Where you get to spend quality time with friends and nature.
About Murphy Lakes
Are you looking for a unique way to celebrate a birthday, wedding, family reunion,
company retreat, fathers day or anniversary? Need a quiet outdoor campground centrally
located in the U.S. for any type of get together? Want to go someplace different for
your anniversary or holiday weekend? Murphy Lakes is a safe place for bachelor-bachelorette
parties where a group can get loud & crazy without bothering the neighbors or driving home
afterwards and placing the public at risk. Perhaps you are a sportsman, seeking that ideal,
out of the way fishing hole or hunting ground in Mid-Missouri. Maybe you just need a break,
someplace to "get away from it all?" Murphy lakes hosts school picnics, graduation parties,
church retreats, scouts, company picnics, and friends for get togethers. Murphy lakes is
the perfect place for quality time with friends and family without the interruptions.
Purchased in different parcels, Murphy Lakes was established approximately 1875. The original
barn now includes four old stalls for livestock and creative rooms for guests to stay. Mark
Murphy Sr., the original telegraph operator in Higbee, MO embarked into farming, ranching, timber
and oil industry along with a hardware store in Higbee where Casey's convenient store now stands.
In 1905 coal mining on the property led to the construction of lakes for fishing, a railroad
spur for hauling coal and timber, and a log cabin built for small parties. Mark Charles Murphy,
a pilot, a Flying Tiger, and congressional medal of honor recipient continued some, but not all
of the original businesses at Murphy Lakes. When the livestock disappeared and the final two
lakes were formed around 1975, Murphy Lakes became more oriented towards nature experiences,
primarily hunting and fishing. In 1996 the Alongi family, from Columbia, MO, purchased the
property from Mark Murphy's widow and began uniquely restoring the existing buildings, main
roads, bridges, and timber trails on the property. The forming of M.O.R.E. Club allows members
to leave their personal trailers, boats, RV's, and sporting equiptment on the property to be
shared by others. Currently, the club operates the remaining parcel of Murphy Lakes under the
guidance and consultation with the Missouri Dept. of Conservation and Howard County FSA and USDA
office.
Anyone coming to Murphy Lakes for the first time will discover a fully functioning ranch and
farm with crops, CRP, timber, livestock, lakes, ponds, and a creek that divides the property
diagonally. Do not expect to find hedges trimmed like dinosaurs or camels and monkeys. There
are no bill-boards or signs directing you there. In fact, most people get lost in the country
due to lack of cell phone reception trying to find the property. Three roads, one mile long m/l
bring you into the area where most of the buildings are located. Leave the low-rider Corvette
and Lincoln Continental at home. The ever-improving roads and scary bridge will guide one in
depending on the size of the vehicle and creek conditions during high rains. Do not expect edged
concrete lawns and paved roads. Everywhere can be found "road apples" from horses and goat
droppings so leave your high-heels at home. The unique visit and stay is worth all the trouble
to get there. The horse-drawn carriage tour of the main facilities(approx. 2 1/2 hours) will
only touch on the attractions. Along the way to our unique three lodges, rec. center, and
primitive island facilities our guests will be offered to take turns driving the carriage. The
combination of old and new facilities keeps the original rustic charm, yet allows one free
long-distance, high-speed internet, and 50 pay movie channels. The outdoor experience and
uniqueness of this club operated property can't be found elsewhere. Limited residences add
to the unique serenity and wildlife experiences.
Bring your horse, mountain bike, or hiking shoes and enjoy ten miles +/- of trails.
Our horse trails are natural, not chad covered. There are several creek crossings and
bluff rides along our eight lakes and several ponds. Trails are closed during hunting
seasons. Murphy Lakes Outdoor Recreation and Enjoyment Club sponsors two organized trail
rides annually. The frost-bite trail ride is always on the last weekend of February.
The Summer Celebration ride + barn dance is always held on the first weekend of summer. At both trail
rides, guests may sell anything equine related new or used (art, horses, tack, services, etc.)
At dinner we swap equine training techniques. Additionally once a year we host a wagon trail
ride across the ranch and around Hungry Mother. Horse riders are welcome. Our horses
are available for carriage rides and limited horse rides at certain times. We often offer
to teach guests to drive our horse-drawn carriages. Additionally, tractor-pulled scenic
hay-rides are avaiable. The unique barn/rec. center/dance floor is available
for guests or private rentals.
Historic Murphy Lakes is located near Higbee, Missouri. Higbee is between Moberly, Columbia, Fayette and Clark. Murphy Lakes is located between two State Parks- Rudolph Bennett and Hungry Mother Wildlife Areas.
All VISITS TO MURPHY LAKES MUST BE DONE ON A RESERVATION BASIS. OUR GUESTS AND MEMBERS DO NOT APPRECIATE DROP-INS TO VIEW THE FACILITIES WITHOUT A PRIOR APPOINTMENT.
With only three creative motels, one island shelter and twelve RV hookups, we try to offer privacy for our clients instead of the typical noisy and overcrowded campgrounds. Viewing the premises must be done on an appointment basis only or it could be considered trespass. If parties intend to be staying up late in the evening we must be able to inform the other guests in advance.
Need an inexpensive hall to have a group catered, or just to be used as a dance floor? We have a hayloft-dancefloor converted for just such events. Unique single dwellings to stay at, few RV hookups or a drive on an island are perfect for a fun private getaway.
Murphy Lakes
- No crowds
- No pollution
- No Traffic or Noise
- We have 400 total Acres m/l (265 Wooded, 65 Water, remainder in field's and pastures).
- 8 lakes - canoes, paddle-boats, V-bottom, and John boats available (No gas motors)
- Members and guests may bring or leave their own boats, no trolling motors supplied.
- There is a 60 foot plank bridge.
- Food plots for game.
- Members and guests may bring or leave their own boats, no trolling motors supplied.
| Rental Packages and Rates **All rates per person** | ||
|---|---|---|
| Lodging Rates Red House or H. Honeymoon Hayloft | Fisherman | Non-Fishing Guests |
| Weekend Rate (Fri-Sun 1, 2, or 3 days) | $90/adult, $45/age 7-17 | $30/adult, $15/age 7-17 |
| Week-day Rate (Mon-Thurs 2 days, 1 night) | $45/adult, $22.50/age 7-17 | $30/adult, $15/age 7-17 |
| Entire Family Week Vacation Package | call for pricing | call for pricing | Lodging Rates for Higbee Hill-Ten (Log Cabin), Tenting, or RV + Hookups | Fisherman | Non-Fishing Guests |
| Weekend Rate | $70/adult, $35/age 7-17 | $30/adult, $15/age 7-17 |
| Week-day Rate | $70/adult, $35/age 7-17 | $15/adult, $7.50/age 7-17 |
| Hunting Rates | Entire Season | Weekend Rate |
| Deer Season Gun | call for pricing | call for pricing |
| Archery Season | call for pricing | call for pricing |
| Muzzle-loader Season | call for pricing | call for pricing |
| Combination | call for pricing | call for pricing |
| Spring or Fall Turkey | call for pricing | call for pricing |
| Rabbit and Predator Hunting | call for pricing | call for pricing |
| Other Services | Per-Person rate | Group Rate |
| Rec. Center Rental | call for pricing | call for pricing |
| Goat Island | call for pricing | call for pricing |
| Carriage Tour | $15/adult, $7.50/age 7-17 | call for pricing |
| Bon-fire by the Lake | call for pricing | call for pricing |
| Scenic Hay Rides | call for pricing | call for pricing |
