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If it's wildlife you
want, ArdPark can you
give you plenty!
It seems to be common for the vast majority of the population to fear spiders and snakes and I've learned well that
education and confrontation are the best cures. Unless you try to get bit by one, spiders will cause no harm and they
are quite intriguing to watch. Once I spent almost an hour watching a spider build and re-build it's web. Now that is
some wildlife watching! One of my favorites is the yellow garden spider. We don't see a lot of them at ArdPark but
when we do they are usually somewhere around the All American cabin. Here at ArdPark we also see a lot of wolf
spiders, spiny-bellied orb weavers and funnel web spiders. Wolf spiders are often mistaken for tarantulas because
they tend to appear somewhat furry. Learn more about these and other Missouri spiders in the Missouri Department
of Conservation's Guide to Common Missouri Spiders.
Snakes on the other hand, in my opinion, are not beautiful no matter how you slice it! Years ago, before purchasing the property at ArdPark, I was terrified of snakes and frequently dreamed about them, but not anymore! Don't get me wrong; they still make me jump and I don't like them anymore than before, but my fear has passed. Sometimes fear comes simply from the unknown. Refusing to allow snakes or anything else to put a damper on my enjoyment of the great outdoors, I came up with a plan. The Missouri Department of Conservation publishes numerous brochures about snakes and I ordered all that were available. First, I thought, now that I'll be encountering snakes more often, I better be able to identify one from another. In the beginning it was difficult to even look at pictures of snakes but I muddled through and studied hard. Soon I was able to easily identify a copperhead from a banded water snake, a king snake from a cottonmouth and so on. With the help of my ever patient husband, each time we saw a snake he encouraged me to get closer and closer and I did, reviewing it's every pattern and detail. As time marched on, my fears faded and my dreams stopped completely. These days, when the 6' black snakes are holed up in the wood pile and in the way of working, I'll pick them up with a stick, put them in a bucket and transport them to a new temporary home a little ways out in the woods (with a lid on the bucket of course). Now that is progress! Anybody can do it, with anything they fear. All you have to do is confront it head on!
Missouri is home to venomous snake species and ArdPark is no stranger to them. Copperheads are the most common but also the least aggressive, and you may see one at ArdPark. Can you name Missouri's 5 venomous snakes? Did you know that all snakes swim? When walking in the woods, should you step on or over logs and big rocks? Find the answers to those questions and more in the Missouri Department of Conservation's publication Snakes of Missouri.
Snakes on the other hand, in my opinion, are not beautiful no matter how you slice it! Years ago, before purchasing the property at ArdPark, I was terrified of snakes and frequently dreamed about them, but not anymore! Don't get me wrong; they still make me jump and I don't like them anymore than before, but my fear has passed. Sometimes fear comes simply from the unknown. Refusing to allow snakes or anything else to put a damper on my enjoyment of the great outdoors, I came up with a plan. The Missouri Department of Conservation publishes numerous brochures about snakes and I ordered all that were available. First, I thought, now that I'll be encountering snakes more often, I better be able to identify one from another. In the beginning it was difficult to even look at pictures of snakes but I muddled through and studied hard. Soon I was able to easily identify a copperhead from a banded water snake, a king snake from a cottonmouth and so on. With the help of my ever patient husband, each time we saw a snake he encouraged me to get closer and closer and I did, reviewing it's every pattern and detail. As time marched on, my fears faded and my dreams stopped completely. These days, when the 6' black snakes are holed up in the wood pile and in the way of working, I'll pick them up with a stick, put them in a bucket and transport them to a new temporary home a little ways out in the woods (with a lid on the bucket of course). Now that is progress! Anybody can do it, with anything they fear. All you have to do is confront it head on!
Missouri is home to venomous snake species and ArdPark is no stranger to them. Copperheads are the most common but also the least aggressive, and you may see one at ArdPark. Can you name Missouri's 5 venomous snakes? Did you know that all snakes swim? When walking in the woods, should you step on or over logs and big rocks? Find the answers to those questions and more in the Missouri Department of Conservation's publication Snakes of Missouri.
More Wildlife Viewing and Photography
Venues in the Area...
Pearl G. and John J. Sizemore Memorial
Conservation Area
(Steelville, Missouri)
Relatively flat woodlands comprise this recently opened 180 acre area. There is a parking lot. No developed trails.
Area Information
Area Map
Conservation Area
(Steelville, Missouri)
Relatively flat woodlands comprise this recently opened 180 acre area. There is a parking lot. No developed trails.
Area Information
Area Map
John N. and Melba S. Anderson Memorial Conservation Area
(Steelville, Missouri)
This flat terrain area opened to the public in 2007. There are 2 wildlife watering holes on this 340 acre parcel. A parking lot is available. No developed trails.
Area Information
Area Map
(Steelville, Missouri)
This flat terrain area opened to the public in 2007. There are 2 wildlife watering holes on this 340 acre parcel. A parking lot is available. No developed trails.
Area Information
Area Map
Crooked Creek Conservation Area
(Steelville, Missouri)
Forest land for 337 acres. There is a parking lot. No developed trails.
Area Information
Area Map
(Steelville, Missouri)
Forest land for 337 acres. There is a parking lot. No developed trails.
Area Information
Area Map
Keysville Towersite
(Steelville, Missouri)
Eighty forested acres lie here just 5 miles south of Steelville. There is a fire tower and a wildlife watering hole.
Area Information
Area Map
(Steelville, Missouri)
Eighty forested acres lie here just 5 miles south of Steelville. There is a fire tower and a wildlife watering hole.
Area Information
Area Map
Both cabins at ArdPark include free literature about several different kinds of wildlife, including
spiders and snakes. Please be kind to all wildlife you may encounter, including spiders and snakes.
Do not kill them. They are an important part of our ecosystem, serve a valuable purpose in the world
of nature and deserve to live as much as you and me. The simple approach is don't bother them and
they won't bother you. Remember that even arachnids flee when humans come near. And black
snakes are really good guys for eating venomous copperheads and maintaining the mice population.
~The Place You'll Never Want to Leave~
Form Object
More Personal Wildlife Photos from ArdPark...
A hungry doe tries to get the very last bite
Big daddy buck
Turkey get in on the action too
Momma deer waits patiently while the raccoon rules the roost
A spike buck listens closely in between nibbles
Feeding the wildlife is
a fun time for us.
Getting pictures like
these with a game
camera is just a bonus!
ArdPark is a
proud member
Copyright 2008-2011. ArdPark Cabins, LLC. All rights reserved. Information subject to change.
Highways 8 and Y
Steelville, Missouri 65565
866-914-4702
tandc@ardpark.com
Steelville, Missouri 65565
866-914-4702
tandc@ardpark.com
ArdPark property is loaded with
wildlife and so is the Mark Twain
National Forest that surrounds our
cabins and campground. Quiet guests
who wake up early or stay up late may
see deer, turkey, fox, raccoons, owls,
armadillos, coyotes, bobcats and even
bears. We've never seen the bobcats or bears but have seen their distinct tracks and more than one reliable source in
the area has caught both on film. We followed an armadillo around the yard one night and I find it quite entertaining
talking to the owls in the evening. The woods here are also home to large populations of squirrels, woodpeckers,
hawks, herons and a variety of other bird species. We have our fair share of snakes, lizards, turtles, frogs and spiders
too. Any one of these creatures can easily be spotted during the daytime. Additional wildlife viewing and
photography venues on Missouri Conservation lands are listed below.
