Lake trip · Pettis County, Missouri
Where to stay at Spring Fork Lake
Spring Fork Lake covers 128 acres in Pettis County and carries a water-quality grade of NR (Not rated). 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 Spring Fork Lake
Cabins, resorts, hotels, and vacation rentals near Spring Fork Lake in Pettis County, Missouri — live availability and prices. Add your dates to see totals.
Top-rated places to stay near Spring Fork 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
Spring Fork Lake grades NR for nutrients and algae — Not rated. Not rated for swimming — there is not enough monitoring data to judge this lake. Water clarity is about 1.4 ft of visibility. Algae (chlorophyll-a) measures 48.6 µg/L. The letter is not a reason to skip cabins and rentals around the lake.
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 Spring Fork Lake →
About Spring Fork Lake
Fishing & license
Missouri fishing license
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 Spring Fork Lake
Search public campgrounds and RV sites near Spring Fork Lake on Recreation.gov, then compare cabins, resorts, and rentals on the map above.
Common questions
Frequently Asked Questions
Cabins, resorts, and vacation rentals around Spring Fork Lake in Pettis 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.
Spring Fork Lake is not rated for water quality — its monitoring record does not meet the evidence bar. Not rated for swimming — there is not enough monitoring data to judge this lake. 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.
Explore Spring Fork Lake
LakeQuality Lake Trip Planner (2026)
Free trip-planning guide for Spring Fork 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.