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A cloud bank lit orange over Slim Lake at sunset, reflected across the width of the water

Lake trip · Cole County, Missouri

F

Where to stay at Binder Lake

Binder Lake covers 138 acres in Cole County and carries a water-quality grade of F (Algae-prone). Compare cabins, resorts, and vacation rentals below. The grade measures nutrients and algae — it is not a stay-or-skip rating. Late spring through early fall, with June through August the peak season for swimming, boating, and fishing.

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Places to stay near Binder Lake

Cabins, resorts, hotels, and vacation rentals near Binder Lake in Cole County, Missouri — live availability and prices. Add your dates to see totals.

Top-rated places to stay near Binder Lake

Availability and prices from Stay22 partners (Booking.com, Vrbo, Expedia). We may earn a commission from bookings, at no extra cost to you.

About the water

Binder Lake grades F for nutrients and algae — Algae-prone. Algae and nutrients are often high — check current advisories before swimming. Skip the water if you see scum or a paint-like bloom. Water clarity is about 2.1 ft of visibility. Algae (chlorophyll-a) measures 32.1 µg/L. The letter is not a reason to skip cabins and rentals around the lake.

See the full Binder Lake water-quality report →

Best time to visit

Late spring through early fall, with June through August the peak season for swimming, boating, and fishing.

Check the National Weather Service forecast for Binder Lake

About Binder Lake

Surface area
138 acres
Max depth
-
Public boat launches
Public beaches

Fishing & license

Missouri fishing license

$14 resident$57 non-resident

Anyone age 15 and younger (resident or nonresident) may fish without a permit, so a fishing permit is required starting at age 16. Missouri residents age 65 and older are exempt from the fishing permit entirely (though a Trout Permit or daily trout tag is still required where trout rules apply); resident landowners of 5+ acres (who own all the land around the body of water) and certain residents with qualifying disabilities are also exempt on their own land or with documentation. · Fishing is open year-round for most species in most Missouri waters; annual permits are not calendar-year — they expire at the end of February (2026 permits are valid through the end of February 2027). Key exceptions: the four trout parks have a catch-and-keep season March 1 - Oct 31 (winter catch-and-release Nov 13, 2026 - Feb 8, 2027), and black bass in streams outside the year-round zones (most streams south of the Missouri River) are catch-and-release only March 1 through late May.

Prices as published by Missouri Department of Conservation, 2026.

Camping & RV near Binder Lake

Search public campgrounds and RV sites near Binder Lake on Recreation.gov, then compare cabins, resorts, and rentals on the map above.

Find campgrounds & RV sites on Recreation.gov →

Common questions

Frequently Asked Questions

Cabins, resorts, and vacation rentals around Binder Lake in Cole County, Missouri are on the map above with live availability and nightly prices. Waterfront rentals put you on the dock; lodging in the nearest town is usually cheaper with more choice.

Binder Lake has a water quality grade of F (Algae-prone). Algae and nutrients are often high — check current advisories before swimming. Skip the water if you see scum or a paint-like bloom. Always check local health-department advisories before swimming.

Late spring through early fall, with June through August the peak season for swimming, boating, and fishing.

Guide

LakeQuality Lake Trip Planner (2026)

Free trip-planning guide for Binder Lake: how to pick a clean lake, the water-quality signals that matter, best swimming and fishing windows, and where to stay.

Lodging availability and prices are provided by Stay22 and its booking partners (Booking.com, Vrbo, Expedia); LakeQuality may earn a commission from bookings at no extra cost to you. Water-quality grades are independent of lodging listings. Always check current health-department advisories and managing-agency conditions before you travel.