15 Things To Do in Fall at Stockton Lake

• muttoncreek

September 2022 ~

Fall is the perfect time to visit Stockton Lake with daytime temps warm enough to still be on the water yet cool in the evenings for roasting marshmallows around a campfire. Mornings are perfect for wildlife sightings and a stroll down a trail. Check out our new guides for dining, shopping, fall hunting, history, horseback, dirt bike, and hiking trails in the Stockton Lake area. See more experiences below.

Stockton Lake is considered one of the top sailing lakes in the country.

1. Kayak the Water Trail

During the mild fall season, it’s still warm enough during the day to enjoy paddling the lake. Stockton Lake State Park hosts the launching point for a 6.65-mile water trail skirting the perimeter of a peninsula that features several rest stops, picnic tables, and vault toilets.

The trail is blazed in blue markers and provides a safer course on the lake away from larger boats.
The shuttle to the kayak trail take-out spot takes about 5 minutes to cross over the Highway 215  to Hartley Cove beach.

2. Catch Dinner and a Show

Enjoy live entertainment on Saturday nights at No Wake Cafe’ just four miles down the road in the floating restaurant at Mutton Creek Marina. Football Sundays have been added to the line up of special events this fall.

The No Wake Cafe’ offers a full menu of appetizers, sandwiches, entrees, and more.
The live entertainment line up at No Wake continues through September and ends with a special Halloween bash on Oct. 22.
No Wake added some fall dates to their special events calendar.
Cheer on the Kansas City Chiefs with fans and friends at No Wake Cafe’ this fall.

3. Hunt on Public Land

With more than 16,500 acres of public land surrounding the shoreline, the area around Stockton Lake makes the ideal location for fall hunting and trapping. Bow season for turkeys starts Sept. 15. with firearms allowed during the month of October. Deer hunting season begins Oct. 29–30 for youth and later in November for others. Refer to the regulations from the Missouri Conservation Department for deer and turkey hunting.

Small game and gamebird hunting in fall include the following: coyote, crow, dove, fox, groundhog, opossum, pheasant, quail, woodcock, and sora and Virginia rail. Waterfowl season begins with teals during the month of September, then ducks, coots, and geese. See Missouri regulations for details and dates.

See a more complete guide to fall hunting in the Stockton Lake area here.

Although we don’t allow hunting at Mutton Creek Getaway, there’s plenty of public land nearby, more than 16,000 acres surrounding Stockton Lake.

4. Find a Pumpkin Patch

Now is the perfect time to take the family to pick out the perfect pumpkin and enjoy other fall-themed activities. Driving from southwest Missouri on I-44 toward Stotts City, for example, Country Roads Family Fun Farm features a barnyard maze, hay rides, train ride, giant bounce pillow, play area, and more. Find a pumpkin patch on your route to the Stockton Lake area.

Stockton, Mo., is home to nationally distributed Hammons Walnuts and the annual Black Walnut Festival with food, vendors, and activities.
Lockwood, just 19 miles west of the Getaway, celebrates September Days each year.
Taking about a half-hour to complete, the Nyblad Trail is an easy half-mile trail.
The Village on Main in Golden City, west of the vacation property, will host a family event on Oct.9.
The No Wake Café, just four miles from The Getaway, hosts an annual Halloween bash with live entertainment and a costume contest.

5. Rent a Pontoon

While it might be a bit chilly for water skiing and swimming, cooler days make for a pleasant cruise. Pontoons can be rented through the month of October at Mutton Creek Marina or Stockton Lake State Park. Unlike the crowded waterways of Table Rock, Lake of the Ozarks, and Beaver, the quiet alcoves of Stockton Lake provide a peaceful reprieve from the stress and bustle of everyday life.

Mutton Creek Marina is just four mile northwest of the cabin.

6. Catch Your Dinner

While Stockton Lake provides ample coves and arms for boat fishing, there are also plenty of bank areas for fishing even without a boat. Species in the lake include smallmouth bass, largemouth bass, crappie, walleye, white bass, catfish, and bluegill. 

