We use cookies to ensure that we give you the best experience on our website.

Smithville Lake, Missouri, USA

Smithville Lake, located in the City of Smithville in northwest Missouri, is a recreational wonderland. With nearly 7,200 surface acres of water, Smithville Lake entices nature lovers to come out and play. The purpose of Smithville Lake is to provide flood reduction, water supply, fish and wildlife management, and recreation. Outdoor sports include fishing, hunting, swimming, bird watching, boating and camping. In 1965, the town of Smithville…
Keep scrolling to read more.

Welcome to the ultimate guide to Smithville Lake! Article topics include:

Looking for Smithville Lake cabins or other accommodations? Save time and use this interactive map to find, compare and book at the best rates. Or explore more of our favorite travel partners.

This post contains affiliate links. If you click and purchase, we may earn a small referral fee at no extra cost to you. Read our full disclosure.

Explore Area Hotels

Nearby offer more hotel accommodations:

  • Check TripAdvisor
  • Check Expedia
  • Check Hotels.com
  • Check Booking.com

    • All About Smithville Lake, MO

    Lake Locations: USA - US Midwest Region - Missouri - Northwest Missouri -

    Smithville Lake, located in the City of Smithville in northwest Missouri, is a recreational wonderland. With nearly 7,200 surface acres of water, Smithville Lake entices nature lovers to come out and play. The purpose of Smithville Lake is to provide flood reduction, water supply, fish and wildlife management, and recreation. Outdoor sports include fishing, hunting, swimming, bird watching, boating and camping.

    In 1965, the town of Smithville was covered with 12 feet of water due to the flooding of the Little Platte River. To prevent future flooding, the US Army Corps of Engineers constructed a dam on the Little Platte River forming Smithville Lake. Today the Corps manages the dam and wildlife management land, now known as the Smithville Lake Project. The Smithville Dam is an earthen dam that stretches 4,000 feet long and reaches 90 feet above the streambed.

    Although the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers manages the dam and wildlife areas, the Clay County Parks Department and the City of Smithville operate the campsites located around Smithville Lake. Crows Creek and Camp Branch Campground are run by Clay County Parks Department, while Smith’s Fork Campground is run by the City of Smithville. Campers of all types will enjoy the amenities offered at the campgrounds. Electric and non-electric campsites are available and also include restrooms, dump stations, and hot showers. The campgrounds offer hundreds of picnic sites and numerous shelter houses where visitors can take pleasure in a picnic lunch or enjoy a group get-together. After campers pitch their tents or park their RVs, they may take a dip in the refreshing waters at one of two swimming areas, the Little Platte Park and Camp Branch Park.

    Visitors to Smithville Lake may want to bring along their bike, horse, or a pair of hiking boots to partake in many miles of multi-use trails that meander around the lake. Lake views from the trails are spectacular. The multi-use trails are completely paved, while the horseback riding trails are unpaved. Mountain biking and hiking are permitted on the horseback riding trails, although the terrain can be a bit rough.

    Smithville Lake is an angler’s paradise with many fish waiting to be caught. Since Smithville Lake was created, the waters have been stocked with channel catfish, blue catfish, flathead catfish, largemouth bass, bluegill, walleye, and tiger muskie. Crappies can also be found in Smithville Lake but have not been stocked. Fish enthusiasts from all over exhibit their fishing skills in one of the many bass tournaments held yearly on Smithville Lake. Anglers are not the only ones who flock to Smithville Lake; hunters have over 7,000 acres available to hunt in the Smithville Wildlife Management Area and Honker Cove Waterfowl Refuge. Honker Cove is closed during designated times of the year. Wildlife viewers, nature lovers, and photographers will also take pleasure in visiting Honker Cove Waterfowl Refuge when it is open to the public. Ducks, shorebirds, geese, and eagles are commonly spotted by those who walk along the refuge.

    The Smithville area was once inhabited by a Missouri Tribe of Native Americans, but its most famous citizens were the James Gang led by Frank and Jessie James. The home of Jessie James is located near Kearney, Missouri and is still open to the public for viewing. Although the notorious outlaws have been gone for some time, visitors who fall in love with Smithville Lake area can purchase a home of their own. Real estate owners have the benefit of Smithville Lake within an easy drive. Smithville Lake is a great vacation destination or weekend getaway. Families and friends can camp together while having a relaxing time along the shores of beautiful Smithville Lake.

    Things to Do at Smithville Lake

    These are some activities in the Smithville Lake, MO area visitors can enjoy:

    • Vacation Rentals
    • Fishing
    • Fishing Tournaments
    • Boating
    • Swimming
    • Camping
    • Campground
    • Picnicking
    • Hiking
    • Biking
    • Horseback Riding
    • Hunting
    • Wildlife Viewing
    • Birding

    What Kind of Fish Are in Smithville Lake?

    Smithville Lake has been known to have the following fish species:

    • Bass
    • Black Bass
    • Blue Catfish
    • Bluegill
    • Catfish
    • Channel Catfish
    • Crappie
    • Flathead Catfish
    • Largemouth Bass
    • Muskellunge
    • Perch
    • Pike
    • Sunfish
    • Tiger Muskellunge
    • Walleye
    divider

    Find Places to Stay at Smithville Lake

    If you’re considering a Smithville Lake lake house rental or hotel, we’ve made it super easy to find the best rates and compare vacation accommodations at a glance. Save time using this interactive map below.

    Note: These are affiliate links and we may earn a small commission if you click and make a purchase. Read our full disclosure policy here.

    More Sites to Book a Smithville Lake Vacation

    Our interactive Smithville Lake lodging map above is an easy tool for comparing VRBO rental homes and nearby hotels with Booking.com, but there could be times when you need to expand your search for different types of accommodations. Here are some other lake lodging partners we recommend:

    Check TripAdvisor
    Check Expedia
    Find a Campspot
    All Travel Resources

    Smithville Lake Statistics & Helpful Links

    divider

    Lake Type: Artificial Reservoir, Dammed

    Water Level Control: US Army Corps of Engineers

    Surface Area: 7,190 acres

    Shoreline Length: 175 miles

    Normal Elevation (Full Pond): 864 feet

    Minimum Elevation (Min Pond): 0 feet

    Maximum Elevation (Max Pond): 876 feet

    Water Volume: 102,200 acre-feet

    Completion Year: 1979

    Drainage Area: 213 sq. miles

    Smithville Lake Map
    Lake Water Level
    Local Weather Forecast

    We strive to keep information on LakeLubbers as accurate as possible. If you’ve found something here that needs updating, please touch base by filling out our Content Correction form.

    Shop Smithville Lake Gifts

    Custom Lake Tumblers

    Captain / First Mate Custom 20 oz Tumbler

    SHOP NOW
    Custom Lake T Shirt

    Personalized My Boat My Rules Unisex T-Shirt

    SHOP NOW
    Custom Lake Coffee Mug - On Lake Time

    On Lake Time Custom Coffee Mug – 11oz or 15oz

    SHOP NOW
    VIEW ALL CUSTOM LAKE PRODUCTS

    More Smithville Lake news from LakeLubbers.com

    • Advertise your vacation rental property or local business: DETAILS HERE
    • The Smithville Lake forum has been discontinued: HERE’S WHY
    • New Smithville Lake photos coming soon!
    • You’re invited to join our lake-lovin’ community on Facebook and Instagram!
    • Share this Smithville Lake article with your fellow LakeLubbers: