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Editor’s Note: Building A Legacy

Sometime around 1940, Grandpa bought a couple hundred acres from Great-Grandpa Brown, just a stone’s throw from the Osage River. He and Grandma built a house, raised four boys, tilled the rocky land for a garden and ran pigs and cows in the fields and forests. They’re...

The Lake’s Most Desirable Neighborhood Is Growing… Again

The Villages at Shawnee Bend began as a vast, nearly inaccessible woodland on the west side of Lake of the Ozarks. Tom Biggs, along with the help of Dale and Lorraine Perkinson, began the development in the 1990s. “I vividly remember surveying the property with my dad...

What’s New On The Water

Shopping for a boat in 2026? Here’s what to look for. by Tegan Pasley There is always something new on the horizon, and boaters at Lake of the Ozarks have lots to look forward to with the latest line-up in 2026. Whether it’s a luxury yacht, sleek tritoon, or fast...

On The Horizon

by Nathan Bechtold The Lake’s skyline is changing. Among the abundant, rolling hills and sheer cliffs, several prominent developments are rising, as crews labor on some of the biggest projects this place has ever seen. Here’s what’s on the horizon for 2026 and beyond…...

Boat Gas 24/7/365

Need boat gas after hours (or in the winter)? We found three spots to get it. From October to April, cold weather imposes the “offseason” at Lake of the Ozarks. And as fall turns to winter, many marinas close or operate with reduced hours until the spring. ...

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Got Gotti’s Boat?

Featured, Stories

When Shane Quam started digging into the history of his Fountain ICBM powerboat, he found connections to a dark past… by Tegan Pasley Sleek. Fast. And blood-red. Shane Quam's 1987 Fountain is the kind of boat that turns heads. And this powerboat has a...

STORIES

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Jellyfish In The Lake

by Adrienne Brown | August 11, 2025 | Featured, Stories | 0 Comments

Every August, with waters warmed by the summer sun, a creature begins to emerge in Lake of the Ozarks that most folks never suspected was there. It's a jellyfish. July, August, and September are the most common months to spot the tiny freshwater...

Shootout Poker Run 2024 Photos

by Adrienne Brown | August 8, 2025 | Featured, Stories | 0 Comments

It’s one of the biggest go-fast gatherings at the Lake. This year’s Poker Run is set for Friday, Aug. 22, 2025. Here’s a look at last year’s fun.

Lake of the Ozarks ~ The Great Unwind

by Adrienne Brown | July 2, 2025 | Featured, Stories | 0 Comments

By J.B. Simpson There’s nothing quite like the eve of the boating season — the anticipation of warm days to come. It matters not your favorite boating endeavor: sunrise fishing, morning waverunner runs, wake surf, powerboating for distance, afternoon...

Celebs Spotted!

by Adrienne Brown | May 5, 2025 | Featured, Stories | 0 Comments

From musicians to TV stars, it’s not uncommon for a celeb to be seen enjoying themselves on Lake of the Ozarks. Here’s a peek at a few who’ve been spotted over the years. by Tegan Pasley The scenic Lake of the Ozarks may sit in Central Missouri, but that hasn’t...

Bringing In The Big Boats

by Adrienne Brown | April 10, 2025 | Featured, Stories | 0 Comments

Through seas, rivers and highways, Ernie Dampier’s team knows what it takes to get yachts to Lake of the Ozarks. by Nathan Bechtold Whenever someone needs a huge boat hauled to Lake of the Ozarks, Ernie Dampier’s name comes up. It’s an incredibly difficult job:...

The One That Got Ate

Few people can say they’ve had a $100,000 meal. A couple of fellas on an Ozarks dock had one last year. by Nathan Bechtold, republished from LakeExpo.com The Big Bass Bash, held twice a year on Lake of the Ozarks, draws thousands of anglers all hoping to catch...

The Rise & Fall of Fort of the Osage

The unlikely beginnings, exhilarating journey, and mysterious end of a legendary Lake of the Ozarks amusement park. by Nathan Bechtold The first-ever amusement park at Lake of the Ozarks, Fort of the Osage Family Fun Park began — as so many ideas do — on a bar...

Lightning Rods

Are Tesla Cybertrucks a glimpse into the future of boat towing? by Nathan Bechtold & Janet Dabbs In the summer of 2024, a new truck began turning heads on roads across the country: the Tesla Cybertruck. Everyone — literally 100% of the population — has an...

GUIDES

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When You Can’t Go Boating

It’s only boating weather half the year. Here’s what to do for the other half. While Lake of the Ozarks is a paradise built for warm weather, there are myriad ways to enjoy every season, even the cold ones! Here are a few ideas for what to do when it’s too...

Lake of the Ozarks 2026 Event Schedule

Summer gets most of the attention at Lake of the Ozarks, and for good reason. But there are unique events held here year-round that you should keep in mind, whether you’re a year-round resident or thinking of visiting in the cooler months! Here’s a month-by-month look...

Digging In The Dirt… & Rock

From Foundations To Driveways, Lake West Excavating Can Dig It! by Adrienne Brown Lake of the Ozarks has seen an influx of new residents in the past few years, and as a result, the construction industry has boomed. Families and individuals itching to get out of the...

Fiberglass Magic!

The brilliant team behind Marine Fiberglass & Gelcoat truly makes boats shine. by Adrienne Brown A summer well-spent at the Lake can take its toll on a boat’s hull, with scrapes, scratches, nicks, or worse! Whether it’s fiberglass or gelcoat repair, bottom...

Roofers Who Stand Behind Their Work: Danner Roofing

by Christine Dean You can’t live long with a leaky roof. That drip-drip-dripping and the knowledge that the problem gets worse with every rainstorm… The only question is: who to call? A third-generation roofing company, Danner Roofing and Construction doesn’t...

American Sun Control Makes Outdoor Spaces Cooler

by Adrienne Brown Living at the Lake of the Ozarks means plenty of fun in the sun. But while time on the Lake involves catching some rays, you don’t want to be sun-blasted every time you step outside your home. American Sun Control specializes in creating a perfect...

To Build An Oasis

It’s the first project of its kind at Lake of the Ozarks: the development of a massive entertainment complex and Marriott hotel & conference center in Osage Beach. Developer Jeff Tegethoff shared some enlightening numbers behind the project. Oasis at...