Mark Twain Lake

About Mark Twain Lake

Mark Twain Lake covers an area of about 3,000 acres and is located in the nearby village of Florida, Missouri. America's most famous humorist was born in Mark Twain's hometown of St. Paul, Minnesota. A visit to the lake park near his birthplace evokes memories of his life as a young man and his love of nature.

The US Army Corps of Engineers created Mark Twain Lake by seizing the Salt River as part of the Flood Control Act passed by Congress in 1962.

It took 14 years for the lake to open to the public in July 1984, and the dam was named after Mark Twain, a US congressman who sponsored the project. Today, the lake offers a variety of leisure activities such as fishing, boating, swimming, canoeing and kayaking, as well as a range of cultural activities. Mark Mark, Twain Lake offers a unique view of the Missouri River and its tributaries, Lake Missouri and Lake Washington in northeastern Missouri.

The sprawling agricultural area of St. Louis, Missouri, offers endless opportunities for activities on and off the water. About 20 boat moorings provide access to all parts of the lake, and many boat ramps are located along the shore and on the lake itself. In July 2008, Mark Mark, the largest lake in the USA and the second largest in Missouri, reached its maximum capacity of 1.5 million people.

Pump your adrenaline through the waves on water skis, wakeboards and tubes or swim in shallow water. Bring your own boat or rent one of the two marinas on the lake or rent a boat at a local boat shop.

Those who like to slow down can drink in the limestone rocks that dominate the dramatic landscape of the lake. Save time by soaking up the sun on one of the three beaches or swimming in the shallow water.

Mark Twain Lake is a fishing delight, with the Big 3 lakes conquering Crapie, Great Mouth Fish and Catfish. Although less common, the lake also offers catches of perch, whale or bluechat, as well as a variety of other species.

The pristine shoreline of Mark Twain Lake has no residential or commercial development and no private moorings. Heavy spring rain washed sediment into the lake, prompting locals to call its color "yoo - hoo," a chocolate drink. Crappie fishing is especially good in the summer months, as the water level is higher. Catfish can weigh more than 50 pounds, some catfish up to 60 pounds and some up to 100 pounds.

Mark Twain State Park offers two Corps recreational areas, which offer horse riding, hiking and cycling trails. In the park there are four hiking trails of varying lengths, and the lake is surrounded by a number of trails for horse riding, cross-country skiing and snowshoeing. Mark Twain State Park and its surrounding area offer a variety of recreational activities, from hiking, biking, camping, fishing and horseback riding to camping and fishing.

The preferred way to enjoy an overnight stay is to camp at the One Corps Camp at State Park or at one of the private resorts around Mark Twain Lake. The accommodation includes a variety of campsites, such as the Camp Campground and Campgrounds for RVs, Camps and RV Campsites, as well as a number of private hotels and resorts.

No visit to the lake would be complete without a stop at the Mark Twain Museum, a red granite monument marked by a large statue of the famous writer, poet, actor, comedian and author. The museum includes the two-room house where Samuel Langhorne Clemens was born in 1835, as well as a number of artifacts from his life.

A good starting point for the tour is the Boudreaux Memorial Visitor Centre, which offers a magnificent view of the lake and the dam. An adventure on the water offers a self-guided tour of Mark Twain Lake, which offers a view of the power plant, the largest power generation plant in the United States.

Mark Twain Lake is fun for the whole family, so pack your bags and plan to spend some time with Mother Nature and create your own Huckleberry Finn - like an adventure.