The Underrated Missouri Lake That’s Perfect For A Summer Day
By Liz Oliver|Published June 27, 2017
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Liz Oliver
Author
Liz is a Missouri native with a B.A. in English from Mizzou and a M.A. in Non-Profit Administration from Lindenwood University. She works for a STL metro-area community college and enjoys writing, traveling, and indoor cycling. Her true passion is forcing her encyclopedic knowledge of Missouri facts on uninterested strangers from across the globe!
If you love the spending time of the lake but hate crowds, Mark Twain Lake needs to be on your radar. Dedicated in 1984, this newer Missouri lake sits about 20 miles southwest of Hannibal. The Mark Twain Lake has 18,000 acres of water and is perfect for all of your recreational activities. Don’t miss out on all the fun that can be had this summer at Mark Twain Lake.
Mark Twain Lake has 54,000 acres of land and water available for public use. You will find lots of campsites, hiking trails, hunting land,playgrounds and picnic areas surrounding the lake.
The Clarence Cannon Dam creates the Mark Twain Lake by impounding the Salt River. The dam creates electricity for the area and can help control flooding from the Salt River.
Much of the area around Mark Twain Lake is undeveloped and a part of the Missouri State Parks system. The wilderness is home to many species native to Missouri like white-tail deer, beavers, turkey, and even bald eagles!
Fishing around the lake is plentiful. You can find catfish, bass, crappie, walleye, bluegill and sunfish. The Army Corps. of Engineers even works to create habitats to help increase the lake's fish populations.
You will find beautiful views from the lakeside Visitors Center. Check out Mark Twain Lake -
Army Corps. of Engineers Facebook page for more information on events and educational opportunities.
Mark Twain Lake has a beautiful sand beach located at north end of the park at the Highway 107 Recreation Area. There is even a changing facility on site.
