Summary
The area is home to diverse wildlife, including deer, turkey, waterfowl, and other species. The reserve is open to the public for various activities, such as hunting, fishing, hiking, and wildlife watching.
One of the main reasons to visit Falcon Bottoms Natural Area is to see the unique landscape and wildlife of the area. The reserve features a diverse mix of habitats, including bottomland forest, wetlands, and grasslands, which provide a home to a variety of plant and animal species.
Visitors to Falcon Bottoms Natural Area can explore the trails and scenic areas of the reserve, including the marshes and sloughs that are home to a variety of waterfowl and other wetland species. The area is also known for its fishing opportunities, with several lakes and ponds stocked with a variety of fish species.
Interesting facts about Falcon Bottoms Natural Area include its designation as a Wetlands of Importance by the Missouri Department of Natural Resources and its history as a former farming and logging area that has since been restored to its natural state.
The best time of year to visit Falcon Bottoms Natural Area is in the fall and winter, when the area is teeming with wildlife and the changing colors of the foliage offer stunning views. However, the reserve is open year-round and offers something for visitors to enjoy in every season.
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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.
Related References