Truman Lake, Missouri (Everything You Need to Know!)

All About Truman Lake, Missouri

Truman Lake was officially named Harry S. Truman Dam and Reservoir in 1970 to honor the former president from Missouri. The lake was first built by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers in 1964 and was originally built for flood control.

Truman is the largest flood control lake in Missouri and it primarily helps with flood control to the nearby lake, Lake of the Ozarks.

The lake is now also used for power generation, wildlife management, and of course ample recreation opportunities.

Lake Truman has over 100,000 acres of land surrounding the lake used for fish and wildlife management. There are 20 different parks and access areas along the shores that are managed by the Army Corps of Engineers.

How Big is Truman Lake

When Truman Lake is at normal water levels, the lake covers a surface area of about 55,600 acres. When the lake is flooded, it can grow all the way up to 200,000 acres.

The land and water stretch to about 259 square miles – there is a lot to explore! And if you’re wondering how much water can fit in the lake, it has a water storage capacity of more than 5 million acre-feet.

The Lake has 958 miles of shoreline and there is more than 100,000 acres of protected land surrounding the lake for hunting and hiking opportunities.

Where is Truman Lake Located

Harry S. Truman Reservoir is located between Clinton and Warsaw counties and extends to Osceola. The lake is in the western part of Missouri, just a little bit south of Interstate 70 which runs through the middle of the state.

Truman Lake is about a 3.5-hour drive from St. Louis (225 miles.) If you’re coming from Kansas City, it’s about a 2 hour drive, (105 miles.)

How Deep is Truman Lake

Truman Lake has an average depth of 40 feet but can reach all the way to 125 feet deep in some areas.

Truman Lake vs Lake of the Ozarks

Wondering what the difference is between Truman Lake and Lake of the Ozarks? Or which lake is better, Truman Lake or Lake of the Ozarks?

For starters, in our opinion neither lake is better than the other, they are just different. One of the biggest differences between Truman Lake and Lake of the Ozarks is the crowds.

Lake of the Ozarks receives more than 5 million visitors annually, making it more of a party-like atmosphere rather than a relaxing, nature-filled time.

Another difference is that it is very unlikely to find any houses built on the banks of Truman Lake. This is very different at Lake of the Ozarks where you’ll find 70,000 houses scattered along the shoreline.

Many people would think that Lake of the Ozarks is bigger, but Truman Lake is actually bigger by several hundred acres. Lake of the Ozarks is 55,000 acres and Truman Lake is 55,406 acres. So they are pretty equal in size with Truman being just a bit bigger.

Things to Do at Truman Lake

There are so many amazing things to do at Truman Lake! We’ve mentioned that the lake has a ton of outdoor recreational opportunities, but we’ll get into more detail about how to find them and what exactly they are below.

1. Go Hiking

There are a ton of awesome trails to choose from along the lake, but one of our favorite trails is the Shawnee Bend Bluff Trail.

It has great views of the lake and is a great trail for beginners. The trail is a 2.3-mile loop and you can find the trailhead at Shawnee Bend Park at the boat ramp parking.

Another of our favorite trails is Bluff Ridge Trail, a 2.0-mile loop trail with awesome views from bluffs overlooking the lake. It’s an easy hike and the trailhead is located across the road from the restroom at Buck Ridge Campground.

2. Rent a Boat or Jet Ski

Renting a boat or a jet ski is one of the best ways to spend a day at Truman Lake. There is so much to explore on this lake, having a boat will help you get to some of the far-to-reach places.

There are a few different marinas where you can rent boats or jet skis at:

• Truman State Park Marina
• Long Shoal Marina
• Bucksaw Resort & Marina
• Longview Lake Marina
• Osage Bluff Marina

3. Go ATVing

Of the 100,000 acres of land surrounding the lake, 400 acres of it is dedicated to ATV use. At the Cooper Creek ATV area, you’ll find ATV trails, mud pits, and plenty of fun.

Cooper Creek is a great place to take your mountain bikes, ATV/UTVs, or motorcycles and enjoy a day out in nature riding around.

You’ll find Cooper Creek on the west side of the lake near Deepwater, Missouri.

4. Go Biking

Truman Lake is also home to its own mountain biking and hiking park. The Truman Mountain Bike Park is a great mix of single and double-track trails with tough climbs and lake views. And of course, some awesome downhills to balance out those challenging climbs!

The Mountain Bike Park is located on Benton House Road just two miles west of Highway 65 and the North Dam Access Road.

5. Go Golfing

Golfers will love the Shawnee Bend Golf Course. This course was carved between the lake and the dam and it has 9 holes that are great for all ages and skill levels.

If you’re looking for something a bit different, Triple Creek offers a unique 9-hole course that makes you feel like you’re playing an 18-hole course.

6. Swim at a Beach

There is no shortage of public beaches along the lake’s shore. One of the most popular places to spend the day swimming is at the Harry S. Truman State Park.

Some other options include Red Bud Cove, Long Shoal Swimming Area, Shawnee Bend Recreation Area, and the various campgrounds along the lake.

7. Equestrian Trails

Horse lovers will be happy to find 50 miles of developed trails at Truman Lake. The best trails are across from Berry Bend Equestrian Campground where riders will find 37 miles of trails leading from the campground.

