Lake of the Ozarks (continued)

What’s more, because it’s privately-developed, it is the only major public lake in Missouri where visitors can go directly from their lakeside rooms onto their water craft (similar lakes around the state and region are managed by the Army Corps of Engineers which limits shoreline access).

Celebrating its 75^th year in 2006, the Lake of the Ozarks was created in 1931 with the completion of Bagnell Dam and the Great Osage River Project.  Once the largest impounded lake in the world, this mid-Missouri marvel was developed by Union Electric Company (now AmerenUE) for power generation.  Just four months after dam construction began in 1929, the stock market crashed, bringing with it the Great Depression.  While the rest of the country faced economic ruin, work on Bagnell Dam provided welcome employment to 4,600 workers at any one time and a total of 20,500 over the two-year construction period.  As a result, Central Missouri experienced growth and expansion while other areas endured the hardships of the Depression.

Today, the Lake continues to provide employment and a tremendous quality of life to residents, which translates to a great vacation opportunity for everyone else.  Family vacationers are especially delighted with the Lake’s great variety of attractions.

Missouri’s largest lake also features Missouri’s largest state park – the 17,441-acre Lake of the Ozarks State Park, with sand beaches, 89 miles of shoreline, hiking and bike trails.  And one of Missouri’s most unusual state parks has to be Ha Ha Tonka at Camdenton, centering on the ruins of a European-style “castle” built in the early 1900s and surrounded by hiking trails, scenic overlooks, a natural bridge and a large spring.

On and off the Lake, the choices for family fun are limitless.  The area truly is a family-oriented destination with a variety of fun activities parents and kids can enjoy together.  First on the list, of course, is an abundance of water activities.  If it can be done on, around, in or under the water, it’s waiting at the Lake.  Boating, swimming, skiing, fishing, and parasailing are among the water activities for families.  Even surfing is available – in the wave pool at Big Surf Waterpark.  No boat?  At the Lake, it’s no problem.  Over 100 marinas offer rentals of all kinds.  And several large excursion boats offer daily cruises for an up-close, on-the-water experience.

Golf is a sport all ages can enjoy … and there are plenty of options at the Lake.  With 17 courses and 288 holes of golf, the Lake’s golf variety includes championship-level courses as well as more family-friendly layouts.  Dedicated golfers can play twice a day for more than a week without ever seeing the same hole twice.

Away from the fairway, there are three show caves offering regular tours.  Bridal Cave, Jacob’s Cave and Ozark Caverns all showcase the Ozarks’ underground charm, fascinating history and colorful formations, proving that the area’s beauty is more than just “skin deep.”

Shopping is another fun activity the family can enjoy together.  Missouri’s largest outlet center – Osage Beach Premium Outlets – features 110 stores in 13 buildings spread over 61 acres.  For added variety, Lake communities offer other shopping malls, crafts shops, antique stores and boutiques galore.

Mom will appreciate another unique Lake attraction – the National Shrine of Mary, Mother of the Church.  Believed to be the only shrine of its kind in the world, it honors the mother of Jesus and mothers everywhere.  The names of mothers from throughout the world are carved in black granite on the Mother’s Wall of Life, surrounded by fountains, flowers and a 14-foot stainless steel sculpture of Mary in a natural grotto.

The Lake area is home to a great variety of other recreation such as horseback riding, tennis, hiking, bird-watching and trap shooting.  Throughout the year the Lake offers a lineup of exciting family activities ranging from fun festivals, special events and live country music shows to mini-golf, go-kart tracks, water slides, game arcades, movie theaters and more.

Visitors arriving for the first time may be surprised to find a major travel destination with no “big” towns.  The communities adjacent to the sprawling lake (Camdenton, Osage Beach, Lake Ozark, Eldon, Sunrise Beach and others) all qualify as small towns. With a total population of 80,000 in the three counties surrounding the Lake, however, there’s a wealth of traveler services and amenities – including 250 lodging businesses and 100-plus restaurants to match every taste and budget.

Because warm weather usually arrives at the Lake in April and hangs around through October, there’s a good eight to nine month window of opportunity for some serious outdoor fun and relaxation.  During the winter months it’s not out of the ordinary for daytime temperatures to warm into the 50°-60° range. In fact, there are many days throughout the “off season” when balmy weather offers a welcome respite from winter’s chills.  A mild winter day often beckons people onto the golf course where the higher summer rates are in hibernation.  Indoors or out, the Lake of the Ozarks offers plenty to see and do in any season.

Constantly changing – hour to hour and day to day – the Lake is large enough to be both a fast-paced, high-energy vacationland and a tranquil, laid-back getaway.  Visit Central Missouri’s Lake of the Ozarks in its 75^th anniversary year for family fun at a Lake of many faces.

The Lake of the Ozarks is conveniently located in central Missouri, about three hours from Kansas City to the west and St. Louis to the east.  For visitors unfamiliar with the Lake, visualize it in the heart of Missouri, easily reachable from other well-known destinations in America’s Heartland. 

U.S. Highway 54 runs through the Lake area.  The Lake is about 64 miles south of Interstate 70 and about 25 miles north of Interstate 44.

Travel planners can get the Lake information they need by contacting the Lake of the Ozarks Convention & Visitor Bureau.

Call toll-free – 800-FUN-LAKE (800-386-5253) – to request a free Vacation & Service Guide.  During normal working hours, this is the best way to get personal service, ask questions and find out more about the Lake.  After hours, callers may leave a voice message for CVB response.

For a wealth of Lake information just a mouse-click away, 24 hours a day, visit the bureau’s website at www.funlake.com.  The site is easy to navigate, loads quickly and dazzles the eye with colorful Lake photos.  It includes searchable lists for lodging, dining, marinas, events and attractions, and links to Lake-area businesses.  Visitors can get details on nightlife and live music, request free brochures, send an eCard to friends, and hear the sounds of Lake area birds and animals.  It’s a site to see!