The northern Gulf Coast beaches on the southern margins of Louisiana, Mississippi, and Alabama are the nearest saltwater beaches to Missouri. Beaches in this region can be accessed in 10 to 12 hours by road or a few hours by plane from most points in Missouri.
In addition, there are several state parks in Missouri that have fresh water beaches along lake coasts where tourists can go boating and participate in other water sports. So, unless visiting an ocean is a stated objective, it is conceivable to visit a beach without ever leaving Missouri.
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