Platte Falls Conservation Area

Driving Directions

Platte Falls Conservation Area is in Platte County off Interstate 29 near Platte City. Visitors can access the south side of the area by heading east 0.6 miles on Route HH (Platte City exit). To reach the north side of the area, take Highway 371 exit off I-29, travel northeast on Elm Grove RD about 1.5 miles, then east on Sharps Station RD 1.6 miles and south on Settle Station RD 0.5 miles.

Highlights

This area contains forest, cropland, old fields, and pasture. Facilities/features: boat ramps, pavilions, firearms and archery ranges, fishable ponds (2 acres total), and permanent stream (Platte River).

About This Area

Platte Falls Conservation Area is in Platte County off of I-29, near Platte City. Visitors can access the south side of the area via Route HH (Platte City exit). To reach the north side of the area, take Highway 371 exit off I-29 and travel northeast about 5 miles.

The Conservation Department purchased Platte Falls Wildlife Management Area in 1980 with funds from the 1/8 of 1% Design for Conservation sales tax. The 2,366-acre area includes 890 acres of bottomland and upland timber, 700 acres of agricultural lands, and 350 acres of upland hay and pasture. The remainder is composed of old fields and regenerating bottomland forest.

Hunting, fishing, hiking, canoeing, and birdwatching are popular here, and a 9.1-mile unchannelized stretch of the Platte River flowing through the area allows many river-oriented activities and recreations.

The area has an archery sight-in range, as well as an area designated for clay bird target shooting.

General Information

Kansas City

Platte

816-792-8662

Owned by MDC

Platte Falls Shop 816-858-5718

Click here for Conservation Area Bird List.

Activities
Activity
(Activity Explanations)		 Comments
(Population Definition)
Canoeing  Canoeing opportunity available on Platte River. You can actually launch a canoe, float downriver for over 2 miles, and take out at the same parking lot.  
Fishing - Catfish Good population. Fishing for catfish is good in the Platte River. 
Fishing - Other Good population. Fishing for carp, gar, mooneye/goldeye, and buffalo can be good on the Platte River. 
Hiking  No designated trails 
Hunting-Deer Good population. See Area Regulations.  
Hunting-Dove Good population. Over 70 acres are intensively managed for doves on an annual basis. 
Hunting-Quail Fair population.  
Hunting-Rabbit Fair population. See Area Regulations.  
Hunting-Squirrel Good population. See Area Regulations.  
Hunting-Turkey Good population.  
Hunting-Waterfowl Fair population. During wet years 
Other  Fishing clinics held at area pond. Contact shop office for details. 
Trapping with Special Use Permit  Special Use Permit Required 

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Conservation Department Facilities
Facility Item Name Count Comments
Boat Ramp - Stream - ConcreteaccessibleDucks Head Boat Ramp upstream 1  Platte River  
Boat Ramp - Stream - ConcreteaccessibleDownstream boat ramp 1  Platte River  
Parking Lotaccessible 9  Includes 4-Gravel Parking Lot with concrete pads and 1 Paved Parking Lot. 
PavilionaccessibleClinic Pavilion 1   
PavilionaccessibleArchery Range Pavilion 1   
Privy/Restroomaccessible 4   

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Features
Feature Item Name Count Size Comments
Fishing Lake or Pond Pond 3 1 0.50 acres  
Fishing Lake or Pond Clinic Pond 2 (Lrg groups need appointment) 1 1.50 acres The clinic pond is available to the public, catch and release only. Large organized groups need to make an appointment. 
Fishing Lake or Pond Clinic Pond 1 (Lrg groups need appointment) 1 1.00 acres The clinic pond is available to the public, catch and release only. Large organized groups need to make an appointment. 
Fishless Pond  3 3.00 acres  
Named Wetland "Ducks Head" Wetland 1 60.00 acres  
Other Archery Range 1 1.00 count  
Other Shotgun Range 1 1.00 count  
Stream - Permanent Platte River 1 7.00 miles  

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Land Cover Types
Land Type Acres Comments
Lakes/Ponds 2.00  
Forest and Woodland 890.00  
Grassland (non-prairie) 350.00  
Old Field 420.00  
Crop Land 700.00  
Total Area Acres:2356.05 

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Designated Trails
Trail Name Trail Type Length
No Designated Trails

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Shooting Range General Information

94*45W

39*23N

Privy

UnManned

Varies

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

Click Shooting Ranges for more information.

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