Ed Bales Park
Rate this placeLast Updated: December 5, 2025
Ed Bales Park is a beautiful recreational area located in Jefferson City, Missouri.
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Summary
This park is a popular destination for visitors looking to enjoy outdoor activities and the natural beauty of Missouri. Some of the reasons to visit Ed Bales Park include its tranquil atmosphere, its beautiful scenery, and its abundance of wildlife.
One of the main attractions of Ed Bales Park is its extensive trail system, which is perfect for hiking, running, or biking. These trails lead visitors through the park's forests and meadows, providing stunning views of the surrounding landscape. Another popular activity in the park is fishing, as the park is home to several small lakes and ponds that are stocked with fish throughout the year.
In addition to its natural beauty, Ed Bales Park also features several points of interest, including a large playground area for children, picnic shelters, and a disc golf course. Visitors can also learn about the history of the area by visiting the park's historic cabin, which was built in the 1800s and has been preserved for future generations to enjoy.
Some interesting facts about Ed Bales Park include its location along the Katy Trail, one of Missouri's most popular hiking and biking trails. The park is also home to a variety of wildlife, including deer, foxes, and birds.
The best time of year to visit Ed Bales Park is during the spring and fall, when the weather is mild and the foliage is at its most colorful. However, the park is open year-round, and visitors can enjoy a variety of activities throughout the year.
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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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