Lake of the Ozarks is, quite literally–a lake. Or, at least it’s a reservoir created by damming the Osage River in Central Missouri. But it’s more than a lake, it’s a lake resort area that draws millions of tourists from coast to coast to one of the Midwest's hidden gems.
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Here, you’ll find no shortage of lakeside rental homes, full experience resorts, and abundant camping options. If you’re a fan of the outdoors, particularly enjoying life on the water, you’ll find everything you need at Lake of the Ozarks.
For land-dwellers and breaks off the boat, you’ll also find plenty of restaurants, activities, and nightlife to enjoy. For locals who call the area home, the incorporated city is Lake Ozark, Missouri. But for vacationers and lakeside locals–it’s Lake of the Ozarks.
Find Family-Friendly Fun on the Water
The water is the biggest draw to Lake of the Ozarks. With a surface area covering 54,000 acres–it’s a big lake. You’ll find more than 50 marinas along the shoreline offering everything from free boat tows and discounted gas to a variety of water-friendly rentals.
For families with kids, renting a boat with a towable tube is a picture-perfect day on the water. But just in case you have something else in mind, you’ll also find:
Water Skis
Wakeboards
Kayaks
Paddleboards
Canoes
Floating Rafts
Enjoy the Views from Bagnell Dam
Bagnell Dam was constructed by Union Electric Light and Power of St Louis (now Ameren) between 1929 and 1931. At the time of construction, the dam–responsible for Lake of the Ozarks, cost $30 million to build.
Creation of the dam and the lake drowned fertile farmland and displaced residents from Linn County and Camdenton. The power company bought the land and built the dam, paving the way for a new, thriving tourist destination that would fuel an even stronger local economy.
If this is your first trip, here’s what to expect. First, the dam is massively large. It’s utilitarian in its construction so it’s not the dam itself that you’ll be impressed by, unless engineering is really your thing! There are historical marker plaques on one end and a marked sightseeing spot on the other where you can get great aerial views of the lake. Between the two, you can drive across the dam which is a pretty unique experience by itself.
Explore the Ruins of a Castle at Ha Ha Tonka State Park
There are two state parks here–Ha Ha Tonka and Ozarks State Park. While the latter is popular with those who are here to access the lake, you’ll find that Ha Ha Tonka is seemingly always busy with adventurous land explorers.
Ha Ha Tonka is known for the trail-accessible ruins of a 20th century mansion modeled after European castles. The trails also offer a variety of caves, sinkholes, and bluffs with great lake views. With only fifteen miles of hiking trails, Ha Ha Tonka can be explored in a day. There is a good mix of short trails for every skill level.
If you’re looking for an easy hike, try:
Castle Trail: a one-quarter-mile handicap accessible trail.
Oak Woodland Interpretive Trail: a one-tenth mile handicap accessible trail
For something slightly challenging, try:
Acorn Trail: Moderate hike just under one mile in length
For an adventure, try:
Turkey Pen Hollow Trail: A rugged, 6.5 mile trek.
Rent a Boat, Of Course
There is absolutely no shortage of boating options on Lake of the Ozarks. Narrow down the long list of options by
Where you’re staying
How much you want to pay
What kind of boat you’re looking for
First, decide if you want to drive your own boat, hire a captain, or take a cruise.
Boat Rentals
If you’re here to enjoy the lake with a larger group, choose a pontoon or tritoon boat that seats 8-12 people. These boats are characterized by their large floats and feel a little more like a giant raft that trolls the water rather than something with speed and agility.
Speed boats, which are obviously designed for riveting water experiences and often the top choice for tubing and skiing, can seat between 2 and 12 people depending on the size of boat.
Note: If you were born after January 1, 1984, you will need a Missouri Boating Safety Certification Card to drive a rental boat. You can obtain this license by passing a self-study boat safety exam and paying a small fee.
