Best Places to Paddleboard in the United States – Missouri 2021
1: Lake of the Ozarks
If you’re in Missouri, you won’t find a prettier sight than paddleboarding through the Ozark Mountains. The Lake of the Ozarks has a surface area of 54,000 square acres, which is why it never feels too crowded despite being one of the most popular tourist attractions in the country.
If you’re looking to make friends and meet new people, Anderson Hollow Cove is a bustling spot and popular with yoga SUPs and those who want to cruise. August is a dedicated month for racing and hosts some of the largest races for those who wish to challenge its three-mile course. Due to its large size and popularity, there are many local FM radio stations meant to be listened to while you’re on the water, which makes for quite the unique paddle boarding experience!
If there is only one place you can paddle while you’re in Missouri, take the time to paddle on the Lake of the Ozarks.
Average Clear Weather Days per Year: 198
Distance to Major Cities: 1 Hour to Jefferson City
Motor Vehicles Allowed: Yes
Paddleboard Rentals Available: Yes
2: Wakonda State Park
The Wakonda State Park is one of our top recommendations as it comprises six small lakes that you can explore, with over 20,000 square feet of beach to launch from. Boat usage is limited on all six lakes, making the waters tranquil and well suited for beginner paddlers looking for peaceful waters to meditate.
Largemouth Bass, Crappie, Bluegill, and a large assortment of Catfish can be caught in these lakes, each of which is equally suited for SUP fishing. There are two official campgrounds, with picnic tables and various recreational sports and courts available for those taking a break from paddling. With many different activities on and off the water, the Wakonda State Park is an excellent paddleboarding destination in northern Missouri.
Average Clear Weather Days per Year: 198
Distance to Major Cities: 30 Minutes to Hannibal
Motor Vehicles Allowed: Limited
Paddleboard Rentals Available: Yes
3: Big Lake State Park
Big Lake State Park, located in northwestern Missouri, is one of the most family-friendly paddleboarding destinations in the state and the whole country. The average depth is 5’, and depending on how you navigate it, adults can even walk from one side of the lake to the other.
The 646 acre does have a few deep spots, which is excellent for anglers as the Bluefish, Bass, and Crappie tend to congregate around the same spot. Due to the very shallow waters, you also won’t have to worry about crashing into any motorboats on the water! The shallow depths mean that you won’t experience any paddleboarding challenges, but if you are a beginner or want something calm, the Big Lake State Park is an excellent SUP destination to visit.
Average Clear Weather Days per Year: 219
Distance to Major Cities: 1 Hour to St. Joseph
Motor Vehicles Allowed: No
Paddleboard Rentals Available: Yes
4: Finger Lakes State Park
The Finger Lakes State Park was once a coal mine, during which 1.2 million tons of coal was strip-mined from the area. Over time, water-filled into the empty and abandoned mines, creating a 4.5-mile long water trail enjoyed by many types of paddlers. High rock walls and the now viridian forest makes for a beautiful landscape, though many paddlers love to scuba dive to check out the empty mines beneath them.
There are two easy trails that paddlers can visit for a pleasant and tranquil adventure, or they can tackle the nearly half-mile-long whitewater section for more of a challenge. For beginner and advanced paddlers alike, the Finger Lakes State Park offers variety to make it fun for every type of paddler.
Average Clear Weather Days per Year: 192
Distance to Major Cities: 15 Minutes to Columbia
Motor Vehicles Allowed: Limited
Paddleboard Rentals Available: Yes
5: Forest Park
While you can paddle the Mississippi or Missouri River while you’re in St. Louis, it’s just as fun to head to the Deer Lake and Grand Basin in Forest Park for a paddleboarding adventure. The small but easy to reach waterfront is lined up with a couple of paddleboarding companies that will let you try out some of the best SUPs on the market and provide touring adventures or private lessons.
Many events and activities are hosted along the shore, so you’ll get to listen to performances and concerts thanks to Shakespeare in the Park stage and the Municipal Theatre stage. With an average depth of 5’, much of it is safe for kids and beginner paddlers, but the area also has 20’ deep spots that will attract anglers. There’s plenty to see, hear, and do while you’re in St. Louis, and that extends to the experience you’ll have paddleboarding Forest Park.
Average Clear Weather Days per Year: 202
Distance to Major Cities: Direct Access to St. Louis
Motor Vehicles Allowed: No
Paddleboard Rentals Available: Yes
Conclusion: Plan Your Paddle Board Trip and Have Fun!
Thank you for reading our top paddleboarding destinations in Missouri! To form our list, we did have to rely on the reviews and experiences of other paddleboarders, so help us out as well by leaving a comment below or sending us an email. If you’ve been to one of these paddleboarding destinations, or you have some other spot you would highly recommend, tell us so we can include it on our list.
We are hard at work developing our top destinations for other states as well, though you can find our top 15 paddleboarding destinations for the whole United States right now. If you’re looking to learn more about paddleboarding in general, you’ll also find our SUP reviews, informational tips and guides, and in-depth videos here at SUPBoardGuide.com!
Thank you again for visiting, and let us know what you think of paddleboarding in Missouri!
SupBoardGuide
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