Activities

  • camping

    Basic and electric campsites are available. Click here for more information.

  • lodging

    Extend your visit to the park by staying in the motel, a suite or a cabin. Click here for more information.

  • fishing

    Cast your line anywhere on the lake. Bass, catfish, crappie and blue gill are all found in Big Lake.

  • boating

    Launch your boat using the concrete boat launch located one-fourth mile north of the park entrance. There are no launch fees or motor restrictions on Big Lake.

  • swimming

    Cool off in the park's swimming pool. The pool, hot showers and a changehouse are located near the motel. Check the concessionaire's website for information on pool hours, swimming lessons and water aerobics. 

  • dining

    Water's Edge Dining Room offers casual dining overlooking Big Lake. For more information, please visit the concessionaire's website.

  • picnicking

    Picnic sites and a picnic shelter are available. Click here for more information.

  • Playground

    There are playgrounds conveniently located in both the main day-use area and the campground

Park information

Cool waters and abundant wildlife make Big Lake State Park a place to get away in northwest Missouri. Visitors can canoe and jet ski on the state's largest oxbow lake that adjoins the park or watch for smooth soft-shelled turtles lazing away the day in the park's marsh. Big Lake is a wetland that migrating birds use as a resting stop, affording bird watchers an unparalleled opportunity to see yellow-headed blackbirds, blue herons, soras and rails. Take advantage of the camping and lodging opportunities while you are there. 

See video

Park Hours

Park Grounds:

Sunrise to sunset, year-round.

Park Office hours

  • Summer Hours (On-Season)
    March through May 14 and September through October
    8:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m., Monday through Friday
    May 15 through August
    8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., Monday through Friday
  • Winter Hours (Off-Season)
    November through March
    8:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m., Monday through Friday
  • There will be times when the office is temporarily closed while staff are working on the grounds.