Lake of the Ozarks - The Ultimate Vacation Destination
If you are looking for an escape, the Lake of the Ozarks is the place to be. Not only is it rich in history, but there are also several incredible things to do and see year-round that will make your vacation something you remember and cherish for a long time. Ozark Yacht Club has beautiful lakefront cabins, extensive amenities, boat and slip rentals, water accessories, a delicious restaurant with renowned weekend brunches, and so much more for you to enjoy while you're visiting the Lake of the Ozarks. Keep reading to learn more about the Lake area and how to get ready for your lake vacation!
When packing, make sure to include shoes with traction on the soles for your cave exploration and trail hiking. It's also a good idea to pack bug spray and a first aid kit for your time in nature. Ticks can carry illnesses that you definitely won't want to pick up on your vacation, so it's advisable to bring items that can help prevent them from getting to you (and for removing them if they do).
(Photo Credit: FunLake.com)
HISTORY OF THE LAKE
Quick History
The Lake of the Ozarks was first inhabited by the Osage Indians. As time passed, explorers came into the area (including Lewis and Clark) and started developing the land in order to install railroads and small communities. In 1929, Union Electric Company of St. Louis began constructing the dam that has created the Lake we know and love today.The Dam
The dam is made out of concrete and has a power station, spillway, and two retaining sections to help it operate smoothly. In fact, it provides 215,000 kilowatts of energy to the state. The highway runs over it as well to provide transportation from one side of the Lake to the other. The Lake started to fill in February of 1931 and opened for travel that May!
(Photo Credit: FunLake.com)
THINGS TO DO & SEE
Fun on the Lake
The Lake itself is clearly a huge perk of visiting the Lake of the Ozarks area. With 1,150 miles of shoreline, the Lake covers 54,000 acres to create one of the largest man-made lakes. Ozark Yacht Club has the perfect boat rentals to help you and your family enjoy out on the water.
Top-Notch Restaurants
From fine dining to traditional pub food, the Lake of the Ozarks has almost any cuisine you could imagine. Fine dining with steak and lobster? Freshly made pizza and made-to-order brown butter cookies? Fresh oysters and indulgent seafood? Yes, yes, and yes! Better yet, stay at the Ozark Yacht Club and enjoy our delicious on-site restaurant, the LakeSide Cafe.
Bridal Cave
The amazing cave tour goes into the fascinating history of the cave itself and the science behind the cave formations. Surrounding nature trails and an interesting gift shop round out this amazing attraction for a fun day out with the family.
Bagnell Dam Strip
The strip has several fun shops, arcades, boat rentals, parasailing, and even an escape room! Miner Mike's is one of the more popular businesses on the strip, offering an indoor playground and arcade for the kiddos.
Ha Ha Tonka
These castle ruins make up one of the most popular outdoor attractions at the Lake because of the area's beauty and history. There are several trails leading to the area that are well marked and surrounded by beautiful scenery.
Lake of the Ozarks State Park
There are several places available for camping, hiking, and picnicking. Spend time with your friends, family, and pets at the beaches and boat ramps. It's the perfect place to spend a beautiful, sunny day.
Top Attractions at the Lake
The Lake is an amazing place to be, and not just for the water itself. There are several wonderful attractions around the Lake of the Ozarks that you are sure to love. Check out some of the most popular below...Bridal Cave
The amazing cave tour goes into the fascinating history of the cave itself and the science behind the cave formations. Surrounding nature trails and an interesting gift shop round out this amazing attraction for a fun day out with the family.
Bagnell Dam Strip
The strip has several fun shops, arcades, boat rentals, parasailing, and even an escape room! Miner Mike's is one of the more popular businesses on the strip, offering an indoor playground and arcade for the kiddos.
Ha Ha Tonka
These castle ruins make up one of the most popular outdoor attractions at the Lake because of the area's beauty and history. There are several trails leading to the area that are well marked and surrounded by beautiful scenery.
Lake of the Ozarks State Park
There are several places available for camping, hiking, and picnicking. Spend time with your friends, family, and pets at the beaches and boat ramps. It's the perfect place to spend a beautiful, sunny day.
WHAT TO BRING
The Basics
The Lake of the Ozarks is a popular destination in the heart of Missouri. In fact, we have been rated the #1 recreation lake in the United States! Missouri weather can be unpredictable, so it's a good idea to pack accordingly. Make sure you have shorts and lightweight shirts for hot, humid days in the summer. But it's also a good idea to pack a sweat shirt or jacket for stormy days when the temperature may suddenly drop.Time in Nature
Of course, the Lake itself is a big reason why people flock to the Lake of the Ozarks. What you may not know, though, is that the area is also home to several different famous caves and the historic site of Ha Ha Tonka. Bridal Cave has fantastic tours of the historic location where Native Americans used to have private wedding ceremonies within the glistening cave walls. Jacob's Cave is another incredible attraction with large cave formations you can witness in person on a guided tour. Ha Ha Tonka is a beautiful site with castle ruins originally intended to be a replica of European-style castles. The site is surrounded by several hundred acres of gorgeous state park land full of fresh springs and hiking trails for the whole family.When packing, make sure to include shoes with traction on the soles for your cave exploration and trail hiking. It's also a good idea to pack bug spray and a first aid kit for your time in nature. Ticks can carry illnesses that you definitely won't want to pick up on your vacation, so it's advisable to bring items that can help prevent them from getting to you (and for removing them if they do).
Day on the Water
The Lake of the Ozarks is obviously centered around the Lake and it's many enjoyable activities. If you plan on spending a day out on the water, there are a few things you will want to make sure you have first. Sun shining on your skin is a great feeling in the summer, but it can also be dangerous. Sunlight on the water is direct and can be easy to forget about while you're having fun. Be sure to pack sunscreen with a high SPF and apply regularly throughout the day. Because of the heat from the sun, it's also a good idea to pack bottles of water for your day on the water. Staying hydrated is important in Missouri summers so you don't get heat exhaustion or heat stroke.
The Best Missouri Destination
We hope you've enjoyed learning about the Lake of the Ozarks and all of the incredible things there are to do while you're here. Be sure to give Ozark Yacht Club a call to learn more about our beautiful, clean yacht club located right off the Bagnell Dam Boulevard. Be sure to check our availability on the spacious lakefront cabins too - they go fast!
500 Yacht Club Landing Dr.
Lake Ozark, MO 65049
Phone: 573-552-8401
Lake Ozark, MO 65049
Phone: 573-552-8401
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