Lake Of Many Faces
Waypoints - Lake of the Ozarks
By Sarah Pelot
May 3, 2007
Situated amid rolling hills in the heart of Missouri, Lake of the Ozarks has long been known as a
premier vacation destination. With more than 1,150 miles of scenic shoreline - more than the entire
Pacific coastline of California - this 54,000-acre lake offers limitless choices, from recreational
activities to accommodations. Ever since the lake was created in 1931 with the completion of the
Bagnell Dam and the Great Osage River Project, it has continued to grow and change each year.
Despite the hustling and bustling development, you still feel as though you're worlds away from the
rigors of life when you step foot in the Ozark mountains.
There's always something to do or see, whether you're on or off the lake. It's host to some of the
top fishing and golfing in the Midwest, including prestigious tournaments such as the Bass Masters
and the PGA Club Pro Championship. But you don't have to be a pro to enjoy the almost 300 holes of
golf the lake has to offer, or the year-round fishing of species such as crappie, catfish and
walleye.
Visit the lake area's two state parks, Ha Ha Tonka and Lake of the Ozarks State Park, for some incredible scenery. While you're there, go underground in one of the three show caves to explore the hidden beauty that lies beneath. Hiking, biking, horseback riding and bird watching are just a few of the activities that you can enjoy at the lake.
Of course, you can't visit the lake without doing some boating, and with over 100 marinas to choose from and 646 billion gallons of water in which to boat, your marine fantasies can run wild. It's no wonder over 3 million people visit the lake annually - The Lake of the Ozarks is truly a destination that provides an experience you won't forget.
MARINAS
Kelly's Port Marina. Kelly's Port is the sole recipient of the MerCruiser CSI Award in the state of Missouri. There's an Osage Beach location (573/348-4700), one at Gravois Mills (573/372-5100) and a new store on Highway 54 (573/348-3888). All three are full-service marinas with boat dealers/brokers, covered boat storage, slip rentals, pump-out service, large boat handling equipment and more. www.kellysport.com/service.asp.
MarineMax Port Arrowhead. Port Arrowhead, a marina with a 70-year heritage, recently tied the knot with MarineMax, the nation's largest recreational boating retailer. This full-service marina now offers even more resources, including boat dealers/brokers, covered boat storage, slip rentals, pump-out service, large boat handling equipment, propeller services, boat refinishing, boat hauling, a gas dock with a bait and tackle store, and Sea Rays, sport boats, cruisers and yachts. Lake Ozark (573/365-5382); Osage Beach (573/348-1299). www.portarrowhead.com.
ACCOMMODATIONS
Tan-Tar-A Resort, Golf Club & Spa. Nestled on 420 acres in Osage Beach, this three-diamond, all-inclusive resort is not only a site for endless excitement but also a haven of complete relaxation. You can stay at either the resort location or the estates complex located down the road. Kids will love the Timber Falls Indoor Waterpark and Bears Den Arcade, both of which are conveniently located at the resort, while adults can take advantage of 27 holes of golf before unwinding at the Windjammer Spa & Salon. To top it off, the resort has its own marina, so the entire family can go boating, parasailing, jet skiing and fishing. (800) TAN-TARA, www.tan-tar-a.com.
Eagle's Nest Resort. Located on 600 feet of waterfront in a cove on the west side
of the lake in Sunrise Beach, Eagle's Nest is a "mom-and-pop"-style place that's just over two
years old. Units range from contemporary duplexes to country-style lake cottages, and are fully
furnished and equipped with extra amenities. Every unit has a beautiful lake view, deck and
barbecue grill. The resort features a 100-foot no-wake zone for swimming and floating pleasure, and
two swim docks (one with a bar) with swim slides. (877) 4-LAKEFUN,
www.eaglesnestresort.net.
