The Show-Me State is ready to show you a good time on the water. Missouri is home to hundreds of lakes, including Lake of the Ozarks, which boasts more shoreline than the entire state of California. From swimming and fishing to paddling, there’s a spot for just about every kind of lake day.
But just because you’re on vacation doesn’t mean boating is a day at the beach. First-timer or seasoned captain, here’s what to know before you hit the water.
Life jacket and lighting laws
Before launching in a boat or kayak, make sure you have a U.S. Coast Guard-approved life jacket on board and readily accessible for each person. Children under 7 must wear one while aboard any watercraft unless they’re in a fully enclosed part of the vessel. Everyone aboard a personal watercraft must also wear a life jacket while underway.
Lighting requirements depend on the type of watercraft. Motorboats generally must display red, green and white navigation lights from sunset to sunrise. Canoes and kayaks must have a white flashlight or lantern ready to display in time to avoid a collision.
Boater education
Missouri’s boater education law is changing. If you were born after Jan. 1, 1984, and before Jan. 1, 2006, you need a boater safety card approved by the National Association of State Boating Law Administrators or a boating safety endorsement to operate a motorized boat, personal watercraft or sailboat over 12 feet on Missouri lakes. Starting Jan. 1, 2027, anyone born on or after Jan. 1, 2006, will need the same credential to operate those vessels on waters throughout the state.
Planning to rent? A temporary seven-day card is available online through Boat-Ed. It’s good once per lifetime, and the seven days start when you order it, so don’t buy it too far in advance.
Know the speed and alcohol limits
Just like driving, boating has speed and alcohol rules. Daytime speeds are generally not capped, but you must operate safely and obey slow-no-wake zones. From a half-hour after sunset until an hour before sunrise, the speed limit is 30 mph.
And although boating and beer may seem to go together, you’ll want a sober captain. Operating a boat with a blood alcohol concentration of 0.08% or higher is illegal, and you can be arrested for boating while intoxicated.
Swimming tips
Missouri’s lakes can be inviting, but swimming in open water is different from hopping into the backyard pool. Keep a few safety tips in mind before getting in.
- Many Missouri lakes feature rocky banks and gravelly drop-offs rather than pure white sand. A solid pair of water shoes saves your feet from jagged gravel, razor-sharp zebra mussel shells or hidden objects.
- Swimming access varies by park. Lake of the Ozarks State Park has two designated swimming beaches, while Table Rock State Park has no designated swimming beach but allows swimming in several shoreline areas away from the marina and boat launch. There are no lifeguards, so keep a close eye on kids and never swim alone.
- If you’re swimming off the back of a boat, stay out of main channels and busy boat lanes. Find a sheltered cove, anchor the boat and turn off the engine. From a private dock, stay clear of boat traffic and make sure swimmers are easy for passing boaters to see.
- Missouri monitors water quality weekly at designated state park swimming beaches during the recreational season, from Memorial Day weekend through Labor Day weekend. If E. coli levels exceed the state’s threshold, signs are posted saying swimming is not recommended. Check the current beach status and follow any posted advisories.
- Lakes can be shallower than they look or have hidden hazards under the water. Always enter the water feet first from shore for safety, and use caution when jumping off a rope swing or dock.
- Check the forecast before planning a day on the water, and get out of the lake at the first sign of a sudden thunderstorm or lightning.
- Lake water can harbor bacteria or parasites, so avoid swallowing it if possible.
Public access, ramps and marinas
Not sure where to launch? Missouri has plenty of access points.
- Missouri State Parks, the Missouri Department of Conservation and the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers all run public boat launches around the state, many free or low-cost. Check water levels first, since low water can make some ramps difficult or unusable.
- On summer holiday weekends or sunny Saturdays, popular public ramps can fill up fast, so arrive early.
- Going to need a bigger boat? Many of Missouri’s major lakes have full-service marinas offering boat rentals, slips, fuel, bait and other supplies.
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