Mingo Wilderness Area
Rate this placeLast Updated: December 5, 2025
Mingo Wilderness Area is located in the southeastern part of Missouri and covers over 20,000 acres.
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Summary
The region is home to a diverse range of flora and fauna, including black bears, bald eagles, and river otters. There are many good reasons to visit the Mingo Wilderness Area, including hiking, hunting, fishing, and wildlife viewing.
One of the key points of interest in the Mingo Wilderness Area is the Mingo National Wildlife Refuge, which covers over 21,000 acres and is home to a wide range of waterfowl, migratory birds, and other wildlife. Visitors can explore the refuge via hiking trails, auto tours, and canoe trips.
Other notable features of the Mingo Wilderness Area include the Little River and St. Francis River, both of which offer excellent opportunities for fishing and canoeing. The area also boasts a number of historic sites, including the Old Greenville State Park and the Hunter-Dawson State Historic Site.
The best time of year to visit the Mingo Wilderness Area depends on what activities you are interested in. Spring and fall are generally considered the best seasons for hiking, birdwatching, and nature photography, while summer is a popular time for fishing and canoeing. Winter can be a good time to visit for wildlife viewing, as many of the animals in the area are more active during the colder months.
Overall, the Mingo Wilderness Area is a beautiful and diverse region that offers something for everyone, from outdoor enthusiasts to history buffs to nature lovers.
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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
Mingo National Wildlife Refuge
Yokum School Conservation Area
Lake Wappapello State Park
Duck Creek Conservation Area