Viral Videos From 2025
Lake of the Ozarks is the kind of place where something Insta-worthy is almost always happening, whether it’s a sunset, a fast boat, or a waterfront selfie with friends. The team at LakeExpo keeps their lens on the Lake all year long, and people can’t quit watching....
The Hillbilly Head Restored
How Cody West Rescued—Almost Lost—and Recovered a Piece of Ozarks History by Nathan Bechtold, republished with additions, from LakeExpo.com It’s fair to say Cody West is obsessed with old things. Last year, for his wife Emilee's 40th birthday, they and a small...
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. ...
The Newest, Fastest Electric Boat
In the quest for electric-powered speed on the water, a group of college students thinks they may have discovered the secret formula. by Janet Dabbs A collegiate team is attempting to design and engineer the fastest electric boat the world has ever seen. The...
Got Gotti’s Boat?
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...
Jellyfish In The Lake
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
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 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!
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
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...
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...
The ‘No-Toll’ Effect
Now that the toll’s come to an end, is it a new frontier on Shawnee Bend? by Tegan Pasley In April 2024, the last toll was collected on the Lake of the Ozarks Community Bridge, two years ahead of schedule. The end of the tolls was celebrated by residents and...
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...
Bullish On The Lake
by Nathan Bechtold, Editor One of my favorite aspects of my job: I get to talk to so many fascinating people. And over the past few years, I’ve noticed how many of these people are really bullish on Lake of the Ozarks. That’s nothing new. This place has always...
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...
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...
