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State Park Overview |
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Driving along the rural highways in southeast Missouri, travelers may notice an abundance of farmland. Amid this farmland though, near East Prairie, 1,029 acres of the areas original landscape has been preserved and stands out above the rest. This island of trees in a sea of agriculture is known as Big Oak Tree State Park.
Flood plains covered with giant trees that once greeted early explorers to the "Bootheel" region of the state have been preserved in Big Oak Tree State Park. Trees within the park are unsurpassed in the state for size, with six qualifying as state champions of their species and two registered as national champions. Beneath the trees lies a luxurious undergrowth of woody vines that flourish in the swampy land. Large baldcypress trees with their unique "knees" make their home in the parks cypress swamp, the only one of its kind in the state park system.
A boardwalk traverses through the park, providing access to the parks unique landscape. An interpretive center near the boardwalk provides educational displays explaining the natural history of the park. With more than 150 species of birds, several considered rare in the state, the park is a favorite with bird watchers. After a nature hike through the forest, visitors can enjoy a picnic lunch under the open shelter or at one of many picnic tables nestled beneath the lofty trees. |
Nature of the Area |
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Big Oak Tree State Park is the last remaining piece of continuous hardwood bottomland forest that once covered the entire ?bootheel? of Missouri. A series of drainage canals facilitated the conversion of swamp forest into agriculture land. A visit to the park will allow exploration of the major habitats within the park. The major habitats include the bottomland forest, swamp forest and shrub swamp. It is easy to find the progressions between sections dominated by oak trees and areas dominated by bald cypress.
Big Oak Tree State Park is known as the park of champions. Several trees have the status of being state champions for their size. Champion trees are measured in girth, height and crown spread. These numbers are plugged into a formula that generate a point total. The points are then used to determine which nomination is the biggest, or champion, for that species. Big Oak Tree State Park currently has seven champion trees. The number of champions changes due to storm damage or the death of a tree. Two of the seven trees are national champions. One national champion, a persimmon tree is 132 feet tall. The average height for a persimmon tree is 60 feet.
Some of the wildlife that live in the park include deer, opossum, raccoon, mice, turtles, lizards and snakes. Although the park has a lot of water snakes, there has never been any verified and documented identification of any venomous snakes such as the cottonmouth (also known as a water moccasin). The park is in a great location for many bird species. Mississippi kites may be seen in the summer and bald eagles in the winter. Many migratory birds including warblers, ducks and geese may be seen during the spring and fall migrations. |
Trails |
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Bottomland Trail
This one and one-fourth-mile foot trail starts at one end of the picnic area and exits at the other end. It meanders through the hardwood bottomland forest and will take you by two state champion trees. The habitat will change from a forest dominated by oak trees to a forest dominated by bald cypress.
Boardwalk
A self-guiding brochure, available at the trail head, discusses the various stops along the boardwalk. Some of the stops include giant cane that resembles bamboo and the champion bur oak tree. At this time, the trail ends at the steps. Continuing beyond the steps is at your own risk.ds |
Picnicking |
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Boating |
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Fishing and Hunting |
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Fishing
Big Oak Lake provides 22 acres of fishing. The lake is stocked with catfish, bass, bluegill and crappie. The borrow pit or moat surrounding the lake is also available for fishing. Swimming is not allowed. |
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More Info | |
... on a substrate which is rarely collected. MISSOURI. Shannon County MOFEP site 4, in Cardareva State Forest, S of Banker Hollow, W of Wolf Pen Hollow, N of Current River, on Toxicodendron radicans ... |
Nature Programs |
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A naturalist provides interpretive programs on a variety of topics throughout the summer. Programs last approximately 45 minutes to one hour. Contact the park for a current list of programs. Opportunities to complete requirements to earn the Junior Naturalist badge are also available.
Living History Day is an annual event held at Big Oak Tree State Park. The event is held on the second Saturday in September. Demonstrators show their skills in blacksmithing, weaving, spinning, quilting, woodcarving, herbalism and making bobbin lace, among others. Music is provided throughout the day and concessions are available. |
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