Moonshine Beach Rec. Area

Star3.72
43 reviews
Moonshine Beach Rec. Area

Quick Facts

Price

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Sites

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Season

Year-round

Cell

Unknown

Pets

Not Allowed

Opens Dewey Short Visitor Center site

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Moonshine Beach Rec. Area
No fees available
Campsite Fees
Standard Site Fee$0.00
Hookup Site Fee$0.00
Premium Site Fee$0.00
Hike and Bike Site Fee$0.00
Group Site Fee$0.00
Food Storage Locker Fee$0.00
Total Campsite Fees$0.00

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Provider
1-877-444-6777

What Campers Say

3.72

Mixed Reviews

Based on 43 reviews

1639 Google reviews

Most mentioned

cleanshowersrestroomswater

"Reviewers overwhelmingly describe Moonshine Beach Rec Area as a beautiful, family‑friendly sandy beach that’s great for spending a full day by the water. They appreciate the clean, groomed sand, pleasant swimming conditions, and convenient facilities like restrooms, showers, and pavilions. A few negatives include occasionally dirty bathrooms and one poor experience with a reserved pavilion being dirty and informally used by others."

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Best Time to Camp at Moonshine Beach Rec. Area

Spring transforms the surrounding hillsides into a painter's palette, with white dogwood blossoms and pink redbud trees emerging among carpets of wildflowers and delicate serviceberry blooms. As summer arrives, the beach becomes the star attraction, drawing families to its warm sandy shores and refreshing waters. When autumn sweeps through the Ozarks, the oak and hickory forests ignite in brilliant reds, oranges, and golds, creating a stunning backdrop for cooler-weather hiking and lakeside picnics.

Spring (Mar-May)

Wildflowers bloom, mild temperatures, fewer crowds. Great for hiking and photography.

Best
Summer (Jun-Aug)

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

Fall (Sep-Nov)

Beautiful fall colors, cooler temps, quieter campgrounds. Ideal for peaceful trips.

Winter (Dec-Feb)

Off-season, limited services. Check for closures before visiting.

Planning Tips

    About Moonshine Beach Rec. Area

    Discover Moonshine Beach Recreation Area, where Table Rock Lake's most expansive sandy shoreline beckons swimmers and sunbathers to its welcoming waters. Unlike the rocky coves typical of Ozark lake beaches, this spacious stretch offers true beach-style relaxation alongside access to hiking trails, the Dewey Short Visitor Center, and endless opportunities for lakeside adventure.
    Moonshine Beach Recreation Area is presented as a day-use lakefront recreation area with a large group picnic shelter, sandy swim beach and boating access; no campground site types, RV facilities, cabins or glamping accommodations are described in the provided information.
    Historical SignificanceTable Rock Dam stands as a testament to mid-century engineering, constructed to tame the White River's devastating floods that once plagued downstream communities. Today, the adjacent Dewey Short Visitor Center invites curious visitors to explore the fascinating story behind this massive undertaking through engaging exhibits and film presentations that bring the dam's construction era to life, revealing how this ambitious project transformed the landscape and created the recreational paradise that exists today.
    Weather and SeasonsSpring transforms the surrounding hillsides into a painter's palette, with white dogwood blossoms and pink redbud trees emerging among carpets of wildflowers and delicate serviceberry blooms. As summer arrives, the beach becomes the star attraction, drawing families to its warm sandy shores and refreshing waters. When autumn sweeps through the Ozarks, the oak and hickory forests ignite in brilliant reds, oranges, and golds, creating a stunning backdrop for cooler-weather hiking and lakeside picnics.
    Natural Features and SceneryCradled within the ancient folds of the Ozark Mountains, Table Rock Lake winds through valleys carpeted in oak and hickory forests, its 800-mile shoreline creating countless hidden coves and scenic vistas. The landscape shifts with the seasons like a living calendar—spring wildflowers blanket the forest floor in delicate colors, summer's deep green canopy provides cool shade along the water's edge, and autumn's fiery foliage reflects brilliantly in the lake's clear waters. These hardwood forests, shaped by limestone hollows and ridges over millennia, create the quintessential Ozark experience where water meets wilderness.
    Geological RegionOzark Mountains
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    Campsite details

    Total Campsitesnull campsites
    Recommended CampsitesFacilities include a sand swim beach, volleyball court, boat ramp, picnic area and a large group picnic shelter that can accommodate up to 75 guests; the area is well suited for large parties and family functions. Hikers can access the Table Rock Lakeshore Trail from the Dewey Short Visitor Center, which begins on the grounds.

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    Reserving a campsite

    Tents
    Tents are not allowed
    RV vehicles
    RV vehicles are not allowed
    Primitive
    Primitive are not allowed
    Reservable
    Reservations are not allowed

    Site layoutDay-use layout with a sandy beach area, volleyball court, boat ramp, picnic areas and a large group picnic shelter. Adjacent Dewey Short Visitor Center and Lakeshore Trail access nearby.

