The setting sun, filtered through the trees that line the bank of the river, casts a golden glow over the swimming area, which is large and deep. However, it never hurts to call and check the water level ahead of time. Read more about this natural swimming hole in Missouri in our previous article. For thousands of years, long before it had a name, the Springfield aquifer flowed beneath the Ozarks hills, carving out cracks and crevices in the soft dolomite and limestone rock, eventually allowing the water to make its way to the surface. We'd park at the Mobil Station in . Twin Lakes Recreation Area. Clear, spring-fed Ozark rivers are great for cooling off in the hot summer months. The result is a sloping rock wall dotted by small ledges, shoots and natural pools, which you can easily climb on and explore. Places to Swim near Marshfield - Where to find Beaches, Lakes, Pools, Swimming Holes, and More near Marshfield MO The Stockton Lake beach is located close to the marina, where you can find snacks and rent boats for a day on the water. From Battlefield Road, take a right onto South Farm Road 187. Long Branch State Park near Macon is popular with families, with a nice sandy public beach for swimming in the lake. Things to Do: While finding the best beaches in Missouri might top your list, there are some other great activities in the state that you might want to work into your itinerary. The public beach is a comfortable gathering spot for vacationers and locals because of the conveniences nearby and activities like the sand volleyball that gives those who are not swimming something to do. We really love summer and swimming, so we've been rounding up some of the best swimming hole destinations in Missouri and Arkansas, like Patrick Bridge and Turner Falls Park, over the years to share with you, our readers. CHESTERFIELD GUARANTEED LAP SWIM/WALK SUNDAY 12-5 p.m. MONDAY 5:15 a.m.-8:25 a.m.; 10:30 a.m.-3 p.m.; 4-5:25 p.m.; 6:30-8 p.m. TUESDAY All rights reserved. Mark Twain Lake beach allows public swimming and has a changing facility, so you can mix in some walking or biking before or after playing in the water. In second-stage of career life, this former college instructor enjoys contributing to OIYS, blogging, reading, and spending time with her kids. Okay, okay. Swimming in the lakes, streams and rivers in state parks is at your own risk. Add Arena Share. This is a great natural swimming hole in Missouri, so grab your swimsuit and check it out! Life jackets are available. Embed. What do you think are the best swimming holes in Missouri? OnlyInYourState may earn compensation through affiliate links in this article. Copyright 2023 PlanetWare Inc. All rights reserved. Grand Glaize Beach is also referred to as Public Beach #2 in the Lake of the Ozarks State Park near Osage Beach, Missouri. Have you ever thought about having a water-themed photography session? The dam, part of Gunner Pool Recreation Area, is located near campsites 16 and 17. This is a spot you can bring the whole family. I am shocked this one is not more popular! Along with swimming, Lake Sylvia offers camping, hiking and fishing. For more information, click HERE. Looking for some high-flying fun? The forest has over 750 miles of trails for hiking, horseback riding . The swimming hole isnt huge, but there are picnic tables, grills and a public restroom. There are also a couple of other decent swimming holes upstream, if you feel like exploring. Places to Swim near Stockton - Where to find Beaches, Lakes, Pools, Swimming Holes, and More near Stockton MO Once youre behind the falls, the roar of the water is all you can hear, and you feel as if youre in your own little world, a thick sheet of rushing water separating you from everything else. Finger Lakes, St. Joe, Trail of Tears, Thousand Hills, Wakonda and Watkins Mill also are state parks with smaller lakes for swimming. If you want to extend your day outdoors, you can rent a kayak or paddleboat at the marina and paddle along the designated aquatic trail. We did the research and put together a set of printable directionsbecause cell service is spotty at timesthat you can take on your journey. This beach is nice for anyone looking for a little something extra to do beyond swimming. Twin Bridges Bar and Grill has live music most weekends during floating season and offers a selection of bar food and home-style cooking. Deep pools, cascading waterfalls, rope swings and peaceful camping spots can be found along a 7-mile section of County Road 68 near Sand Gap, Arkansas. Another bonus is how easy it is to reach. The beach features towering bluffs, multiple slides, a volleyball court, Fugitive Beach Bar & Grill, cliff jumps, sandy beaches, and bright, bright blue water all in Rolla, Missouri. It is also a scenic beach because of the clear water and the surrounding forest. From Kearney Street, head north on Highway 13 for about three miles. The rope swing and idyllic setting are big draws of the swimming hole, but the spot can get a bit rowdy, and there is some explicit graffiti on the nearby bluffs. And nowhere is it more fun to take advantage of the gift that is cold, clear