Little Lost Creek Conservation Area

Driving Directions

Five miles south of Pendleton on Route B or 4 miles south of Pendleton on Route EE.

Highlights

This is a predominantly forested area with scattered glades, savannas, and fields. Facilities/features: primitive camping/picnicking, and a 7-mile multi-use trail. Little Lost Creek is a partially spring-fed Ozark stream, characterized by clear water and a rocky stream bed. Brillantly colored Ozark fish species such as bleeding shiners, southern red bellly dace and stippled darters, are found in the stream. Woodland wildlife, such as deer, turkey, squirrels, and ruffed grouse are year-round residents.

About This Area

Little Lost Creek Conservation Area is in the Missouri River hills of central Warren County. This conservation area was named for the creek that meanders through the area's deep valleys and rugged wooded hills, affording several scenic overlooks. Little Lost Creek is a partially spring-fed Ozark stream, characterized by clear water and a rocky stream bed. Brilliantly colored Ozark fish species, such as bleeding shiners, southern red belly dace and stippled darters, are found in the stream.

The 2,899-acre area consists mostly of oak/hickory forest and glades. A fall hike through the area provides visitors with dazzling displays of fall color. Little Lost Creek Valley features intermittent waterfalls, chutes, and outcrops of St. Peter sandstone, which provides habitat for numerous fern species.

Woodland wildlife, such as deer, turkey, squirrels and ruffed-grouse are year-round residents. Pileated woodpeckers and other woodland birds are common most of the year.

Management of the forest at Little Lost Creek Conservation Area ensures that small openings are available for the benefit of many wildlife species and provides a continuing diversity of habitat.

Open fields are managed by planting food plots and maintaining native warm-season prairie grasses to ensure food and cover for numerous species of wildlife. Fields with native grasses and forbs established are maintained with prescribed fire.

The area is steeped in history. Artifacts found in and around some of the fields indicate that several tribes of Native Americans may have used the area for hunting purposes. Daniel Boone homesteaded a few miles southeast of Little Lost Creek and it can be assumed that he would have also hunted game here.

General Information

St. Louis

Warren

636-441-4554

Owned by MDC

There are also seasonal waterfalls and large rock outcrops in this area.

Activities
Activity
(Activity Explanations)		 Comments
(Population Definition)
Bicycling  A 7 mile multi-use trail is open from the end of spring turkey season to the beginning of fall turkey season.  
Bird Watching  Great opportunity for viewing both early and late successional forest dwelling birds. 
Camping in Designated Areas  Camping is allowed around the 4 primary parking lots. No amenities provided. 
Hiking  Hiking is available on 7 mile multi-use trail and numerous service roads year round.  
Horseback Riding  A 7 mile multi-use trail is open from the end of spring turkey season to the beginning of fall turkey season.  
Hunting-Deer Good population. Firearm seasons limited to antlered deer only.
See Wildlife Code Book (Chapter 11) or the Fall Deer and Turkey Hunting Regulations and the Information booklet for more information.  
Hunting-Rabbit Fair population.  
Hunting-Squirrel Good population.  
Hunting-Turkey Good population.  
Nature Viewing  Intermitent creeks and glades provide many scenic views.  

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Conservation Department Facilities
Facility Item Name Count Comments
Camping Area - Primitive  4  No amenities provided. 
Parking Lot  5   
Picnic Table  3   

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Features
Feature Item Name Count Size Comments
Fishless Pond  4 0.75 acres They range in size from 1/10 of an acre to 1/3 of an acre.  
Stream - Intermittent Little Lost Creek 1 2.00 miles  
Wildlife Watering Hole  17 1.00 acres 

Small watering holes, many being remnant clay pits from former mining on the area.

 

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Land Cover Types
Land Type Acres Comments
Old Field 100.00  
Forest and Woodland 2700.00  
Glade 34.00  
Grassland (non-prairie) 57.00 planted to native warm season grass 
Crop Land 8.00 green browse plots 
Total Area Acres:2899.00 

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Designated Trails
Trail Name Trail Type Length
multi-use trail Multi-Use (Hike/Bike/Horse) 7.00 

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Shooting Range General Information

This area has no shooting ranges.

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