Montauk Fish Hatchery/Trout Park is inside Montauk State Park, southeast of Licking. From Highway 137 turn east on Highway VV and go 10 miles to Highway 119. Turn right on Highway 119 and watch for signs. The hatchery is on the headwaters of the Current River. Facilities/features: five fishing jetties, two springs (Montauk Springs, Bluff Springs), Montauk Lake (five acres). Facilities and features include picnic areas, shelter houses, camping, interpretive programs, hiking trails, motel, dining provided by the Dept. of Natural Resources at Montauk State Park.

Castor River Conservation Area is nearly all forest and is home to Blue Pond Natural Area. Blue Pond is the deepest natural pond in Missouri. Facilities/features: primitive camping, multi-use hike/bike/horse trail, numerous intermittent streams, and one permanent stream. The main tract lies 12 miles west of Marble Hill on both sides of the Hwy 34.

This is a predominantly forest area. Facilities/features: picnic area, fishing jetties, Buford Pond (3 acres, fishable), Blue Springs Natural Area (17 acres), Cardareva Bluff Natural Area (95 aces), and a permanent stream (Current River).The main tract of the Current River Conservation Area is 3 miles west of Ellington on Highway 106. There are three entrances: one is located 3 miles west of Ellington on Hwy. 106. Another is located on South Road in Ellington. The other is located on Reynolds County Road 626.

Indian Trail Conservation Area covers 13,503 acres in northeast Dent County, between Salem and Steelville. The entrance to the area is off Route 19. The area is mostly forested, but also includes food plots, ponds, and a 350-acre warm water fish hatchery, which provides channel catfish, bluegill, and bass for stocking throughout the state. The area contains an intricate mosaic of dolomite glades and chert savannas with open-grown trees on exposed slopes.

This rugged forest and old fields area has a hiking trail and 25 miles of field roads open to horseback riders. It also offers access to the Jacks Fork and Current Rivers. The 39,325-acre area is north of Eminence and extends 15 miles west to near Summersville, accessed by Highways 19 and 106 or Highway D.

The Eagle Bluffs Conservation Area is located southwest of Columbia. This 4,286 acre area is known for shorebird and migratory game bird viewing. Seasonally flooded wetlands attract numerous species of birds, making this a top site for bird watchers and migratory game bird hunters. The Missouri River flows along the western border of the area and Perche Creek flows along the easter border.

The area consists of more than 6,000 acres of rugged forest terrain in prime Ozark country. Three watersheds, the Meramec River and Huzzah and Courtois creeks, draw many visitors. Bring a canoe or kayak to access these waters for a day of fishing or floating adventure. Hikers will appreciate that six miles of the Ozark Trail transects most of the area, allowing access to many of its unique features. The Narrows, located in the extreme southwest portion of the area, is a narrow hogback ridge divided between Huzzah and Courtois creeks that features extremely steep topography and rapidly changing vegetation from ridge to creek bottom. Bear Cave and Bat Cave add to the site’s geology. Primitive campsites are open from Sept. 15 through May 15. To reach the area, cross the Meramec River at the end of Route H at Onondaga Cave State Park, or go northeast of Steelville on Route E and cross the low-water bridge at Huzzah Creek.

Meramec Conservation Area affords a glimpse of one of the jewels of the Ozarks — the Meramec River. Most of the area is home to lush forestland. Sheer cliffs along the Meramec River form the western border of the area, giving a scenic view of the river valley and surrounding hills. The wheel-chair accessible Woodland Trail offers hikers of all abilities glimpses of the river as well. Other trails provide the more adventures with hiking, horseback and bicycle riding. The area contains six caves, a great blue heron rookery and abundant wildlife. A number of streams and a spring are found on the site. Don’t forget to pack your fishing gear for a chance at hooking bass, catfish and sunfish. To reach the area, take I-44 to Route 185 near Sullivan. Exit south, go five miles and look for the cantilever sign.

Located along the Mississippi River, at the community of Ashburn, the 6,705 acre Ted Shanks Conservation Area offers unique opportunities for wildlife viewing and waterfowl hunting. The area contains a mix of bottomland hardwood timber, open marsh, mixed shrub/scrub/emergent wetlands, row crops, oxbow lakes and sloughs, old fields and upland woods. About 4,000 acres of the area are seasonally flooded to provide feeding, roosting and shelter habitat for migratory birds. Facilities/features include a lake boat ramp, stream boat ramp, waterfowl blinds, and two natural areas. There are more than 500 acres of fishable water, inluding Horseshoe Lake, Salt River and the Mississippi River.

This area contains 2,200 acres of wetlands as well as cropland, forest and old fields. Facilities/features include a concrete boat ramp, 21 unimproved boat ramps, primitive camping, picnic areas, three fishing jetties, a fishing dock, Otter Lake, Cypress Lake, Otter Lake Natural Area and Bradyville Natural Area. In Stoddard County, travel west of Dexter on Route 60, then 10 miles south on Route ZZ to County Road 675. Turn west on 675 and travel two miles to the area entrance.

