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 – 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...
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...
Furry First Mates! 12 Tips For Bringing Your Pup Aboard
by Emily Smith“Dog people” are their own special breed of human. To us, dogs aren’t pets - they’re family - so it’s only natural that we want to take our furry children with us wherever we go, and that includes going on boat rides. Taking your dog out on...
Find The Best Wakeboard & Wakesurf Coves At Lake Of The Ozarks: Tips From A Pro
by Sydney Liesmann The Lake of the Ozarks is known for its fantastic scenery and recreational boating; however, it may not be the first place enthusiasts consider for recreational watersports. That is about to change. Kirby Liesmann, owner of Kirby’s...
4 Drinks On The Water’s Edge & Where To Find Them
by Al Griffin & Emily Smith Nectar Of The Gods — Paradise Restaurant Paradise’s signature drink, “Nectar of the Gods,” is like a peach party in your mouth! Made of white rum, Hiram Walker Peach Schnapps, and ice-blended mango drizzled with strawberry...
Party Lake/Family Lake – 1 Day, 2 Ways
Party LakeThere’s no “right way” to party by boat at Lake of the Ozarks, other than to always designate a sober captain. The not-so-secret ingredient to a righteous party and day of hopping is all about location. The days of Party Cove are all but dead,...
2019’s Can’t-Miss Calendar Of On-Water Events
There are loads of events happening at the Lake of the Ozarks so if you find yourself wondering, “What are we doing at the Lake this weekend?” It’s because you didn’t read this first. The boating season at Lake of the Ozarks may not be year-round. But for Lake of the...
