Platte Falls Conservation Area

The Conservation Department purchased Platte Falls Wildlife Management Area in 1980 with funds from the 1/8 of 1% Design for Conservation sales tax. The 2,366-acre area includes 1,320 acres of bottomland and upland timber, 295 acres of agricultural lands, 515 acres of grasslands and old fields, and 206 acres of wetlands.

Hunting, fishing, hiking, canoeing, and birdwatching are popular here, and a 9.1-mile unchannelized stretch of the Platte River flowing through the area allows many river-oriented activities and recreations.

The portion of the area where the river forms the rough shape of a duck's head is very unique. The "neck" of the duck's head has a boat ramp on each side. Anglers/canoeists/kayakers can launch at the upstream ramp and enjoy a float of over 2-1/2 miles without the need to shuttle a vehicle.

The area has an archery sight-in range.