Nice place to go sit and watch the animals and water. Very peaceful. And free! We sat on a dock and…read morewatched the geese's and ducks. Next time we will bring fishing gear.

One of Branson, Mo greatest gems is this pretty little lake…read more Some of the best mornings of my life have been spent on this quite little lake; guiding kayak tours in the spring and summer months, admiring all the adorable, chicks, ducks, Heron, turtles, fish, Canada Geese, and bald eagles-it was wonderful to watch the seasons change with the chaning colors of the leaves and the changing colors on the breasts of all the waterfowl; saying good morning to all the polite and funny fly-fishermen at dawn; giggling at the beavers who would sometimes scare the cr*p outta me by splashing into the water while I was admiring a Great Blue Heron; paddling my kayak through the icey waters, myself and my kayak covered in snow, during the winter. What I really loved, during the super-hot summer months, was when they would do a dam release and the cold water from the bottom of Table Rock lake would turn Lake Taneycomo into a super-cold 40degrees stream, creating this beautiful foggy mist, making morning kayak trips gloriously romantic, refreshing, and a luxurious treat. Some may think it's a stream or a gentle river upon first inspection because there is usually a bit of a current. This is because they let do "dam releases" from Table rock lake which regulates the lake levels of Taneycomo. So, even though it moves like a river it is technically a lake since it is dammed on both sides. SUGGESTIONS: Bring a kayak. You'll see so much more. You'll never disturb the little critters. Youll get to sneek up on happy little turtle families. Make more friend with the fly-fishermen by telling them where all the great fishing holes are without disturbing the fish. Bring a camera. Enjoy!

Super fun, laid-back beach that's perfect for spending the day relaxing in the water! There are…read morepavilions, picnic tables, and a park area set up, which makes it great for families or anyone wanting to make a full day out of it.The sand is pretty rocky and can get hot quickly, so we kept our water shoes nearby. There were also lots of small seashells in the water, the kids had fun finding. There's plenty of space to bring tents, umbrellas, chairs, and set up your own little spot to relax.The beach area is large enough for floaties, and I even saw people with small kayaks enjoying the water. The $5 per carload fee is very reasonable, especially since it's good for the entire day. Definitely a great spot for a fun, affordable beach day!

Beautiful beach! Getting there was pretty awful as the traffic was insane, but it was also early…read moreJune when we went so it may have been a touristy hotspot time. Parking was awful and it was one car in, one car out so it took us almost an hour to get parked. The playground was nice, but aimed towards older kids and not toddlers. There was enough space to relax on the sand and swim without feeling overwhelmed or overcrowded.

I have rented paddle boards from them twice now! Super great service and on time. My boyfriend also…read moreripped a hole in his Kayak, he took it down to them and they were able to fix it right up even though they were busy. It was cheaper than taking it back to where he bought it from on warranty. You can tell Eric has a passion for what he does!

Great people to work with. They are super Busy so have all…read moreyour ducks in a row before you get there. Great experience

Fantastic lake, so many areas to play and swim. Lots of folks tubing or jet skiing. Had a fantastic…read moretime, would recommend. It's a massive lake where you can find tons of offshoots to hang out at.

One of our favorite places in MO! So clean, so clear, gorgeous views, and never over crowded…read more Great lunch spots on the water to boat and snack at. Extremely relaxing and quite stunning!

We have visited here and at the US Army Corps of Engineers Museum adjacent to the dam…read more It is clean and well maintained with good exhibits and lots of information about the area, the lake, the dam and the Corps of Engineers. They offer jr. ranger program inside their three story welcome center and educational museum/exhibit space. They are open (including federal holidays). It's a great place and free of charge!

Love the scenery, give it 4 stars because I have not yet experienced the hiking and unfortunately…read moredid not see the water along from the dam but other than that it is a great place for a beautiful view and a nice walk in nature with family

I would rate State Park Marina a 10 out of 5!…read more We rented a pontoon boat for 6 hours during our family vacation, and it was absolutely fantastic. The staff was VERY friendly, helpful, and informative from start to finish. The check-in process was so easy, and they did a great job making sure we didn't spend our vacation waiting around. The pontoon boat was clean, comfortable, and the tube worked perfectly for the kids. Everyone had such a great time on the water! This was our second time renting a boat from State Park Marina, and both experiences have been amazing. We truly have no complaints. The staff is awesome and goes above and beyond to make sure families have a great experience. Highly recommend State Park Marina if you're looking for a fun day on the lake!

