Harry S. Truman Lake is the largest lake in Missouri and is named for a renowned person. The completion of the Kaysinger Bluff Dam in 1977 led to the creation of the 55,6-acre reservoir bearing the former president of the United States' name. Between Clinton City and Warsaw City, along the Osage River, is Harry S. Truman Lake, which spans Benton, Henry, St. Clair, and Hickory Counties. The lake serves as a wildlife refuge, a means of preventing flooding, a source of hydroelectric power, and a fantastic recreation area.

There is something for everyone at Harry S. Truman Lake and the Regional Visitor Center, which are both located within Harry S. Truman State Park. The Visitor Center has panoramic views of Tebo Creek, South Grand River, and Osage Rivers in addition to fishing, hiking, and camping. Visit the 330 million-year-old Weaubleau-Osceola edifice while you're around. This 19-mile crater, the fourth largest in the nation, is regarded as one of the world's top 50 recognized craters.

Location: Warsaw, Missouri

The 43,100-acre Table Rock Lake comes in second on the list of the best lakes to visit in Missouri. After the construction of Table Rock Dam in the White River watershed, Table Rock Lake was created in the Ozark Mountains. You can go swimming, paddleboarding, and fishing while participating in water sports and activities here. Scuba divers take pleasure in exploring Table Rock Lake because of its clean waters. Another option for those looking for an adrenaline boost is parasailing. If you wish to take part in these water sports, a nice pair of water shoes are a basic necessity.

High-intensity fishermen shouldn't pass up the opportunity to fly fish in the south of the lake in addition to casting a line for trout. On the other hand, if you want a more laid-back vacation, take a two-hour Showboat Branson Cruise where you can relax and take in Table Rock Lake's breathtaking scenery. One of the things to do in Branson, Missouri, is the Silver City Campground, so you may as well stop by while you're in the neighborhood.

Location: in the Ozarks of southwestern Missouri

One of Missouri's largest natural lakes, Creve Couer Lake is a 320-acre oxbow lake that is a part of the 2,145-acre Creve Couer Lake Memorial Park. Given the wide range of activities it provides, Creve Coeur Lake is regarded as one of Missouri's top recreational lakes.

The park, which is the biggest in the St. Louis County regional park system, has a never-ending selection of summertime activities. Tour the lake and the grounds on the back of a bike or in a rental boat, or spend the day in a canoe, kayak, or even a paddleboard.

There is a 3.8-mile asphalt route that around the lake and provides a striking perspective of the lake for hikers. The picnic pavilion is available for use by walkers, runners, bicyclists, and rollerbladers who use the trail. Children can play on one of four fantastic playgrounds, explore the Spray Fountains, or engage in sports for visitors with kids. The 18-hole disc golf course and archery range are also included.

In addition to this, the beach area is a great choice for swimming and watching the sun set. Picnics on the lawn or at a pavilion are another well-liked activity if you want to unwind for the day. Creve Couer Lake is the ideal location for you and your furry friends to explore and have the finest experience if you are bringing them along. As long as they are on a leash, pets are permitted in the vicinity.

Location: St. Louis County, Missouri

Bull Shoals Lake, a 45,000-acre body of water that stretches from northern Arkansas to southern Missouri, is located deep within the Ozark Mountains. Bull Shoals Dam was built in the Upper White River Basin in 1951 to help with flood control, produce hydroelectric power, and provide water for the Marion County Regional Water District. As a result, the lake was formed.

Bull Shoals Lake is surrounded by wooded borders and is a component of a recreation and water sports paradise with over 20 built parks. The region has boat docks, pavilions, and a number of campgrounds that can hold anything from pop-up tents to luxurious RVs. Around the lake, sandbars are a common location for camping.

For anglers and families seeking a peaceful mountain escape, the lake's rocky shoreline and clear, fish-filled water make it a paradise. Anglers have a chance of catching trout, large mouth bass, catfish, small mouth bass, and black and white crappie. All year long, fishing is possible because the lake never freezes. Fishing with a spear is also common. Scuba divers are drawn to the lake because of its superb visibility. Only from May to September is a decent time to go swimming, and the water is quite chilly.

