Painted Rock Conservation Area

Driving Directions

Seven miles southwest of Westphalia on Highway 133.

Highlights

This area is predominantly forest. Facilities/features: trail, viewing decks, fishable lake with jetties (5 acres) and permanent stream (Osage River).

About This Area

Painted Rock Conservation Area is located on Highway 133, seven miles west of Westphalia in Osage County. The lands of Painted Rock Conservation Area show evidence of occupation by Native Americans as early as 9,000 years ago. An Indian burial cairn, located along Osage Scenic Bluff trail, was constructed between 500 and 1,500 years ago. The property was purchased in 1877 by a group of Jefferson City dignitaries, who named it the Painted Rock Country Club. Their successors sold the property in 1946. The Department of Conservation purchased the property from a private individual in 1981. Painted Rock Conservation Area consists of 1,480 acres. The Osage River intersects the property along the west boundary.  Breathtaking views are offered from the Scenic Trail at two boardwalks and other locations. The forest contains six ponds, which are managed primarily for wildlife, and Clubhouse Lake. The forest consists primarily of oak and hickory, with the areas along the Osage River dominated by bottomland hardwoods. Several small glades can be found throughout the area and offer a kaleidoscope of wildflowers from May to October. Timber harvesting is managed to improve wildlife habitat, and 60 acres of open land serve as wildlife food plots on a crop rotation basis. This Conservation Area was acquired in part through the Pittman-Robertson Wildlife Restoration Act administered by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service.

General Information

Central

Osage

573-884-6861

Owned by MDC

Activities
Activity
(Activity Explanations)		 Comments
(Population Definition)
Bird Watching  Forest birds. Eagle viewing along Osage Bluff Scenic Trail. 
Camping - Individual Campsites  Eight sites. No amenities provided, except two sites by the lake which have access to privy.  
Camping - Walk-in/Float-in/Backpack  Seasonal closures may apply. 
Canoeing  Osage River 100 yards from lake parking lot. Allowed on lake also. 
Fishing - Bass Fair population.  
Fishing - Catfish Good population.  
Fishing - Other Good population. Carp, Drum, Buffalo, catfish in Osage River 
Fishing - Sunfish Fair population. Bluegill, Warmouth 
Hiking  1.6 mile Osage Bluff Scenic Trail and other interior access roads. 
Hunting-Deer Good population. archery antlerless-only and firearms antlerless-only permits not valid - closed during antlerless portion. 
Hunting-Squirrel Good population.  
Hunting-Turkey Good population.  
Nature Viewing  Wildflowers along roads, glades and savannas. 

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Conservation Department Facilities
Facility Item Name Count Comments
Camping Area - Individual Campsites  8  No amenities are provided except two sites by lake which have access to privy. 
Fishing Jetty/Platform  2   
Parking Lot  4   
Privy/Restroom  1 

Located at Clubhouse Lake

 
Viewing Deck/Tower  2  Decks located along Osage Bluff Scenic Trail. Views of river and river valley.  

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Features
Feature Item Name Count Size Comments
Fishing Lake or Pond Clubhouse Lake 1 5.00 acres  
Fishless Pond  6 0.50 acres  
Stream - Permanent Osage River 1 2.00 miles  

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Land Cover Types
Land Type Acres Comments
Glade 60.00  
Other 15.00  
Old Field 24.00  
Lakes/Ponds 5.50  
Forest and Woodland 1375.00  
Total Area Acres:1479.50 

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Designated Trails
Trail Name Trail Type Length
Osage Bluff Scenic Trail Hiking (Interpretive) 1.60 

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Shooting Range General Information

This area has no shooting ranges.

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