Finding Fireworks
The guide to a waterfront show you’ll never forget. by Tegan Pasley *This article reflects changes made after the printed edition of Shore 2025. As summer heats up at Lake of the Ozarks, the anticipation for fireworks displays ignites! Whether you’re...
Lake Of The Ozarks – 2025 Event Schedule
The Lake of the Ozarks is known for summer fun, but it truly hosts unique events year-round. As you map out your next trip to the Lake in 2025, keep these in mind and plan ahead! JANUARY Eagle Days – Jan. 4th, 2025 FEBRUARY Overland Park Boat Show – Feb....
Since Last Summer
Four big developments that will change the Lake’s landscape in 2025. by Nathan Bechtold 1. Shootout Leaves Captain Ron’s The Lake of the Ozarks Shootout moved from Shooters 21 to Captain Ron’s Bar & Grill in 2008. And in late-2024, Shootout organizers announced...
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...
Take Better Boating Photos From Your Phone
Five tips for taking photos you'll be proud to share. by Ryerson Clark, republished courtesy of BoatUS Magazine, with introduction by Nathan Bechtold A day on Lake of the Ozarks is worth photographing. But whether your photos are worth looking at is a whole different...
Pups On The Patio!
by Kate Robbins Looking for a great restaurant on the Lake of the Ozarks but want to bring your furry best friend along? Look no further than this list of dog-friendly restaurants on and off the water! On Water: Ozark Yacht Club: (outdoor seating only) 1 Mile Marker...
The Magic Dragon Tour
Explore the shore: eight must-see spots on Lake of the Ozarks. by Kate Robbins Leisurely cruising down the Lake of the Ozarks, gawking at (and sometimes critiquing!) the mansions on the shoreline is a well-loved boating pastime. But in addition to homes, the Lake’s...
Where To Buy?
You know the kind of Lake life you want, but where’s the best place for it? Lake of the Ozarks realtors know just the spot. by Kate Robbins The Lake of the Ozarks is one of the hottest real estate spots in the country. With vast waters to explore, and plenty to do...
Finding Fish Their Way
Fishermen are always angling for an edge. Some love tech, some lean on tradition, and others say it’s all about big baits. by Brent Frazee When Andy Newcomb launches his bass boat at Lake of the Ozarks, it looks like a floating computer lab, filled with the latest...
The Small Waters
Beauty and brilliance upstream: boaters are exploring the Lake above the 40MM by Deanna Wolff It’s no secret that there’s absolutely nothing better than spending the day cruising, coving, and catching fish, and converging at waterfront restaurant/bars on the Lake of...
The Lake’s Best Beer Tour
by Emily Debert The number of breweries in America is at an all-time high. In January of this year, beveragedynamics.com predicted the total number of American breweries to exceed 8,000 in the not-too-distant future. For Lake of the Ozarks residents and vacationers...
Bear Bottom Resort: Explosive Flavors & Family Fun
by Connye Griffin & LakeExpo.com On the water’s edge at the 38MM, tucked into a cove at the edge of one of the Lake’s most picturesque bluffs, sprawls a family oasis like no other. Bear Bottom Resort is renowned for a 700-foot waterslide, swim-up pool bar, live...
Paradise Found: Lake Of The Ozarks’ Tropical Restaurant Serves Caribbean Flair
by Deanna Wolff If you’re in the mood for delicious food, unique tropical drinks, and a breezy atmosphere with a spectacular Lake view, then the Paradise Tropical Restaurant and Bar on Lake of the Ozarks goes at the top of the short-list for lakefront dining this...
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...
