Long Branch State Park
Long Branch State Park
4.5
About
Looking for a place to get a watersports fix? Long Branch State Park’s three boat ramps provide access to sprawling and picturesque Long Branch Lake. Want to get some fishing in? The park offers some of the best bass fishing in northern Missouri and its swimming beach a is a favorite for families. More than 80 campsites make the park a perfect place for overnight stays. And the park’s native prairie offers peaceful hiking opportunities.
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Most Recent: Reviews ordered by most recent publish date in descending order.
Detailed Reviews: Reviews ordered by recency and descriptiveness of user-identified themes such as wait time, length of visit, general tips, and location information.
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4.5
58 reviews
Excellent
30
Very good
21
Average
6
Poor
1
Terrible
0
Chris F
Macon, MO60 contributions
When you get to the actual lake, there is plenty of parking.
The marina shop has scoops of ice cream, fountain sodas and many fishing supplies with a wooden deck right outside to take in the scenery.
They also sell fish pellets to feed lots of catfish right outside.
They have grills for cooking. A section off area for swimming.
There are parking spots large enough for a truck pulling a boat.
Picnic tables for a relaxing meal.
Not a lot of boats on the water like some lakes.
AWESOME kids playground right before you get to the lake with a shaded pavilion and lots of room to run away from the road. A water fountain with two spouts and a faucet below to either fill up a large water jug or let the kids play with.
Walking trail that leads to the lake.
One of the best places to stop in Macon.
The marina shop has scoops of ice cream, fountain sodas and many fishing supplies with a wooden deck right outside to take in the scenery.
They also sell fish pellets to feed lots of catfish right outside.
They have grills for cooking. A section off area for swimming.
There are parking spots large enough for a truck pulling a boat.
Picnic tables for a relaxing meal.
Not a lot of boats on the water like some lakes.
AWESOME kids playground right before you get to the lake with a shaded pavilion and lots of room to run away from the road. A water fountain with two spouts and a faucet below to either fill up a large water jug or let the kids play with.
Walking trail that leads to the lake.
One of the best places to stop in Macon.
Written September 4, 2014
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Shoe51
Caledonia, MI12 contributions
Oct 2013 • Couples
We stayed overnight (RV) when traveling through Missouri.
This is one of the nicest State Parks we've been to in a long time. Excellent boating lake, picnic areas, and RV sites. Definitely a vacation destination if you live within easy driving distance of northern Missouri.
Clean, level, paved sites. (Some sites are huge!). Beautiful wooded setting on large lake. (Recycling containers are available. Travel from Macon exit of I-70 to Park. (Ignore GPS recommendation when traveling eastbound on I-70 and continue east to Macon exit, follow signs.) Note that we don’t carry a TV around so no cable service is necessary nor could I assess access. We use the fifth-wheel primarily to have a comfortable place to sleep, a toilet and shower that don’t offer surprises, and someplace to store food. Other than that, we live outside!
This is one of the nicest State Parks we've been to in a long time. Excellent boating lake, picnic areas, and RV sites. Definitely a vacation destination if you live within easy driving distance of northern Missouri.
Clean, level, paved sites. (Some sites are huge!). Beautiful wooded setting on large lake. (Recycling containers are available. Travel from Macon exit of I-70 to Park. (Ignore GPS recommendation when traveling eastbound on I-70 and continue east to Macon exit, follow signs.) Note that we don’t carry a TV around so no cable service is necessary nor could I assess access. We use the fifth-wheel primarily to have a comfortable place to sleep, a toilet and shower that don’t offer surprises, and someplace to store food. Other than that, we live outside!
Written October 23, 2013
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Edge W
Columbia, MO1,003 contributions
Oct 2012 • Friends
I've been to Long Branch SP alone and with friends many times throughout the seasons for several years. The campground is one of the best in Missouri for shady, semi-secluded sites.
The lake attracts many kinds of birds--gulls (including some unusual species), ducks, geese, grebes, and even Snow Buntings.
The restored prairie is a good introduction to that habitat.
The wind can get pretty wicked at the park on a winter day, so if you wander around much there in winter, dress for it.
