When warm weather descends upon Missouri, you may be looking for a great place to cool off. Fortunately, there are plenty of swimming holes in Missouri where you can cool off in some refreshing water while enjoying the breathtaking surroundings of nature. The following is a list of destinations within the state where you can splash and swim around. Don’t forget your sunscreen and a towel!

1. Johnson's Shut-Ins State Park
Johnson's Shut-Ins State Park Campground, Middle Brook, MO 63656, USA
Eric Alllix Rogers/Flickr
Johnson's Shut-Ins State Park is a popular swimming destination in southeastern Missouri. The rock formations create lots of little swimming holes and the water stays refreshingly cool all summer long.

Check out this stunning drone video of this amazing Missouri state park:

2. The Fugitive Beach
The Fugitive Beach, 16875 County Rd 5285, Rolla, MO 65401, USA
The Fugitive Beach/Facebook
Typically opening in mid-May, a little before your local pool, Fugitive Beach is a great destination for swimmers of all ages. This re-purposed quarry has a huge water slide, cliff jumps, a white sandy beach, and a play area for kids. Stay all day and grab lunch and drinks from the bar and grill!
3. Echo Bluff State Park
Echo Bluff State Park, 34489 Echo Bluff Dr, Eminence, MO 65466, USA
Echo Bluff State Park/Facebook
Echo Bluff State Park is one of Missouri's newest parks. This park truly has something for everyone Whether your family like swimming, or hiking, or even mountain biking you can do it all at Echo Bluff. Stay for the weekend in the lodge or rough it at one of the campsites.

Explore Echo Bluff State Park from the comfort of your couch in this eye-catching video:

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4. Wakonda State Park
Wakonda State Park, 32836 State Pk Rd, La Grange, MO 63448, USA
Missouri DNR Photo/Flickr
Wakonda State Park is home to six lakes for visitors to enjoy. The swimmers beach is a natural sand beach that never gets too crowded. Enjoy a game of beach volleyball or simply come to enjoy a day in the sun.
5. Rocky Falls
Rocky Falls, Winona Township, MO 65588, USA
Granger Meador/Flickr
Rocky Falls is a part of the Ozark Scenic Riverways. This shut-in flows down the rocks to the wider basin pool. Rocky Falls is a perfect swimming spot, and a great place to have a picnic.

Enjoy an amazing birds-eye view of Rocky Falls in all its stellar glory:

6. Welch Spring
Welch Spring, Newton Township, MO 65501, USA
Kbh3rd/Wikimedia
Welch Spring is not only a great spot for a swim but a great spot for adventure too. Check out the ruins of an old hospital after a dip in the cool natural spring. Welch Spring pumps into the Current River, keeping it cool during the hot summer months.
7. Current River
Current River Township, MO 63935, USA
Missouri Division of Tourism/Flickr
It can't be summer in Missouri without taking a swim in the Current River. Popular for float trips, this 184-mile-long river flows calmly through Missouri and into Arkansas. The river stays clear and blue from the many natural springs that contribute water into the system.

Have you visited any of these swimming holes in Missouri? What other places would you recommend for a day of swimming? Let us know what you think in the comments below!

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More to Explore

Swimming Holes in Missouri

Beth C. | May 02, 2021

What are some other great places to swim in Missouri?

For more fantastic swimming holes in Missouri, look no further than:

  • Finger Lakes State Park. This quarry lake boasts cool, clear water where you'll love spending a warm afternoon. This quarry lake can be accessed via a beach; however, there's also a dedicated swim platform located on the opposite end of the lake.
  • Castor River Shut-Ins. Looking for more beautiful scenery? Head to the Amidon Memorial Conservation Area and take a dip in the Castor River Shut-Ins. In fact, this is the only Missouri swimming hole that has pink granite shut-ins. Whether you're admiring the unique rock formations or enjoying the refreshing water, you'll love this one-of-a-kind outdoor destination in Missouri.
  • Sam A. Baker State Park. Dying to take a dip? Head to Sam A. Baker State Park in Patterson for the refreshing waters of Big Creek.

 

Does Missouri have any hidden gems?

Absolutely! Finding hidden gems in Missouri only means knowing where to look. Fortunately, we've spent quite a bit of time discovering the best secret spots in the Show-Me State. These hidden gems in Missouri include:

  • Prairie Garden Trust
  • Ha Ha Tonka State Park
  • Mark Twain Landing
  • Rockbridge Memorial State Park
  • Big Cedar Lodge
  • Wild Animal Safari
  • Kozy Kaboose
  • Stone Soup Cottage
  • Albonée Country Inn and Vineyards
  • Wakonda State Park

 

Looking for more adventures and day trips in Missouri? Learn more about these hidden places in Missouri that only the locals know about in this article.

What are the best summer destinations in Missouri?

If you plan on traveling to Missouri in the summertime, you can look forward to all kinds of exciting attractions. From outdoor destinations to charming small towns, the state is filled with must-see destinations, and not just during the warm months. The following is a list of destinations that everyone in Missouri should experience in the summer:

  • Ste. Genevieve
  • Sedalia
  • Jones-Confluence Point State Park
  • Taum Sauk Mountain State Park
  • Kansas City Pig & Swig
  • Amidon Memorial Conservation Area
  • Rolla, Wallace State Park
  • Pig Piney River, Truman Lake
  • Silver Dollar City

 

Of course, this is only the beginning of fun things to do in MO -- learn more about these family-friendly summer destinations in Missouri in this article.

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