The Lamine River Conservation Area Is a Hidden Nature Area in Missouri Worthy of a Day Hike

You’ll need your boots, tall socks, and bug spray for this hidden nature day hike near Otterville, Missouri. The Lamine River Conservation Area in Otterville is the hidden nature area in Missouri you’ll want to visit if you’re itching to feel far from civilization. It's a quick 40-minute detour off Highway 70, ideal for folks traveling from St. Louis to Kansas City (or vice versa, of course). The conservation area sits right in the heart of Missouri, about an hour from Columbia, the home of Mizzou, or Jefferson City, our state's capital.

The 6000-acre Lamine River Conservation features diverse landscapes, including flood plains, river bluffs, prairie plain farmlands, grasslands, small glades, and river hills. For hiking, you’ll need good protective gear from bugs and poisonous plants. The area has many access points but no real hiking trails per se. There are service roads you can use for less rugged walking.

Visitors can forage for mushrooms, edible wild greens, fruits, berries, and nuts. Plan your wild garden adventure by researching non-toxic edibles ahead of time, and check the Missouri Department of Conservation's website for more information about safe plants.

The Lamine River Conservation Area is best known for its scattered ponds, streams, and rivers. These are some of the best places in the conservation area to birdwatch, and the Missouri Department of Conservation highlights birdwatching as one of the main reasons to visit the site. Seasonal migrants, like this indigo bunting, make stops in the conservation area.

If you’re visiting in summertime, you can easily wade, float, or canoe in the waterways. Bring your swimsuit to cool down after your hike! Fishing is also popular year-round due to easy access to the banks. A few landmarks, like bridges and railroad tracks, make great photo backdrops. Selfie, anyone?

The undeveloped nature of the area means you’ll likely see all sorts of critters, including birds, reptiles, amphibians, and, several species of mammals. For example, Missouri Department of Conservation says to look out for the North American river otter, central newt, doves, quail, and the pileated woodpecker. The Lamine River is a tributary of the larger Missouri River, which migratory birds use as a flyway, so depending on the time of year you visit, you could be in for an ornithological surprise. You'll also find many beautiful wildflowers.

I recommend you hang out in the area until the end of the day and catch a sunset on one of the many waterways. Have you ever done any hiking in the conservation area near Otterville, Missouri? I think conservation areas like Lamine River Conservation Area are often overlooked for a nature day hike. While they are popular with hunters and fishermen, these areas are open to everyone and scattered throughout Missouri. You’ll find conservation areas in between exploring small towns in Missouri. I recommend deciding which town you want to visit, pulling it up on a map, and looking for them within a 30-mile radius. A quality atlas will help you on the road since cell service may be spotty in less populated areas. Do you prefer hiking off the beaten path or sticking to well-trodden trails? Be sure to tell us all about your favorite hikes in the Show Me State—we'd love to hear from you!