Busiek State Forest and Wildlife Area

Driving Directions

Due to recent flooding,
access to trails and the shooting range is limited. Repair to bridges will take several
weeks.
Located 18 miles south of Springfield on Hwy 65.

Highlights

This area is mainly forest with savanna and old fields. Facilities/features: primitive camping by Special Use Permit only, picnic areas, firearms range, intermittent stream (Camp Creek), and a permanent stream (Woods Fork).

About This Area

This area is named in honor of Dr. Urban and Erma Marie Busiek. The original 740 acres was purchased from their son, Dr. Paul Busiek, in 1981 and approximately 1/4 of the purchase price was donated to the Missouri Department of Conservation. All other land was purchased by the Department over the next several years.

The area provides multiple recreation use opportunities. A well marked trail system provides approximately 18 miles of trails for use by hikers, bicyclists, and horseback riders. There is also an unstaffed firearms shooting range available. Camping is permitted ONLY with a permit - available through the Springfield Regional office.

General Information

Southwest

Christian

417-895-6880

Owned by MDC

Area is subject to flash flooding. 9/16/08 Limited access to trails and shooting range due to recent flooding. Repair to bridges will take several weeks.

Activities
Activity
(Activity Explanations)		 Comments
(Population Definition)
Bicycling   
Bird Watching  For a list of area birds, visit http://www.mobirds.org/CACHE/mdcchecklists1.asp?locID=251. 
Camping in Designated Areas  ALL CAMPING BY PERMIT ONLY (call 417-895-6880). No amenities provided. 
Hiking   
Horseback Riding   
Hunting-Deer Fair population.  
Hunting-Squirrel Fair population.  
Hunting-Turkey Fair population.  

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Conservation Department Facilities
Facility Item Name Count Comments
Camping Area - Primitive  9  Camping by permit only. There is a group campsite available. 
Other Shooting Range 1  Unstaffed shooting range west of State Highway 65. Where the entrance road forks on the east side of Highway 65 take the right fork in the road which dead ends at the shooting range. Paper targets only. 
Parking Lot  4   
Picnic Table  2   

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Features
Feature Item Name Count Size Comments
Stream - Intermittent Woods Fork 1 3.00 miles  
Stream - Intermittent Camp Creek 1 3.00 miles  

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Land Cover Types
Land Type Acres Comments
Old Field 80.00  
Other 1.91 Parking lots and shooting range. 
Forest and Woodland 2255.00  
Glade 165.00 Good wildflower viewing during summer and fall. 
Total Area Acres:2501.91 

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Designated Trails
Trail Name Trail Type Length
West trail system Multi-Use (Hike/Bike/Horse) 8.00 
East trail system Multi-Use (Hike/Bike/Horse) 10.00 

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Shooting Range General Information

93*14.10E

36*51.48

n/a

UnManned

Monday

1/2 hour before sunrise to 1/2 hour after sunset unless otherwise posted.

Click Shooting Ranges for more information.

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