Big Lake is a favorite spot in northwest Missouri for boating and fishing, and a boat launch is available in the park. Picnic tables dot the shoreline, nestled under cottonwood and walnut trees. An open picnic shelter with electricity can be reserved for various functions. A swimming pool, with hot showers and a changehouse, is located near the modern two-story motel overlooking the lake. Eight housekeeping cabins along the shore include air conditioning, fireplaces and screened-in porches.
Visitors can enjoy eating at the park's restaurant, which offers a scenic view of the lake.
In 1989, the Missouri Department of Natural Resources took another step in its mission of preserving the best remnants of Missouri natural landscapes when it purchased almost 300 acres of wetlands adjacent to the lake. This nearly quadrupled the size of Big Lake State Park, and added a major wetland ecosystem to the park system. Big Lake State Park now contains the biggest single marsh in all of Missouri's state parks. Wetlands, one of the world's most productive environments, are becoming increasingly scarce. They provide necessary stopovers for migratory waterfowl and other birds as well as offering abundant shelter for a variety of wildlife.