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

Real-Time Availability

Select a month, then check for open campsites

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

Real-Time Availability

Select a month, then check for open campsites

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)

Peak season with warm weather, perfect for water activities. Book early.

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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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

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Questions & answers

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Tips from campers

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Reviews

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

Outdoorithm Community

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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

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