The Lake of the Ozarks in Missouri welcomes more than 5 million visitors every year, boasting an astonishing shore length of 1,150 miles! Along that absurdly long shoreline, small towns like Osage Beach and Lake Ozark welcome their annual vacationers eagerly replete with restaurants, vacation homes, great fishing spots, and bar scenes. Between Memorial Day and Labor Day, the highest surge of tourists, the Lake of the Ozarks welcomes about 3.5 million tourists.
The lake, which was referred to as Lake Osage or Osage Reservoir for the “Osage Hydroelectric Plant.”, the Dam which was instrumental to the lake’s birth as the largest man-made lake at the time it was filled. Construction started on the Bagnell Dam that holds back the mighty Lake of the Ozarks in 1929 and was completed in 1931 at the height of the Great Depression. It almost immediately became a massive tourist destination, a welcome respite for central Missouri, still reeling from the dustbowl.
The Missouri Lake That Puts Malibu To Shame
Check out some awesome facts about this man-made paradise in the midst of the Ozarks from our friends at rallyislife.com
Missouri’s most popular lake destination features more than 1,150 miles– that’s more shoreline than the coast of California. The Lake of the Ozarks offers access to public beaches, great fishing, and plenty of room for fun and recreation on the water.
Cities around the Lake of the Ozarks offer hundreds of dining and lodging options. Abundant recreation activities include, among other things: golf, horseback riding, boat excursions, wineries, airplane and helicopter tours, ziplines, spas and shopping.
Marinas and rental services offer a variety of choices, ranging from a pontoon boat to fishing boats, ski boats to houseboats and personal watercraft.
Below are a few of the Lake of the Ozarks attractions that you won’t want to miss during your visit (via The lodge at port arrowhead):
For Nature Lovers: Ha Ha Tonka State Park
If you book a stay at the Lodge of Port Arrowhead, you’ll be only a short drive away from Missouri’s 12th largest spring. Ha Ha Tonka State Park boasts other natural beauty too that you can explore via its 15 miles of hiking trails.
Sinkholes, caves, and castle ruins are all for view at the park. Visitors can enjoy a wide variety of activities from biking to swimming to fishing. Campers are also invited to enjoy the park’s campsites.
Bridal Cave
For experienced cave-explorers and families alike, Bridal Cave is an amazing place to get a taste of the amazing sights that caverns have to offer. Take an hour-long guided tour through the caves, which remain a comfortable 60° year-round. They even offer lantern tours to show visitors what cave exploration was like before electric lights were available.
Lake of the Ozarks Attractions for Wine Lovers: Seven Springs Winery
Seven Springs Winery is one of the best Lake of the Ozarks attractions for visitors who want to relax with a glass of their favorite wine. Seven Springs also offers sangrias and microbrew beers for those not keen on wine.
The winery offers tastings daily, and no reservations are required. You can also enjoy a bite from their lunch or dinner menu. It’s the perfect place to enjoy the scenery, as they also host live music on the weekends during the spring and summer months!
Osage Beach
Osage Beach is only about a 10-minute drive south of Lake of the Ozarks, and it’s the perfect place to spend a day during your visit. If you want to spend some vacation money, check out the Osage Beach Outlet Marketplace. They offer savings on big brand names and a large selection of shops.
For an outdoor experience, stop by Lake of the Ozarks State Park. It’s Missouri’s largest park, and swimmers and boaters alike will be happy to hear that it offers 85 miles of shoreline to enjoy. Its location is extremely convenient—enjoy an afternoon swimming then take a quick drive back to the Lodge of Port Arrowhead to clean up and enjoy a bite to eat!
Always an Adventure
No matter your interests, there are interesting Lake of the Ozarks attractions for everyone. Making the Lodge at Port Arrowhead your home base during your stay gives you easy access to a variety of exciting activities in the area.
