Vintage Boat Tales

by Tegan Shockley Every summer weekend, the Lake of the Ozarks shines with flashy new boats, from catamarans to cruisers. But on the quieter days, a rarer breed of boater comes out to play: vintage boat owners.   The 1956 Larson Falls Flyer - Ernie Lierman  Ernie...

The Amazing Amphicar

The rare, amphibious car that cruises the Lake’s shorelines sports a fascinating back-story. by Tegan Shockley Is it a car? Is it a boat? Yes!  The Amphicar is the only civilian amphibious automobile to be mass-produced, and one resides right here at Lake of the...

The Great Loop

Boaters Tommy and Tina Osborne complete a year-long journey through salt and fresh water. by Annika Bringman & Nathan Bechtold   In a spur-of-the-moment decision in the fall of 2021, boaters Tommy and Tina Osborne decided to fulfill their decade-long dream of...

Embrace The Reputation, It’s Not Going Anywhere

Lake of the Ozarks has a reputation.   Rough water, pool bars, party coves and hot nights: it’s a party lake. Water like glass, kayaking, paddleboarding, wakesurfing, morning Waverunner rides: it’s a watersports lake. Boat races, poker runs and a powerboat scene...

Boatloads Of Memories

From the heyday of excursion boats on Lake of the Ozarks, these four may be the most beloved and nostalgic. by Nathan Bechtold; Tom Sawyer reporting by Vicki Wood; Governor McClurg story from Damming The Osage, Lens & Pen Press.  Available at...

STORIES


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Secret Caves

Cruise into the Lake’s caves you can only access by water… if you dare.   by Nathan Bechtold, with photos by Tegan Shockley As water dissolves rock, the voids left behind seem carved into the subterranean landscape by a mysterious and whimsical hand: springs,...

Wine With A View

At Shawnee Bluff Winery, sip and stay all day… or all weekend! Shawnee Bluff Winery on Bagnell Dam Boulevard, in Lake Ozark, offers a range of wine and food deliciously inspired by Northern Italy, while the amazing view of Lake of the Ozarks seals the deal as a...

Best Wake Lake!

The Lake of the Ozarks is a beloved summer hotspot for residents and visitors, and in 2023 it was voted the best lake for water sports in the country, by a USA Today readers poll. The Lake was among 20 destinations across the U.S. selected by a panel of travel experts...

Turn On The Blower!

Boat explosions after refueling happen every summer on Lake of the Ozarks. Here’s a guide for refueling safely. by Scott "Sky" Smith, republished courtesy of LakeExpo.com Safe boat refueling isn’t a no-brainer: boaters have to consider what’s unseen and take...

Papa Chubby’s!

This lakeside resort serving up Chicago-style food is a must-go and must-stay this season! by Kate Robbins/LakeExpo Staff Chicago-style cuisine on Lake of the Ozarks? Boaters can find the best of the Windy City at Papa Chubby’s Lakeside Resort. With their lakeside...
The Family Resort Revival

The Family Resort Revival

Something remarkable is happening to the Lake’s lodging scene: old family resorts are coming alive again. by Tegan Shockley, Deborah Wolfe, and Nathan Bechtold In the first few decades after Bagnell Dam was completed (in 1931), the Lake mostly drew anglers, coming to...

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A Nauti Makeover

A Nauti Makeover

Nauti Renovations transforms boats with flooring that looks downright amazing. by Kate Robbins   Since 2018, Nauti Renovations has been the exclusive dealer of AquaTraction in Missouri and the surrounding areas. During that time, Erica and Rick Butkovich have...

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The Ceramic Difference

The Ceramic Difference

Midwest Coating Solutions helps boats shine like never before. by Adrienne Brown It’s a growing trend at the Lake: the application of a ceramic coating to boat surfaces, including the paint job, glass, and lights. Midwest Coating Solutions owner Alex Baum explains the...

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GUIDES


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The Blob!

These strange, jelly-donut-looking blobs are some of the Lake’s most curious critters. And when you spot one, it’s a good sign. by  Nathan Bechtold "What is that blob floating in the Lake?” It's a common question every summer, and it has an easy answer. While Lake of...

Best Wake Lake!

The Lake of the Ozarks is a beloved summer hotspot for residents and visitors, and in 2023 it was voted the best lake for water sports in the country, by a USA Today readers poll. The Lake was among 20 destinations across the U.S. selected by a panel of travel experts...

Papa Chubby’s!

This lakeside resort serving up Chicago-style food is a must-go and must-stay this season! by Kate Robbins/LakeExpo Staff Chicago-style cuisine on Lake of the Ozarks? Boaters can find the best of the Windy City at Papa Chubby’s Lakeside Resort. With their lakeside...

The Ceramic Difference

Midwest Coating Solutions helps boats shine like never before. by Adrienne Brown It’s a growing trend at the Lake: the application of a ceramic coating to boat surfaces, including the paint job, glass, and lights. Midwest Coating Solutions owner Alex Baum explains the...
Paradise Found: Here, Every Day Is A Tropical Vacation

Paradise Found: Here, Every Day Is A Tropical Vacation

by Kate Robbins, photos by Lake Shots Photography The name says it all at Paradise! Perfectly positioned on the 24 Mile Marker, this waterfront bar hits the spot with a tropical “vacation” ambiance and ample tasty food and drink options. (Bonus: fill up with the...

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