Deserted Swimming Areas?

[kymned]

Does anyone know of any places on any of the lakes to swim out near Ridgedale, MO ( a little outside of Branson)that are a little more secluded? I'm going up for a four day weekend at the end of the week with my immediate family and we'd like somewhere that's not quite so busy, where we can swim in peace. What can I say, we can be a bit anti-social. Anyhow, all help would be much appreciated as I am not really familiar with the area. Thanks in Advance!

[Mellie]

Originally Posted by kymned

Does anyone know of any places on any of the lakes to swim out near Ridgedale, MO ( a little outside of Branson)that are a little more secluded? I'm going up for a four day weekend at the end of the week with my immediate family and we'd like somewhere that's not quite so busy, where we can swim in peace. What can I say, we can be a bit anti-social. Anyhow, all help would be much appreciated as I am not really familiar with the area. Thanks in Advance!

Almost everything along Highway 86 is privately owned by individuals or resorts. The only places to swim (that I know of) are the Corps of Engineers Campgrounds (Day Use Pass).

Cricket Creek seems to have the most secluded swimming areas: You will see that their address is "Omaha, Arkansas", but Ridgedale is right on the Arkansas/Missouri Border...Omaha is just over the border, a mile or two.http://www.recreation.gov/campground...ar kCode=cric

[kymned]

Originally Posted by Mellie

Almost everything along Highway 86 is privately owned by individuals or resorts. The only places to swim (that I know of) are the Corps of Engineers Campgrounds (Day Use Pass).

Cricket Creek seems to have the most secluded swimming areas: You will see that their address is "Omaha, Arkansas", but Ridgedale is right on the Arkansas/Missouri Border...Omaha is just over the border, a mile or two.http://www.recreation.gov/campground...ar kCode=cric

Thanks for that, but when I went to their official website, it doesn't look like there are a lot of places for swimming only, if any. It seems more like a boat dock only. Plus, I think you have to be camping out their to use their facilities, but we have a really nice cabin that we are going to be staying in. Does anyone else know of any other places?

[Mellie]

Originally Posted by kymned

Thanks for that, but when I went to their official website, it doesn't look like there are a lot of places for swimming only, if any. It seems more like a boat dock only. Plus, I think you have to be camping out their to use their facilities, but we have a really nice cabin that we are going to be staying in. Does anyone else know of any other places?

You don't have to be camping there. My husband and I go there, all the time. You just pay a "day use fee" at the gate, usually something like $4 per vehicle. They only have one "official swimming area", but if you just walk around the shoreline, you'll find lots of secluded places. They won't be roped-off swimming areas, but you can still swim there. Note: If you have a dog, it has to be leashed (when not swimming). It can swim, but not in the designated "roped-off" swimming area.

I'd venture to say that almost every square inch of shoreline, along Hwy 86 is owned by resorts or individuals. There is Old Highway 86 Campground, which is the same as Cricket Creek (but not as much public swimming area). And there's another Corps of Engineers Campground on the other side of the highway, but it IS mostly a marina...hardly any swimming.

Big Cedar Lodge doesn't have any "lake swimming" areas. I've driven down almost every road, off of Hwy 86 and there's either a COE Campground, or a private resort at the end of the road (on the lake).

You might drive down around the Cricket Creek area. There don't seem to be as many resorts in that area. You might be able to find a secluded beach, in that area (outside the campground).

[Brad]

"combs ferry" is located at the end of JJ hwy off of 86. not too bad a place.

I know of a few more, but I aint telling where they are!

[Tracyinks]

I remember when moonshine beach was just a gravel parking lot and FREE! 1988

It was great for young, dumb honeymooners! Imagine my suprise when I found it all developed and gated Price of progress I guess