Cool waters and abundant wildlife make Big Lake State Park a place to get away in northwest Missouri. Visitors can canoe and jet ski on the state's largest oxbow lake that adjoins the park or watch for smooth soft-shelled turtles lazing away the day in the park's marsh. Big Lake is a wetland that migrating birds use as a resting stop, affording bird watchers an unparalleled opportunity to see yellow-headed blackbirds, blue herons, soras and rails. Take advantage of the campingopportunities while you are there.