Missouri is full of beautiful places, including 53 state parks and 35 historic sites. It would certainly be easy to overlook one or two. Katy Trail State Park shouldn't be one of them. It stretches 237 miles across Missouri, providing hikers and cyclists plenty of gorgeous scenery.
You’ll follow along beside the gorgeous Missouri River for about half the trail. The Missouri Department of Natural Resources cautions that the river isn’t part of the state park - and it can be dangerous along the trail. The banks are steep and the river can move fast.
Explore One of Missouri’s Cleanest and Deepest Lakes at Table Rock Lake State Park
Table Rock Lake: Missouri’s cleanest, crystal-clear Ozark lake in Branson, Missouri, for boating, fishing, and stunning views! Explore a Midwestern Atlantis!
Table Rock Lake, in the scenic Ozark Mountains of Missouri, is renowned for its striking beauty and remarkably clear waters. It's also one of the cleanest lakes in Missouri. With a maximum depth of approximately 220 feet, this man-made reservoir offers stunning views and a perfect environment for various recreational activities. Whether you're seeking an adventure or an escape, Table Rock Lake in Branson, Missouri, has something for everyone.
For those who prefer organized activities, commercial recreation options abound. Numerous marinas along the 800 miles of shoreline, including State Park Marina and Indian Point Marina, provide boat rentals for pontoons, jet skis, and fishing boats, making exploring the lake from the water easy.
If water sports are your thing, there is plenty of space with 45,000 surface acres. Wakeboarding, tubing, and water skiing are popular, with rentals also available for hassle-free fun. This lake is perfect for making family memories! Every few years, before my nephews go back to school in the fall, we reserve a condo in Branson near the lake and go boating for the day. Renting a boat is so easy -- all we have to do is show up with our coolers, and we’re set.
Fishing is popular year-round in Branson, Missouri. Fishing enthusiasts can book guided tours to enjoy the lake’s famous bass fishing spots with local experts. You might be surprised to learn that you can also scuba dive at Table Rock Lake -- he waters are that clear! Explore fish habitats, petrified trees, sunken boats, and old “ghost” towns left over from when the valley was flooded to create the lake. This is as close to a Midwestern Atlantis as you’ll ever be!
For a unique experience, hop aboard the Showboat Branson Belle [picks up at Table Rock Lake State Park], a classic paddlewheel boat offering scenic cruises complete with dining and live entertainment. If you’re looking for a place to stay, lakeside resorts like Big Cedar Lodge offer luxurious accommodations with added amenities, from fine dining to spa services (this is one of my other favorite hotels in Branson). No matter where you are, there are no bad views looking out at this tree-lined lake.
For those who prefer a quieter experience, non-commercial recreation options are plentiful. Public beaches like Moonshine Beach provide free or low-cost access for swimming and sunbathing. Anglers can fish from the shore at various public access points, targeting a variety of species like largemouth bass and crappie.
Nature lovers will enjoy the hiking trails at Table Rock Lake State Park, which offer stunning views and opportunities for bird-watching. Many visitors put in their own boats at the public boat launches along the lake or bring their kayaks and paddleboards to explore the [usually] tranquil waters at their own pace. Weekends in the summer are peak season, and the water can get choppy.
With its crystal-clear waters and abundant recreational opportunities, Table Rock Lake State Park is a must-visit destination in the Missouri Ozarks. While no "official" title exists, I think it is safe to call it the Cleanest Lake in Missouri. Whether you’re looking to dive into the lake's adventures or simply relax by its shores, this beautiful reservoir lake invites you to create unforgettable memories in Missouri's nature playground.
Many lakes in Missouri were created as part of man-made conservation efforts; Big Lake stands out because it is au natural. Located in Craig, Missouri, Big Lake is the state's largest oxbow lake and its largest natural body of water, covering 646 acres within the 407-acre Big Lake State Park. Mother Nature herself carved out this lake, a former bend of the Missouri River. The lake is part of a wetland ecosystem that shelters over 30 mammal species, nearly 40 reptiles and amphibians, and a spectacular array of migrating birds in spring and fall.
advertisement
A nice sunset over Big Lake at Big Lake State Park, Craig, Missouri
Now, let's talk more about oxbow lakes and what makes them so special. Today, we’re used to rivers “staying in their lane” due to efforts by the Army Corps of Engineers lock and dam systems. But before those interventions, rivers meandered across valleys, creating sloughs and wetlands.
Oxbow lakes form when a river takes a shortcut across one of its loops, eventually filling with sediment and cutting off from the main channel. Oxbow lakes are part of wetland systems and provide habitats for diverse plant and animal species, making them havens for biodiversity.
According to Lewis and Clark’s journals, Big Lake was likely called Tar-ki-o by the Native Americans, including the Iowa, Fox, and Sac tribes who frequented the area. In 1837, these tribes relocated across the river to Northeast Kansas in conjunction with the Indian Platte Purchase, though they continued visiting the region. It's easy to see why: the area was once rich with bottomland forests, marshes, shallow riverbeds, lakes, and wet prairies, teeming with wildlife. Today, wetlands are increasingly rare, and the ones at Big Lake State Park are among the last large marsh communities in northwest Missouri.
Big Lake’s calm waters and abundant wildlife make it perfect for recreation, including boating, fishing, and birdwatching. There are day-use areas, camper cabins, and a campground at the state park. The nearby Loess Bluffs National Wildlife Refuge and the wetlands at Big Lake are part of the Mississippi and Central Flyways. Thousands of migrating waterfowl feed and rest in the area during fall and spring. Visitors can spot cormorants, American white pelicans, snow geese, mallards, teals, and pintails. Bald eagles also winter in the area; I’ll never get tired of watching them fish! Marshy conditions make the area an ideal habitat for wetland bird species like soras, rails, yellow-headed blackbirds, and majestic blue herons.
Great Blue Heron Flying Overhead
Craig, Missouri, is a tiny town, fortunate to have the scenic state park of Big Lake State Park nearby. In Craig, you'll find a cafe, gas station, and church, along with nearby campgrounds and cabins. Big Lake has been a tourist destination since the mid-1800s. The park is just an hour and a half north of Kansas City, Missouri. You could even stay at this charming farm in Saint Joseph, Missouri, midway to the park, complete with a jacuzzi, yard games, and farm animals.
So, are you ready to pack your bags for a chance to see the enormous American white pelicans? What’s the most extraordinary bird you’ve seen in Missouri?