    Activities you can enjoy

    Moonshine Beach Recreation Area supports a wide range of day-use recreation including picnicking, swimming, scuba diving, boating, fishing, hiking and wildlife viewing. The beach, shoreline and nearby visitor center trails provide opportunities for both water- and land-based activities.
    Hiking
    Table Rock Lakeshore Trail (about 2 miles) runs from the Dewey Short Visitor Center to the Table Rock State Park Marina. The trail offers seasonal wildflowers, spring blooms (dogwood, serviceberry, redbud) and scenic lake views, with notable fall foliage.
    Fishing
    Fishing is listed as one of the popular pastimes at Moonshine Beach on Table Rock Lake; the lake has extensive shoreline and supports recreational fishing.
    Swimming
    Moonshine Beach is a spacious sandy swim beach on Table Rock Lake; swimming and soaking up the sun in the lake's blue waters are described as the most popular activities.
    Boating
    A boat ramp is provided at Moonshine Beach and the Dewey Short Visitor Center offers a courtesy dock for visitors arriving by boat, supporting general boating access.
    Wildlife viewing
    Wildlife viewing is noted as a popular pastime; the area is surrounded by oak and hickory forest and supports seasonal wildflower displays and migratory/seasonal wildlife viewing opportunities.
    Beach activities
    The site features the only sand swim beach on Table Rock Lake, plus a volleyball court and picnic areas suitable for large parties and family functions.
    Cultural and Educational Programs
    The Dewey Short Visitor Center features interactive exhibits, a film about the area and the construction of Table Rock Dam, and interpretive exhibits on the area's natural history.
    Water Sports
    Scuba diving and boating are specifically mentioned; general swimming and other lake-based water recreation are supported.
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    Campground rules

    • Pets are not allowed

    Hazards


    Weather at Moonshine Beach Rec. Area

    36
    °F
    Dec 11
    Thursday
    Mainly clear
    Precipitation: 0%
    Humidity: 61%
    Wind: 3.7 mph
    Mainly clear

    Weather History
    Weather data powered by Open-Meteo

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    Good to know

    Proximity to water featuresLocated on the shore of Table Rock Lake; features the only sand swim beach at Table Rock Lake.

    Campground Map

    Moonshine Beach Rec. Area
    Driving directionsFrom Branson, Missouri, take Highway 165 to Table Rock Dam. The park is just north of the dam.
    Accessible via Highway 165 from Branson to Table Rock Dam; park is just north of the dam.
    Nearby supplies
    Branson, Missouri (grocery stores, gas and additional tourist services)

    Reviews from booking and map sources

    3.7
    43 reviews
    Mixed Reviews
    Mixed Reviews
    Moonshine Beach Rec. Area has mixed reviews, placing it in the bottom 85% of campgrounds based on reviews
    Reviewers overwhelmingly describe Moonshine Beach Rec Area as a beautiful, family‑friendly sandy beach that’s great for spending a full day by the water. They appreciate the clean, groomed sand, pleasant swimming conditions, and convenient facilities like restrooms, showers, and pavilions. A few negatives include occasionally dirty bathrooms and one poor experience with a reserved pavilion being dirty and informally used by others.
    Review Summaries
    Based on 43 reviews

    What Campers Love

    Visitors love the large sandy beach, clear/nice water, and overall scenic setting, often calling it a great local spot and a fun place for families and groups. Amenities get strong praise:...
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    Based on 43 reviews

    Common Concerns

    A couple of reviewers mention cleanliness issues: one notes the bathrooms were “not clean at all,” and another describes the reserved pavilion area as dirty with many flies, making it hard to set...
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    Based on 43 reviews

    Pro Tips & Recommendations

    Reviewers suggest bringing your own snacks, lunch, and drinks (no glass or alcohol allowed) so you can stay all day. One advises bringing sandals because the sand can get very hot. Be aware the...
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    Based on 43 reviews

    Camper Quotes

    “This was a great little beach to spend the day with the family!” “Great local beach. They groomed the sand earlier this morning. Everyone was nice and kept to their space.” “The pavilion worked...
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    Based on 43 reviews

    Site-Specific Reviews

    Multiple Rec.gov reviews focus on the Group Shelter/Pavilion area and report that it’s very close to the water with room for large families (17 people in one group), easy vehicle access for...
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    Based on 43 reviews

    Accessibility Features

    One reviewer notes that there is a ramp from the main parking area down to the beach, as well as a set of stairs, and that there is closer handicap parking located right by the beach. This suggests...
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    Based on 43 reviews

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    Last updated December 10, 2025
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