By:
Submission
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
Very pretty. The Maple Loop Trail (Loop A) was suprisingly overgrown and unkempt. We were crouching/shuffling under brush for a dozen feet at a time in places. There is a handicap accessible latrine in the parking lot off road 60 where you access maple loop. There is a VERY NICE picnic area a hundred feet from the parking lot. However, it is not accessible by wheelchair due to locked road gate and boulders blocking way. Very nice walk with some fair vertical gain and loss. North part of loop is in better condition than Southern portion. No sprint data service to speak of.
Had a wonderfully peaceful and quiet Memorial Day Weekend camping at Bluffwoods CA! We were the only campers so the aussies loved the large (well maintained) grass area to play frisbee and soccer. The grass was recently mowed and even after all of the rain for 4 days before going, it wasn’t muddy at all. There were several (5-8) primitive rock fire rings and lots of well spaced trees for shade and hammocking! Bring your own privy :)
Great natural dirt trail. So much to see around every corner. Beautiful hike! Trail was a little tricky in a few areas. A few good inclines with path switching back and forth. Had to cross over the creek in an area but rocks were placed to help. Hiking stick or poles may be helpful on this trail. Scenery was amazing and so peaceful along this trail.
Had a great walk with my kids looking for squirrels. Lots of overarching trees and beautiful rock formations. The picnic area was very nice in a scenic meadow with lots of barbecue grills.
