Is Long Branch State Park Campground first-come first-served or reservation?

Long Branch State Park Campground accepts online reservations. We recommend booking in advance, especially during peak season (typically summer weekends). Use campsite alerts to get notified when spots become available.

What is the best time to visit Long Branch State Park Campground?

Long Branch State Park Campground is open On-season typically April 1 through Oct. 31; off-season Nov. 1 through Mar. 31 (season dates may vary by facility).. The best time to visit depends on your preferences—summer offers the warmest weather and most activities, while spring and fall provide fewer crowds and milder temperatures. Check current conditions before your trip.

Are there showers at Long Branch State Park Campground?

Long Branch State Park Campground does not have shower facilities. Plan accordingly—nearby alternatives may include day-use areas or towns.

Are dogs allowed at Long Branch State Park Campground?

Yes, pets are allowed at Long Branch State Park Campground. Dogs must typically be kept on a leash (usually 6 feet or shorter) and under control at all times. Be sure to clean up after your pet and check for any breed or size restrictions.

What amenities are available at Long Branch State Park Campground?

Long Branch State Park Campground offers: Pets Allowed. See our detailed campground page for the full list of facilities and features.

What activities can I do at Long Branch State Park Campground?

Popular activities at Long Branch State Park Campground include Hiking, Fishing, Swimming, Biking, Boating, Wildlife Viewing. The surrounding area offers plenty of outdoor recreation opportunities for all skill levels.

Long Branch State Park Campground

4.18

169 reviews

28615 Visitor Center Road, Macon, MO 63552-3326, United States

Top 20% in MOSummer

C+Report Card

Family FriendlySummer Destination

Featured in:Best Campgrounds Missouri

Quick Facts

843 ft

Price

Varies

Booking

Reservable

Sites

Varies

Season

On-season typically ...

Cell

No Service

Pets

Pets Allowed

Book on Missouri State Parks Official Website

Get Directions

Quick Facts

843 ft

Price

Varies

Booking

Reservable

Sites

Varies

Season

On-season typically ...

Cell

No Service

Pets

Pets Allowed

Book on Missouri State Parks Official Website

Get Directions

Long Branch State Park Campground

No fees available

Campsite Fees

Nightly camping rates vary by facility and season; see Missouri State Parks camping rates for details.

No paid fee categories listed.

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Missouri State Parks

Provider

Park office: 660-773-5229 (Marina/Store: 660-773-5132; Check Station: 660-773-5329)

I manage this campground

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Campground Map

28615 Visitor Center Road, Macon, MO 63552-3326, United States

Long Branch State Park Campground

28615 Visitor Center Road, Macon, MO 63552-3326, United States

Nearby supplies

On-site marina/store for basic supplies

Macon (nearest town) for additional services and groceries

Weather at Long Branch State Park Campground

Best Time to Camp at Long Branch State Park Campground

Spring offers the most comfortable conditions. Daytime highs in the mid-50s to mid-70s°F, nights in the 40s. With wildflowers blooming and migrating songbirds active. Early-season fishing picks up as the lake warms, and trails stay manageable before summer heat and crowds arrive. Summer transforms the beach into a hub for families and watersports, though temperatures climb and humidity builds. Fall brings cooler mornings, good for hiking and birding as warblers and buntings fuel up for migration. Heavy rain can flood some sites and make rough park roads worse. The campground typically operates April through October when water is available.

Best

Summer(Jun-Aug)

4.5 / 5

Top 20% in MO

Peak season for beach, boating and marina use; reviewers praise summer amenities.

Planning Tips

Operating Season: On-season typically April 1 through Oct. 31; off-season Nov. 1 through Mar. 31 (season dates may vary by facility).

About Long Branch State Park Campground

Long Branch State Park wraps around a 2,400-acre lake in the Chariton River Hills, 15 miles west of Macon. The campground offers walk-in tent sites, electric sites with lake views, and boat-in sites, plus a sandy swimming beach and full-service marina. Note: the campground is closed through 2026 for improvements. Call the park office at 660-773-5229 for updates before planning your trip.

The official site refers to a "modern campground" and links to camping/special-use camping information, but specific campsite types (tent, RV, primitive, group, cabin/lodging) are not explicitly enumerated on the park page.

Weather and SeasonsSpring offers the most comfortable conditions. Daytime highs in the mid-50s to mid-70s°F, nights in the 40s. With wildflowers blooming and migrating songbirds active. Early-season fishing picks up as the lake warms, and trails stay manageable before summer heat and crowds arrive. Summer transforms the beach into a hub for families and watersports, though temperatures climb and humidity builds. Fall brings cooler mornings, good for hiking and birding as warblers and buntings fuel up for migration. Heavy rain can flood some sites and make rough park roads worse. The campground typically operates April through October when water is available.