RESTAURANTS
Andre's Restaurant at the Lake. Andre's is truly a fine dining experience: It's not just the only restaurant at Lake of the Ozarks to feature Mediterranean cuisine, but it also features the only Certified Executive Chef at the lake, Chef Andre Torres, who's also a member of the Academy of Culinaire de France. Andre's casual upscale, three-diamond restaurant features an incredible view of the lake, but even better food, with dishes such as escargot, lobster martinis, veal, grilled pork tenderloin and filet mignon. (573) 365-2800, www.andreslakeoz.com.
Camp Bagnell Fish & Steakhouse.
The theme of Camp Bagnell's menu comes from Bagnell once being "the railroad tie capital of the world," with tie yards located where the present campground resides. Choices range from frog legs, livers and gizzards, and batter-fried asparagus to catfish fillets, smoked brisket and beer-boiled shrimp, with old-fashioned ice cream sundaes to boot. Dubbed "a true taste of the Ozarks," Camp Bagnell's historic dining on the Osage River is a fun place for the whole family. (573) 365-1000, www.campbagnell.com.
LANDMARKS
Lake of the Ozarks State Park. Many lake-area visitors don't even know about this 17,441-acre playground that lies just south of Osage Beach. Lake of the Ozarks State Park is the largest in Missouri, with 85 miles of shoreline and two public beaches, plus boat launching areas. There are nine developed trails in the park. One of the more unique trails is The Lake of the Ozarks Trail, a nine-mile, two-hour boating excursion that runs from Public Beach No. 1 (near the lake's east end) to Grand Glaize Beach. It's designed specifically for boaters, with 14 marked highlights on the trail. While visiting in the summertime, guests can escape the heat by exploring the 56-degree Ozark Caverns. (573) 348-2694, www.mostateparks.com/lakeozark.htm.
Ha Ha Tonka State Park. This scenic state park includes over 3,600 acres on the
Niangua Arm of the Lake of the Ozarks and is located five miles southwest of Camdenton. There are
eight caves and 12 hiking trails of various lengths, which take you to places such as Devil's
Kitchen and Turkey Pen Hollow. One of Missouri's largest springs is also located in the park and
feeds an average of 48 million gallons of water a day into the Niangua Arm of the lake. Also worth
visiting are the ruins of a European-style castle owned by Robert McClure Snyder, who in the early
1800s owned 5,000 acres of the land before it became a state park. (573) 346-2986,
www.mostateparks.com/hahatonka.htm.
CULTURAL
Willmore Lodge. Located just northeast of Bagnell Dam, this 6,500-square-foot historic log building was completed in 1930 by the Union Electric Co. (now AmerenUE). At the time it was built, the Adirondack-styled lodge contained all the modern conveniences of the era, such as an oil-burning furnace, a 1930 state-of-the-art cooling machine, kitchen, servant quarters, bar with an ice-making machine, and an annunciator with call buttons in each room to request service. The building is now refurbished and serves as a museum, a cultural center that holds activities such as the Lake Symphony Concerts, and a home for the offices of the Lake Area Chamber of Commerce. It's a great place to get your bearings and learn about the many faces of the lake if you're new to the area. (573) 964-1008, www.willmorelodge.com.
Mary, Mother of the Church Shrine. When Pope Paul VI designated Mary as "Mother of the Church" as part of Vatican II, a movement began in the lake community of Laurie, Mo., to establish a shrine to the mother of Jesus and mothers everywhere. The Mary, Mother of the Church Shrine was formally dedicated in 1992 on the grounds of St. Patrick's Catholic Church and is the only one of its kind in the world. A 14-foot-tall, stainless-steel statue of Mary stands in a grotto, surrounded by flowers and fountains with a waterfall running under her feet. The Mother's Wall of Life has names of mothers throughout the world, engraved in the beautiful black granite walls surrounding the sculpture of Mary. (573) 374-MARY, www.mothersshrine.org.
OUTDOOR ACTIVITIES
Golfing. The Lake of the Ozarks is renowned as the premier golf destination in America's Heartland. With more golf holes per square mile than any place in mid-America, this central Missouri resort area boasts 17 courses and 288 holes of golf set amid the lake's natural beauty. The courses are designed by golf greats such as Arnold Palmer, Tom Weiskopf, Robert Trent Jones Sr., Bruce Devlin and Robert von Hagge. www.golfingmissouri.com.
