Peason Ridge Wildlife Management Area

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Last Updated: December 5, 2025

Pearson Ridge Wildlife Management Area is a 9,100-acre wildlife sanctuary located in the state of Missouri.


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Summary

The area is known for its diverse range of flora and fauna, and it provides an excellent opportunity for visitors to explore the natural beauty of the region. There are a number of good reasons to visit Pearson Ridge, including hiking, bird watching, fishing, and hunting.

One of the most popular points of interest in the area is the Pearson Ridge Trail, which is a 4.5-mile loop that winds through the forest and offers stunning views of the surrounding landscape. Other notable attractions include the Pearson Ridge Shooting Range, the Pearson Ridge Lake, and the Pearson Ridge Campground.

There are a number of interesting facts about Pearson Ridge Wildlife Management Area that make it a unique and special destination. For example, the area is home to a diverse range of species, including white-tailed deer, wild turkey, bobcat, and black bear. Additionally, the area’s forest is a mix of hardwoods and pine, which provides a rich and varied habitat for wildlife.

The best time of year to visit Pearson Ridge Wildlife Management Area depends on the activities you are interested in. For example, the spring and summer months are great for hiking, bird watching, and fishing, while the fall and winter months are ideal for hunting. Regardless of the season, Pearson Ridge offers visitors a unique and unforgettable experience that they will not soon forget.

       

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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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