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Bluffwoods Conservation Area

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Bluffwoods Conservation Area in Missouri features rolling hills and dense woodlands. Temperatures range from lows of 20°F in winter to highs of 90°F in summer. Nearby, visitors can explore the Pony Express National Museum and the Remington Nature Center.

Description

Missouri Department of Conservation

The Bluffwoods and Goodell Conservation Areas are located just nine miles south of St. Joseph in the Missouri River loess hills in southwestern Buchanan County. Bluffwoods was acquired in the mid-1970s for the purpose of providing a wide range of outdoor recreational opportunities and to maintain a portion of the last remaining oak-hickory forested areas in northwest Missouri. The forest on Bluffwoods is home to several different kinds of trees as one would expect including: northern red oak, chinkapin oak, basswood, black walnut, pawpaw and the spectacular fall color of the sugar maples. Other woodland plants that can be found include Adam and Eve orchids and showy orchids. The remaining acres on Bluffwoods consist of a mix of old crop fields, abandoned pasturelands, and homesteads (no structures remain) and a few native grass openings, likely remnants of dry loess hill prairies. Steep bluffs adjacent to the Missouri River valley provide numerous vantage points for scenic views that can be accessed by service roads and trail loops. The Forest Nature Trail is a gently sloped, paved, disabled accessible trail system that winds thru forested and openland habitats. Restroom privies and picnic pavilion, both disabled accessible are at the trail head. The Kerlin Creek Picnic Area is located at the trail head of the Maple Falls and Lone Pine trails and has several picnic tables and fire rings available along with a disabled accessible privy. There are two wet weather springs and a waterfall that can also be found on the Maple Falls Trail loop. Over 100 woodland species of wildlife can be found on Bluffwoods including: turkey, squirrel, raccoons, deer, foxes, and numerous species of birds. As a matter of fact this area has been designated by Audubon Missouri as an Important Bird Area (IBA). IBAs are sites that have been identified by Audubon as those that are the most crucial for bird populations, due to their abundance and/or diversity of birds present. Find out more about the IBA program. Several songbirds whose numbers have recently declined, overwinter in the tropics or migrate through or nest in the forests of Bluffwoods Conservation Area. Bottomland wetlands and forests and woodlands in the nearby bluffs are among the variety of natural communities found in the Iatan/Weston Missouri River Corridor Conservation Opportunity Area and Priority Forest Landscape between Kansas City and Saint Joseph. The Missouri Department of Conservation, Audubon Missouri, Natural Resources Conservation Service, Missouri Department of Natural Resources, U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, and interested private landowners have partnered to conserve high quality marshes, wetlands, woodlands and forests for neotropical migratory songbirds and species of conservation concern in this opportunity area.

Camping is permitted only in designated areas and is limited to 14 consecutive days in a 30-day period. All personal property must be removed from the area at the end of the 14-day period. Groups of 10 or more people must obtain a specialuse permit. https://mdc.mo.gov/sites/default/files/2022-03/7403.pdf

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Location

Bluffwoods Conservation Area is located in Missouri

Detail location of campground

Coordinates

39.6382309 N
94.9308534 W

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Access

  • Drive-In
    Park next to your site
  • Walk-In
    Park in a lot, walk to your site.

Stay Connected

  • WiFi
    Good
  • Verizon
    Unknown
  • AT&T
    Unknown
  • T-Mobile
    Unknown

Site Types

  • Tent Sites
  • RV Sites
  • Standard (Tent/RV)
  • Group

Features

For Campers

  • ADA Access
  • Alcohol
  • Pets
  • Fires

For Vehicles

  • Big Rig Friendly

FREE established camping

Enjoy camping on government land. Limited or no services at this camping area.


PERMIT might be REQUIRED

We curate permit requirements across the US for our PRO members. Try PRO to see if Bluffwoods Conservation Area needs a permit.

Contact

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Reviews

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2 Reviews

Reviewed Jul. 28, 2023

A nice stop but bring a fan

I’m driving up to Wyoming from Tennessee and camping along the way and this was my first stop. I didn’t know what exactly to expect but upon pulling in there was one other car there and I asked them if they could help me find the designated camping spot, because I could not find anything Other than small patches of grass, which I wasn’t sure if they were camping sites or not, and he told me that I needed to get a permit to park and camp which shocked me, but I drove to where I could get enough service to call them and upon calling them, I discovered that I did not need a permit. You only need a permit if you’re in a group over 11 people. That was a little bit annoying, but it was an honest mistake on that guys part. He wasn’t being mean, just trying to inform me. Upon setting up my campsite, the heat and humidity really settled in and it was actually quite miserable but that was my bad for not bringing a fan. Overall the place is well-maintained and quiet. But you definitely are going to want to bring a battery powered or rechargeable fan. Incredibly hot and humid. 

SiteN/A
Month of VisitAugust
  • Review photo of Bluffwoods Conservation Area by Seth R., July 28, 2023
Reviewed Jun. 6, 2022

lovely, quiet camping near St. Joe’s MO

Love this little area for camping! It’s well maintained, quiet, easy to access, has lots of grass for the dogs to play and we always see wildlife. People often leave trash so be sure to leave no trace so it stays nice for all to enjoy <3

Month of VisitMay
  • Review photo of Bluffwoods Conservation Area by Whitney L., June 6, 2022
  • Review photo of Bluffwoods Conservation Area by Whitney L., June 6, 2022
  • Review photo of Bluffwoods Conservation Area by Whitney L., June 6, 2022
  • (4) View All

Frequently Asked Questions

  • Are fires allowed at Bluffwoods Conservation Area?

    Yes, according to campers on TheDyrt.com, fires are allowed at Bluffwoods Conservation Area, although make sure to check current fire restrictions in the area.

  • Does Bluffwoods Conservation Area have wifi?

    No, according to campers on TheDyrt.com, Bluffwoods Conservation Area does not have wifi.