Long Branch State Park
Rate this placeLast Updated: December 5, 2025
Long Branch State Park is located in Macon County, Missouri.
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Summary
It covers an area of 1635 acres and is known for its beautiful sandy beach, clear water, and abundance of fish. There are several good reasons to visit the park, including swimming, fishing, boating, camping, hiking, and picnicking.
One of the most popular attractions in Long Branch State Park is the beach, which is open to the public from Memorial Day through Labor Day. The beach is a great place to relax, swim, and soak up the sun. Fishing is also a popular activity in the park, with anglers coming from all over the state to catch catfish, crappie, bass, and sunfish in the clear waters of Long Branch Lake.
Visitors can also enjoy hiking and camping in the park. There are several trails that wind through the park's wooded areas, offering scenic views of the lake and surrounding landscape. The park has 98 campsites available, with amenities such as electric hookups, showers, restrooms, and a dump station.
In addition to these activities, there are several interesting points of interest to see in Long Branch State Park. The park is home to a historic 19th-century farmstead, which has been restored and is open to the public for tours. Visitors can also explore the park's nature center, which features exhibits on the local flora and fauna.
The best time of year to visit Long Branch State Park is during the summer months, when the weather is warm and the beach is open. However, the park is open year-round, so visitors can enjoy hiking and camping throughout the year.
Overall, Long Branch State Park is a great destination for anyone looking to enjoy the great outdoors in Missouri. With its beautiful lake, sandy beach, and variety of activities, it's a perfect place to spend a day or a weekend.
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Park & Land Designation Reference
Large protected natural areas managed by the federal government to preserve significant landscapes, ecosystems, and cultural resources; recreation is allowed but conservation is the priority.
State Park
Public natural or recreational areas managed by a state government, typically smaller than national parks and focused on regional natural features, recreation, and education.
Local Park
Community-level parks managed by cities or counties, emphasizing recreation, playgrounds, sports, and green space close to populated areas.
Wilderness Area
The highest level of land protection in the U.S.; designated areas where nature is left essentially untouched, with no roads, structures, or motorized access permitted.
National Recreation Area
Areas set aside primarily for outdoor recreation (boating, hiking, fishing), often around reservoirs, rivers, or scenic landscapes; may allow more development.
National Conservation Area (BLM)
BLM-managed areas with special ecological, cultural, or scientific value; more protection than typical BLM land but less strict than Wilderness Areas.
State Forest
State-managed forests focused on habitat, watershed, recreation, and sustainable timber harvest.
National Forest
Federally managed lands focused on multiple use—recreation, wildlife habitat, watershed protection, and resource extraction (like timber)—unlike the stricter protections of national parks.
Wilderness
A protected area set aside to conserve specific resources—such as wildlife, habitats, or scientific features—with regulations varying widely depending on the managing agency and purpose.
Bureau of Land Management (BLM) Land
Vast federal lands managed for mixed use—recreation, grazing, mining, conservation—with fewer restrictions than national parks or forests.
Related References
Area Campgrounds
| Location | Reservations | Toilets |
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Macon Co Park
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Long Branch State Park
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Thomas Hill Reservoir - Hwy T Campground - MDC
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Atlanta Conservation Area
Bee Hollow Conservation Area
Redman Conservation Area