Fishing. Lake of the Ozarks might be a fantastic boating lake, but it's an even better fishing lake - as they say, "It's what's underneath the water that counts." No matter what season it is, you're sure to catch some fish. The lake is a home and practice ground for top professional bass fisherman Denny Brauer and his son Chad, as well as Guido Hibdon and his son Dion. Largemouth bass, crappie, white bass, hybrid striped bass, catfish and walleye are the main species you'll find in the lake's waters. Fishing licenses are required for everyone, except for Missouri residents over 65 and anyone under 16 years old. www.missouriconservation.org.
FAST FACTS
POPULATION: The Lake of the Ozarks area is comprised of seven communities that qualify as "small towns," including Camdenton, Eldon, Lake Ozark, Laurie, Osage Beach, Sunrise Beach and Versailles. The total population of this three-county area surrounding the lake is more than 80,000.
WEATHER: The Lake of the Ozarks is home to all four seasons, so it has a wide range of conditions and temperatures. The area gets the most snow in January through March, and the most rainfall in May and June. June through August is the hottest time of year.
TRIVIA: The Lake of the Ozarks is unique in the fact that it's the largest manmade, non-flood-controlled lake in the United States.
HISTORY: Although the lake is only seventy five years old, the area is rich in history. The Osage Indians were the first to settle in the Ozark hills, but it wasn't until a century later in the early 1800s that Lewis and Clark first described the natural wonders of the Ozarks as they explored the frontier. The Civil War, westward expansion and railroads helped develop the area long before the Osage River was dammed with the construction of Bagnell Dam in 1931. Although it was originally built by Union Electric Co. to provide hydroelectric power to their customers, the lake quickly became a significant tourist destination for the Midwest and remains so today, with more than 3 million annual visitors.
TOURIST INFO: A great resource for additional information is Central Missouri's Lake of the Ozarks Convention & Visitor's Bureau. Call (800) FUN-LAKE or visit the website at www.funlake.com. You can also contact the Tri-County Lodging Association (573/348-0111).
Photos courtesy of the Lake of the Ozarks CVB.
There's always something to do or see, whether you're on or off the lake. It's host to some of the
top fishing and golfing in the Midwest, including prestigious tournaments such as the Bass Masters
and the PGA Club Pro Championship. But you don't have to be a pro to enjoy the almost 300 holes of
golf the lake has to offer, or the year-round fishing of species such as crappie, catfish and
walleye.
Visit the lake area's two state parks, Ha Ha Tonka and Lake of the Ozarks State Park, for some incredible scenery. While you're there, go underground in one of the three show caves to explore the hidden beauty that lies beneath. Hiking, biking, horseback riding and bird watching are just a few of the activities that you can enjoy at the lake.
Of course, you can't visit the lake without doing some boating, and with over 100 marinas to choose from and 646 billion gallons of water in which to boat, your marine fantasies can run wild. It's no wonder over 3 million people visit the lake annually - The Lake of the Ozarks is truly a destination that provides an experience you won't forget.
MARINAS
Kelly's Port Marina. Kelly's Port is the sole recipient of the MerCruiser CSI Award in the state of Missouri. There's an Osage Beach location (573/348-4700), one at Gravois Mills (573/372-5100) and a new store on Highway 54 (573/348-3888). All three are full-service marinas with boat dealers/brokers, covered boat storage, slip rentals, pump-out service, large boat handling equipment and more. www.kellysport.com/service.asp.
MarineMax Port Arrowhead. Port Arrowhead, a marina with a 70-year heritage, recently tied the knot with MarineMax, the nation's largest recreational boating retailer. This full-service marina now offers even more resources, including boat dealers/brokers, covered boat storage, slip rentals, pump-out service, large boat handling equipment, propeller services, boat refinishing, boat hauling, a gas dock with a bait and tackle store, and Sea Rays, sport boats, cruisers and yachts. Lake Ozark (573/365-5382); Osage Beach (573/348-1299). www.portarrowhead.com.
