Hilda Young State Conservation Area
Rate this placeLast Updated: December 5, 2025
Hilda Young State Conservation Area is a 1,575-acre protected area located in the state of Missouri.
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Summary
It is managed by the Missouri Department of Conservation and offers visitors a variety of recreational opportunities, including hiking, fishing, birdwatching, and hunting.
One of the main reasons to visit Hilda Young State Conservation Area is its beautiful natural scenery. The area features rolling hills, forests, and wetlands, as well as several small lakes and ponds that are home to a variety of fish and wildlife.
There are several points of interest within the conservation area, including the Hilda Young Memorial Chapel, which was built in honor of the conservationist for whom the area is named. There are also several hiking trails that wind through the woods and offer visitors the chance to observe birds and wildlife in their natural habitats.
Interesting facts about Hilda Young State Conservation Area include its designation as a "Globally Important Bird Area" by the Audubon Society. The area is home to several species of birds that are considered rare or threatened, including the Henslow's sparrow and the northern harrier.
The best time of year to visit Hilda Young State Conservation Area depends on the activities you are interested in. Spring and fall are popular times for hiking and birdwatching, while summer is a great time for fishing and water-based activities. Hunting is allowed in the conservation area during certain seasons, so this may also be a consideration for some visitors.
Overall, Hilda Young State Conservation Area is a beautiful and diverse natural area that offers visitors a variety of recreational opportunities. Whether you are interested in hiking, fishing, birdwatching, or just enjoying the great outdoors, it is definitely worth a visit.
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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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