Lakes Coulee Wildlife Area

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Last Updated: December 5, 2025

Lakes Coulee Wildlife Area is a popular nature preserve located in the state of Missouri.


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Summary

The area is home to a variety of wildlife, including deer, turkeys, and various species of birds, making it an ideal destination for nature lovers and birdwatchers.

There are several reasons to visit the Lakes Coulee Wildlife Area, including its beautiful scenery and the opportunity to view wildlife up close. The area features several hiking trails and observation areas, as well as a fishing lake and picnic areas.

One of the main points of interest in the Lakes Coulee Wildlife Area is the abundance of wetlands, which provide habitat for a wide variety of plant and animal life. Visitors can observe a variety of waterfowl, including ducks, geese, and herons, as well as muskrats, beavers, and other wetland creatures.

Another interesting fact about the Lakes Coulee Wildlife Area is that it was once the site of an ancient Native American village, and artifacts from this period can still be found in the area today.

The best time of year to visit the Lakes Coulee Wildlife Area is in the spring or fall when the weather is mild, and the wildlife is most active. However, visitors can enjoy the area year-round, with different activities and sights to see throughout the seasons.

       

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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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