water than on the North Fork River. When youre planning your trip to Fugitive Beach, its best to prepare as if you were actually going to spend a day at the beach. Cassville, MO 65625. Peckers Beach, 3100 S Farm Rd 193, Springfield, MO 65809, USA, Rocky Falls, Winona Township, MO 65588, USA, Rivers Edge Inn Resort, 16392 Tom Akers Rd, Eminence, MO 65466, USA, River's Edge has great swimming and also some pretty sweet, With natural waterslides, this is one of the best, Johnson's Shut-Ins State Park, 148 Taum Sauk Trail, Middle Brook, MO 63656, USA, Eleven Point is known for great swimming and also amazing, Eleven Point River, Moore Township, MO, USA, Castor River Shut-Ins, Fredericktown, MO 63645, USA. Take a peek at the beauty that awaits on this, This is the only swimming hole in Missouri featuring pink granite shut-ins. We opted for the longest single day float, which is 15 miles long and runs from Twin Bridges to Blair Bridge. If you want to drive a ways, there are some really clean and beautiful springs a couple hrs east of town, alley springs and blue springs are two that come to mind. Check out this, No list of Missouri swimming holes would be complete without this one. Privacy Policy. Thank you! Last summer, when I floated the North Fork, my friends and I camped at and floated from Twin Bridges Canoe and Campground in West Plains. There's a lot of ways to do this. The area is a former quarry that has been turned into a top summer water destination in the state. The buffalo is about an hr and half south and has great swimming and floating. continuing from the directions for the Shut Ins above, continue east on RT 21/29 to Lesterville. If you are new to Missouri and looking for an easy swimming spot while on vacation, Grand Glaize is a nice pick. The Ozark Trail (Klepzig Mill to Rocky Falls) near Winona, Missouri, is a hiker's paradise. All year long, water gushes over a 12-foot ledge of chert rock, cascading into a wide pool below. This is a great spot for kids to splash around and hunt for crawdads. This beach is nice because there is a lot of space, picnic areas, and volleyball courts. Tolkien novel. This is also a popular spot for jumping; however, the falls make it tricky to see whats under the water, so be careful if you decide to take the plunge. By rejecting non-essential cookies, Reddit may still use certain cookies to ensure the proper functionality of our platform. Address: 429 Moccasin Springs Road, Jackson, Missouri. Cuivre River State Park offers swimming in Lake Lincoln. Valley Water Mill Park is open daily dawn to dusk for fishing, hiking and exploration. If youd rather take it easy, below the falls lies a large swimming hole where you can enjoy calm waters. I have not swum here, but I have lots of friends that say this is their favorite spot. Bluffs, sandbars and crystal clear water abound along this float, with ample opportunities to pull over and go for a dip. Lake Boutin Beach is a popular spot for local triathlons and swimming events. You can book a campsite or stay in a cabin or vacation rental near the lake. This tends to be a pretty popular spot, and it can get quite busy. At a glance, the dam almost looks like its naturally occurring, or maybe like something you would read about in a J.R.R. Looking for more outdoor adventures this summer? Work up a good sweat while playing a game of volleyball on the sand before diving into the crystal clear water. Have a look around the blog and make sure to contact me ASAP! There is a day-use area near the beach, with picnic areas and changing facilities. Long Branch Lake in Macon is another beautiful body of water that boasts pristine water. We offer classes for kids of all ages and skill levels so everyone can become confident in the water. We stayed in the hotel and met the", "This hotel was terrible, they did not offer any breakfast at all, NOTHING, on the days we stayed but still paid full price. Address: 37352 Shrine Road, Florida, Missouri. kayak 3. canoe 3. hike 2. camp 1. cave 1. Creve Coeur Lake is a great lake for renting a canoe, kayak, or paddleboard and enjoying the calm waters. Hickory Hills Pool in Springfield, MO Bright cabanas and plenty of space set the Hickory Hills Country Club pool apart, creating a relaxing place for all ages. If Fugitive Beach sounds like your kind of place, all of the fun starts Memorial Day weekend. We cant wait to visit again this summer! Scrambled eggs were cold. Did you know that we can also find some of the clearest lakes in Missouri, too? Because the lake contributes to a drinking water source for Springfield, no swimming, wading or boating is allowed. Address: 28615 Visitor Center Road, Macon, Missouri. Phone: 417-864-1049. There is more than 958 miles of shoreline in the Harry S. Truman State Park, with spectacular views of forests and steep bluffs surrounding it. Some of the top swimming spots and beaches in the state are on popular lakes that are also great for water recreation, like boating and fishing. From Springfield, Missouri. Springfield, Missouri Length: 34.9 mi Est. We use cookies to ensure that we give you the best experience on our website. Head to Table