This is a predominantly forest area with savanna and glades. Facilities include: Sunklands Natural Area, numerous small streams and a permanent stream (Current River). Sunklands Conservation Area is eight miles north of Highway 17 on Route K, then one mile down Route KB. Watch for an area sign at the junction of roads K-B and MDC Trail 360. The area can also be accessed by driving north of Eminence on Highway 19, then one mile west on County Road 19-234. Watch for the area sign.

Apple Creek Conservation Area is located in northeast Cape Girardeau County, 3 miles east of New Wells on State Highway CC. The Missouri Department of Conservation created Apple Creek Conservation Area in 1986 with the purchase of 2,082 acres from several landowners. Steep hills and narrow valleys characterize this area, and approximately 2.5 miles of Apple Creek stream frontage forms its northern border. The area is home to a mix of upland oak-hickory forests and a few bottomland forests. You may notice various forest improvement practices designed to improve wildlife habitat and maintain watershed quality. Any physical disturbance is only temporary and normal aesthetic appearance soon will return. The Conservation Department has created watering ponds and planted food plots and agricultural crops within the forest to provide additional food sources for wildlife. Timber harvests are also an important part of habitat management; they produce forage and cover for forest wildlife. North of Cape Girardeau, take the Fruitland exit off I-55, go 7 miles north on Hwy 61, then 6 miles east on Rte CC.

Forest 44 Conservation Area offers a unique opportunity to enjoy a variety of outdoor activities on the outskirts of St. Louis. This rugged forestland is situated on the northeastern most extension of the Ozark uplift and harbors plants and animals typical of Missouri’s Ozarks. Several springs feed Williams Creek, which flows along the eastern portion of the area. Flowering dogwood and redbud trees add to the area's natural beauty, especially in the springtime. The area has more than 13 miles of trails, including a wheelchair-accessible path. Ten miles are multi-use, providing recreation for both hikers and equestrians. Forest 44 Conservation Area is in West St.Louis County. From I-44, take Route 141 south to Meramec Station Doad, which is the first stoplight. Turn right (west) and drive a mile to Hillsboro Road. Turn left and go a half-mile to the area parking lot. The area offers a manned shooting range for public use. Range access is from I-44 Beaumont/Antire Road Exit, (Exit 269). For further range information and open hours, call 636-938-9548.

Offering conservation programs adjacent to some of the area's unique natural resources. Enjoy over three miles of nature trails; a 1,300 gallon aquarium; a 'green' building; and wildlife exhibits.

Little Lost Creek Conservation Area is an appealing stop for hiking, horseback riding or biking. The seven-mile multi-use trail takes outdoor adventurers over the area’s namesake, Little Lost Creek. This partially spring-fed Ozark stream is characterized by clear water and a rocky stream bed. Brilliantly colored Ozark fish species such as bleeding shiners, southern red belly dace and stippled darters, are found in the stream. Woodland wildlife, such as deer, turkey, squirrels, and ruffed grouse are year-round residents. Other sights in this mostly forested area are scattered glades, savannas and fields. Little Lost Creek Conservation Area can be reached from I-70 west of Warrenton by taking either Route B five miles south of Pendleton, or Route EE four miles south of Pendleton.

Weldon Spring Conservation Area provides more than 7,000 acres of natural beauty and outdoor recreation right in the heart of scenic Missouri Wine County. The rugged Lewis and Clark Trails reward hikers with impressive overlooks to the Missouri River. The 10-mile Lost Valley Trail gives both hikers and cyclists a chance to stretch their legs. The area also offers access to another one of Missouri’s gems — the Katy Trail. All the way there’s plenty of birds and wildlife to see with binoculars and capture with a camera. A boat ramp provides access to the Missouri River and a number of ponds make for other great fishing opportunities. The site is also home to the Weldon Spring Hollow Natural Area. The Natural Area designation identifies a place that exemplifies pristine natural features of Missouri. Weldon Spring Conservation Area is accessible from several parking areas along Route 94, south of Route 40/61.

Columbia Bottom is a mosaic of natural communities including wetlands, forests, prairie, and cropland. The area encompasses the 110-acre Duck Island on the Mississippi River, as well as over six miles of river frontage. A semi-circular road runs through the area and features eight exploration stations along the way, where visitors can discover surrounding habitats in a self-guided learning experience. The confluence of Missouri and Mississippi Rivers – the fourth largest river system in the world – can be observed from the site’s Confluence Viewing Platform, located at the end of the semi-circular drive. The site office and visitor center has a number of educational displays designed to help guests get acquainted with the site. Naturalist-led educational programs are frequently offered for the public and school or scout groups. Please call ahead, as most programs require advanced registration. Columbia Bottom Conservation Area is in North St. Louis County. Take the Riverview Drive exit from I-270, then go north on Riverview about 2.5 miles.

The management lands consist of 54,000 acres distributed around the reservoir in parts of Henry, Benton, Hickory and St. Clair counties in west central Missouri. Historically, Native Americans occupying this area were principally Osage, Shawnee and Kickapoo.