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....

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...

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 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...

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...

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…...

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. ...

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...

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...

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...

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.  

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...

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...

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:...

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 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...

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...

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...