Natural Features and SceneryLong Branch Lake dominates the landscape at 843 feet elevation, its coves and inlets drawing kayakers and anglers into sheltered water. Beyond the shoreline, the park preserves some of the last intact tallgrass prairie and savanna ecosystems in the Chariton River Hills, where waist-high grasses ripple in open sun and ancient oaks stand scattered across the slopes. Red-headed woodpeckers hammer at weathered snags, brown thrashers rustle through leaf litter, and indigo buntings flash electric blue through the understory. Spring brings prairie wildflowers in pinks and purples. Autumn drapes the hills in amber as migrating songbirds move through. The Bee Trace Trail winds through this prairie habitat, though ticks and poison ivy are common along the route.

Geological RegionChariton River Hills (includes Chariton River Hills Natural Area)

Scenic ViewsLake and beach views from many sites; wooded and grassy shoreline vistas with open prairie and savanna pockets on nearby trails.

Best Campsites

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Reserving a campsite

Stay Limit

Camping is limited to any 15 days within a 30-consecutive-day period at any one park.

Tents

Tents are not allowed

RV vehicles

RV vehicles are not allowed

Primitive

Primitive camping is not allowed

Reservable

Reservations are allowed

Best CampsitesWalk-in tent sites get the most praise for short walks, private beach access, and convenient boat docking. Lake-view sites offer electric hookups (some with 50 amp service) and scenery, though check site-specific photos for levelness. Several campers report uneven pads that need leveling blocks. Shady, semi-secluded sites provide more privacy. Family sites offer extra space for larger groups. Boat-in sites appeal to paddlers seeking solitude.

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When to Book

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Amenities available

The park includes a marina and marina store, three boat ramps, slips at the marina, a swimming beach and adjacent day-use area, picnic sites and picnic shelters, visitor center and trails through Chariton River Hills Natural Area. The campground is described on the official page as a "modern campground." The campground is closed for all of 2026 due to construction; call the park office at 660-773-5229 for details.

I manage this campground

Activities you can enjoy

Long Branch State Park offers lake-based recreation and shoreline amenities plus trails and day-use facilities. Activities noted for the park include boating and marina services, fishing, swimming at the beach, hiking on prairie/savanna trails, picnicking and interpretive programs.

Hiking

Fishing

Swimming

Biking

Boating

Wildlife viewing

Planning your trip?Check out our camping packing checklist

Policies & Safety

Hazards & AlertsVisitors and campers have reported ticks and poison ivy/poison oak on some trails, and some reviewers note uneven or eroding campsite pads and rough park roads; check current advisories before visiting.

No Potable WaterThis campground does not have potable water on-site. Bring all the water you need for drinking, cooking, and cleaning.

No Cell ServiceCell phone service is not available at this campground. Plan accordingly for emergencies and download offline maps before arriving.

No Flush ToiletsFlush toilets are not available at this campground. Expect vault or pit toilets only.

No Electric HookupsElectric hookups are not available at this campground. RV campers should arrive with a full battery and plan for off-grid power (generator hours/quiet rules permitting).

No Water HookupsSite-level water hookups are not available. RV campers should fill freshwater tanks before arrival; check the No Potable Water note above if applicable for drinking water.

No Dump StationThere is no dump station at this campground. Plan to use a dump station along your route or at a nearby facility before or after your stay.

Trip Planning Tools

Set an AlertGet notified when sites open up Check WeatherHistorical weather data Gear for This TripMatched gear recommendations Packing ListCustomizable checklist

Questions & answers

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Reviews

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From Booking Sources

4.2

169 reviews

Satisfactory

Long Branch State Park Campground is satisfactory, placing it in the bottom 60% of campgrounds based on reviews

Online visitor reviews are generally positive, praising the lake, beach, boating and family-friendly atmosphere; many reviewers compliment clean facilities and helpful camp hosts. Common negatives noted by visitors include site maintenance issues (uneven or deteriorating pads), tick and poison-ivy presence on trails, occasional rude interactions with some hosts, and problem areas after heavy rain.

Review Summaries

Based on 169 reviews

What Campers Love

Visitors frequently highlight the scenic Long Branch Lake, excellent boating and fishing access, a well-liked swimming beach/day-use area, clean shower/restroom facilities (per visitor accounts),...

