Northern Missouri
Wakonda State Park's sand-bottom lakes near La Grange
Wakonda State Park turns old sand-and-gravel mining ground south of La Grange into six lakes, rare sand prairie, waterfowl habitat, camping, swimming, and fishing.
Wakonda State Park is a good Lewis County surprise: the lakes are partly a mining afterstory. South of La Grange, glacial outwash left deep gravel deposits. Starting in 1924, private companies working for the highway commission mined those deposits, and by the late 1980s more than 26 million tons of sand and gravel had been removed.
The mined ground stayed useful in a different way. Missouri received the first 273 acres for the park in 1960, later added more land, and the old gravel pits became six lakes. Agate, Jasper, Quartz, and Wakonda lakes now draw anglers, while the sand swimming beach, campground, and trails make the park the county’s main developed outdoor stop.
The park also has a quieter natural story. Sand left from the mining era helped create a rare sand-prairie setting, and the lakes pull in waterfowl during migration. Before visiting, check Missouri State Parks for camping, beach status, boat rules, waterfowl-season closures, and any temporary advisories.
Where to see it
- Wakonda State Park
Use Missouri State Parks for current lake, beach, boat, camping, waterfowl-closure, and park-status details.
References
More from Lewis County: browse every local note for the county.
Last checked against the sources above: July 1, 2026.