A Trail To Connect The Lake
The gloriously ambitious Magic Dragon Trail System is happening, and it could expand the Lake’s tourism profile in a groundbreaking way. by Kate Robbins & Nathan Bechtold It’s an enormously ambitious undertaking, and one that could play a major role in the Lake of...
DockBloxx Roxx!
This ingenius device is taking docks by storm. Why? Because it holds everything. By Annika Bringman Keeping a dock tidy can be tough. From fishing poles to life jackets to kayaks, figuring out where to store boating accessories is a perennial challenge. It’s tempting...
Big Developments on the Lake
After two or three years of talking about it, my cousin Trevor and I finally got our families together for an afternoon of boating. On a cloudy Saturday in September, we climbed aboard his wake boat—me, my oldest three kids, Trevor, his son, and his dad David (the...
Tales From The Deep: How To Float A Giant On Lake Of The Ozarks
When big things sink in the Lake, Tim McNitt — aka ’The Walrus’ — gets to float them by Nathan Bechtold & Al Griffin Ask Tim McNitt of Atlantis Dive & Dock Salvage for an interesting story, and you'd better get comfortable. When your job is diving for sunken...
These Vintage Boats On Lake Of The Ozarks Take Us Back To Simpler Times
Keep your superyachts. These classic boat owners turn heads everywhere they go. by Kate Robbins From flashy catamarans to sleek cruisers, Lake of the Ozarks is home to some incredible boats. But for some, the best boats on the water are from years gone by. Antique...
The Filmmaking Accident At Lake Of The Ozarks That Changed Hollywood Forever
by Michael Gillespie (posthumous) with additional information by Shore While Netflix could be credited with thrusting Lake of the Ozarks onto the global stage, Hollywood actually discovered the Lake in 1938. A movie production company used the still-new body of water...
Captain Ron’s Dishes Delicious Fun
by Kate Robbins, photos by Lake Shots Photography It’s a favorite Lake of the Ozarks hotspot as well as the home of the Shootout and Aquapalooza: there’s no place at the Lake quite like Captain Ron’s! The prime location on the 34 Mile Marker, plus fabulous food and...
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...
Roxie’s Roadhouse: High-End Flavor With A Casual Vibe
No doubt, some special evenings call for gourmet dining. But typically, when you go out to eat, you crave two things: familiarity and excellence. At Roxie’s Roadhouse on the Lake Ozark Strip, familiar American fare is crafted with a rare kind of excellence....
You’ve Been Catching The Wrong Fish! These Anglers Live Outside The Mainstream
The most unappreciated, unwanted, thrown-back fish may just be the next one you should try catching. These anglers fish outside the mainstream. by Brent Frazee One man’s trash is another man’s treasure. We’re talking about trash fish here—you know, the nongame fish...
Who’s Watching Your Lake Home
Riggs Request offers Lake homeowners peace of mind Whether it’s the winter months or just a summer weekday, Lake of the Ozarks second-homeowners are forced to deal with a dilemma: who is keeping an eye on the Lake house when they're gone? When a home is vacant, issues...
Work From Lake
The explosion of interest in Lake of the Ozarks has brought new residents from far-flung places. The remote-work trend is making it possible. by Kate Robbins and Nathan Bechtold The Covid-19 epidemic and the real estate boom that followed have expanded Lake of the...
Solar On The Dock!
Lake of the Ozarks is especially suited for solar, and lakefront homeowners are discovering it. by Kate Robbins & Nathan Bechtold The Lake was built for energy. While Union Electric figured their new lake would have recreational potential, they were primarily...
What’s Developing?
Big things are under construction at the Lake: projects that promise to grow and reshape the Lake economy for good. by Nathan Bechtold The Lake of the Ozarks has long struggled under the “seasonal economy” stigma. And no doubt, the Lake’s population swings...
Tragedy & Mystery
How many people were aboard, during one of the most infamous boating calamities in Lake of the Ozarks history? by Nathan Bechtold & Captain Charles Meyer, various photos collected by Captain Charles Meyer A short tour of the Lake. A freak storm. Three people,...
The Big Gamble
Inside the schemes and dreams of two very different groups with the same aim: be the first to build a casino at Lake of the Ozarks. by Nathan Bechtold The buzz of energy and anticipation fills the room. Lights glimmer off cocktail glasses and diamond jewelry. A shout...
Editor’s Note
“The present is the future of the past,” sings Switchfoot frontman Jon Foreman. That profundity is not original to Jon. He loves borrowing from philosophers and historic theologians for his lyrics, and in this case, the idea comes nearly verbatim from St. Augustine in...
FASS Man, FASS Boat
The story of Brad Ekstam, the man behind one of the Lake’s most well-known boats and coolest business success stories: FASS Diesel Fuel Systems. by Christy Wagner, Lake Ozark The year was 2003. Brad Ekstam was a man of humble beginnings and had driven a semi-truck...
DOCK DIGS: BARS AND KITCHENS
by Deanna Wolff Nothing complements dock life like a bar and/or kitchen! It’s the perfect place to hang out with family and friends after a delightful day out on the boat. Enjoy refreshing lakeside cocktails at the bar or cook a mess of fresh-caught crappie in your...
DOCK DIGS: FURNITURE AND ACCESSORIES
by Deanna Wolff Docks aren’t just for boats anymore. Customizing your dock for your individual needs will make your dock the place to hang out on hot summer days – and nights. Consider adding a few of the ideas below to your floating haven. Then grab your favorite...
Weird And Wacky: 4 Drinks you can ONLY get at Lake of the Ozarks
The Lake of the Ozarks is known for all kinds of excellent food and drink, but there are a few drinks that you can only get at the Lake. These four world-class drinks are as weird, wacky and wonderful as the Lake itself! The Minnow Shot The Minnow shot is one of 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...