Table Rock Lake Insider Q&A — Answers Travelers Actually Ask

Getting there & around

Logistics

How was Table Rock Lake created?: The Army Corps of Engineers built Table Rock Dam on the White River between 1954 and 1958 — the third of three multi-purpose Corps dams on the river after Norfork and Bull Shoals. The reservoir covers 43,100 acres with 745 miles of shoreline at normal pool, eight miles southwest of Branson.
What's the closest airport to Table Rock Lake?: Springfield-Branson National (SGF) is the region's commercial airport, about 50 miles and 45 to 60 minutes from most lake resorts. Branson Airport (BKG) is closer by miles but has had no scheduled passenger service since 2024 — it now handles only private and charter traffic.

Groceries, gas, urgent care

Where's the closest grocery store to Table Rock Lake?: Country Mart on State Highway 248 in Branson — an employee-owned grocery store with full-service meat and deli counters and an in-store Starbucks.
Where's the closest emergency room to Table Rock Lake?: Cox Medical Center Branson's emergency room, on Skaggs Road — a 165-bed hospital, formerly Skaggs Community Hospital before joining CoxHealth in 2013, open 24 hours.

Where to eat

Where can I eat at Table Rock Lake?: Pier 28 Pizza & Grill, inside Port of Kimberling on the lake's west arm, is accessible by land or water and open seasonally starting mid-May.

What's worth doing

How many marinas are on Table Rock Lake?: The lake's marina base splits across two hubs — Branson's State Park Marina and Indian Point Marina near the dam, and Kimberling City's Port of Kimberling on the west arm — rather than one central marina row.

On the water & on the trail

Where can I rent a boat at Table Rock Lake?: State Park Marina and Indian Point Marina both operate near the dam in Branson — State Park Marina alone is home to 650 boats. Port of Kimberling Marina, the largest on the lake's west arm, covers Kimberling City with ski boats, pontoons, and houseboats.
Is there a beach at Table Rock Lake?: Table Rock State Park doesn't have a designated swimming beach, but shoreline swimming is common in several spots, and the park has a free concrete boat ramp near the picnic shelter.

Seasons & weather

When's the best time to visit Table Rock Lake?: Late spring through Labor Day for full marina hours and Pier 28 Pizza & Grill's seasonal opening in mid-May. Branson's entertainment scene runs strong well into fall for visitors who don't need the lake itself.