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...
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...
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...
Secret Caves
Cruise into the Lake’s caves you can only access by water… if you dare. by Nathan Bechtold, with photos by Tegan Shockley As water dissolves rock, the voids left behind seem carved into the subterranean landscape by a mysterious and whimsical hand: springs,...
Wine With A View
At Shawnee Bluff Winery, sip and stay all day… or all weekend! Shawnee Bluff Winery on Bagnell Dam Boulevard, in Lake Ozark, offers a range of wine and food deliciously inspired by Northern Italy, while the amazing view of Lake of the Ozarks seals the deal as a...
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...
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...
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...
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...