Based on 169 reviews

Pro Tips & Recommendations

The campground is closed for all of 2026 for construction — call the park office (660-773-5229) for updates. When open, reserve early for walk-in or lake-view sites if you want beach or water access;...

Based on 169 reviews

Camper Quotes

"One of BEST State parks in our tens of thousands miles travels by RV."; "By far one of the best beaches in Missouri!"; "Really nice campground with friendly host."; "Campground was fine but needs...

Based on 169 reviews

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Long Branch State Park Campground

No fees available

Campsite Fees

Nightly camping rates vary by facility and season; see Missouri State Parks camping rates for details.

No paid fee categories listed.

Get Notified When Available

We'll monitor this campground and alert you the moment sites become available.

Free to start · paid plans add 2-min scans

256,000+ sites monitored · Email alerts to start; SMS and in-app with an account

Learn more about alerts →

Share this campground

Missouri State Parks

Provider

Park office: 660-773-5229 (Marina/Store: 660-773-5132; Check Station: 660-773-5329)

Go if

Birders and lake anglers planning a 2027+ trip: the Bee Trace Trail puts you in tallgrass prairie with indigo buntings and red-headed woodpeckers, and three boat ramps plus marina access make a bass or crappie outing easy from camp.

Skip if

Anyone booking now, the campground is shut all of 2026, so call 660-773-5229 before making any plans. Beyond the closure, a handful of reviewer accounts describe unwelcoming encounters that would make campers outside the local mainstream uncomfortable, and site leveling problems

Nearby Campgrounds

Frequently Visited

4.2

(169)

Campground (Sites 1-40 And 73-83)

28615 Visitor Center Road, Macon, MO 63552-3326, United States

This campground sits on the shores of Long Branch Lake in Missouri's Chariton River Hills, offering 51 sites split between two areas (1-40 and 73-83). Three boat ramps provide lake access, and a swim beach draws families during summer. The campground will be closed throughout 2026 for improvements.

Campground (Sites 41-72)

28615 Visitor Center Road, Macon, MO 63552-3326, United States

Long Branch State Park's sites 41-72 sit in the main developed loop with electric hookups, paved access, and level concrete pads that handle large RVs. The campground puts you steps from Long Branch Lake's marina, three boat ramps, and a family swimming beach. All 32 sites include fire rings and picnic tables, with modern restrooms and showers nearby.

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Campground (Sites 1-40 And 73-83)

28615 Visitor Center Road, Macon, MO 63552-3326, United States

Campground (Sites 41-72)

28615 Visitor Center Road, Macon, MO 63552-3326, United States

Crowder State Park Campground

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Crowder State Park Campground sits in a quiet, wooded hollow above 18-acre Crowder Lake, about four miles west of Trenton in north-central Missouri. The roughly 40-site campground occupies 1,912 acres of rolling hardwood forest laced with 17 miles of trails. Open April 1 through October 31, the park attracts families with its small swimming beach, modern bathhouse, and on-site camp hosts who sell firewood and ice.

20642 HIGHWAY J, MONROE CITY, MO 63456-9359, USA

Ray Behrens sits on the shore of Mark Twain Lake near Monroe City, Missouri, operated by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers. This very large campground offers full-hookup RV sites, tent camping, and group options with lake access for boating and biking. Spacious sites and lake views draw families and anglers during the seasonal operating window, though some infrastructure shows age.

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Buck Creek (Rathbun Lake)

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Buck Creek sits on the shore of Rathbun Lake in south-central Iowa, 10 miles north of Centerville. This Corps of Engineers campground offers electric hookups, hot showers, and a swim beach during the peak season. Campers fish for crappie and catfish, launch boats from the nearby ramp, and bike the rolling terrain around Iowa's largest reservoir.

$22.00 - $25.00 / night

Campgrounds

Long Branch State Park

Long Branch State Park Campground

C+

Camper Report Card

How campers graded it

Rated higher than 37% of graded campgrounds

Graded on what 137 campers actually wrote - graded on 14 things that make or break a trip. Each topic is graded against every other campground on it - A is among the best, C about average. No star ratings.

Strengths

Grade B+.Things to do
Grade B.Facilities
Grade B-.Crowds & noise

Watch-outs

Grade F.Belonging
Grade D.Rules & policies
Grade C.Booking

Every grade - tap to see what campers said

Each topic is graded against every other campground on it; a topic campers liked never grades below C−. ± shows the 95% confidence range from the sample size.

How we grade →See how Missouri grades overall

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