From Nevada, travel south 6 miles on U.S. 71 to the gravel road west of the junction of County Road E. Turn west on the gravel road, and travel 1.7 miles to the second gravel road on the south. Turn south and drive .6 mile to the Osage Prairie parking area on the east side of the road. Little Osage Prairie is 1.5 miles west on the gravel road that lies west of the junction of County Road E. Turn north on the second gravel road to the parking lot on the west side of the road. Little Osage Prairie is owned by The Nature Conservancy and managed by the Missouri Department of Conservation. 52 Bushwhacker Lake Conservation Area Bushwhacker was once tallgrass prairie, with timbered draws and streams, and today, you can still enjoy the prairies and meadows of blooming wildflowers from early spring until the first frost.
Prairie wildlife inhabit the area.
Watch for signs of prairie chickens, badgers, bobcats and coyotes. A flock of about 75 greater prairie chickens lives in the western part of Bushwhacker. Northern harriers are seen year 'round and in early December, Cooper's, sharp-shinned and other migrating hawks soar above the area. Travel west from Nevada 3.2 miles on U.S. 54 to Highway 43. Turn south on 43, and drive 13.4 miles to the directional sign at a gravel road that forms the Vernon and Barton county line.