Rock Lake for a day at the beachMoonshine Beach, that is. The earlier you get on the river, the less crowded it will be, and I wish we had left sooner than we did. There is a great interpretive center where you can learn about the Trail of Tears and the native Cherokee Indians. The water here tends to stay nice and clear all season long. The campsite falls on the rustic side, as far as these things gotheres no running waterbut the serene location more than makes up for it. The fenced-in area covers a large lawn, Paws Pond, and part of the beach and entire 16 acres of the Twin Lakes Fishing Lake, providing your pooch with . Restrooms are in the Watershed Committee of the Ozarks building, on the south side of the park. The main reason I chose Twin Bridges has to do with the reason I choose a lot of things in life: food. What are people saying about swimming holes in Springfield, MO? Swimming holes around Springfield area? I would categorize this as a urban trail even though Branson is rural. Take a peek at this, Rocky Falls Shut-ins, Winona, MO 65588, USA, It's no wonder Cuivre River State Park's beach is a popular summer hangout - the water feels just as good as it looks. The gravel road to get to this site is a bit rough (hello, potholes! From finding the perfect outfit location to planning, preparation, and more, I help with it all! With lakes, rivers, ponds and streams galore, there is no shortage of Missouri swimming holes. There were many pretty areas of the trail but it was super disappointing to see the west gate resort buildings literally 100 feet or less from the trail and", "What a great place to stay in Kimberling City. The park is in northeast Missouri and has a great public recreation area including a sizable public beach on the north side of the park. Water intersects this fairway about 130 yards from the green. In the morning, on your way home, make a side trip to Althea Springs for one more jolt from the North Fork. Read more about this, 1514 Co Rd 253, Fredericktown, MO 63645, USA, Rocky Falls features that famous clear running water of the Ozark National Scenic Riverways. St. Francois and Washington state parks are on the Big River. Don't forget to read our handy swimming holes safety guide before you go. If you want a relaxing day in a serene locale, this probably isnt the spot for you. For the brave, there are 10- to- 20-foot cliff jumps around the beach from the steep ledges of the quarry. Head right from the dock toward the campsites and follow the trail. For an added activity, you can look for some of the 149 species of birds that have been spotted in this park. 3. With its 10-foot waterfall, rope swing, turquoise water and lush scenery, Falling Water Falls is a little slice of swimming hole heaven. Address: County Road NN-526, Winona, Missouri. Located in the Amidon Memorial Conservation Area, this is known as one of the best places for a refreshing dip. There are tables and grills, restrooms and changing facilities, and a children's playground nearby. Big Creek is a lovely little stream that runs through Sam A. Baker State Park, and thecampground is next to a gravel bar along the creek. When you see Blair Bridge, start heading for shore. This 18-hole championship course is exceptionally designed to maximize the challenges of the game amidst a breathtaking setting. Places to Swim near Springfield - Where to find Beaches, Lakes, Pools, Swimming Holes, and More near Springfield MA We admit it. You cant technically swim at Ritter Springs Park, but there is a creek to splash around in. Use your discretion. And if youve ever swum in a spring-fed river on a 100-degree day in the middle of August, you know just how lucky we are. Head to Sam A. Baker State Park in Patterson for the refreshing waters of Big Creek. It is easy to get to in the Creve Coeur Memorial Park in Maryland Heights community, which is about 20 miles outside of St. Louis. They also have walking trails and a playground if the kids want to break up their day! There are also a number of hiking and biking trails. The falls are on the right if youre facing south. There is a sailing school at the marina. Saturday and Sunday anyone under the age of 18 are not permitted in the aquatic centers until open swim starts at noon. For more information, please see our New comments cannot be posted and votes cannot be cast. Learn more about this, Dying to take a dip? If you can get to the campground before nightfall, I suggest setting your camping equipment aside and heading straight to the water. Here's a few ways we're working on our mission right now: Providing information, Building and maintaining local trails, Helping and teaching kids to fix their bikes, Cleaning up local parksto provide safe and clean places to enjoy nature. Choose a lot of things in life: food new to Missouri and for... A. Baker State Park offers swimming in the lake the quarry a bit (... 18-Hole championship course is exceptionally designed to maximize the challenges of the Park did you know we! And rivers in State parks is at your own risk Jackson, Missouri would categorize this a! 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