Wakonda State Park
| Wakonda State Park | |
| Missouri State Park | |
| Country | United States |
|---|---|
| State | Missouri |
| County | Lewis County |
| Coordinates | 40°0′26″N 91°31′22″W / 40.00722°N 91.52278°W |
| Area | 1.65 sq mi (4 km2) |
| Founded | 1960 |
  | |
| Website: http://mostateparks.com/wakonda.htm | |
Wakonda State Park is a state park in the US state of Missouri consisting of 1,053.87 acres (4.3 km2) near La Grange in Lewis County.
History
Wakonda, an Osage Indian word meaning something consecrated or spiritual, was established by the Missouri State Park Board in 1960 on 273 acres transferred from the Missouri Highway Commission.[1] The area is one of the few remaining sand prairie areas to be found along the central and northern Mississippi River. During the Ice Age, glacial movement left large deposits of high quality gravel and sand. Beginning in 1924 the Missouri Highway Commission contracted with private companies to remove the large gravel deposits for use in road surfacing materials. The gravel was very deep, requiring open-pit mining techniques which eventually led to the creation of the six lakes that dot the Wakonda park landscape. By the 1980s some 26 million tons of sand and gravel had been removed from the area. Additional land purchases by the state, including a final 777 acre tract in 1992, created the parks current dimensions.[1]
Features
- Camping - Eighty-six campsites are available year-round. Seasonal services (April 15-October 31) include modern restrooms, showers, a laundry, water, andsewer dump station for RVs. A mix of basic, electric, and sewer/electric/water campsites are present. Four recreational vehicles are available for rental as well.
- Boating - Five of Wakonda's six lakes allow boating. Agate and Wakonda lakes allow boats with outboard motors of ten horsepower or less. Quartz, Granite, and Boulder lakes allow only electric trolling motors. No boating is allowed on Jasper Lake. John Boat and canoe rentals are available in season.
- Fishing - largemouth Bass, crappie, walleye, bluegill, and catfish are the most common species found. No trot lines, bank lines, or jug lines are allowed. Contact the park office for further fishing restrictions and catch limits.
- Swimming - At 20,000 square feet, Lake Wakonda offers the Missouri State Park systems largest natural sand beach. A showerhouse and restroom facility are available. No lifeguards are provided so swimming is at your own risk.