Besides the Berry Bend trails, you can also find trails in the Smith Bend Equestrian area. This spot is across the lake 12 miles south of Berry Bend. It has 13 miles of developed trails and a parking lot at the trailhead.

8. Go Fishing

Truman Lake is one of the best lakes in Missouri to go fishing. You can catch all kinds of fish here such as crappie, black bass, white bass, catfish, bluegill, and largemouth bass.

When the lake was first built, around 8,800 acres of timber were left standing in the lake to help improve the fisheries’ habitat- making this lake a wonderful place to go fishing! There continue to be efforts to improve fish habitats and large cedar brush piles have been placed in the lake in recent years as well,

If you don’t have a boat you’ll be happy to learn that during the spawn you can catch fish right from the bank. There are many tributaries and back country roads you can take to get to these nice fishing spots.

Harry S. Truman Visitor Center & Museum

The Truman Dam Visitors Center is a must-see stop, whether you’ve never been to the area or you’re a seasoned Truman Lake veteran.

We have been to a ton of visitor centers all across the United States and the Truman Visitor Center is one of our favorites. It’s a beautiful building that sits on top of a bluff and is a great example of how architecture can complement nature.

The views from the upper deck are amazing and you can see how the dam separates Truman Lake from Lake of the Ozarks. Which is great for visitors of all ages to get a feel for how the dam was created and the role that it plays in separating the two bodies of water.

There’s a large 3D map of the area as soon as you walk in to get a better view of the area. There are also regular rotating exhibits at the Visitors Center and tons of great information about the Dam.

• Address – 29027 Visitor Center Rd, Warsaw, MO 65355
• Hours – March 15 – Memorial Day Weekend 9 am – 4 pm / Memorial Day Weekend – October 31st 9 am – 5 pm

Where to Stay at Truman Lake

With Warsaw close by and miles of lakefront shoreline, Truman Lake has some of the best places to stay for a weekend at the lake! 

Here are a few of the best places to stay near Truman Lake:

• House with Spectacular View on the Bluff of Truman Lake
• Large House with Outdoor Firepit & 180°Indoor Views
• House with Waterfront Property & Dock

Truman Lake Camping

Camping at Truman Lake is one of the best ways to spend the summer. Camping ranges from staying in an RV park at a marina so you can be close to your boat to tent camping in nature at a state park.

Here are some of the best campgrounds along the shoreline of Truman Lake:

• Sterett Creek – Sterett Creek is by far our favorite campground at Truman Lake. They offer 50 amp full hookups RV sites as well as tent sites. They also have a shower house, laundry facilities, a marina, and a floating restaurant at the marina.

• Thibaut Point – Thibaut Point is a quiet, clean, and incredibly well-maintained park. Their amenities include a dump station, laundry, and a shower house. They have 25 electric (30 amp) sites, 14 electric (50 amp) sites, and 5 primitive tent sites

• Harry S. Truman State Park – This state park has a beautiful campground with well-maintained sites (and some with a lake view.) The park has 6 campgrounds, a marina, a dump station, shower houses, swimming beaches, and hiking trails.

Truman Lake Marinas & Boat Launches

There are a variety of marinas at Truman Lake where you can dock your boat or use the boat ramp. The Marianas also have ice, fuel, and convenience stores with food, snacks, drinks, and essential lake life items like sunscreen and water toys.

If you don’t have your own boat, renting one at a marina is a great way to go. You can find pontoon boats, bass boats, and jet skis at several marinas below.

• Truman State Park Marina – This marina is very popular as it’s located conveniently in the middle of the reservoir.

• Sterett Creek Marina – This marina is one of the best marinas on the east side of Truman Lake closer to the dam. They have a boat launch, a convenience store, bait and tackle, and The Drunken Minnow Bar & Grill.

• Long Shoal Marina – Long Shoal is a great option if you’re further from the dam. It’s located on the west side of the Harry S. Truman State Park peninsula close to Racket. They have a boat launch, fuel, bait & tackle as well as boat repair services.

• Bucksaw Resort & Marina – Bucksaw is about halfway to Brownington which is a great option if you’re on the west side of the lake. They have boat slips for rent, fuel, bait, tackle, and a convenience store. You can also store your boat, RV, or trailer there. They also have a fish cleaning station and guided tours.

• Osage Bluff Marina – Osage Bluff is south of the Dam near the Osage Bluff Public Use Area, which makes it a great stop if you’re at the southern part of the lake. They have a boat launch, nightly and annual slip rentals, fuel bait, and more. They offer storage for boats as well as RVs and Trailers.

The Best Restaurants on Truman Lake

There are a lot of great restaurants and places to eat in Warsaw, the closest big town to Truman Lake. If you’re looking for the best restaurants on the lake, you’ll find some casual food at these places:

• The Drunken Minnow – The Drunken Minnow is a top choice for finding some food and drinks at Truman Lake. They’re located in the Sterett Creek Marina and serve a variety of frozen drinks, bottled beer, burgers, and pizza! They also have a great selection of tasty bar food that changes around pretty regularly.

• Long Shoal Marina Restaurant – The Long Shoal Marina Restaurant is a great option if you’re on the west side of the lake. They serve breakfast, lunch, and dinner and have a good selection of rotating specials. They always have plenty of boat slips available in front of the restaurant. If you’re done with the lake for the day and don’t feel like cooking, stop by Long Shoal and relax for a while.