Grand Bluffs Conservation Area: hunting and access
Grand Bluffs Conservation Area is 238 acres of MDC land in Montgomery County, 3 miles from Morrison. MDC lists deer hunting here (archery only, antlerless permits allowed). Hunters checked 3,419 deer in Montgomery 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 areasState parks and historic sitesGrand Bluffs Conservation AreaCounty lineLakeHighway
| Size | 238 acres |
|---|---|
| County | Montgomery County |
| Deer harvest unit | Montgomery County |
| MDC lists for hunting | Deer, Turkey, Rabbit and Squirrel |
| MDC area number | 9133 |
| MDC region | Central |
| Camping (MDC) | designated camping sites |
| Nearest towns | Morrison (3 mi), Gasconade (3 mi) and Rhineland (4 mi) |
What is Grand Bluffs Conservation Area like?
Grand Bluffs Conservation Area is located in southern Montgomery County near the towns of Rhineland and Bluffton. This area can be accessed from Bluffton Rd. off of Highway 94. The Katy Trail passes south of the area. This 236-acre area features a stretch of dolomite bluffs overlooking the Missouri River. They are a portion of a spectacular and scenic two-mile stretch of 300-foot bluffs along the river. These steep bluffs were formed by the river, which is now one-half mile to the south. Canada geese have been known to nest on these bluffs. The unique bluff features and the associated flora have earned this area the designation as a Natural Area. The Conservation Department purchased the area from Lorna Rice and James Gregory in 1991. Two parking lots are provided for public vehicles and visitors are encouraged to explore the area on foot. They will find small fishless ponds, a small remnant hill prairie on the ridge and small glade along the bluff tops. Synthiana Creek flows through the lower portion of the area.
In MDC's words, from the Grand Bluffs Conservation Area page.
What can you hunt on Grand Bluffs Conservation Area?
MDC's page for Grand Bluffs Conservation Area lists: Deer: archery only, antlerless permits allowed; Turkey: archery and firearms; Rabbit; Squirrel.
What are the rules on Grand Bluffs Conservation Area?
Camping: Camping allowed by special use permit only. Visit MDC.mo.gov for more information. Camping is prohibited.
Every conservation area also follows MDC's standard rules in Chapter 11 of the Wildlife Code; the area's full rules are on MDC's site.
How many deer are taken around Grand Bluffs Conservation Area?
Grand Bluffs Conservation Area lies in Montgomery County. Hunters checked 3,419 deer in Montgomery County in 2025, against 3,206 in 2024.
| County | Grand Bluffs Conservation Area acres in it | Deer, 2025 | Deer, 2024 | Deer, 2023 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Montgomery County | 238 | 3,419 | 3,206 | 3,645 |
Harvest for the whole county, not the conservation area alone: MDC deer harvest summaries (2021 to 2025 seasons).
How do you get to Grand Bluffs Conservation Area?
MDC's directions: From Portland, take Highway 94 east 5 miles, then County Road 291 (Bluffton Road) north 0.25 mile.
Nearest towns: Morrison (3 miles), Gasconade (3 miles), Rhineland (4 miles) and McKittrick (9 miles). Highways within 5 miles: MO 94 and MO 100.
What other public land is near Grand Bluffs Conservation Area?
MDC lands within 10 miles:
- Tate Island Conservation Area: 423 acres, 1.4 miles away
- Reform Conservation Area: 3,283 acres, 7.4 miles away
Public land within 3 miles of Grand Bluffs Conservation Area
Counting Grand Bluffs Conservation Area itself, 524 of the 24,764 acres within 3 miles of its boundary are public land open to the public (2.1%), by USGS PAD-US 4.1 and MDC conservation area boundaries.
| Manager | Acres within 3 miles |
|---|---|
| MDC conservation areas | 517 |
| State parks and historic sites | 7 |
Questions hunters ask
Where is Grand Bluffs Conservation Area?
In Montgomery County, 3 miles from Morrison.
Can you deer hunt on Grand Bluffs Conservation Area?
Yes, by MDC's page: archery only, antlerless permits allowed.
How much public land is around Grand Bluffs Conservation Area?
524 acres within 3 miles of its boundary, Grand Bluffs Conservation Area included, by USGS PAD-US 4.1 and MDC conservation area boundaries. The closest other MDC area is Tate Island Conservation Area (1.4 miles).
Get a Missouri hunt plan when they open
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Until then, the free FilledTag app for iPhone has a map that works in every state, Missouri included.
Where these facts come from
- Area description, species, rules and directions: MDC, Grand Bluffs 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.