ACCOMMODATIONS
Tan-Tar-A Resort, Golf Club & Spa. Nestled on 420 acres in Osage Beach, this three-diamond, all-inclusive resort is not only a site for endless excitement but also a haven of complete relaxation. You can stay at either the resort location or the estates complex located down the road. Kids will love the Timber Falls Indoor Waterpark and Bears Den Arcade, both of which are conveniently located at the resort, while adults can take advantage of 27 holes of golf before unwinding at the Windjammer Spa & Salon. To top it off, the resort has its own marina, so the entire family can go boating, parasailing, jet skiing and fishing. (800) TAN-TARA, www.tan-tar-a.com.
Eagle's Nest Resort. Located on 600 feet of waterfront in a cove on the west side
of the lake in Sunrise Beach, Eagle's Nest is a "mom-and-pop"-style place that's just over two
years old. Units range from contemporary duplexes to country-style lake cottages, and are fully
furnished and equipped with extra amenities. Every unit has a beautiful lake view, deck and
barbecue grill. The resort features a 100-foot no-wake zone for swimming and floating pleasure, and
two swim docks (one with a bar) with swim slides. (877) 4-LAKEFUN,
www.eaglesnestresort.net.
RESTAURANTS
Andre's Restaurant at the Lake. Andre's is truly a fine dining experience: It's not just the only restaurant at Lake of the Ozarks to feature Mediterranean cuisine, but it also features the only Certified Executive Chef at the lake, Chef Andre Torres, who's also a member of the Academy of Culinaire de France. Andre's casual upscale, three-diamond restaurant features an incredible view of the lake, but even better food, with dishes such as escargot, lobster martinis, veal, grilled pork tenderloin and filet mignon. (573) 365-2800, www.andreslakeoz.com.
Camp Bagnell Fish & Steakhouse.
The theme of Camp Bagnell's menu comes from Bagnell once being "the railroad tie capital of the world," with tie yards located where the present campground resides. Choices range from frog legs, livers and gizzards, and batter-fried asparagus to catfish fillets, smoked brisket and beer-boiled shrimp, with old-fashioned ice cream sundaes to boot. Dubbed "a true taste of the Ozarks," Camp Bagnell's historic dining on the Osage River is a fun place for the whole family. (573) 365-1000, www.campbagnell.com.
LANDMARKS
Lake of the Ozarks State Park. Many lake-area visitors don't even know about this 17,441-acre playground that lies just south of Osage Beach. Lake of the Ozarks State Park is the largest in Missouri, with 85 miles of shoreline and two public beaches, plus boat launching areas. There are nine developed trails in the park. One of the more unique trails is The Lake of the Ozarks Trail, a nine-mile, two-hour boating excursion that runs from Public Beach No. 1 (near the lake's east end) to Grand Glaize Beach. It's designed specifically for boaters, with 14 marked highlights on the trail. While visiting in the summertime, guests can escape the heat by exploring the 56-degree Ozark Caverns. (573) 348-2694, www.mostateparks.com/lakeozark.htm.
Ha Ha Tonka State Park. This scenic state park includes over 3,600 acres on the
Niangua Arm of the Lake of the Ozarks and is located five miles southwest of Camdenton. There are
eight caves and 12 hiking trails of various lengths, which take you to places such as Devil's
Kitchen and Turkey Pen Hollow. One of Missouri's largest springs is also located in the park and
feeds an average of 48 million gallons of water a day into the Niangua Arm of the lake. Also worth
visiting are the ruins of a European-style castle owned by Robert McClure Snyder, who in the early
1800s owned 5,000 acres of the land before it became a state park. (573) 346-2986,
www.mostateparks.com/hahatonka.htm.
