Fiery Fork State Forest
Rate this placeLast Updated: December 5, 2025
Fiery Fork State Forest is located in the Ozark region of Missouri and is a popular destination for outdoor enthusiasts, especially hikers and anglers.
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Summary
The forest covers an area of over 11,000 acres and has several natural springs, streams, and ponds that provide habitats for a variety of wildlife, including deer, turkey, and various bird species.
One of the main reasons to visit Fiery Fork State Forest is to explore the network of hiking trails that wind through the forest and offer scenic views of the surrounding landscape. The forest is also a popular spot for fishing, with several streams and ponds offering ample opportunities to catch trout, smallmouth bass, and other species.
Visitors to Fiery Fork State Forest can also check out the historic mill site, which was once used to process timber and is now a popular spot for picnics and other outdoor activities. The forest is also home to several primitive campsites, making it a great destination for camping and backpacking.
Interesting facts about the area include the presence of several species of rare plants and animals, including the Ozark big-eared bat and the Ozark chinquapin. The forest is also home to several natural springs that are believed to have healing properties.
The best time of year to visit Fiery Fork State Forest is during the spring and fall months, when the weather is mild and the foliage is at its most colorful. Summer can be hot and humid, while winter can be cold and snowy, making outdoor activities more challenging.
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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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