Lake of the Ozarks, Mo.- A variety of affordable outdoor fun in a family-oriented destination: That's what makes Central Missouri's Lake of the Ozarks a great place to enjoy the great outdoors.

 

"With all we have to offer, the Lake of the Ozarks is Missouri's number one outdoor destination," says Jim Divincen, executive director of the Tri-County Lodging Association. The 54,000-acre lake provides a wealth of fishing and boating opportunities.  Surrounding the Lake are 15 golf courses, two state parks with over two dozen hiking trails, natural habitat that attracts bird watchers and hunters, many camping opportunities, and beautiful scenery. 

 

The Lake of the Ozarks is a popular destination for water sports enthusiasts.

With 1,150 miles of shoreline, the sprawling Lake of the Ozarks is a Mecca for water sports enthusiasts. For those with their own boat, there are nine public access ramps, as well as full-service commercial marinas with rental slips, fuel and other conveniences. Many lodging facilities also have slips for rent so the boat is always handy. Boat rentals can be arranged by the hour, day or more, whether visitors prefer a speedboat, pontoon, fishing boat or personal watercraft. One relaxing way to enjoy the Lake is aboard a houseboat, which can be booked through Forever Resorts Houseboat Rentals (www.ForeverHouseBoats.com). 

 

More adventurous boaters might want to participate in special boating events, such as the Lake of the Ozarks Shootout, held each August. The largest unsanctioned boat race in the United States and considered one of the eight "must-see" boating events in the nation, the Shootout determines the Lake's fastest boat. Past winners have reached speeds of over 200 miles per hour. 

 

For onshore fun, the Lake of the Ozarks is the Midwest's premier golf destination, with courses designed by such pros as Arnold Palmer, Jack Nicklaus, Tom Weiskopf and others. The area's natural rock bluffs and forests made creating these courses a challenge for their designers-and give golfers some unique challenges as well. Planning a golf vacation at the Lake is made easy by the Lake of the Ozarks Golf Trail (www.GolfingMissouri.com).  Playing the Golf Trail's 13 member courses can be combined with a variety of lodging options into one affordable package, whether for a couple or a group. Many of the courses are 30 minutes or less apart, so avid golfers can hit two courses in a day.

 

The Club at Porto Cima is the only Jack Nicklaus Signature course in Missouri.

In addition to the Golf Trail, two other outstanding courses put the spotlight on the Lake's great golf. The Club at Porto Cima, recently named by the Missouri Golf Association as the best golf course in Missouri, is the only Jack Nicklaus Signature course in the state. "Every course enjoys recognition and we are particularly honored that this acknowledgement comes from the most dedicated golfers in Missouri," says Jon M. Crane, director of golf at Porto Cima. Nearby is The Cove, the signature course at The Lodge of Four Seasons (www.4seasonsresort.com), which tests golfers' skills with its classic Robert Trent Jones Sr. design.

 

Lisa Metheny of Indiana with local fishing guide John Blankenbeker of Hawg Stump Outdoors.

For Lake fishermen, bass is the most sought after prize, with crappie, catfish, walleye and bluegill also popular. Visitors who lack fishing experience can call upon a variety of fishing guides who can provide everything except the fish. They'll take customers out on safe, comfortable boats and furnish all fishing gear. Of even more value is the guides' knowledge of the Lake-where to find the best fishing at certain times of the day or times of the year, what depth to fish, and what bait to use. For experienced bass fishermen, the Lake offers over 500 amateur and professional bass tournaments per year. 

 

Big Surf Waterpark is great for family fun.

Of course, with all that water, swimming is another popular Lake activity. Lake of the Ozarks State Park offers two public beaches for visitors. Swimming also is available at virtually all of the many lodgings at the Lake. Big Surf  Water Park (www.BigSurfWaterPark.com) north of Camdenton features water slides, a wave pool, lazy river, and other activities. 

 

For hunters, the Lake of the Ozarks provides nearly 55,000 acres of inviting habitat for deer, turkey, squirrel, rabbit, quail, dove and duck.  Much of the hunting is done on private land (with the owner's permission, of course). Private clubs are also available for rental. The Missouri Department of Conservation (MDC) maintains several conservation areas which offer varied habitats for going after the many types of game. The variety of flora, fauna and topography support species that make the Lake area their year-round home, and attracts a variety of migratory birds.

