Harry S. Truman Lake in Missouri covers over 55,000 acres with 958 miles of shoreline, creating one of the largest flood control reservoirs in the Midwest. Water levels fluctuate seasonally, with spring often bringing higher water that can affect beach and boat ramp access at certain campgrounds. Summer temperatures typically range from 75-95°F with high humidity, while spring and fall camping offers milder conditions but increased tick activity.
What to do
**Fishing opportunities: Fish for crappie, bass, and catfish at Truman Lake with dedicated facilities at Bucksaw, where the marina provides supplies for anglers. "This is a nice park on the lake... We are definitely the traditional campers, (tents, kiaks, bbq, s'mores and more). Bucksaw is a family friendly way to spend those summer vacations with the kids," notes one visitor.
**Swimming beaches: Cool off during hot summer days at the beaches throughout the lake system. At Sparrowfoot, "If you walk further around the corner to the right, it turns into a nicer 'beach' style area with few rocks, although the mud can be a little thick after it rains."
**Boat launch access: Launch watercraft directly from campgrounds for convenience. "The campground has its own beach and its own boat launch that are only for campground guests. There is also a public beach and boat launch in the park that is separate," reports a camper at Raccoon Ridge.
**Wildlife viewing: Look for armadillos, deer, and various birds throughout the camping areas. One visitor to Berry Bend noted, "We enjoyed a weekend there and can't wait to go back. Hopefully for longer than a weekend. The lake was great, the sites were level and not too close together, shaded and beautiful. I saw my first armadillo too!"
What campers like
**Privacy between sites: Many campers appreciate the spacing between sites at Berry Bend, where one visitor mentioned, "Nice spacious spots, lake views, friendly campers. Great Hosts! Clean and well maintained. Our favorite spot for camping at Truman Lake. Close to boat launch."
**Quieter alternatives: Find less crowded options beyond the main state park. "This is a great family campground!!! It's not nearly as busy as the state park which is awesome!!" noted a camper about Berry Bend.
**Cell service variability: Disconnect completely at some campgrounds but maintain connectivity at others. At Sparrowfoot, "In the A and B loops, very minimal cell service and very little opportunity to stream on the TVs. I also couldn't get any over the air channels but we weren't there to watch TV!" However, another camper noted, "I had excellent T-Mobile 5G service."
**Sunrise views: Wake up early for prime lakeside views from strategic campsites. "Site 47 right on the water great for kayaking and swimming. Water in the lake is high this time of year but fun is still to be had via fishing, biking, boating and kayaking," reported a Long Shoal visitor.
What you should know
**Seasonal insect concerns: Pack strong insect repellent, especially during peak season. "If ticks bother you this may not be your best choice. We had them dropping onto us at the picnic table," warns a visitor to Thorny Ridge.
**Off-season availability: Most campgrounds remain accessible year-round with reduced services. At Sparrowfoot, "Stayed here for one night in early September during our trip to Wyoming. Paid $10 with interagency senior discount. Stayed in the B Loop. We were one of 5 campers here."
**Early morning boat noise: Expect activity from fishing boats in early morning hours, particularly during fishing season. "The bassholes start trying to prove they have the fastest boat around 5:30 am though, so no sleeping in," notes a visitor to Thorny Ridge.
**Water level changes: Be aware that lake levels fluctuate throughout the year, affecting beach access. "The only down side about going when we did was that the lake was up so no swimming. But we went for a awesome hike," explained a visitor about Raccoon Ridge.
Tips for camping with families
**Beach comparison: Choose beaches based on crowd levels and amenities. A visitor at Raccoon Ridge noted, "We had the whole beach to ourselves for awhile, the most we seen was probably 5 or 6 families at the beach at once."
**Playground access: Select campsites near recreation areas for children. At Sparrowfoot, "Loop B also has the playground which is right behind site B47. It's a newer playground and all equipment was nicely maintained. There are no swings. Only complaint is that there are no benches or picnic tables at the playground so bring your camping chair."
**Food storage strategies: Secure food properly to prevent wildlife encounters. One camper at Raccoon Ridge learned this lesson: "Great place to relaxe or fish away your troubles. Highly suggest keeping your food locked in your vehicle. Had a raccoon enter our tent but that's to be expected when you leave stuff out like I did."
Tips from RVers
**Electric-only considerations: Prepare for electric-only hookups at many sites across the lake system. At Long Shoal, "Enjoyable stay at this COE campground with plenty of lake views and access. Sites are level, electric only with easy access to fresh water and dump station as you enter the facility."
**Site selection for shade: Choose sites carefully to manage summer heat. "This site is narrow, so much so that we can't use our awning, but man, do we have shade!" noted a visitor at Long Shoal, highlighting the tradeoffs in site selection.
**Water access planning: Plan for central water sources rather than individual site hookups at many campgrounds. At Bucksaw, a visitor noted that "most sites in the B loop have water and there are some full hook ups around."
