Prairie State Park

Prairie State Park
Visitor center viewed from the prairie
Map showing the location of Prairie State Park
Map showing the location of Prairie State Park
Location in Missouri
Map showing the location of Prairie State Park
Map showing the location of Prairie State Park
Prairie State Park (the United States)
LocationBarton County, Missouri, United States
Coordinates37°30′44″N 94°34′18″W / 37.51222°N 94.57167°W / 37.51222; -94.57167
Area3,955.26 acres (16.0064 km2)[1]
Established1980[2]
Visitors42,287 (in 2017)[1]
Governing bodyMissouri Department of Natural Resources
WebsitePrairie State Park

Prairie State Park is a public recreation area encompassing nearly 4,000 acres (1,600 ha) of grasslands and woodlands in Barton County, Missouri. The state park preserves much of the few remaining acres of tallgrass prairie in the state. The park features hiking trails, camping for backpackers, and a nature center. Captive wild bison and elk roam the park.[3] The bison herd contains about 100 individuals as of spring 2021.[4]

Ecology

Prairie State Park is in the central forest-grasslands transition ecoregion of the temperate grasslands, savannas and shrublands biome.

References

  1. ^ a b "Prairie State Park: Data Sheet" (PDF). Missouri Department of Natural Resources. November 2017. Retrieved May 1, 2018.
  2. ^ "State Park Land Acquisition Summary". Missouri State Parks. Retrieved August 14, 2015.
  3. ^ "Prairie State Park". Missouri Department of Natural Resources. Retrieved September 9, 2014.
  4. ^ Winnerman, Jim (May 23, 2021). "Visit these places where the buffalo still roam". St. Louis Post-Dispatch. Retrieved July 12, 2021.
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