Lake with Farmhouse at sunrise

Lake Marie Vacation Rentals

Swim the cool, clear water and fish with your family at Lake Marie near the welcoming Missouri town of Princeton.

A 46-Acre Mercer County Lake in Missouri's Quiet Northern Prairie Country

Why Rent On Lake Marie

Lake Marie in Mercer County, Missouri sits just north of Princeton in a landscape of rolling wooded hills and open prairie that defines the character of the state’s northern tier, covering 46 acres of clear natural water in a setting of pronounced and unhurried natural beauty. Fishing, swimming, paddling, and boating give the lake its recreational identity, and the predominantly wooded surroundings create a visual environment of seasonal richness that rewards guests who arrive in spring for wildflowers, summer for full green canopy, or autumn for the color change across the northern Missouri hills. A vacation rental near Lake Marie gives your family a genuinely remote north Missouri lake experience in a corner of the state that most travelers from the south have not yet found.

Fishing, Paddling, and the Natural Quiet of the Missouri Northern Prairie

Lake Marie’s clear water and predominantly undeveloped shoreline give fishing and paddling families an experience of natural intimacy that the more commercially developed lakes of central and southwest Missouri have long since compromised. The surrounding wooded landscape supports wildlife observation of consistent quality, and the genuine remoteness of Mercer County creates the conditions for a lakeside stay defined by natural quiet rather than resort activity.

State Parks and the North Missouri Outdoor Network

The north Missouri state park system, accessible within reasonable driving distance of Lake Marie, provides hiking, camping, and natural landscape programming for guests who want structured land-based outdoor activities alongside their lake time. The broad agricultural and prairie landscape of Mercer County rewards exploratory driving in a way that more developed lake regions do not.

The Character of Princeton and Mercer County

The town of Princeton, the Mercer County seat, carries the honest community character of north Missouri’s small county towns, where the local grocery, the community park, and the diner provide everything a lakeside family needs without the commercial overlay that transforms lake towns into resort economies.

Why a Rental Near Lake Marie Is the Right Choice for the Serious Retreat

Vacation homes and cabins near Lake Marie give families full kitchens, comfortable bedrooms, lake views, private outdoor space, and the kind of complete natural isolation that north Missouri lake country provides for those willing to make the drive. Pet-friendly rentals are available in the Mercer County area. For families who want a Missouri lake stay that is genuinely remote, ecologically honest, and defined by natural restoration rather than resort programming, Lake Marie in Mercer County is among the state’s most authentic and rewarding destinations.

Best time to go
Visit Lake Marie in late spring, particularly May when wildflowers bloom and the air hums with life. Experience serene fishing amidst gentle breezes and indulge in peaceful kayaking; the lake sparkles under radiant sunlight and is blissfully uncrowded.
Water Quality
Lake Marie in Mercer County, Missouri, features water that is crystal-clear with a glassy surface, reflecting the surrounding wooded landscapes. The water exhibits a deep blue hue, characteristic of many Missouri lakes, providing a serene and picturesque setting.
Surface area (mi)
0
Elevation (ft)
961.29

Popular activities

  • Boating
  • Kayaking
  • Canoeing
  • Swimming
  • Fishing
  • Hiking
  • Cross-country Skiing
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Frequently Asked Questions

Ready to dive into what Lake Marie has to offer? Let’s tackle some of the burning questions you might have as you plan your visit!

  • Yes, swimming is allowed in Lake Marie. The lake has clear and cool spring-fed waters, and while there is no designated swimming beach, swimming is permissible, especially near the shore and sandbars.

  • Lake Marie in Missouri is a popular destination because of its scenic wooded area and various recreational activities. It offers fishing, swimming, and boating in its clear, clean waters. The surrounding area also includes a state park, Nine Eagles State Park, for additional outdoor activities.

  • Yes, you need a fishing permit to fish in Lake Marie, Missouri, unless you are exempt. Everyone between the ages of 16 and 64 must have a fishing permit to fish in Missouri. You can purchase this permit online or in person from various locations.

  • There is no public beach at Lake Marie. The lake is primarily used for fishing and does not have a designated swimming beach. It is located near Big Foot Beach State Park, but the beach facilities are not part of Lake Marie itself.

  • Towns near Lake Marie include Antioch, Channel Lake, and Lake Catherine. These towns are situated in the vicinity of Lake Marie in Lake County, Illinois. They are part of the larger Chain O’Lakes region.