Burnt Mill Cave Conservation Area: hunting and access
Burnt Mill Cave Conservation Area is 317 acres of MDC land in Camden County, 4 miles from Climax Springs. MDC lists deer hunting here (archery and firearms, antlerless permits allowed). Hunters checked 3,714 deer in Camden County in 2025.
Data updated October 2026. Area facts: MDC's conservation area data, read 2026-10. Harvest: MDC deer harvest summaries, 2021 to 2025.
MDC conservation areasBurnt Mill Cave Conservation AreaCounty lineLakeHighway
| Size | 317 acres (340 by MDC's page) |
|---|---|
| County | Camden County |
| Deer harvest unit | Camden County |
| MDC lists for hunting | Deer, Bear and Turkey |
| MDC area number | 200902 |
| MDC region | Central |
| Nearest towns | Climax Springs (4 mi), Macks Creek (7 mi) and Cross Timbers (12 mi) |
What is Burnt Mill Cave Conservation Area like?
Burnt Mill Cave Conservation Area sits 17 miles west of Camdenton and 3.2 miles southeast of Climax Springs. The area consists of 340 acres of oak-hickory woodlands and glades. Approximately 240 acres north of the river have been designated as the Little Niangua River Natural Area. This natural area contains more than 50 acres of dolomite glade habitat and includes a stretch of the Little Niangua River and Kolb Hollow Branch that support a diverse array of fish species within the geographic range of the federally threatened, Missouri endemic Niangua Darter, and another Missouri endemic, the Saddled Darter. The area offers public opportunities for bird watching, fishing, hiking, hunting, and wildlife viewing.
In MDC's words, from the Burnt Mill Cave Conservation Area page.
What can you hunt on Burnt Mill Cave Conservation Area?
MDC's page for Burnt Mill Cave Conservation Area lists: Deer: archery and firearms, antlerless permits allowed; Bear: archery and firearms; Turkey: archery and firearms.
What are the rules on Burnt Mill Cave Conservation Area?
MDC's standard conservation area rules (Chapter 11 of the Wildlife Code) apply; the area's rules on MDC's site list any it adds.
How many deer are taken around Burnt Mill Cave Conservation Area?
Burnt Mill Cave Conservation Area lies in Camden County. Hunters checked 3,714 deer in Camden County in 2025, against 2,963 in 2024.
| County | Burnt Mill Cave Conservation Area acres in it | Deer, 2025 | Deer, 2024 | Deer, 2023 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Camden County | 317 | 3,714 | 2,963 | 3,863 |
Harvest for the whole county, not the conservation area alone: MDC deer harvest summaries (2021 to 2025 seasons).
How do you get to Burnt Mill Cave Conservation Area?
MDC's directions: From Macks Creek, take Route N north 5 miles, then Kolb Hollow Road east (right) 3.20 miles.
Nearest towns: Climax Springs (4 miles), Macks Creek (7 miles), Cross Timbers (12 miles) and Friedenswald (13 miles). Highways within 5 miles: MO 7.
What other public land is near Burnt Mill Cave Conservation Area?
MDC lands within 10 miles:
- Fiery Fork Conservation Area: 1,584 acres, 1.2 miles away
- Mule Shoe Conservation Area: 2,839 acres, 4.4 miles away
- Larry R. Gale Access: 214 acres, 8 miles away
Public land within 3 miles of Burnt Mill Cave Conservation Area
Counting Burnt Mill Cave Conservation Area itself, 1,347 of the 23,943 acres within 3 miles of its boundary are public land open to the public (5.6%), by USGS PAD-US 4.1 and MDC conservation area boundaries.
| Manager | Acres within 3 miles |
|---|---|
| MDC conservation areas | 1,347 |
Questions hunters ask
Where is Burnt Mill Cave Conservation Area?
In Camden County, 4 miles from Climax Springs.
Can you deer hunt on Burnt Mill Cave Conservation Area?
Yes, by MDC's page: archery and firearms, antlerless permits allowed.
How much public land is around Burnt Mill Cave Conservation Area?
1,347 acres within 3 miles of its boundary, Burnt Mill Cave Conservation Area included, by USGS PAD-US 4.1 and MDC conservation area boundaries. The closest other MDC area is Fiery Fork Conservation Area (1.2 miles).
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Where these facts come from
- Area description, species, rules and directions: MDC, Burnt Mill Cave Conservation Area; MDC conservation area boundaries.
- Boundary and acres: MDC's map layer above. Surrounding public land: USGS PAD-US 4.1 (fee land open to the public) and MDC conservation area boundaries.
- Deer harvest: MDC deer harvest summaries (2021 to 2025 seasons).
FilledTag is not part of the Missouri Department of Conservation. Check MDC's rules and posted signs before you go.