Stockton Lake hosts several tournaments throughout the season and into fall. For more information, see the Facebook event page.

7. Hit the Trails

The Stockton Lake area has developed a modest number of  hiking, mountain biking, running, horse back riding, and kayaking trails. The closest hiking trails to the cabin are near Greenfield at Hulston Mill Trail and Corry Branch Glade as well as the three trails at Stockton State Park. Our property at Mutton Creek Getaway is bordered by a short trail to a 1800s-era cemetery. See the link for more information about area trails.

Several trails, like this one by the Stockton Lake dam and visitor’s center, are adorned with art sculptures.

8. Host a Holiday or Special Gathering

We can help take the stress out of hosting a holiday gathering. Start with a clean home, empty fridge, and plenty of seating indoors and out. The kitchen is generously stocked with equipment and staples for preparing a family meal. Let us know if you’ll be celebrating a special occasion such as a birthday or anniversary while at the cabin.

Mutton Creek Getaway is decorated for each season to set the backdrop for holiday gatherings.

9. Dine Locally

See this link for a list and description of eating establishments within a 30-mile radius of the vacation rental property.

While a few dining establishments shut down for the winter, you can still fine a variety of restaurants and cafe’s open in Autumn such as That Place on the square in Greenfield, Mo.

10. Picnic at a Park

Beach access at Ruark Bluff provides opportunity for wading on warmer days as well as picnic tables and a basketball court. Other picnic facilities and playgrounds can be found at Stockton Lake State Park and Mutton Creek. The towns of Stockton, Greenfield, and Golden City offer public parks with picnic facilities.

Playgrounds are available at Ruark Bluff, Stockton Lake State Park, and other public areas.
The Missouri Conservation Department hosts programs throughout the season at Stockton Lake State Park.

11&12. Spot Wildlife & Sip Coffee

Cool autumn mornings are perfect for sipping coffee on the covered front or back porches at Mutton Creek Getaway while watching for wildlife.  Some guests have reported seeing bobcats, deer, and squirrels. Others have heard turkeys gobbling nearby. Songbirds are ever present as well as hummingbirds until their annual migration south.


A coffee bar with various coffees, creamers, and syrup are available for guests’ morning Joe.
The game camera at Mutton Creek Getaway captures deer and other wildlife daily.
Hummingbirds are still appearing at the cabin viewable from both the front and back porches.
The covered front porch at Mutton Creek Getaway provides one of many relaxing spaces at the quiet, peaceful property.

13. Roast Some S’mores

Cool evenings set a cozy stage for relaxing around a firepit, grilling dinner, and roasting s’mores.

We provide the chairs, firepit, roasting sticks, grilling utensils, and, when available, charcoal, lighter fluid, and firewood. Bring your people and make some memories.
Add stargazing to the list of things to do at Mutton Creek Getaway. The dark skies around the lake and at the cabin provide ideal conditions for identifying constellations.
Sunsets are beautiful on the quiet, hidden gem of Stockton Lake.

14. Relax in a Hammock

If you’ve never dozed or read a book in a hammock gently swinging in a quiet, shaded space, you’re missing out.

The property at Mutton Creek Getaway features plenty of trees for hanging a provided hammock. See this video for quickly setting up a hammock:

15. Expand Your Gathering with the RV Site

An RV site is available for larger parties at an additional charge. A full hookup RV camper site with electric, water, sewer, pull-through camp site, fire pit / grill, picnic table, and trash bin are provided.

One private camping site is available for short or long-term stays.

Reserve Your Getaway

Mutton Creek Getaway can be booked for a weekend, week, or more for your own private, peaceful getaway in our full-house vacation property rental. Much more comfortable than a hotel, you’ll have a kitchen, living room, two bedrooms and bathrooms, free laundry, and free carport parking. Check availability for your personal getaway.