Cabin Rentals & Things to Do in Tightwad, MO
Tightwad is a small unincorporated community on Hwy 7 just east of Clinton — best known for Hickory Hollow Resort's 40 acres of cabins and RV sites and for having one of the most memorable town names in Missouri.
About the area
Tightwad sits on Hwy 7 just east of Clinton, tucked into the woods near the heart of Truman Lake. Hickory Hollow Resort (40 acres, 17 cabins + 86 RV sites) is the anchor — and the town name alone is worth a stop.
Local intel
Tightwad is more of a community than a town — a few hundred residents, one bank that's the most-photographed building in the area, a country store, and surrounding woods on the Hwy PP corridor leading into the Tightwad/Iconium backwaters. The post-office sign is a roadside attraction. The real reason to base here is the cabin density: Hickory Hollow Resort + multiple smaller operators sit in the woods 5-15 minutes from Bucksaw Marina to the north and Long Shoal to the east. Truman Lake Opry on the south side is a working country-music venue (check schedule before visiting). The Hwy PP coves are some of the quietest water on the entire reservoir.
Things to do
- Hickory Hollow Resort — 40 acres of woods with 17 cabins and 86 RV sites
- Tightwad Bank (the town's most-photographed building)
- Truman Lake Opry — working country music venue
- Easy drive to Bucksaw Resort and Long Shoal Marina
- Quiet-cove fishing on the Grand Arm
- Hwy PP backwater coves (some of the lake's quietest)
- Day-trip to Clinton's historic square (15 min)
The woods-backed coves off Hwy PP hold crappie and bass well into summer. The Hwy PP arm gets significantly less traffic than the main body. Bucksaw and Long Shoal are the closest full-service marinas for gear and launches. Talley Bend ramp is 15 minutes south for boaters who want to skip the marina line on weekends.
Launch ramps & marinas
- • Bucksaw Resort & Marina (15 min north)
- • Long Shoal Marina (20 min east)
- • Berry Bend (USACE, 20 min)
- • Talley Bend (USACE, 15 min south)
Where to eat
- • Country store snacks on the way through
- • Clinton (15 min) — Ben Franklin Bistro, Primitive Olde Crow
- • Warsaw (25 min) — Hill-Top BBQ, Drunken Minnow
- • Bucksaw Resort dining (in season)
Where to gear up
Bait, tackle, gas, groceries, and the practical stuff.
- • Tightwad country store (snacks, basics)
- • Bucksaw Resort gear shop (15 min)
- • Tebo Creek Bait + Tackle (Clinton, 15 min)
- • Casey's in Clinton or Warsaw
