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...
Malted Monkey: Ropes Course, Zany American Cuisine, And Milkshakes. What A Combo!
by Ariel Kralina - photos by Lake Shots Photography It’s one of the most popular and exhilarating attractions on the Bagnell Dam Strip, and it’s perfect for every age. Malted Monkey means swingin’, climbin’ fun, and delicious American cuisine with a twist, too. George...
It’s Raining! How To Keep Your Weekend At The Lake From Becoming A Washout
So you’ve arrived at Lake of the Ozarks… and it’s raining. Never fear! A curveball from Mother Nature shouldn’t ruin your long-awaited Lake of the Ozarks vacation. And it doesn’t have to: there’s plenty of fun off the water! Here are some activities around the Lake...
Hit These Top Lake Of The Ozarks Surf Shops For That Perfect Wakesurfing Setup
by Nathan Bechtold & Kate Robbins Whether you’re the “nice and easy” wakesurfing type, or a “dude watch this” wakeboarder (or something in between), you know: good gear is a must. Thankfully, Lake of the Ozarks has top-notch surf shops with bro-favorite brands and...
Dock Safety Checklist! Use This When Powering Up For The Season
Power to the dock is a necessity for Lake life, but electricity and water don’t mix. We asked local electricians what advice they’d give homeowners when it comes to their dock electricity. Grab your phone and snap a photo of the checklist below. Keep it handy, to keep...
Neon Taco Hits The Spot, In Bold Style
THE Dam Taco Bar! by Ariel Kralina - photos by Lake Shots Photography With an eye-catching neon pink exterior, it’s hard to miss Neon Taco whether you’re on the Strip, or on the water! Located right next to Bagnell Dam — at the 0 Mile Marker by water, and 1076 Bagnell...
Wild & Delicious Things To Order At Tucker’s Shuckers On The Strip
by Kate Robbins “Let’s go to Tucker’s!” You’ll hear that phrase ringing around Lake Ozark just before lunch and dinner, as Tucker's Shuckers Oyster & Tap has become a staple for casual, delicious dining at the Lake. Tucker’s raised the bar for dining on the Strip...
Shorty Pants! A Trip To The Bayou On Lake Of The Ozarks
Shorty Pants Lounge cooks up food and fun with a Cajun twist by Deborah Wolfe Tucked away in a gentle cove on Lake of the Ozarks’ 22MM, the Creole-influenced Shorty Pants restaurant has been a favorite among Lake locals and visitors for more than 15 years. The sound...
Franky And Louie’s: Key West Of The Midwest, At Lake Of The Ozarks
by Deborah Wolfe Palm trees and sandy beaches might not be the first things that come to mind when you think of the Lake of the Ozarks, but visitors to Franky and Louie’s Beachfront Bar and Grill at the 10-mile marker will find a tropical paradise lush with beachside...
Yo Ho Ho! Captain Ron’s Is The Perfect Port For Pirates Young & Old On Lake Of The Ozarks
by Emily Debert Whether ye be an old salt, sea dog, or a mere scallywag, Captain Ron's has something for every pirate at the Lake! Captain Ron's, owned by Ron Duggan, opened up in November 2006 and boasts 700 feet of Lakefront, two beaches, and a sand volleyball court...
Redhead Lakeside Grill: Where Captains Keep Their Crew Happy
by Mike Kircher I have been a U.S. Coast Guard licensed captain at Lake of the Ozarks for 5 years. In that short time, I have learned that boat charters at the Lake are about more than just driving a boat. I am navigator (nobody knows where they are), tour guide, and...
Dog Days All Summer Long, At Lake Of The Ozarks
by Sara Halverson Home of the cove-out music festival AquaPalooza, the White Party, and one of the coolest-looking pools and swim-up bars at the Lake, Dog Days Bar and Grill sits on the 19 MM just west of the Grand Glaize bridge. While it’s easily found by land and...
Jolly Rogers + The Kraken Shack: 2 Legendary Dining Experiences In 1 Lakefront Location
by Deanna Wolff When you work like a captain, you need to play like a pirate. Lake of the Ozarks boaters can “get their pirate on” at Jolly Rogers Grub & Grog and The Kraken Shack, Fresh Seafood and Oyster Bar, in Rocky Mount – two terrific restaurants at one...
