Just over two hours northwest of Kansas City, Long Branch Lake in Northern Missouri is an outdoor paradise for hikers and water lovers. The lake is the result of the construction of the Long Branch Dam on the Little Chariton River's East Fork by the US Army Corps of Engineers. In addition to countless recreation opportunities, the lake and dam provide flood control, wildlife conservation, and water storage.
Almost 2,000 acres around the lake constitutes Long Branch State Park. The Army Corps permits the Missouri government to use and manage over 4,000 acres of their land for the state park and conservation efforts. In total, the lake has 24 miles of shoreline around 2,400 acres of water.
Popular water-based activities at Long Branch Lake include swimming, boating, and fishing. If the weather isn't warm enough or you travel here during the off season, you can still enjoy a hike and a picnic. The lake's only camping facilities are found at Long Branch State Park, where amenities are plentiful. Large rigs can call this park home and enjoy quick access to the beach and nearby hiking trails. All this makes Long Branch Lake the perfect place for an RV vacation.
If you are traveling south from Des Moines, Iowa, the trip to Long Branch Lake will take around three hours without traffic or other unforeseen delays. The trip northeast from Kansas City is a little shorter at just over two hours. No matter which route you choose, you will travel on large, paved, and well-maintained highways. The views from your RV windows will be open and pastoral.
Driving south from Des Moines, vacationers will hit the north end of the lake first and should consider a stop at the Atlanta State Wildlife Area. Gas and supplies are also available in the small town of Atlanta, about half an hour from the COE lake entrance. From Kansas City, a slight detour to Marceline, Missouri, has you at the Walt Disney Hometown Museum. Macon, with a variety of gas and larger stores, is a perfect stop for all your trip supplies.
Winter and off-season road trippers should be prepared to encounter changing road conditions. Snow, freezing rain, and ice are all possible along the routes to Long Branch Lake. Make sure your rig is in tip-top shape and carry emergency gear.
Large parking areas are available at Long Branch Lake at both the Visitor Center and the state park campground.
Even though there are no COE campgrounds at Long Branch Lake, campers can find suitable accommodations at Long Branch State Park, which borders the lake. The campground is open year-round with reservable sites as well as some that are available on a first-come, first-served basis. Campsite parking pads are as large as 75 feet, so accommodating an enormous motorhome or trailer is feasible.
At this scenic state park, RV campers have their choice of 56 campsites with 50 amp electric hookups as well as an additional 18 primitive, walk-in sites. When staying here you'll be ideally located for access to the lake's only swimming beach. The wonderful Little Prairie Chariton Trail surrounds some of the campsites, so going for a hike is convenient. The playground is another fun stop for the kids.
This state park campground has both restrooms and showers. The showers are only accessible during the peak season from the beginning of April to the end of October. During the peak season, drinking water is readily available, and in the offseason, there is one frost-free spigot that services all the sites. Get your firewood from the vending machine at the entrance to the campground near the dump station.
When you arrive at Long Branch Lake, make a stop at the Visitor Center managed by the US Army Corps of Engineers in Macon. This large building on the east end of the lake has all the lake information you need to plan an exciting visit.
Once you've set your itinerary, stay a little longer to experience all the interesting and interactive activities. Spend time marveling at the fish and turtles in the aquariums or learn about the Long Branch Lake area through the engaging displays.
Long Branch Lake offers a trail experience for everyone. There are four main options available to suit most hikers. Only one of the trails is managed by the Army Corps of Engineers - called the Nature Trail. It's a short 0.25-mile path through the woods that travels between the Visitor Center and the lake.
The Missouri Department of Natural Resources within Long Branch State Park manages an additional three trails in the area. The Lakeview Trail runs just over half a mile and ends at a scenic lake overlook. The Little Chariton Prairie Trail is accessed effortlessly at the campground and travels a total of 1.5 miles. The longest trail, the Bee Trace Trail, is divided into two loops, and hikers can cover a total distance of 7.5 miles.
Visitors to Long Branch Lake can reserve one of two open picnic shelters for a fee. If you haven't planned ahead, unreserved shelters can also be obtained on a first come, first served basis at no charge.
Each picnic area can handle groups of up to 60 people. You'll find nearby restrooms, picnic tables, electricity, and a grill at both shelters. The South Shelter is accessible and very close to a playground.
For smaller groups, there are picnic facilities along the lake with shade, tables, and great water views.
Open only during peak season, Long Branch Lake has one official swimming beach found near the Long Branch State Park Campground. The sandy beach is unsupervised, so swimmers enter the water at their own risk.
Visitors can set up for the day to enjoy the refreshing lake water. A beach volleyball net is even set up for those who want to be a little more active. Between the campground and the lake, you'll also find convenient changeroom facilities and restrooms.
A great way to enjoy the lake and its surroundings is to head out onto the water. This COE lake is open to both motorized and non-motorized boats and offers one main boat ramp within Long Branch State Park.
The state park, on the shores of the lake, also has a marina open from Memorial Day weekend through Labor Day. You can get snacks, gas for your boat, bait, and camping supplies from this one location.
Depending on where you are around the lake, anglers can catch many different varieties of fish. Flathead catfish are possible catches near the old river channels in the lake's upper arms. Blue catfish can also be found in the lake in spring and the beginning of fall. Channel catfish are most commonly caught from the banks of the Little Chariton River along the East Fork and Long Branch Fork.
If you prefer a fishing challenge other than catfish, you can also find hybrid striped bass. Although less common, largemouth bass are also found in the lake.