Location: southern Missouri

Fewer than five miles from Piedmont City and only a two-hour journey from St. Louis City separate Clearwater Lake, making it an excellent day trip destination. Clearwater Lake is presently regarded as one of the best lakes in Missouri. It is located in the center of the Ozark Mountains and along the Black River. The City of Piedmont and three parks nearby quickly turned Clearwater Lake, which was first constructed to aid in flood control, into a popular local pleasure destination.

The 1,630-acre body of water is surrounded by a lush green landscape that gives Clearwater Lake its picturesque appearance. It is renowned for leisure pursuits like swimming, fishing, canoeing, wakeboarding, kneeboarding, etc. in addition to its breathtaking natural beauty. Playgrounds, bike paths, and hiking trails are available at Clearwater Lake.

There are several lodging options available along the 27-mile shoreline of Clearwater Lake, including cottages and camping grounds. A full-size bathroom, a television, a stove, heat, and air conditioning are all included in each cabin at Webb Creek.

Location: Piedmont, Missouri.

The 440-acre Council Bluff Lake is a tiny lake located in the eastern region of the 1.5 million-acre Mark Twain National Forest. The trees around the lake provide a picturesque setting for boating and paddling as well as shady paths for biking, hiking, and strolling.

Council Bluff Lake is a well-liked weekend and vacation destination because of the deep forests that provide shade along its banks, the 13-mile-long network of hiking and bike routes, and the abundance of fish in the crystal-clear alpine waters. Kids can swim at Chapel Hill Beach from May through September. It has beautiful sand. There are many campgrounds, so you may bring your RV or rough it in your tent.

Fishing is a well-liked hobby due to the crystal-clear alpine waterways. Fish species to catch here include large mouth bass, channel catfish, bluegill, red-ear sunfish, and crappie.

Location: Iron County, Missouri.

A man-made lake with vibrant flora and a rough setting, Lake Jacomo is tucked away in Fleming Park and spans 1,000 acres. Fleming Park enforces strict regulations to maintain tranquility in Lake Jacomo. Tourists are required to adhere to the 10-horsepower restriction on boats, which was originally built in 1952 for sailing activities.

A kayak or canoe can be used to explore the lake's numerous coves and arms as well as its beautiful, forested shoreline. For a number of boats, Sail Boat Cove includes mooring buoys and a dry sail lot. 300 boats may dock at the South Boat Dock, and the marina also provides boat rentals, petrol, food, and other services.

The marina's dock is utilized for fishing throughout the workweek. Jacomo fishing is permitted in the Lake due to the variety of fish species there, but ice fishing is prohibited. Additionally, swimming is not permitted at Lake Jacomo, but there are plenty of other enjoyable sports available, like sailing, windsurfing, and pontoon boating. Families can visit Native Hooved Animal Enclosure, which is only 6 miles from Lake Jacomo, after a strenuous morning of sporting activities. In this 110-acre wildlife enclosure, see buffalo, elks, white-tailed deer, and bison.

Location: Jackson County, Missouri

The serpentine shape of the Lake of the Ozarks, which spans four counties in the center of Missouri, has earned it the nickname "The Magic Dragon." It is a sizable reservoir that was built in 1931 as a result of the Osage River being dammed. It is one of the largest man-made lakes in the world at the time of its construction. Today, with a surface area of more than 200 square kilometers, it is the state's biggest reservoir.

The 1,850-kilometer-long shoreline of the Lake of the Ozarks is dotted with towns, parks, and golf courses. Along the lake's shoreline, there are a ton of lodging options, campgrounds, marinas, and dining establishments.

The park's shoreline trails extend for more than 8 miles and wind through rocky hilltops, picturesque bluffs, babbling brooks, and gorgeous Missouri flora. The lake is teeming with fish, particularly bass, and there are well-attended yearly fishing competitions. The park offers excellent camping opportunities, with both rustic and luxurious sites accessible. Anywhere in the lake is safe for swimming, however, there are two particularly lovely sandy beaches.

