, including birdwatching, hiking, hunting, fishing, and camping. The wildlife area is home to a diverse range of wildlife, including white-tailed deer, wild turkey, and various species of waterfowl.
Visitors to Cylon Wildlife Area can enjoy several points of interest, including the Cylon River, which flows through the area and provides excellent fishing opportunities. The area also features several hiking trails that wind through the forested hills and valleys, offering scenic views of the surrounding landscape. Birdwatchers can observe a variety of species, including bald eagles, great blue herons, and sandhill cranes.
Interesting facts about the Cylon Wildlife Area include its designation as a protected habitat for several endangered species, such as the Indiana bat and the Ozark hellbender. The area is also home to several historic sites, including the ruins of an old grist mill that was built in the mid-1800s.
The best time of year to visit Cylon Wildlife Area depends on the activities you plan to engage in. Spring is an excellent time for birdwatching, as many species migrate through the area during this time. Fall is the best time for hunting, as the area offers excellent opportunities for deer and turkey hunting. Summer is a popular time for camping, as the weather is warm and the area is full of lush vegetation.
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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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