Sugar Creek Conservation Area

Driving Directions

Four miles west of Kirksville on Highway 11, and 1/4 mile south on Route N.

Highlights

The area is mainly forest with old fields and cropland. Facilities/features: hiking trail, designated multi-use trail (permit required for groups of 10 or more riders), and intermittent streams (Sugar Creek, Elm Creek).

About This Area

Sugar Creek Conservation Area is in Adair County, 4 miles southwest of Kirksville. The Conservation Department acquired the original 72 acres of this area as a forest fire lookout tower site, but the tower was never built. Known then as "Kirksville Woods," this small area was combined with a 2,536-acre tract, purchased in 1974, to create Sugar Creek Conservation Area. The area is primarily forested, with a few open fields on ridges and along Sugar Creek. Both Sugar Creek and Elm Creek run through the area. Around the turn of the century, thousands of acres of the region's forests, including this area, were cleared to meet the great demand for mine props and timbers for the coal mining industry in northeast Missouri. Subsequent tree sprouting here was once contained by grazing goats, and part of the area was once known as the "goat ranch." Most of the area was then allowed to revert back to trees, which accounts for the large, continuous stand of similar-age trees. Wildlife management practices include crop fields to serve as food sources for animals and harvesting timber, which provides wildlife improved forage and cover. White-tailed deer and wild turkey are abundant on the area, as are numerous songbirds and a variety of mammals. Ruffed grouse, native to Missouri, have been restocked on the area, and a huntable population of the birds can be found here.

General Information

Northeast

Adair

660-785-2420

Owned by MDC

Activities
Activity
(Activity Explanations)		 Comments
(Population Definition)
Bicycling  Bicycling is allowed on the 10 mile, multi-use trail. Seasonal closures apply. 
Camping - Primitive Area  Camping allowed on or adjacent to area parking lots. No camping along roadways. During all firearms deer seasons, no generators are allowed on Parking Lots F and G. Camping with horses/pack animals is only allowed at parking lot A. No amenities provided on any of the parking lot camping areas.  
Camping - Walk-in/Float-in/Backpack  Except during firearms deer and turkey seasons. 
Fishing - Bass Fair population. Pond 1, located near parking lot I, off of Foghorn Trail. 
Fishing - Catfish Fair population. Pond 1, located near parking lot I, off of Foghorn Trail. 
Fishing - Sunfish Fair population. Bluegill. Pond 1, located near parking lot I, off of Foghorn Trail. 
Hiking  Ironwood trail is a 2.0 mile hiking only trail. It is located at parking lot H, off of Foghorn Trail. Hiking is allowed on the 10 mile, multi-use trail. Hiking is prohibited during firearms deer and turkey seasons. 
Horseback Riding  Horseback riding is allowed on the 10 mile, multi-use trail. Seasonal closures apply. 
Hunting-Deer Good population.  
Hunting-Other Fair population. Grouse 
Hunting-Squirrel Good population.  
Hunting-Turkey Good population.  

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Conservation Department Facilities
Facility Item Name Count Comments
OtheraccessibleSugar Creek Shooting Range 1  Unstaffed shooting range with 25, 50 and 100 yard shooting lanes and a shotgun range. 
Parking Lotaccessible 10  1-Gravel Parking Lot with a disabled accessible pad at parking lot C, off of highway N 
Privy/Restroomaccessible 1  Associated with unstaffed shooting range. Disabled accessible. 

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Features
Feature Item Name Count Size Comments
Fishing Lake or Pond Pond 1 1 1.00 acres Near parking lot I off of Foghorn Trail.  
Fishing Lake or Pond Pond 2 1 0.50 acres New pond.  Fish community developing.  Located near parking lot G off of Foghorn Trail.  
Stream - Intermittent Sugar Creek 1 1.00 miles no fishing opportunities. 
Stream - Intermittent Elm Creek 1 1.00 miles no fishing opportunities 

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Land Cover Types
Land Type Acres Comments
Forest and Woodland 2439.00 Upland forest 
Old Field 105.08  
Crop Land 60.00  
Total Area Acres:2602.58 

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Designated Trails
Trail Name Trail Type Length
Ironwood Hollow Trail Hiking (Non-Interpretive) 2.00 
Multi-use trail Multi-Use (Hike/Bike/Horse) 10.00 

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Shooting Range General Information

092*34.035

40*06.843

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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