The warning about the ranger is "spot on". The guy doesn't have much to do, so is really tough about people stopping cars on the dam to look at the birds, people going too fast, and even people parked where there are signs for no parking.
Non-winterized restrooms are closed seasonally.
The lake attracts many kinds of birds--gulls (including some unusual species), ducks, geese, grebes, and even Snow Buntings.
The restored prairie is a good introduction to that habitat.
The wind can get pretty wicked at the park on a winter day, so if you wander around much there in winter, dress for it.
The warning about the ranger is "spot on". The guy doesn't have much to do, so is really tough about people stopping cars on the dam to look at the birds, people going too fast, and even people parked where there are signs for no parking.
Non-winterized restrooms are closed seasonally.
Written November 22, 2012
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
nghtrn03
Wentzville, MO52 contributions
Oct 2016 • Couples
We recently purchased an RV and wanted to see new places in Missouri. Found this gem by accident. Very family friendly, including the four legged ones, awesome swimming area, country store, walking trails and fishing. We have been back four times this year and the kids love the visitors center. A must stop for a weekend or two.
Written October 18, 2016
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Terrie F
Henrico, VA84 contributions
May 2015 • Couples
This is one of the nicest state parks we have visited. Nice green views, long level campsites with electric for RV 's, clean restrooms and camp hosts who went out of their way to accommodate us. Finally, the free WiFi worked!
Written May 28, 2015
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
vjcraft
3 contributions
Aug 2013
We stumbled across this little piece of heaven last summer and can't get enough! Planning a trip back in 2 weeks! We love the walk-in tent sights because we can pull our boat right up to any of them you don't have to drive back and forth to the marina to use your boat, it is docked right off your own private beach ready when you are! Long Branch has several little island beaches scattered all over the lake and several are just wonderful to pull up to with the boat. Picnic and get so.e sun. Very clean and beautiful park and lake. The lake is very large and perfect for tubing or skiing all day. The swim beach is the nicest of all parks. Highly recommend staying here!
Written June 30, 2014
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Dawson C
6 contributions
Aug 2020 • Family
I have been to the State Park many times. Campgrounds in the beach areas are impacted. Well-maintained just for children and adults alike
Written September 1, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Robin B
14 contributions
Jun 2020
We just drove through the park and admired the beautiful lake and the areas surrounding it. We didn't stop at the visitor center because it was closed but next time we are in the area, we plan to stop in.
Written June 21, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
rschfrs
9 contributions
Sep 2019 • Couples
We had a great time at this park. We camped with a RV. But be careful on the bee trace trail, we came back with tics, and poison oak that we are still recovering from 3 weeks later.
Written September 19, 2019
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
mysugarpie
Tulsa, OK428 contributions
Nov 2018 • Couples
Nice Park. Didn't get to enjoy full benefits because it rained a lot during our visit. There are a lot trees and places to walk. There was no water available in the park. Main restroom at entrance is nice and clean and had soap. Pit toilets sporadically spaced in park. Nice sites for tent campers along water. The camp hosts were very friendly.
If you are in need of supplies, Macon is just a few miles away. Don't go to Wal Mart for groceries as it is so small it has minimal food items. C&R Foods is just next door. Firewood is available from a dispenser in the park next to the Coke machine.
Nice Stay.
If you are in need of supplies, Macon is just a few miles away. Don't go to Wal Mart for groceries as it is so small it has minimal food items. C&R Foods is just next door. Firewood is available from a dispenser in the park next to the Coke machine.
Nice Stay.
Written June 7, 2019
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
lsanders67
Kansas City, Missouri
Can't find a map of the campgrounds with pictures of camp sites.
Written May 10, 2016
lsanders67
Kansas City, Missouri
Trying to find a map of the campgrounds with pictures of each site.
Written May 10, 2016
Most of the sites are set up for motor homes so they are paved and have water and elec. They are in the trees so they are shady and nice. For pictures I would ask the state or federal parks offices. Sorry!
Written June 6, 2016
No cabins just nice paved lots in tree shaded plots.
Written May 10, 2016
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