Outdoor Activities | Visit Macon County MO

Atlanta/Long Branch Conservation Area

From Macon, take Highway 63 north for 5 miles, then turn onto Route AX and head west for 2 miles.

The Atlanta/Long Branch Conservation Area, on the eastern side of Long Branch Lake, offers a single-lane boat launch, shady picnic sites, and paved parking with concrete ramps (closed at 10 p.m. except for anglers). Managed by the Missouri Department of Conservation and the U.S. Corps of Engineers, this 4,500-acre area combines the 2,454-acre Long Branch Conservation Area with the adjacent Atlanta Conservation Area. It features gently rolling oak-hickory uplands, mixed hardwood lowlands, wetlands, and oxbow lakes. Visitors can enjoy activities such as hunting, fishing, frogging, hiking, nature study, and photography, while bald eagles and giant Canadian geese are commonly seen in the winter.

Long Branch State Park

28615 Visitor Center Rd

Macon, MO 63552

Managed by the Missouri Department of Natural Resources and the U.S. Corps of Engineers, this 1,828-acre park includes the Bloomington, Bee Trace, and Macon areas.

The Bloomington Area on the western shore features 83 shaded campsites (closed for construction in 2026) —including accessible sites—boating with a marina and boat rentals, a two-lane launch, a large sand beach with a change house, picnic sites, two reservable shelters with grills, and a 1.1-mile hiking trail along the lake’s shoreline.

Bee Trace Park & Trail

Located at the special use area off Axtell Road on the north side of the park. Access is from Jupiter Road. Take US-63 North 5.5 miles to Axtell Road, make a left onto Axtell Road, and follow for 2 miles. Turn left onto Jupiter Avenue to the trailhead.

Website: https://www.nwk.usace.army.mil/Locations/District-Lakes/Long-Branch-Lake/Trails-at-Long-Branch/

Named for an early honey-harvesting trail, Bee Trace features a 640-acre natural area with a nine-mile hiking and backpacking trail through savannas, prairies, and timber, plus a single-lane boat ramp at the lake’s northern end.

La Plata Golf Course - La Plata, MO

301 S Hastings St

La Plata, MO 63549

Phone: (660) 332-4584

Website: https://www.facebook.com/people/La-Plata-Golf-Course/100057095184833/

The La Plata Golf Course was established in 1932 when the George Hastings family donated land, and local volunteers constructed the first six holes. By 1933, a 9-hole course was complete, with early golfers including many of the town’s residents.

Over the decades, the course grew and improved: new layouts in 1967 and 1990 added length, safety, and landscaping, and a second 9-hole course opened in 2000 with ponds, sand traps, and scenic fairways.

Today, the course is a proud product of community effort, offering golfers a beautiful and challenging experience in the heart of La Plata.

Macon County Outfitters

21256 St. Hwy. V V

Ethel, MO 63539

Phone: (660) 216-4431

Email: matt@maconcountyoutfitters.com

Website: https://maconcountyoutfitters.com/

Born from a lifelong passion for the outdoors, Macon County Outfitters is run by hunters for hunters. Every detail—from stand placement to stories by the fire—is guided by real field experience. Our 9,000-sq-ft lodge blends rustic charm with modern comforts, featuring a spacious great room, a fully staffed kitchen, and cozy guest rooms for an unforgettable stay.

Thomas Hill Reservoir Conservation Area

Route T, Moberly, MO 65270

Phone: (660) 785-2420

Website: https://mdc.mo.gov/discover-nature/places/thomas-hill-reservoir-conservation-area

Directions: From Macon, take Highway 36 west 5.25 miles, then Route C south 10 miles to College Mound, then Route T west 2.40 miles to the main entrance.

Covering more than 9,300 acres, the Thomas Hill Reservoir Conservation Area — managed by the Missouri Department of Conservation — features a 4,950-acre lake surrounded by a mix of open land and forest. The reservoir was built to cool a nearby power plant, creating a year-round fishery with species like largemouth bass, crappie, hybrid striped bass, and catfish. In winter, warm water discharge keeps part of the lake ice-free, making it a popular spot for anglers. The area also offers camping, boating, and wildlife viewing; beaver-maintained wetlands attract nesting and migrating birds, and bald eagles often appear in winter.

Outdoors

Outdoors