1932 Reserve: Chef-Inspired Lakefront Dining
Seasonal dishes, creative cocktails, and upscale-casual with a lake view. by Nathan Bechtold An evening on the Lake can be anything you want it to be, but when it comes to an elevated waterfront dining experience, there’s only one place: 1932 Reserve. Formerly a...
Summer Vacation For Fish
Lake of the Ozarks’ busy summer gives anglers a unique advantage for the rest of the year. by Brent Frazee It’s a mid-summer day, and Lake of the Ozarks has become one giant boat show. Cruisers throw off giant wakes, jet skiers cut across the choppy water, boats...
Boating Rules: A Crash Course For Avoiding A Crash
Driving a boat feels like freedom. But that doesn’t mean there are no rules; here are five tips boaters would do well to remember. by Nathan Bechtold & Al Griffin Appoint A Sober Captain It’s obvious. It’s so obvious, and the message gets beaten into our heads...
Ouch! The Most Common Boating Injuries (And How To Avoid Them)
Treating Lake visitor injuries for decades, the doctors at Lake Regional have seen a thing or two… by Anita Harrison/Lake Regional Health System When Lake of the Ozarks is busy, that means Lake Regional's Emergency Department is preparing for nonstop action. During...
1 Day, 2 Ways: Wake Lake / Paddle Lake
Whether you’re riding a wave or paddling a cove, these are the best spots. by Emily Debert & Nathan Bechtold WAKE LAKE Wake sports demand just the right spot: quiet water without heavy boating traffic, so the boat driver delivers a perfect wake and the...
Wakeboarding: The Ultimate How-To Guide For Newbies
Teaching hundreds of kids to wakeboard every year, Kirby’s School of Wake has a few tips on learning for the first time. by Sydney Liesmann It’s another weekend at the Lake with friends and family, and wakeboarding sounds like just the thing after several fun tubing...
Gaining An Edge On Props: FJ Propeller Midwest’s High-Tech Shop
Every good propeller starts with a pro by Deanna Wolff Racing boats is about precision, so keeping a performance boat in tip-top condition is essential. When it comes to propellers, even the slightest fault in a prop blade can mean a 10-15 percent decrease in...
Take The Wake
Handle choppy water like a pro. by Brent Simpson It’s the cavitation of fun on the most popular recreational Lake: The Wake. It inspires the adventurous boater and the ire of those yearning for calm waters of yesteryear at Lake of the Ozarks. The ‘Wake’ today is...
Pulled, Powered, Paddled: The Wake Of Watersports
A Brief History Of Watersports by Christy Wagner What is it that brings outdoorsmen and women alike back to the Lake of the Ozarks every weekend, from Memorial Day to Labor Day, rain or shine? What is it that draws these like-minded souls to commute for hours on end,...
Fat Polly’s at the Lodge at Port Arrowhead is Smokin’ Hot
article by Deanna Wolff Can shrimp be beautiful? They can if they’re prepared by Chef Scott and lovingly nestled on his perfectly-cooked Cajun Penne Pasta, alongside andouille sausage, grilled chicken, colorful bell peppers and onions in a zesty cream sauce. Served...
Fishing 12 Months A Year On The Lake
There’s no off-season for fishermen here. by Brent Frazee From January through December, something’s always biting on Lake of the Ozarks. The only reason not to wet a line is if there’s too much lightning, too much ice, or too much work! That’s what I’ve found in my...
Boating 12 Months A Year — 2020 On The Lake
If you find yourself wondering, “What are we doing at the Lake this weekend?”, it’s because you didn’t read this first. by Emily Debert The boating season at Lake of the Ozarks may not be year-round. But for Lake of the Ozarks boaters, there’s something to enjoy as...
Can Boat-Buyers Avoid Paying Sales Tax?
Boaters who’ve heard about no-sales-tax states, such as Delaware or Oregon, wonder if they could eliminate sales tax on a boat purchase if they simply buy a boat there. The answer is yes – but only if they use their boat in those states. Generally, boaters have to pay...
The Go-Fast Scene: Lake Of The Ozarks Is The Center Of Speed
All motion, Einstein tells us, is relative. A mach-speed fighter pilot outstrips the rat race on the highway far below. There white-knuckling drivers jockey for position, darting at speeds measured in single miles per hour. Everything, though, must seem...
