Created on the edge where the Ozarks woodlands meets the prairies of the midwest, Harry S Truman State Park is a park of 1440 acres surrounded be water on 3 sides. The park creates lots of opportunities for boating, fishing, swimming, water skiing, and as well as camping, hiking, picnicking and nature study. The 56000 acre lake known as Truman lake was created by the Flood Control Act of 1954 on the Osage River. Modifications on the dam in 1962 help create hydroelectric power and recreation to the list of purposes for the dam. The landscape of the park is a mix of trees and natural grasslands that is all to common of the western ozark landscape. Abundant wildflowers, including aromatic aster, wild indigo, mountain mint, ashy sunflower, and sensitive briar to just name a few. Native grasses such as the Indian grass and big bluestem cover the acres of prairie land in the park. If you enjoy watching wildlife, there are a abundant amount of foxes, coyotes, beaver, white tailed deer, turkeys, and many native birds.

There are 201 campsites throughout the park. including 100 with electrical hookups. Nearby to the campgrounds is a two lane boat ramp that offers access to the lake. There is also a sandy beach with changehouses and restrooms for those of you wanting to take a swim. On the eastern end of the park, visitors can relax at one of many shaded day-use picnic sites or the open shelter. Water enthusiasts will enjoy the sand beach on the section of the lake set aside for swimming, as well as boat rentals and supplies at the fully equipped marina. A four-lane boat launch is available near the large parking lot, which offers plenty of space for cars, trucks and boat trailers. From a boat or from the shore, Truman Lake offers some of the best fishing in the area, with crappie, black bass, catfish and white bass challenging anglers of all skill levels.

A visitor center, operated by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, is located on top of Kaysinger Bluff and offers a panoramic view of the lake. Interesting displays explain the area's history, wildlife and archaeology, as well as the practical functions of the lake.