Does a summer day get any better than when we spend it at the beach? We can sunbathe on our beach towel on top of the soft sand then cool down with a trip to the lake that hugs the sandy beach. Beach volleyball, summer goodies like ice cream (we’ve got a whole list of the best ice cream shops in Missouri!), and cloudless skies all make those beach days some of the most memorable of summer. Missouri may not be a coastal state, but we’re not afraid to flaunt the amazing beauty that we’ve got! Here are five beaches in Missouri that, if you close your eyes, will make you swear you’re at the ocean.

1. Long Branch State Park, Macon
Long Branch State Park, 28615 Visitor Center Rd, Macon, MO 63552, USA
Junior Johnson/GoogleReviews
Long Branch State Park’s sandy beach offers plenty of space to drop your beach towel or your beach chair for a day of sheer relaxation. Be forewarned, however, that the beach does not have lifeguards, so take precautions in the water. Bring along a volleyball, too, for a game of beach volleyball, or stop by the playground with the kids. The marina at the state park also sells food and drinks to keep you refreshed. This is one of the prettiest vacation beaches in Missouri!
2. Moonshine Beach, Branson
Moonshine Beach, Sunset Cove Township, MO 65616, USA
VJ Patel/GoogleReviews
If you’re a fan of clear water, you’re going to love Moonshine Beach, which hugs the crystal-clear water of Table Rock Lake. A parking lot sits right near the sandy beach, and you’ll have plenty of room to set up your beach towel and belongings. Swimming in the lake is popular, as is scuba diving and boating.

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3. Smithville Lake, Clay County
Smithville Lake, Missouri, USA
Lucinda Biehn/GoogleReviews
Lounge on the soft sandy beach at Smithville Lake, just 20 miles from Kansas City. Actually, you have two beaches from which to choose – Camp Branch Beach and Little Platte Beach. Both provide plenty of space to hang out on the sand and relax in the water. With 175 miles of scenic shoreline and endless water in between, if you close your eyes, you might even feel like you’re on the shores of the Atlantic or the Pacific Ocean. It's like one of the best ocean beaches in Missouri if the state had an ocean!
4. Thousand Hills State Park, Kirksville
Thousand Hills State Park, 20431 MO-157, Kirksville, MO 63501, USA
Dawood Afzal/GoogleReviews
Feel a million miles away from it all at Thousand Hills State Park, where you’ll find a beautiful sandy beach. Relax along the sandy beach, where you can soak up the sun, or read a good book. You can also wade or swim in the cool water of Forest Lake.
5. Wakonda State Park, La Grange
Wakonda State Park, 32836 State Pk Rd, La Grange, MO 63448, USA
Paul Frank Anderson/GoogleReviews
If it’s peace and quiet you're after – as well as that ocean feel – you can’t go wrong at Wakonda State Park. In fact, that’s where you’ll find the state’s largest natural beach. Sprawl out on your own corner of the 20,000-square-foot sandy beach. While the beach doesn’t have a lifeguard, it does feature a bathroom and showers.

For a gorgeous summer vacay, these oceanlike destinations in Missouri are hard to beat! What are your favorite beaches in Missouri? Let us know in the comments!

How does a road trip sound? Pack your bags; gas up your car, and head out on this hidden beaches road trip in Missouri. Just don’t forget to pack the essentials!

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More to Explore

Beaches in Missouri & Related Info

Jennifer | July 08, 2023

How far is the ocean from Missouri?

Missouri is a landlocked state that is located pretty close to the geographic center of the U.S. As such, ocean beaches in Missouri (and views) are quite distant! The Gulf of Mexico, part of the greater Atlantic Ocean, is the closest to Missouri at only 400 miles away. The Eastern seaboard of the Atlantic is around 800 miles away as the crow flies, while the Pacific Ocean is closer to 1,500 miles.

Does Missouri have any lazy rivers?

Absolutely! Missouri was seemingly made for river floating, and fortunately, the state has plenty of options to choose from. For a summer activity that offers a little more relaxation and a little less adrenaline, tubing down one of Missouri's many man-made or natural lazy rivers is the perfect way to soak up every drop of summer sunshine.

What are the weirdest museums in Missouri?

Peruse a more…unique side of Missouri with a visit to one of the state’s weirdest museums. From memorialized hair to warehouses of vintage toys, these eclectic specialty museums are definitely worth a visit:

  • Lyle Van Houten’s Automotive Museum, Clarence

 

 

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