Columbia Bottom Conservation Area

Notice

NOTE: A portion of the Confluence Trail is closed due to damage caused by the 2008 flood. We anticipate that the trail will be repaired by December 2009. Call 314-877-6014 for up to date information.

Driving Directions

Columbia Bottom Conservation Area is in North St. Louis County. Take the Riverview Drive exit from I-270, then go north on Riverview about 2.5 miles.

Highlights

This area contains cropland, forest, wetlands, and old fields. There is a visitor center and office along with hiking and biking trails, interpretive sites and a boat ramp to the Missouri River. The unique feature of this area is the confluence of the Missouri and Mississippi rivers, which can be seen from a viewing deck.

About This Area

Columbia Bottom Conservation Area is in north St. Louis County at the confluence of the Missouri and Mississippi rivers. The Conservation Department purchased this 4,318-acre area in 1997 to create an urban conservation area. The area includes a view of the confluence of the Missouri and Mississippi rivers, more than 6.5 miles of river frontage, about 800 acres of bottomland forest and a 110-acre island. A small town once known as Columbia and later St. Vrain, was located in this river bottom. It was shown on plat maps from the mid 1800s, but was gone by 1870. A flood protection levee protects most of this bottom from minor floods. The great flood of 1993 overtopped this levee and flooded most of the area, depositing sand, and debris. The area will continue to be prone to occasional flooding. The Conservation Department is managing Columbia Bottom to create a mosaic of bottomland habitats that includes shallow wetlands, bottomland hardwoods, prairie, and cropland. These habitats attract a wide variety of resident and migratory wildlife for the enjoyment of all of our state's residents and visitors. Public access facilities, including roads, trails, a river access and a viewing area at the confluence were constructed in 2002. A Visitor Center and a series of Exploration Stations were completed in 2004.

General Information

St. Louis

Saint Louis

314-877-6014

Owned by MDC

NOTE: Visitor Center open Wednesday-Friday 8am-5pm, Saturday and Sunday 8am-4pm. The conservation area is closed to public use from one half hour after sunset until one half hour before sunrise daily except for authorized hunting and fishing and launching and landing boats.

Activities
Activity
(Activity Explanations)		 Comments
(Population Definition)
Bicycling  Confluence trail is a 4.75 mile paved hiking and biking trail. 
Bird Watching  Excellent opportunity for waterfowl and shorebirds in seasonal wetlands. Eagle viewing primarily in fall and winter. For a list of area birds, visit http://www.mobirds.org/CACHE/mdcchecklists1.asp?locID=887.  
Canoeing  Canoeing on the Missouri and Mississippi Rivers. New canoe/kayak access was completed and opened in January 2007. 
Dog Training  Dog training prohibited October 1 through January 15 annually.  
Exhibits/Displays  Series of "Exploration Stations" provide self guided interpretive opportunity. Exhibits and displays also available in visitor center. 
Fishing - Catfish Good population. Several places to access the Missouri and Mississippi rivers including a disabled accessible pier on the Missouri River. 
Fishing - Other Good population. Carp, buffalo, sturgeon and drum. 
Hiking  River's Edge Trail is a 3 mile primitive hiking trail and the Confluence trail is a 4.75 mile paved hiking and biking trail. 
Horseback Riding  Equestrian use is permitted on the 6.8 mile designated horse trail from April 1 through August 31.  
Hunting-Deer Good population. Deer hunting is permitted only during managed hunts. Archery and shotgun and slug hunts are offered annually. Application period is July 1 through August 15 each year. 
Hunting-Dove Good population. Managed hunt first 10 days of season (application period July 1-July 31, contact 314-877-6014 starting July 1 each year to get an application card), statewide regulations from September 11-30, closed after September 30. Daily hunting card and non-toxic shot required. 
Hunting-Other Fair population. Rail and snipe hunting are permitted. Self check-in at visitor center will be required. Additional restrictions may be posted at visitor center. 
Hunting-Waterfowl  Teal and early goose hunting will be allowed. Self check-in at visitor center will be required. Additional restrictions may be posted at visitor center.  
Hunting-Waterfowl Fair population. Waterfowl hunting managed through a daily drawing and daily reservations during middle zone duck season. Goose hunting after duck season by self check-in at visitor center. Wade and shoot style hunting in shallow water wetland. Access for small boats is available in most pools. 
Nature Viewing  Nature and wildlife viewing are popular activities along the road system and trails. 

Go to Top of Page

Conservation Department Facilities
Facility Item Name Count Comments
Boat Ramp - Stream - ConcreteaccessibleMissouri River Access 1  Double wide concrete ramp on Missouri River near 3 mile marker. Ample parking and privies available at access site. 
Fishing Jetty/PlatformaccessibleDisabled accessible fishing platform 1   
Other Canoe/Kayak Access 1  Parking and short trail to Mississippi River. 
Parking Lotaccessible 19   
Privy/Restroomaccessible 4   
Trails (Number) River's Edge Trail 1   
Trails (Number) Confluence Trail 1   
Viewing Deck/Tower Viewing Platform 1  Elevated viewing platform that provides panoramic view of the conservation area. 
Viewing Deck/ToweraccessibleConfluence Viewing Platform 1   
Visitor CenteraccessibleHoward and Joyce Wood Education and Visitor Center 1  Visitor Center closed on Monday and Tuesday. Open Wednesday through Friday 8am to 5pm, and Saturday and Sunday 8am to 4pm. 

Go to Top of Page

Features
Feature Item Name Count Size Comments
Stream - Permanent Missouri River 1 4.00 miles  
Stream - Permanent Confluence of Missouri & Mississippi Rivers 1 6.50 miles  
Stream - Permanent Mississippi 1 3.00 miles  

Go to Top of Page

Land Cover Types
Land Type Acres Comments
Crop Land 2000.00  
Old Field 100.00  
Forest and Woodland 1000.00  
Wetland 900.00 Seven managed wetland pools and 3 opportunitic wetland pools. 
Grassland (non-prairie) 250.00 Native warm season grass and forb plantings. 
Total Area Acres:4316.25 

Go to Top of Page

Designated Trails
Trail Name Trail Type Length
River's Edge Trail Hiking (Non-Interpretive) 3.00 
Confluence Trail Multi-Use (Hike/Bike) 4.75 
Madison Ferry Trail (horse trail) Multi-Use (Hike/Bike/Horse) 7.80 

Go to Top of Page

Shooting Range General Information

This area has no shooting ranges.

Go to Top of Page