Route 79
Pike and Ralls Counties, Missouri
573-754-6171
The Edward Anderson Conservation Area is a forested area in Missouri’s Lincoln Hills region. Anderson Conservation Area offers some of the more rugged terrain in Northeast Missouri. The area is located along the Little Dixie National Scenic Byway, Highway 79. The land was originally donated in 1963 by Edward Anderson, a local landowner. Later purchases by the Department brought the area to its present size of 1,045 acres.
The Missouri Department of Conservation considers the autumn colors at the Edward Anderson Conservation Area to be among the finest in northeastern Missouri. Featuring forests almost exclusively, Edward Anderson Conservation Area is all about the trees. White, black, northern red and swamp white oaks, along with mixed hickories, dominate the area's forests. The mixed oaks display a broad range of red, yellow and orange leaves during fall.
The conservation area's hills reach a pinnacle at the highest point in Ralls County at 804 feet. Small, intermittent streams traverse the hilly terrain and drain into the Mississippi River, which borders the area for 2.3 miles. The river provides fishing waters for catfish, crappie and gar, but waterfront access is limited. The woods can also be used for deer, turkey and squirrel hunting in season. Timber stands provide excellent habitat for a variety of wildlife, so bird watching and wildlife viewing are year-round activities.
Although there are no designated trails, adventurous hikers can explore the area via an access road that leads close to the Mississippi River. The terrain is fairly rough and steep in some areas, so hikers should take necessary safety precautions. Primitive camping is available, and walk-in or float-in camping is permitted except when firearms are being used during deer and turkey seasons.
Visiting the Edward Anderson Conservation Area
Visiting Hours:
4 am - 10 pm daily
There is no charge to visit the Edward Anderson Conservation Area.
Use the official site of the Edward Anderson Conservation Area to find the answers to the questions about the Edward Anderson Conservation Area that you may have.
