Leave No Trace
Every year, millions of pounds of trash are collected from our nation’s rivers, parks, and streets.  If you visit a state conservation park, river, lake, campground or other public place, remember to leave no trace of yourself.

• Introduction
• Hunting & Trapping
• Fishing
• State Parks
  • Mark Twain Birthplace State Historic Site
  • Mark Twain State Park

Introduction

From Northeast Region Conservation Priorities, "The Missouri Department of Conservation (MDC) is constitutionally responsible for the ". . . control, management, restoration, conservation and regulation of the bird, fish, game, forestry and wildlife resources of the state . . . Its priorities include:

• Assisting willing landowners to improve their land for fish, forest and wildlife
• Concentrating management efforts on land held in public conservation areas; and
• Working with government agencies and non-government organizations to improve habitat for fish and wildlife."

Despite dramatic land use changes over the last two hundred years, Northeast Missouri currently has a bounty of fish, forest and wildlife resources.  About three percent of the land in the Northeast Region of the state is in public ownership and the MDC manages 82 conservation areas approximately  89,000 acres. The area includes 41 stream accesses, 33 lakes and three reservoirs.  The MDC advises and assists the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers and other agencies with land management around Thomas Hill, Long Branch and Mark Twain reservoirs, and the Upper Mississippi Conservation Area.

Natural areas are lands designated by the MDC as examples of biological communities in the state, and are permanently protected and managed for the purpose of preserving their natural qualities.  Examples are prairie, marsh, bottomland forest and savanna.  These communities may serve as  restoration areas and are prime sites for educating school children and youth groups.  The MDC plans improvements on existing natural areas. Activities shall include conducting prescribed burns,  controlling invading exotic plants. The department anticipate nominating additional natural area sites.

Links to descriptions of MDC Conservation Areas in the six-county North Fork watershed area are provided in the table below, along with information regarding a "short list" of the many activities and facilities available at individual sites, including hunting, fishing, hiking, biking, horseback riding, picnicking and camping.  For additional activities and facilities please visit the website below.

You are also encouraged to visit the Online Conservation Atlas for a complete list of Conservation Areas available in Missouri

* Trapping usually requires a Special Use permit.

Hunting & Trapping

Hunting and trapping is permitted in most Conservation Areas in the North Fork Salt watershed.  Hunting and trapping privileges require the purchase of a Permit - available at many locations within the area - and hunting for specific animals can be undertaken only during designated times of the year.

Fishing

Fishing is allowed in many Conservation Areas and fishing privileges also require the purchase of Permits.  Fishing for some species can only be undertaken during designated times of the year.

State Parks

In Missouri, state parks are managed by the Missouri Department of Natural Resources. Two state parks are located within the North Fork watershed, the Mark Twain Birthplace State Historic Site and the Mark Twain State Park.

Mark Twain Birthplace State Historic Site

Mark Twain, one of America’s unique and best-loved personalities, was born about one-fourth mile north of this historic site in a rented cabin in the small town of Florida. Today, the Mark Twain Birthplace State Historic Site stands as a tribute to the author-humorist.

Details of Samuel Clemens’ remarkable life are interpreted through exhibits at the Museum. The Museum contains the preserved two-room cabin in which Samuel Langhorne Clemens was born, as well as first editions of Mark Twain’s works, a handwritten manuscript of "The Adventures of Tom Sawyer," and furnishings from his Hartford, Conn., home. A public reading room is available for personal study and research.

In the village of Florida, a red granite monument marks the original location of the cabin. Surrounding the memorial museum and the state historic site is Mark Twain State Park. The 2,775-acre park offers opportunities for camping, hiking, swimming, fishing, and access to Mark Twain Lake. 

Accessibility

• The park and the site itself is fully compliant with the Americans with Disabilities Act Accessibility Guidelines (ADAAG)
• The Museum contains the actual cabin where Samuel Clemens was born. From two handicap parking spaces, across the drive and up the concrete ramp, you enter the lobby to be greeted by an informative staff person. Immediately off to your left is the cabin. A ramp takes you down to where the cabin sits with the doors open so you can peer in where an eight-member family lived. All around the cabin are exhibits that help tell their tale. On the other side of the lobby are more exhibits of Mark Twain's furniture, the original manuscript of "The Adventures of Tom Sawyer," a room for an audio-visual presentation and other items relating to the life of Mark Twain. An accessible water fountain and restroom are available
• Not far from the parking lot is a scenic overlook that can be reached by going across natural turf. Some users may need assistance; however, in fair weather, the short, mown grass should be accessible.

Mark Twain State Park

Mark Twain State Park takes its name from the famous Missouri author-humorist whose real name was Samuel L. Clemens. Established in the 1920s through the efforts of the Mark Twain Memorial Park Association, the 2,775-acre park was transferred to the state in 1924. It is the third oldest state park in Missouri.

