Summary
There are several reasons to visit this area including hiking, camping, hunting, and fishing. The forest offers visitors the chance to experience the beauty of Missouri's natural landscape.
One of the main points of interest in Lyons State Forest is the Big Creek Natural Area. This area has a variety of hiking trails, including the Big Creek Trail which follows the creek for several miles. There are also several waterfalls in the area, including Rocky Falls which is a popular spot for visitors.
Lyons State Forest is home to a variety of wildlife including deer, turkey, and black bear. The forest is also home to several species of rare plants, including the Ozark trillium. Visitors can also fish in the several streams and ponds throughout the forest.
The best time of year to visit Lyons State Forest is in the spring and fall when the weather is mild and the foliage is at its peak. Visitors should note that hunting is allowed in the forest during certain times of the year, so they should plan accordingly if they are not hunters.
Overall, Lyons State Forest is a beautiful natural area in Missouri that offers visitors a chance to experience the state's natural beauty. With hiking trails, waterfalls, wildlife, and fishing, there is something for everyone to enjoy in this forest.
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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
Area Campgrounds
| Location | Reservations | Toilets |
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Cottingham Park Campground
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Cottingham County Park Campground
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Knob Hill
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Knob Hill Campground
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Bullard’s Bluff Campground
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Bullard Bluff Campsite
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