Just minutes west of Branson is Table Rock Lake which is fed by the White River and has close to 50,000 surface acres. From the middle of downtown Branson and heading east is the 2,000 acre Taneycomo Lake which is also part of the White River chain. From there the river becomes Bull Shoals Lake, which has crystal clear water bordered by 740 miles of shoreline with bluffs and steep rock ledges.

About 30 minutes north of Branson towards Springfield, is the community of Highlandville, which has shoreline on the James River. 

In the heart of Missouri is the Lake of the Ozarks. It is fed by the Osage River and its many tributaries.

About halfway between St. Louis and Kansas City and just north of Jefferson City is Lake Champetra, which is a great place for lakefront living.