Location: central Missouri

A 100 square kilometer lake with a "V" form, Stockton Lake is located in three Missouri counties, is one of the best lakes to visit in Missouri. The lake was built artificially by damming the Sac River in 1969.

The lake's surrounding coves make it a popular spot for wakeboarding, water skiing, kiteboarding, and windsurfing. Additionally well-known for its superb sailing, it regularly hosts renowned regattas like the Governor's Cup. The water in the former mine is a vivid blue that virtually shines in the summer, just like the surrounding Black Diamond Lake! Your dog is welcome at the lake, so they may join in the fun as well. Just make sure they're properly restrained by their lead.

A 24-kilometer equestrian track that is also popular with cyclists and hikers runs along Stockton Lake's shores. The tranquil lake is surrounded by campgrounds, marinas, and lodging options.

There are unpowered campsites directly by the lake, but they are first-come, first-served, so you'll need to go there early during peak season to guarantee your spot. With so much to do, you could even make a weekend out of it by camping there. Glamping nearby in Wellington National Park at Honeymoon Pool or Potter's Gorge is another option to step things up.

Location: southeastern Cedar County, northeastern Dade County, and southwestern Polk County, Missouri.

Mark Twain Lake is a reservoir that spans two Missouri counties and is named for the famous author Mark Twain. The author's hometown and the Mark Twain State Park, which has camping areas and hiking paths, surround the lake.

The Clarence Cannon Dam along the Salt River produced the 7,500 acre lake. Today, Mark Twain Lake is a well-liked vacation spot with lots of fun activities.

Mark Twain Lake is a popular destination for boaters, hunters, and anglers, as well as for families looking for a spot to go swimming, having a picnic, and camping. Along its 459 km of shoreline, there are marinas, playgrounds, beaches, picnic areas, and lodging possibilities.

There are numerous businesses in the lake region, including a water park, a vineyard, campers, restaurants, hotels, resorts, antique stores, specialized stores, hardware stores, realtors, grocery stores, and much more. Three quaint communities, Monroe City, Paris, and Perry, encircle the lake. These towns have adjusted to the lake and now provide a wide range of services and speciality stores.

Location: Ralls and Monroe Counties, Missouri

The city of Smithville and neighboring towns in the state receive water from Smithville Lake, a reservoir that is close to the city. The Platte River was dammed to create the 29-square-kilometer lake, which spans two counties.

The 282-kilometer shoreline of Smithville Lake is home to beaches, campgrounds, marinas, dining establishments, and golf courses. Additionally, there are over 40 kilometers of hiking, biking, and horseback riding routes in the region, as well as over 17 kilometers of mountain bike paths.

Around the lake, white-tail deer and wild turkey are common targets for hunters. The lake has been stocked with walleye, crappie, blue catfish, largemouth bass, white bass, and many other species. Fishing can be done from the shore or from a boat.

Location: Clay / Clinton counties, Missouri

Lake Taneycomo, a man-made reservoir with features of both a lake and a river, is located in the Ozark Mountains alongside the White River. It has both deep, warm water and chilly, shallow water, providing a large variety of activities.

Since the 1930s, tourists have flocked to Lake Taneycomo because it's a great place for water skiing, swimming, boating, and fishing. The settlements around the lake provide a variety of lodging choices, dining establishments, and hiking and sightseeing opportunities.

Take a ride on the Landing Princess or Landing Queen at Main Street Marina to explore Lake Taneycomo's waters. Additionally, Main Street Marina provides picturesque, self-guided excursions along Lake Taneycomo on kayaks, paddleboards, hydrobikes, and Craigcats. Don't miss Branson Jet Boats for an exhilarating journey filled with turns, turns, scenery, and epic surprises.

Near the city of Forsyth in Taney County, Missouri, is where you'll find Lake Taneycomo. It is accessible through the city of Branson, which is an excellent starting point for people who wish to see the lake, and it is open all year round.

Location: Taney County, Missouri.