#creatorsearchinsights #familyfriendlydestinations The State Park Marina at Table Rock lake was so…read moreadorable. Reminded me of my first job growing up in a tourist town. Be kind to those young adults! Its hot, they're making sure all is checked off before they let you leave with a boat. BE PATIENT and the outing will be worth it. Lots of fun plant identification a swimming took place. #thingstodo #branson

Somewhere in Branson, tucked behind the tourist shops and fudge factories, we decided to go full…read morenature mode and hit the Lakeside Forest Wilderness Area--which sounds way more intense than it actually is. I was half-expecting to see a bear with a banjo or a raccoon running a moonshine still. Instead, we got about 140 acres of surprisingly legit wilderness... with signs. Lots of signs. Branson knows how to label a rock. The trail started off innocent enough--wood chips, some chirping birds, a suspicious squirrel staring us down. Then came the stairs. Not like "oh look, a couple of steps," but 315 stone steps carved into the side of a bluff like Mother Nature was training for a StairMaster commercial. Whoever built these things must have been part mountain goat, part lunatic. Down we went, each step echoing with the soundtrack of my thighs weeping. Somewhere between Step 89 and existential crisis, we passed a little cave where I'm 83% sure a wizard lives. It was cool, literally and metaphorically. We didn't go in though--look, we respect magical real estate. At the bottom was a view of Lake Taneycomo so pretty it made me forgive the stair situation. There were trees, chirping birds, and a breeze that whispered, "Hey, good luck going back up." We lingered at a little waterfall trickle (emphasis on trickle--it hadn't rained much) and contemplated faking an injury to avoid the climb. Eventually, we powered back up, legs shaking, pride shattered, but hearts full. Or maybe that was just dehydration. Back at the top, we found a porch swing near the ruins of an old homestead, which felt like a reward from the hiking gods. If you ever wanted to swing gently while staring into the distance and pretending you're in a Nicholas Sparks movie, this is your spot. All in all, 5 stars would hike again. Just next time, I'm bringing hiking poles.

People who go to Branson for shows and shopping are missing the REAL beauty of this place. I did…read morethe two mile loop that takes you down to the lake and back up to the parking lot. The beauty of the Ozarks is breathtaking! There are restrooms and covered picnic tables as well.

We stayed here for a few days of fishing. It's so peaceful and away from all the hustle and bustle…read moreof Branson's main tourist area. It's nothing fancy but it's just quiet and has beautiful scenery on Lake Taneycomo. A great place for a family trip.

Wonderful experience for the family. They have everything you need for a successful fishing trip…read more Boat, pole rentals, and temporary fishing licenses were very reasonable and worked great. They also have fish cleaning stations w/ knives and folks that can help. Lisa thoughtfully helped us from patiently answering our questions over the phone to helping outfit us with all the right tackle. Derek was the very kind dock boss who explained all the ins and outs of boating this lake/river. He also provided backup equipment, including rod & reel which ended up being used since we snagged a log that took hook and all our line. Bathrooms (two) are to the right of front door and were kept clean. Wonderful time, caught five beautiful rainbow trout.

It's an amazing place with waterfalls, a stream for fishing, and several caves. The artifacts on…read moredisplay are interesting and well done. In general, it's a very peaceful place. There is guided or self-guided fishing and guided tours via tram or self-guided tours via bike or walking. There is a restaurant on site in the mill building. There is wildlife along the way and there are herds of Bison and elk as well as some Texas longhorn cattle. The park straddles the Missouri - Arkansas boarder. It is well worth the time you spend there.

On a Monday morning in April we (I, mother and daughter) set out to cruise through the glorious…read morecanyon on wheels. Feeling a bit hesitant at first to do it on bike but it was the best feeling. It was a perfect 68, clear skies and lilac blooms along the way. The perfection was almost overwhelming. A tram is also available for a round trip adventure but the bike was just too fun to pass up. Along the way we saw all kinds of little critters, snakes, fish and birds. Stopped at the tree house, chapel and most of the waterfalls. On bike with all the stops about 2 hours, walking could easily be 3+. Bikes are $15 each and I highly recommend getting there early so you have your pick cause the good ones go fast. Some have baskets and you should get one of those and then fill it with a picnic lunch. Little under $20 per person for entry, with discounts for veterans, seniors and children. Large parking but the place is popular, so again if possible arrive early.

Absolutely stunning park with something for everyone. The views of Table Rock Lake are…read moreincredible--especially around sunrise and sunset--and the entire area is extremely well maintained. The trails are a great mix of easy and moderate, with plenty of scenic overlooks and shaded paths. Whether you're walking, biking, or just exploring, it's easy to spend hours here. The marina area is clean and organized, and the water is crystal clear, making it perfect for relaxing, swimming, or launching a boat. Huge credit to Missouri State Parks for the upkeep--you can tell they take pride in keeping everything clean, safe, and accessible. If you're in the Branson area, this is a must-visit spot whether you're looking for a peaceful walk or a full day outdoors.

Table Rock Lake State Park is a fantastic place to spend time while visiting Branson. We only…read morewalked and biked during our visit, but the trails alone make this park worth the stop, incredible water views that are honestly hard to beat. There is ample parking in multiple locations throughout the park, which makes it easy to hop out and explore without feeling crowded. Each area offers something a little different, some spots are perfect for trail access, others for lake views or picnicking. If you're arriving by boat, the park is just as convenient. One of the parking areas connects directly to the Dewey Short Visitor Center, which has a boat dock for visitors who want to come ashore and explore. The visitor center itself is worth a stop, with lake information, exhibits, and clean restrooms. Whether you're walking, biking, boating, or just looking for a peaceful place to relax, Table Rock Lake State Park has something for everyone. We loved our time here and will be back to explore more.