Missouri’s Best Swimming Spots? Here are 24 Awesome Free Options

Some of my best memories growing up in Missouri involved my family going somewhere with great water. That is one thing that Missouri does not lack - great swimming places. Here are 24 amazing options that won't cost you a dime.

Say what you want about Missouri, but there's no arguing that the state has epic lakes. It's also a huge plus that Missouri does not charge you anything to enter its state parks. Come as you are.

Missouri State Parks has a great guide to direct you to where the great water is that's swimmable. It's also important to mention that swimming is one of those things you do at your own risk. Having fun is the objective as long as it's done safely following all the posted rules so you don't become a tragic statistic.

Here are the Missouri state parks that offer swimming within:

• Sam A. Baker State Park
• Cuivre River State Park
• Echo Bluff State Park
• Finger Lakes State Park
• Ha Ha Tonka State Park
• Johnson's Shut-Ins State Park

• Lake of the Ozarks State Park
• Lake Wappapello State Park
• Long Branch State Park
• Meramec State Park

• Onondaga Cave State Park
• Pomme de Terre State Park
• St. Francois State Park

• St. Joe State Park
• Sandy Creek Covered Bridge State Historic Site
• Stockton State Park
• Table Rock State Park

• Thousand Hills State Park

• Trail of Tears State Park
• Truman State Park
• Mark Twain State Park
• Wakonda State Park

• Washington State Park
• Watkins Mill State Park

Let me echo the words from Missouri State Parks when I say "Swimming in the lakes, streams and rivers in state parks is at your own risk."  The great news is you can swim at all these great Missouri places and it won't cost you a thing.