Matney Park
Rate this placeLast Updated: December 5, 2025
Matney Park is a picturesque park located in Southwest Missouri, about 15 miles from Joplin.
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Summary
The park is a popular destination for outdoor enthusiasts, offering a range of activities for people of all ages.
One of the main reasons to visit Matney Park is the stunning scenery. The park is set in a beautiful natural area, with rolling hills, lush forests, and a pristine lake. Visitors can enjoy hiking, biking, fishing, and boating, as well as picnicking and camping.
Some of the specific points of interest to see at the park include the lake, which is stocked with fish and is a popular spot for fishing. There are also several hiking trails that wind through the park, offering stunning views of the surrounding area.
One interesting fact about Matney Park is that it was once a popular destination for miners and their families. The area was rich in lead and zinc, and many people came to the area to work in the mines. Today, the park offers a chance to explore the history of the area, with several interpretive exhibits and displays.
The best time of year to visit Matney Park is in the spring, summer, and fall. The park is open year-round, but the weather can be unpredictable in the winter months, with snow and ice making some activities difficult.
Overall, Matney Park is a hidden gem in Southwest Missouri, offering a chance to get away from it all and enjoy the beauty of nature. Whether you are looking for outdoor activities or a peaceful place to relax, Matney Park 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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