Riverview MDC Donaldson Point

Primitive camping is permitted in designated areas. Walk-in camping is allowed, EXCEPT during all deer and turkey seasons. Camping is allowed on or adjacent to parking lots, unless otherwise posted. Campers are limited to 14 consecutive days in a 30-day period, with a total of 30 days within a calendar year. Groups of 10 or more need a special use permit. Donaldson Point Conservation Area is about six miles southeast of New Madrid. The area can be accessed from county gravel roads off Route WW and Route AB. The area's 5,945 acres are at the north end of Donaldson Point, which is formed by the New Madrid Bend Loop of the Mississippi River. This same loop isolates a portion of the state of Kentucky. The Mississippi River forms part of the east and west boundaries of the conservation area and provides about seven miles of river frontage. Construction of the levee created about 60 acres of ponds that are open to the public. The land is nearly flat. During seasonal flooding, large portions or all of the area may not be accessible. The forest trees on Donaldson Point include cottonwood, willow, ash, elm, maple, pecan, sycamore, boxelder, hickory, and some bottomland oak species. Donaldson Point also is home to several species not usually seen in the Mississippi lowlands. These include the endangered Swainson's warbler that nests in giant cane, Mississippi kites, bald eagles, interior least terns, swamp rabbits, and cotton mice. The Conservation Department purchased the land for Donaldson Point Conservation Area in 1984. The land was formerly owned by Anderson-Tully Corporation.