From Blufftops to Missouri Riverfront: Exploring Cooley Lake Conservation Area’s Untamed Trails
Rock outcroppings cap river bluffs at Cooley Lake Conservation area, east of Liberty, Mo.
Check out our guide to this rugged winter wonderland just east of Liberty, Missouri.
By Roy Harryman
Publisher
Cooley Lake Conservation Area is a trifecta of natural habitats:
Rocky, towering river bluffs
Marshland rich with wildlife
Missouri River frontage and bottomland timber
This little-known state preserve is about 12 miles east of Liberty, Mo. (close to the village of Missouri City). It sprawls across 1,345 acres, which range from blufftops 200 feet above the river to a bottomland marsh and lake. Cooley Lake, the area’s namesake, is a historic oxbow lake left over from a previous channel of the Missouri River.
There’s something here for everyone. There’s a lookout tower you can drive to, enjoying a view of the valley without setting foot on a trail. In addition, there are observation decks at the marsh. You can also pull up a lawn chair and watch the river go by at the frontage area.
Missouri River frontage at Cooley Lake Conservation Area
Hikers, however, face a challenge. All trails are rugged, natural surface and barely maintained. That means winter is the best time to visit, while leaves are off and poison ivy and ticks are dormant. We’ve been going to Cooley Lake for 15 years now and have created our own map to help trailgoers enjoy the area without getting hopelessly lost (at least that’s the goal!). From our perspective, the effort pays off in opportunities to discover terrain that is more like the Ozarks than the rest of the Kansas City area.
Pick a warm winter or spring day, arm yourself with a map and trekking poles, and get ready for adventure. Ankle-supporting boots are also recommended because of leafy and rocky trails.
Like nearly all conservation areas, Cooley Lake is open to hunting in season. The next major event is turkey season, which does not begin until April 11 (when the season for hiking there is already coming to a close).
Check out our detailed guide and let us know what you think of Cooley Lake.
Roy Harryman is the publisher of Kansas City Hiker.
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These recommendations are based on our personal purchases and experience.
On our hike to Cooley Lake, we specifically benefitted from these two pieces of gear. Protect yourself from ankle twists and shifting trailbeds.
