Finger Lakes State Park

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Last Updated: December 5, 2025

Finger Lakes State Park is a popular destination in Missouri for outdoor enthusiasts and nature lovers.


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Summary

This park is known for its beautiful lake, which was created from an old strip mine, and offers a range of recreational activities such as fishing, boating, and swimming. There are also miles of hiking and biking trails that wind through the park, as well as a shooting range, campground, and picnic areas.

One of the main attractions at Finger Lakes State Park is the lake itself, which is stocked with a variety of fish, including bass, catfish, and crappie. Visitors can rent boats or bring their own to explore the lake, or simply relax on the sandy beach and soak up the sun.

Another popular spot in the park is the shooting range, which offers a variety of shooting options for both novice and experienced shooters. There are also several miles of hiking and biking trails that wind through the park, offering visitors a chance to explore the beautiful natural surroundings.

Interesting facts about Finger Lakes State Park include the fact that the lake was created from an old strip mine, and that the park is home to a variety of wildlife, including deer, turkey, and bald eagles.

The best time of year to visit Finger Lakes State Park is during the spring and fall, when the weather is mild and the crowds are smaller. However, the park is open year-round and offers activities and events throughout the year, so there is always something to do and see.

       

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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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