Summary
The park comprises a total area of around 250 acres, and visitors can explore a wide range of outdoor activities such as hiking, fishing, camping, and boating.
One of the main attractions of Masters Park is its picturesque lake, which offers boating and fishing opportunities. The lake is stocked with a variety of fish such as bass, catfish, and bluegill, making it a perfect spot for fishing enthusiasts. Moreover, the park also features a playground for kids, picnic areas with barbecue grills, and hiking trails that offer stunning views of the surrounding landscape.
Interesting facts about Masters Park include the fact that it is named after its founder, Senator James A. Masters, who donated the land to the state in 1924. The park is located in the Ozark Mountains and boasts of an abundance of wildlife, including deer, wild turkey, and various bird species.
The best time to visit Masters Park is during the fall season, from late September to early November, when the foliage is at its peak. The park is also open year-round, although some areas may be closed during the winter months.
Overall, Masters Park is a must-visit destination in Missouri, offering a wide range of activities for nature lovers and families alike. The scenic beauty of the park, combined with its rich history, make it a unique and memorable experience for visitors.
Weather Forecast
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
Cedar Ridge - Stockton Lake
Stockton State Park
Hawker Point - Stockton Lake
Crabtree Cove - Stockton Lake
Mutton Creek Park - Stockton Lake
Orleans Trail South Park - Stockton Lake