Missouri has many beautiful lakes that offer fantastic opportunities for swimming and other water activities. From the picturesque backdrop of the Ozarks to scenic views of wildflowers and forests, there are many lakes to choose from in the state. In this article, we will explore some of the best Missouri lakes for swimming, and what makes them so special. Whether you are looking for a family-friendly beach or a secluded cove, we have got you covered. So, grab your swimsuits, sunscreen, and let’s dive in!
The Five Best Missouri Lakes For Swimming:
- Lake of the Ozarks
- Lake Wappapello
- Long Branch Lake
- Pomme de Terre Lake
- Stockton Lake
Lake Of The Ozarks
Lake Ozarks is vast and has a surface area of around 54,000 acres and about 1,100 miles of shoreline!
©iStock.com/Perry Spring
The Lake of the Ozarks is one of Missouri’s clearest lakes to go swimming in and one of Missouri’s most popular lake destinations. It is not a natural lake, but a reservoir (or man-made lake) created by the Bagnell Dam.
Lake Ozarks is vast and has a surface area of around 54,000 acres and about 1,100 miles of shoreline! It offers visitors easy access to public beaches, fishing and boating activities, and plenty of fun water activities for anyone and everyone! Many people think the lake has a serpentine shape, lending it the nickname “the Missouri Dragon”.
There are many resorts, condos, and lakefront houses with docks where you can jump in and swim in the Lake of the Ozarks. Some even have their own secluded sections of beach so you can enjoy a private getaway.
The lake itself is located in the Lake of the Ozarks State Park, the largest state park within the state of Missouri itself. This makes a great spot for swimming because it can accommodate many different varieties of things for people to do, especially for a larger group of people with many kinds of interests.
In addition to swimming, you can go boating, hiking (backpacking), horseback riding, and biking. You can also travel in and around the open woodlands, sunny glades, and springs around the Lake of the Ozarks. There are also several resorts with pools, waterparks, and ziplines. Some top attractions for families are the onyx formations, soda straws, and giant columns of Bridal Cave.
Lake Wappapello
Lake Wappapello has become a hospitable place for white bass, largemouth bass,
catfish
, and bluegill, providing fishermen with great opportunities.
©iStock.com/Pride Wilder
This lake, like the Lake of the Ozarks, is also a man-made reservoir. The Wappapello Dam was created in 1938 — forming a surface area of about 8,400 acres. There are three boat ramps, and the water here is crystal clear. Lake Wappapello (or Wappapello Lake) has been developed as a recreational public space within a state park, with many things to do such as boating, fishing, swimming, and camping. It lends itself to many other activities for the whole family to do.
Lake Wappapello has become a hospitable place for white bass, largemouth bass, catfish, and bluegill, providing fishermen great opportunities. The lake is also located in Lake Wappapello State Park, which offers many campgrounds and rustic camper cabins for overnight stays.
Lake Wappapello offers easy access for boaters, making it much easier for individuals who love canoeing, kayaking, or fishing from a boat. There are miles of hiking trails offering great scenery for horseback riders and photographers. With so many things to do, Lake Wappapello easily makes our top five best likes for swimming in Missouri.
Long Branch Lake
Long Branch Lake provides its visitors with modern campgrounds, a marina store, and a swimming beach for day use (a favorite for families).
©Unknown employee(s) of the United States Army Corps of Engineers / This file is a work of a U.S. Army soldier or employee, taken or made as part of that person’s official duties. As a work of the U.S. federal government, it is in the public domain in the United States. – License
Roughly a three-hour drive from St. Louis, Missouri, Long Branch Lake is a very beautiful lake to swim in, and a great place to take the family. The lake has a nice sandy beach (complete with a volleyball net), but there are no lifeguards here. However, Long Branch Lake is one of the best swimming beaches in Missouri and a favorite for my family outings. The lake is picturesque with three boat ramps and numerous campsites if you want to stay overnight.
Long Branch Lake provides its visitors with modern campgrounds, a marina store, and a swimming beach for day use (a favorite for families). For tourists who have a passion for hiking and backpacking, there is plenty of beautiful scenery with prairie wildflowers and a chance to see the redheaded woodpecker. True bird lovers (and wildlife photographers) should know you can find more than just the redheaded woodpeckers at Long Branch Lake. In fact, a variety of birds can be found along its paths and trails, such as indigo buntings and brown thrashers.
Long Branch Lake is also a part of Long Branch State Park (providing its visitors modern restrooms and hot showers). As one of the top five lakes for swimming in Missouri, Long Branch State Park provides fun for everyone — not just swimmers. The lake has 24 miles of shoreline covered with many small coves along its beach, with easy access for boaters and fishermen. It offers great fishing possibilities and chances for anglers to catch catfish, walleye, crappie, and bass.
Pomme de Terre Lake
Pomme de Terre means “apple of the earth”, and its waters cover an area of roughly 7,800 acres.
©This image or file is a work of a U.S. Army Corps of Engineers soldier or employee, taken or made as part of that person’s official duties. As a work of the U.S. federal government, the image is in the public domain. – License
This lake is a part of the Pomme de Terre State Park, with stations both in Hermitage and Pittsburgh (opposite sides of the lake). The lake itself is located in the southwest region of Missouri, where Lindley Creek and Pomme de Terre River meet. It was created to be a part of a series of lakes constructed by the United States Army Corps of Engineers for the purpose of flood control.
Pomme de Terre means “apple of the earth”, and its waters cover an area of roughly 7,800 acres. The lake is a great place for swimming, with two public swimming beaches on either side of the lake. There is even a restroom and a facility for changing.
The park itself is covered in rugged hills and preserves some of the best-looking woodlands and savannas. There are also great places to boat, picnic, hike, fish, and go camping as well.
Stockton Lake
There is a constant breeze on Lake Stockton, which makes it a great place for sailing.
©iStock.com/jwdorris
The water at Stockton Lake is beautiful and clear, with over 300 miles of shoreline and 25,000 acres of lake water. It is a man-made reservoir with three marinas. If you’re looking for a great swimming beach where you can just chill and relax in Missouri, then Stockton Lake might be the perfect spot for you. There is a protected cove that is great for wakeboarders and water skiers, two boat launches, and lots of clean water for swimming, scuba diving, and fishing. The lake is located within Stockton State Park, and there is a gravel swimming beach at the park’s north end.
There are a lot of other fun activities and opportunities around Stockton Lake as well. There is a constant breeze on the lake, which makes it a great place for sailing too. The lake is surrounded by non-developed hills covered in trees and natural wildlife. Along the shoreline, you can see wild animals like bald eagles, deer, turkeys, and geese, just to name a few.
A 15-mile-long equestrian trail runs along the shoreline of Stockton Lake. There are places for hiking and biking as well. There are also two main picnic areas with outdoor grills, tables, electrical outlets, playgrounds, and restrooms. Stockton Lake State Park also has lots of places for camping. It also features log camper cabins and even a few large duplexes.
Summary Of The 5 Best Missouri Lakes For Swimming
| Rank | Lake | Location |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Lake of the Ozarks | south-central Missouri |
| 2 | Lake Wappapello | southeastern Wayne County |
| 3 | Long Branch Lake | Macon County |
| 4 | Pomme de Terre Lake | west central Missouri Ozarks |
| 5 | Stockton Lake | southwestern Cedar, Dade and Polk counties |
The photo featured at the top of this post is © iStock.com/scgerding
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