 

Mike Jones, MDC district superintendent for the Lake's tri-county area, says, "Turkey season is always a challenge for hunters, as turkeys can do a lot of things to trick the hunter, but we have a lot of birds so it's worth it to come here to hunt. We have both a spring and fall season offering different yet similar experiences. There are lots of hunters that hunt turkey in the morning, then switch to fishing in the afternoons." Fall archery, firearm and muzzleloader seasons for deer also attract large numbers. For information on hunting seasons, limits and licenses, contact the department at www.MissouriConservation.org.

 

The Lake of the Ozarks is on the flyway for many migratory birds, so visitors can enjoy birding just about anywhere-driving down a country road, hiking in the woods, boating on the Lake, or relaxing on the deck of a condo. In the winter, eagle watching becomes an extremely popular activity at the Lake, with Missouri attracting more bald eagles than any state except Alaska and Washington. Eagle Days are held in early January and the birds can be seen as late as March.

 

The castle at Ha Ha Tonka State Park draws visitors from across the nation.

"Lake of the Ozarks and Ha Ha Tonka State Parks were recently voted among the three best state parks in the Midwest and there's a reason for that," says Bill Bryan, Missouri State Parks director. "The variety of things you can do is amazing. At Lake of the Ozarks State Park, you can camp, fish, boat, explore a cave, or enjoy all kinds of trails, whether you want to hike, mountain bike or see the Ozarks on horseback. The unique features at Ha Ha Tonka Sate Park-the castle and the trails that take you under a natural bridge and to a crystal-clear spring-are sure to help families make lifelong memories during a Lake vacation."

 

More than two dozen hiking trails are available between the two parks with lengths ranging from one-quarter mile to 16.5 miles. They provide a wide range of difficulty for hikers, from short, easy walks to challenging hikes among the hills and bluffs. And they provide an up-close look at Missouri's seasonal beauty-the flowering redbuds and dogwoods in spring and the kaleidoscope of foliage in the fall.

 

Lake of the Ozarks State Park, the state's largest, also offers a unique Aquatic Trail, giving boaters the opportunity to learn more about the area's history while navigating the Lake. The castle ruins at Ha Ha Tonka, considered by many to be Missouri's most beautiful state park, are a highlight for park visitors as well.

 

The Lake offers many lodging options including lakefront campgrounds and RV parks.

The Lake's outdoor fun doesn't stop when the sun goes down. Travelers who prefer lodging in an RV, a tent or even tree house cabins on stilts will find plenty of campgrounds at the Lake. There is a perfect site for those who want to be close to the action or those who prefer peace and quiet. "Most of the Lake's campgrounds have pools, air conditioned cabins and family meeting places with banquet facilities that are perfect for family reunions," says John Peters, president of the Lake of the Ozarks Campground Owners Association as well as owner of Cross Creek RV Park & Campground at Lake Ozark (www.crosscreekrvpark.com).  "Campers can enjoy the Lake's beautiful outdoor scenery and activities during our three most popular seasons: spring, summer and fall. And, although only a couple of our campgrounds stay open throughout the winter, if you are a winter visitor to the Lake and you are a camper, there will definitely be a campground that can accommodate you."   Many of the Lake's family friendly campgrounds offer a variety of amenities and activities such as: hay rides, hiking trails, boat docks, horseshoes, Wi-Fi and cable hook-ups, mini-golf courses, picnic areas, playgrounds and private lakes with paddle boat or fishing boat rentals. 

 

Kids of all ages enjoy outdoor activities like miniature golf and go-karting and Lake of the Ozarks offers multiple locations for both. Skill levels, of course, are not as much of an issue with miniature golf enthusiasts, although the Lake's hills can make some of the courses a bit more difficult. 

 

Lake visitors also can enjoy outdoor dining, scenic drives, geocaching and other "natural" fun.  The possibilities are endless, limited only by the visitor's sense of adventure. To find out more about outdoor activities at the Lake of the Ozarks, as well as accommodations, dining, attractions and events, call the Lake of the Ozarks Convention & Visitor Bureau at 800-FUN-LAKE (386-5253) or visit www.FunLake.com.