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...
Turn On The Blower!
Boat explosions after refueling happen every summer on Lake of the Ozarks. Here’s a guide for refueling safely. by Scott "Sky" Smith, republished courtesy of LakeExpo.com Safe boat refueling isn’t a no-brainer: boaters have to consider what’s unseen and take...
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 Family Resort Revival
Something remarkable is happening to the Lake’s lodging scene: old family resorts are coming alive again. by Tegan Shockley, Deborah Wolfe, and Nathan Bechtold In the first few decades after Bagnell Dam was completed (in 1931), the Lake mostly drew anglers, coming to...
A Nauti Makeover
Nauti Renovations transforms boats with flooring that looks downright amazing. by Kate Robbins Since 2018, Nauti Renovations has been the exclusive dealer of AquaTraction in Missouri and the surrounding areas. During that time, Erica and Rick Butkovich have...
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...
$100,000 From Grandpa’s Honey Hole
Brock Boyher’s Big Bass Bash story has it all: underdog, nostalgia, drama, a hailstorm, and in the end: victory. by Kate Robbins You’ve never heard a fish story like this one. On his very first cast at his very first tournament, Brock Boyher won the 2023 Spring Big...
Whimsy & Nostalgia! The Aquarama Mermaid Show From Lake Of The Ozarks’ Past
by Nathan Bechtold Long ago—when The Clown was the best waterfront restaurant around, the Ozark Opry was roaring, and Tan Tar A had a ski resort—at Lake of the Ozarks had a mermaid show. The Lake’s tourism “golden age” produced plenty of zany attractions, but Aquarama...
High Tide: The Adults-Only Club, Lake Of The Ozarks Style
The adults-only club where pool bars abound and the music blasts after dark. by Kate Robbins Just up the road from RedHead Lakeside Bar and Grill, High Tide is bringing a beach club vibe to the 21 mile marker. This poolside bar is always a party. After dark, the Night...
Franky & Louie’s Brings Those Tropical Vibes
by Ariel Kralina, photos by Brad Glidewell On the Lake of the Ozarks 10 Mile Marker, Franky and Louie’s offers live music and fun games with a white sand beach for the family to enjoy. The kitchen staff clearly loves crafting a delicious and memorable experience, and...
Throwback! The Lake Looked GOOD In The 70s & 80s
Ski shows, fast boats, and the Shootout is born by Al Griffin & Nathan Bechtold 1970s: The Ski Show Era The 1970s was the heyday of ski shows at Lake of the Ozarks; meanwhile behind the scenes, innovators and entrepreneurs were shaping the future of family...
The Toll Bridge: A Bold Dream That Changed The Lake Of The Ozarks Forever
The Community Bridge turned a lot of “nowhere” into one of Lake of the Ozarks’ hottest housing frontiers. by Nathan Bechtold Not very many years ago — in the early 1990s — the area of the Lake that is now known as Porto Cima and The Villages at Shawnee Bend was miles...
In 1933, A Boating Writer Discovers Lake Of The Ozarks
by H.H. Meyer - Reprinted with permission of Bonnier LLC. Introduction by Michael Gillespie The following article, “Missouri’s Lake of the Ozarks,” appeared in the May, 1934, issue of the long-gone Motor Boating magazine. The author was H.H. Meyer, a writer and...
Reader Photos!
We asked Shore readers, “How’s your summer going?” Here’s how they answered.Want your crew included in SHORE 2024? Send photos to publisher@shoreboatingmag.com
The Guide To Exploring Lake Of The Ozarks’ Islands (And A Few You Can’t)
Islands for visiting, living, and exploring on Lake of the Ozarks by Tim Snow Ask any true adventurer about the value of solitude in nature, and they’ll tell you there’s magic in the woods: a peace that can only be observed when no other humans are around. That same...
The Cave: Delicious Food And A Pool In A Cave! Need We Say More?
Swim in a cave, and sink your feet in the sand at the Lake’s newest, hottest (& coolest!) hotspot! Opened in 2022, The Cave — located on the 4 MM of the Niangua Arm, next to the Niangua Bridge — immediately became one of Lake of the Ozarks’ most popular waterfront...
Paradise Found: Here, Every Day Is A Tropical Vacation
by Kate Robbins, photos by Lake Shots Photography The name says it all at Paradise! Perfectly positioned on the 24 Mile Marker, this waterfront bar hits the spot with a tropical “vacation” ambiance and ample tasty food and drink options. (Bonus: fill up with the...
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...
Nine Nostalgic Lake Of The Ozarks Restaurants Of Yesteryear
Remembering some of Lake of the Ozarks’ most memorable places by Megan Mueller & Nathan Bechtold Like waves on the shore, Lake of the Ozarks restaurants come and go. Some last longer than others, but the good ones leave indelible memories behind, our senses of...
Don’t Trash That Buffalo! Far From Carp, This Sucker Is A Treasure
by Stephen Klobucar, article originally published on themeateater.com (September 2019), excerpt republished with permission Our culture loves comebacks, Cinderella stories, and diamonds in the rough. Take for instance, the story of a sweater purchased at a North...
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...
An Electric Future: Vision Marine Is Inventing It For Boats
The Tesla of the boating world? Vision Marine's electric engines are powering big brands into the future. The partnership’s first commercial offering is the 22” H2E runabout powerboat under the Four Winns brand. Beneteau states it expects deliveries to commence in...
The Havens At Four Seasons Sets The Standard For Upscale Condos At Lake Of The Ozarks
by Nathan Bechtold A new luxury condo community is coming to the Lake of the Ozarks, and here, the developers say they are focused on quality over quantity. Already under construction, Havens at Four Seasons, located in the Village of Four Seasons, is a small, upscale...