CULTURAL
Willmore Lodge. Located just northeast of Bagnell Dam, this 6,500-square-foot historic log building was completed in 1930 by the Union Electric Co. (now AmerenUE). At the time it was built, the Adirondack-styled lodge contained all the modern conveniences of the era, such as an oil-burning furnace, a 1930 state-of-the-art cooling machine, kitchen, servant quarters, bar with an ice-making machine, and an annunciator with call buttons in each room to request service. The building is now refurbished and serves as a museum, a cultural center that holds activities such as the Lake Symphony Concerts, and a home for the offices of the Lake Area Chamber of Commerce. It's a great place to get your bearings and learn about the many faces of the lake if you're new to the area. (573) 964-1008, www.willmorelodge.com.
Mary, Mother of the Church Shrine. When Pope Paul VI designated Mary as "Mother of the Church" as part of Vatican II, a movement began in the lake community of Laurie, Mo., to establish a shrine to the mother of Jesus and mothers everywhere. The Mary, Mother of the Church Shrine was formally dedicated in 1992 on the grounds of St. Patrick's Catholic Church and is the only one of its kind in the world. A 14-foot-tall, stainless-steel statue of Mary stands in a grotto, surrounded by flowers and fountains with a waterfall running under her feet. The Mother's Wall of Life has names of mothers throughout the world, engraved in the beautiful black granite walls surrounding the sculpture of Mary. (573) 374-MARY, www.mothersshrine.org.
OUTDOOR ACTIVITIES
Golfing. The Lake of the Ozarks is renowned as the premier golf destination in America's Heartland. With more golf holes per square mile than any place in mid-America, this central Missouri resort area boasts 17 courses and 288 holes of golf set amid the lake's natural beauty. The courses are designed by golf greats such as Arnold Palmer, Tom Weiskopf, Robert Trent Jones Sr., Bruce Devlin and Robert von Hagge. www.golfingmissouri.com.
Fishing. Lake of the Ozarks might be a fantastic boating lake, but it's an even better fishing lake - as they say, "It's what's underneath the water that counts." No matter what season it is, you're sure to catch some fish. The lake is a home and practice ground for top professional bass fisherman Denny Brauer and his son Chad, as well as Guido Hibdon and his son Dion. Largemouth bass, crappie, white bass, hybrid striped bass, catfish and walleye are the main species you'll find in the lake's waters. Fishing licenses are required for everyone, except for Missouri residents over 65 and anyone under 16 years old. www.missouriconservation.org.
FAST FACTS
POPULATION: The Lake of the Ozarks area is comprised of seven communities that qualify as "small towns," including Camdenton, Eldon, Lake Ozark, Laurie, Osage Beach, Sunrise Beach and Versailles. The total population of this three-county area surrounding the lake is more than 80,000.
WEATHER: The Lake of the Ozarks is home to all four seasons, so it has a wide range of conditions and temperatures. The area gets the most snow in January through March, and the most rainfall in May and June. June through August is the hottest time of year.
TRIVIA: The Lake of the Ozarks is unique in the fact that it's the largest manmade, non-flood-controlled lake in the United States.
HISTORY: Although the lake is only seventy five years old, the area is rich in history. The Osage Indians were the first to settle in the Ozark hills, but it wasn't until a century later in the early 1800s that Lewis and Clark first described the natural wonders of the Ozarks as they explored the frontier. The Civil War, westward expansion and railroads helped develop the area long before the Osage River was dammed with the construction of Bagnell Dam in 1931. Although it was originally built by Union Electric Co. to provide hydroelectric power to their customers, the lake quickly became a significant tourist destination for the Midwest and remains so today, with more than 3 million annual visitors.
TOURIST INFO: A great resource for additional information is Central Missouri's Lake of the Ozarks Convention & Visitor's Bureau. Call (800) FUN-LAKE or visit the website at www.funlake.com. You can also contact the Tri-County Lodging Association (573/348-0111).
Photos courtesy of the Lake of the Ozarks CVB.
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