The Macon Chronicle

Independent · Local · Macon County

Friday, March 27, 2026

Long Branch State Park

Macon County, Missouri — 1,828 acres on Long Branch Lake

28615 Visitor Center Rd, Macon, MO 63552 • 660-773-5229

⚠️
Campground closed for all of 2026. A $2 million renovation is replacing 20 aging sites with 17 full-hookup campsites. The park remains open for day use, fishing, boating, hiking, and swimming. More info →

Lake & Weather Conditions

Updated: Mar 27, 10:45 AM CDT

Water

Pool Elevation790.72 ft
Outflow11.5 cfs
Normal Pool786.0 ft
Flood Pool806.7 ft

Weather at Lake

Temperature44°F
Feels Like36°F
Humidity58%
Wind14.4 mph NNW
Data: USGS & Open-Meteo • Updated hourly • Army Corps info

About the Park

Long Branch State Park surrounds the lower reaches of Long Branch Lake, a 2,430-acre reservoir on the East Fork Little Chariton River in Macon County. The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers completed the dam in 1980 for flood control, water supply, and recreation. The Missouri Department of Natural Resources established the state park in 1983 under a lease agreement with the Corps, eventually growing to more than 1,800 acres.

The park sits just north of U.S. Highway 36, two miles west of Macon. It offers some of the best bass fishing in northern Missouri, a popular sand swimming beach, three boat ramps with no horsepower restrictions, a marina, hiking trails through native prairie, and year-round camping.

Activities & Amenities

Fishing
Bass, walleye, crappie, and catfish. ADA-accessible fishing dock near the swimming beach. Bass limit 15", walleye limit 18".
Boating
Three paved boat ramps, marina with boat slips and store. No horsepower restrictions. Water skiing allowed in most areas.
Swimming
Natural sand beach with volleyball court and change house. Day-use area adjacent to beach with picnic facilities.
Camping
83 campsites (basic & electric), dump station, showers, Wi-Fi. Reservations: 877-422-6766. Closed all of 2026 for renovation.
Hiking
Three trails: Lakeview (0.6 mi), Beaver (1.5 mi), and Little Chariton Prairie (7.5 mi) through native grasslands and timber.
Picnicking
Two picnic shelters, two playgrounds, numerous tables. Day-use areas throughout the park.
Metal Detecting
One of approximately 12 Missouri state parks allowing metal detecting. Available on the beach when closed to swimmers.
Wildlife Viewing
Birding and wildlife observation throughout the park. Prairie trails offer views of native grassland species.

Trails

Lakeview Trail
0.6 miles • Easy • Lake views, wooded
Beaver Trail
1.5 miles • Easy to Moderate • Wooded, wildlife
Little Chariton Prairie Trail
7.5 miles • Moderate • Native prairie grasslands, multiple access points

Campground Upgrade Project

Revenue Bond Project • Under Construction

The campground is undergoing a $2 million renovation that will replace 20 aging campsites with 17 newly constructed full-hookup sites. Each new site will feature concrete pads, 50-amp electric service, and sewer and water connections.

State park data shows that full-hookup campsites achieve roughly double the occupancy of basic sites. The project is expected to generate approximately $52,000 in additional annual revenue. The new sites have an estimated 40-year lifespan and the project is eligible for a Land and Water Conservation Fund grant.

$2.0M
Total Project Cost
17
New Full-Hookup Sites
~$52K/yr
Projected New Revenue

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