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Lake of the Ozarks, Missouri, USA

Also known as:  Lake Ozark

Painting plains of central Missouri a liquid blue, Lake of the Ozarks snakes its way through the landscape. Just 180 miles from St. Louis and 170 miles from Kansas City, the lake provides visitors and area residents with a 55,000-acre aquatic playground suited to any taste and preference. Lake of the Ozarks winds its way for 92 miles and boasts more than 1,150 miles of shoreline -…
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    • All About Lake of the Ozarks, MO

    Lake Locations: USA - US Midwest Region - Missouri - Central Missouri -

    Painting plains of central Missouri a liquid blue, Lake of the Ozarks snakes its way through the landscape. Just 180 miles from St. Louis and 170 miles from Kansas City, the lake provides visitors and area residents with a 55,000-acre aquatic playground suited to any taste and preference.

    Lake of the Ozarks winds its way for 92 miles and boasts more than 1,150 miles of shoreline – longer than the entire California coastline! As large as the lake is, it’s sometimes difficult to believe that it hasn’t been around forever. However, the lake’s origins began in 1929, when the Union Electric Company began construction of the Bagnell Dam on the Osage River. The dam was built during the Great Depression, with 4,600 workers sweating to build what was once the largest man-made lake in the world. The lake was opened to the public in 1931, and has since served as a prime vacation destination. Today, AmerenUE, successor to Union Electric, operates the dam and power plant.

    Sometimes called the “Midwest Coast,” the Lake of the Ozarks is somewhat unique in that most of its shoreline is privately owned. However, 17,600 acres were set aside for a national park in the 1920’s. After state acquisition in 1946, the reserved acres are today home to the Lake of the Ozarks State Park, the largest state park in Missouri.

    As a lake recreation hotspot, it makes sense to begin your visit at the state park, a stretch of emerald forest and quiet lake coves. As a haven for outdoor enthusiasts, Lake of the Ozarks State Park offers hiking and biking trails along its 80 miles of lake shoreline. Meander through rocky hilltops, glimpse distant, picturesque bluffs, cool off in babbling brooks, wander by natural caves, and watch as Missouri flora and fauna fill the path with sights both new and old.

    Camping at the state park is a perennial favorite, and there are both primitive and electric campsites offered, including four organized group camps. For many nature lovers, spending at least one night under the starry Missouri sky is an experience not soon forgotten. When you wake up to songbirds instead of an alarm, you may soon decide that camping lakeside is the biggest luxury there is.

    When you’re ready to head out onto the lake, consider spending at least part of your day fishing. Known as one of Missouri’s premier fishing destinations, Lake of the Ozarks hides beneath its waters teeming populations of black bass, bluegill, catfish, crappie, largemouth bass, paddlefish, smallmouth bass, spotted bass, and walleye. The lake is particularly strong in bass fishing. Tournaments are held each year, with winners often catching personal and state records.

    Of course, a sunny summer weekend at Lake of the Ozarks is incomplete without a refreshing dip in the lake’s clean waters. Swimming is allowed anywhere in the lake, though visitors often gather at the reservoir’s two public sandy beaches in Lake Ozark State Park. Another favorite option is taking time to stop, drop anchor, and jump off your rental boat, taking pleasure in deep waters and relative solitude.

    Anderson Hollow Cove within the state park is known as Party Cove, one of the most popular boating gathering places in the USA. Thousands of boats tie up on busy summer weekends, so extra precaution should be taken while navigating in and around this party atmosphere.

    For watersport lovers, Lake of the Ozarks offers myriad options, including fast-paced speedboat rentals, waterskiing, tubing, kneeboarding, parasailing, wakeboarding, scuba diving, and even excursion cruises. Whether you’re seeking to get your adrenaline flowing, or are just looking to explore the peaceful, sloping shoreline of this beautiful water paradise, the lake’s options are sure to satisfy your desires.

    Lake of the Ozarks enjoys an incredible location set into the hills of the Ozarks and accented by celestial blue waters. Offering many amenities, like five star restaurants and beautiful hotels, the lake also invites visitors to enjoy the quiet beauty of their surroundings. After just a few moments here, the lake’s diversity and gentle attitude will soon win you over.

    Things to Do at Lake of the Ozarks

    These are some activities in the Lake of the Ozarks, MO area visitors can enjoy:

    • Vacation Rentals
    • Fishing
    • Boating
    • Swimming
    • Beach
    • Water Skiing
    • Wakeboarding
    • Parasailing
    • Tubing
    • Scuba Diving
    • Camping
    • Hiking
    • Biking
    • State Park
    • National Park
    • Playground

    What Kind of Fish Are in Lake of the Ozarks?

    Lake of the Ozarks has been known to have the following fish species:

    • Bass
    • Black Bass
    • Bluegill
    • Catfish
    • Crappie
    • Largemouth Bass
    • Paddlefish
    • Perch
    • Smallmouth Bass
    • Spotted Bass
    • Sunfish
    • Walleye
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    Find Places to Stay at Lake of the Ozarks

    If you’re considering a Lake of the Ozarks lake house rental or hotel, we’ve made it super easy to find the best rates and compare vacation accommodations at a glance. Save time using this interactive map below.

    Note: These are affiliate links and we may earn a small commission if you click and make a purchase. Read our full disclosure policy here.

    More Sites to Book a Lake of the Ozarks Vacation

    Our interactive Lake of the Ozarks lodging map above is an easy tool for comparing VRBO rental homes and nearby hotels with Booking.com, but there could be times when you need to expand your search for different types of accommodations. Here are some other lake lodging partners we recommend:

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    Lake of the Ozarks Statistics & Helpful Links

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    Lake Type: Artificial Reservoir, Dammed

    Water Level Control: AmerenUE

    Surface Area: 55,000 acres

    Shoreline Length: 1,150 miles

    Normal Elevation (Full Pond): 660 feet

    Average Depth: 70 feet

    Maximum Depth: 130 feet

    Water Volume: 2,000,000 acre-feet

    Completion Year: 1931

    Water Residence Time: 5 months

    Drainage Area: 14,000 sq. miles

    Trophic State: Meso-eutrophic

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