Popular Boat Rental Options:
Redhead Yacht Club
Bombay Boat Rental
Dirty Duck Boat Rental
Charter Boats
If you would prefer someone else to drive you around for the day, Lake of the Ozarks offers several charter options. These range from specialty experiences like chartering a European-inspired luxury yacht to everyday float boats of all sizes.
Popular Charter Options:
Skyfall
Ozarks Charter
All Out Fishing Charters
Jolly Charters
Set Sail on a Cruise
Do you prefer an all-inclusive experience, like a resort on the water? You can hit the lake on a cruise ship and enjoy dinner with an exceptional evening sunset or a narrated sightseeing lunch tour. If you’re on the lake looking for a party, try the hopper bar excursion.
Popular Cruise Options:
Celebration Cruises
Swim, Fish, Golf, or Just Relax
Where there’s water, there’s always plenty to do. Find a relaxing chair with a view of the lake, take a picnic to the beach, head out for some holes or drop a line in the water. At Lake of the Ozarks, there’s fun for everyone.
Swimming Beaches
If you’re not on a boat but still want to get in the water, Lake of the Ozarks offers two sandy swimming beaches plainly named ‘Public Beach 1’ and ‘Public Beach 2.’ The beaches at Lake of the Ozarks offer a little reprieve for landlocked Midwesterners longing for the water.
Unofficially, Public Beach 2 is also referred to as Grand Glaize Beach. It features a sandy shoreline, shallow lake waters, designated swimming, picnic areas, showers, and restrooms. It’s perfect for packing a picnic and heading to the lake, letting the kids splash in the water and play in the sand.
Fishing at Lake of the Ozarks
Anglers will find a plentiful selection of bass, paddlefish, catfish, and crappie in the lake. For bass, June is the best month to fish the Lake of the Ozarks. In July and August, hot temperatures make most species sluggish. However, with a little technique, the lake is fishable all year round.
As you might expect, the fish get a little more aggressive as the temperatures cool in the fall, providing better fishing. The only thing to take note of is that Paddlefish are highly regulated and can only be fished between March 15 and April 30.
According to the advice of experienced Lake of the Ozarks anglers, here’s a quick guide to fishing the lake all year long:
January: Blue Catfish
February: Bass
March: Paddlefish
April: Crappies
May: Bass
June: Bass
July: Catfish
August: Bass
September: Bass
October: White/Hybrid Bass
November: Black Bass
December: Crappie
Try something new, consider hiring a fishing charter to take you out on the lake.
Party on the Lake
Lake of the Ozarks is home to the iconic ‘Party Cove’ located at Anderson Hollow Cove. For more than 50 years, boaters have gathered here to have a good time. On many weekends, especially Labor Day weekend, the cove could see up to 3,000 boats. However, the legendary popularity of party cove has diminished over time. It’s still a hotspot to check out, but you’ll also find a good time at any one of the dozens of swim up bars on the lake like Backwater Jack’s, Coconuts, and Dog Day’s.
Stay Cool with Your Choice of Local Water Parks
With all of this talk about lake water, you might have forgotten that people swim in pools too. Lake of the Ozarks features several swimming pools and water parks designed to provide a traditional approach to water fun.
Family-Friendly: Enjoy Big Surf Waterpark for a traditional take on water slides, wave pools, and lazy rivers with water features designed for all ages.
Adult: Experience a new kind of fun with water-based dining and swim-up bars in one of three pools at High Tide. This venue features DJ music, popular food options, and plenty of drinks.
Book a Stay at Bear Bottom Resort
When it comes to family-friendly accommodations at Lake of the Ozarks, Bear Bottom Resort checks all the right boxes. It’s a lakeside resort with a 58-acre campus featuring rental cottages, two restaurants, three bars, an RV park, campground, two waterslides, boat slips, fuel dock, and boat ramp.
Are You Ready to Book Your Trip to Lake of the Ozarks?
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Find the perfect destination, explore other lakes in the Ozarks region.