The park is located in the Salt River Hills, an area created when the system carved through the glaciated plains of northeast. Receiving its name from the numerous salt springs in the area, the Salt river and its tributaries created a landscape that is more hilly and rugged than the surrounding level terrain and is reminiscent of southern parts of the state with limestone bluffs overlooking woodlands of oak, hickory and maple.

The character and role of the park changed dramatically when Clarence Cannon Dam was built across creating Mark Twain Lake. Construction of the dam began in 1966 and it was completed in 1983. In addition to power generation, the 18,000-acre lake provides flood control for the Salt River valley and drinking water to surrounding communities as well as recreational opportunities. The park land that once overlooked the fertile Salt River now overlooks the lake.

Plant species in the park range from prairie types, such as orange puccoon, lead plant and purple prairie clover, to upland forest species, such as black oak, blackjack oak and blue ash. The Park is also a refuge for white-tailed deer, turkey, raccoons, squirrels, osprey, northern harriers and numerous waterfowl, and bald eagles often spend the winter in Northeast Missouri and have nested near the park in recent years.

Visitors wishing to spend a night or more in the park can make use of the available 40 basic and 63 electric sites. Advance reservation may be needed in some areas. Located on the lake, the campground is equipped with modern showers and laundry facilities. A courtesy boat ramp and fish-cleaning station are located in the campground.

Two public boat ramps with paved parking lots are located in the park for the convenience of visitors with boats. Fishing enthusiasts can cast their lines in Mark Twain Lake, searching for blue gill, crappie, catfish, largemouth bass, carp, walleye and perch. The lake has many quiet coves where anglers can spend peaceful days fishing. For park visitors seeking sun and fun, a public beach offers a safe swimming area along with a change house.

Buzzard's Roost picnic area provides a shaded setting for a relaxing lunch or family fun. Two shelter houses and a playground are available for park visitors. For the hiker wanting to see more of the park, six miles of trails meander between Buzzard's Roost and the campground. Hiking here affords numerous opportunities to view woodland wildlife and plant life, as well as scenic views of Mark Twain Lake. The Buzzard's Roost overlook provides a popular view of the lake from a towering limestone bluff.

Also located in the park is Camp Colborn, a group camp that features a dining lodge, kitchen, sleeping cabins and an outdoor play court. Camp Colborn is available by reservation only.

Park Hours - The park grounds are open year-round from sunrise to 10 p.m., and the park office is open Monday through Friday from 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. year-round.

Accessibility - Some portions of the area are fully compliant with Americans with Disabilities Act Accessibility Guidelines (ADAAG):

• Park Office: A curb cut at this point allows access to the information board. The boat ramp has slopes from 6.7 to 8.3 percent and allows for more than one user at a time. An accessible vault toilet is located near the entrance of the parking lot. Courtesy docks and picnicking are not accessible at this time
• Beach Area: This sunny area has two asphalt parking lots with unmarked spaces. Spaces closest to the change house are the most level; however, neither of the two lots have steep slopes. Concrete pathways lead to the change house, which has 5-foot square changing rooms and accessible restrooms. Two changing rooms accommodate multiple users. A water fountain is available just outside the building. The parking lot is on an average slope of 1.8 percent. The path to the beach is of sand and some users may need assistance. There is no shade in this area.
• Route U Boat Ramp Area: This boat ramp has a 4 to 8 percent slope and accommodates two users at a time. Courtesy docks have not been modified for accessibility. Leading up to the parking lot is a concrete path 450 feet long. This path has a railing and a slope of 4.1 to 6.5 percent. At the top are five asphalt parking spaces sharing access aisles directly in front of an accessible vault toilet.
• Buzzard's Roost Picnic Area: The path to the shelter is gravel. The option of driving up closer to the shelter is available with prior permission. The shelter accommodates 55 people and may be reserved. An accessible vault toilet and a water fountain are available in this area
• Campground Boat Launch: A boat launch is located at the end of the campground and has a slope of 4.5 to 8.2 percent and accommodates one user at a time. A level area at the top of the launch allows for loading. The path from the parking lot to the launch is of gravel-filled ties
• Campground Fish Cleaning Station: Located above the launch, at the end of the parking lot, is a fish-cleaning station. This station was developed for all users and has a handicap parking space. The special-use area is not modified for accessibility.

Index | Agriculture | Non-Ag Activities | Recreation | NPS | Plants & Animals | Water Quality
Physical | Hydrology | Drinking Water | Curriculum | Youth Activities

Elk River | James River | Sac River | Spring River | North Fork Salt River

Missouri Department
of Natural Resources

Missouri Watershed Information Network (MoWIN)
Send comments to: mowin1@missouri.edu
205 Agricultural Engineering
Columbia, MO 65211
Phone: (573) 882-0085
Toll Free: (MO only): 1-877-H20-shed (426-7433)
Fax: (573) 884-5650

Page last updated August 26, 2008