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...
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...
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...
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...
