Brickyard Hill Conservation Area

Driving Directions

Travel east of I-29 Exit 116 on Highway B for 1/8 mile, then turn southeast on Route RA for 1/8 mile to area entrance.

Highlights

The area is mostly forest with significant tracts of old fields and grassland.

About This Area

Located in Atchison County, Brickyard Hill Conservation Area was created in 1962. Adjoining tracts were later acquired to comprise its current acres. The soil of the area is a type known as "loess." It was formed primarily by deposits of silt and clay after the retreat of the glaciers. Soil depth varies from 10 to 90 feet. The loess soil was found to be ideal for making bricks, and the area was named after a brick factory that was established here around 1900. Because of its size and diversity, the area is managed for a wide range of game and non-game wildlife. Deer, turkey, and squirrels are abundant. Forested areas are diverse, containing lowland species like cottonwood and willow as well as upland hardwoods like hickory, American elm, red oak, and burr oak. A burr oak more than 300 years old has been found on a remote part of the area. The Brickyard Hill Loess Mounds Natural Area is on the southwest side of the area. Dry "loess" hill prairies, found only in this corner of Missouri and the river bluffs in extreme western Iowa, are located on the blufftops here. Nine uncommon state-listed plant species better adapted to the more arid Great Plains to the west are found in these hill prairies. Management of this area includes periodic prescribed burns to maintain the loess hill prairies. Anglers will find quality fishing for bass, bluegill, and channel catfish in 13-acre Charity Lake on Brickyard Hill. The wildlife area also features an archery range. Erosion of mounds of wind blown loess soil well over 100 feet deep has created a steep and rugged landscape. Dry prairies on ridge tops with some plants more typically found in the Great Plains 100 miles or more to the west can be seen and accessed from a parking lot off of Hwy. B on the north end of the area. These prairies contain over 1/2 dozen plant species that are state listed species of conservation concern.

General Information

Northwest

Atchison

816-271-3100

Owned by MDC

Activities
Activity
(Activity Explanations)		 Comments
(Population Definition)
Bird Watching  For a list of area birds, visit http://www.mobirds.org/CACHE/mdcchecklists1.asp?locID=25.  
Camping - Individual Campsites  Camping area near Charity Lake has fire rings, privy, and picnic tables.  
Demonstrations  Loess Bluff Prairie Plant Communities which will be maintain through control burning and selective cutting of woody invasion. 
Fishing - Bass Good population. Charity Lake  
Fishing - Catfish Good population. Charity Lake - Channel catfish stocked annually  
Fishing - Sunfish Good population. Charity Lake  
Hiking  A maintained trail exists around Charity Lake. 
Hunting-Deer Fair population. Clink on link to Area Regulations.  
Hunting-Rabbit Fair population.  
Hunting-Squirrel Good population.  
Hunting-Turkey Good population.  

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Conservation Department Facilities
Facility Item Name Count Comments
Boat Ramp - Lake - Concrete Charity Lake 1   
Camping Area - Individual Campsites  2   
Other Archery Range 1 

Archery Range with backstops at various distances.

 
Parking Lotaccessible 6  1 ADA  
Privy/Restroomaccessible 2  1 ADA  

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Features
Feature Item Name Count Size Comments
Designated Natural Area Brickyard Hill Loess Mound 1 125.00 acres Loess Hills-Glacial wind blown soils; dry prairie; some rare prairie plants. For more information, visit http://www.mdc.mo.gov/areas/natareas/p18-2.htm. 
Fishing Lake or Pond Charity Lake 1 13.00 acres  

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Land Cover Types
Land Type Acres Comments
Savanna 50.00  
Old Field 200.00  
Crop Land 120.00  
Lakes/Ponds 13.50  
Forest and Woodland 1566.80  
Grassland (non-prairie) 306.17  
Total Area Acres:2256.47 

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Designated Trails
Trail Name Trail Type Length
hiking trail Hiking (Non-Interpretive) 1.00 

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Shooting Range General Information

95*33.961W

40*27.895N

Privy

UnManned

Varies

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

Click Shooting Ranges for more information.

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