Experience the Splendor of Autumn at Lake Of The Ozarks

Every year, from mid-September through early November, the hardwood forests that line the winding roads, rolling hillsides and shorelines around the Lake of the Ozarks transform from verdant greens into a vibrant palette of varying shades of red, orange and yellow. 

There are many excellent ways to experience the splendor of the season at the "Best Recreational

Lake in the Nation," from self-guided scenic driving tours to languid cruises on the Lake of the Ozarks, hiking in the area's state parks to playing a round at one of 13 championship golf courses, fighting fish in a colorful cove or taking in the scenery from a favorite lakeside restaurant. However visitors decide to spend their time at the Lake, they will want to bring their cameras because they'll be in for a treat during one of the most visually stunning times of the year in the Ozarks.

"We have many visitors return every autumn for the changing of the seasons," says Tim Jacobsen, executive director of the Lake of the Ozarks Convention and Visitor Bureau. "A lot of them come from around Missouri, but we get quite a few from all over the Midwest and even the west coast because they don't get to experience fall like we do here in Central Missouri. They plan their entire vacations around it."

Those that live at the Lake of the Ozarks enjoy the beauty of the seasons on a daily basis, but for visitors, just driving from their lodging to wherever their trip to the Lake may take them, it can be a very special experience.  And, stopping briefly off the beaten paths and main roads throughout the Lake can reveal many colorful surprises for those hoping to bask in the autumnal glory of the Ozarks.

There are multiple designated scenic overlooks in the Lake area, each offering visitors a unique vantage point of the Lake and its impressive features.  The Ameren Scenic Overlook, located just off the Bagnell Dam on Upper Power Plant Road in Lake Ozark, offers a unique perspective of the Bagnell Dam and the Lake of the Ozarks. Visitors get a distinct view of the Lake as well as the significant elevation change from the Lake of the Ozarks to the Osage River, the Lake's main tributary.  Just down the road from the Ameren Overlook, visitors to Willmore Lodge, 1 Willmore Lane, can enjoy in the panoramic view of the Lake from the back deck of this Adirondak-style building that was constructed in 1930 as an administration building and recreation hall for Union Electric executives. Willmore Lodge now houses a history museum dedicated to the creation of the Bagnell Dam and the Lake of the Ozarks. 

In Camdenton, there are three noteworthy scenic overlooks each offering an exceptional vantage point of the Lake and its fantastic fall foliage. On the way to Bridal Cave, there's the Thunder Mountain Park overlook located on Bridal Cave Road. From this overlook, visitors are afforded a view of the lush hillside leading down to Bridal Cave as well as the shimmering waters of the Lake. Nearby, located in the surrounding Camdenton Conservation Service Center off Thunder Mountain Road, there is a 100-foot tall fire tower with an observation deck situated 80 feet above ground that's open to the public for expansive views of the rolling topography.

About four miles south of Camdenton, visitors to Ha Ha Tonka State Park get a wonderful treat of colors at several overlooks located off paved trails that circle around the park's iconic "castle ruins." Ha Ha Tonka, which was voted the fourth best state park in the nation by readers of USA Today, is a popular attraction at the Lake during the fall. This park offers 14 walking trails covering more than 15 miles throughout the park, making it easy for visitors to experience the different geological formations - tunnels, caverns, springs and sinkholes - as well as the park's pristine woodland areas and glades.  There's also a wooden boardwalk that winds around the natural spring, as well as 316 steps leading up to the stone skeleton of the once-majestic rural estate of Robert McClure Snyder.

Lake of the Ozarks State Park, Missouri's most visited park and also its largest at 17,626 acres, boasts 12 hiking trails ranging from 0.8 of a mile to 13.5 miles winding through the park, including trails that accommodate mountain bikers and equestrians. These trails are great for leisurely strolls and/or more vigorous hikes through a variety of terrain and ecological systems, including hardwood forests, glades, fens and prairies. They also take hikers along the shores of the Lake and atop bluffs with picturesque views of the water below. This park is very popular with anglers and boaters as it also offers boat rentals, public ramps, docks and a designated self-guided aquatic trail. 

For a birds-eye view, visitors can book an aerial tour with either Lake Ozark Helicopters, located off Bagnell Dam Boulevard in Lake Ozark, or Air Lake Aviation, located at the Camdenton Memorial Lake Regional Airport in Camdenton.  Both offer narrated photography tours throughout the year, weather permitting.  Lake Ozark Helicopters offers six different tour options and Air Lake Aviation offers a 30-minute scenic plane ride which covers most of the Lake area, including the historic Bagnell Dam, Ha Ha Tonka State Park and everything in between.  For more information, or to book a tour with Lake Ozark Helicopters, visit www.LakeOzarkHelicopters.com or call 573-302-0022.  Complete details on Air Lake Aviation's scenic flights can be found at www.AirLakeAviation.com or by calling 573-348-1088.

Those interested in taking in the sights by water can charter a narrated scenic cruise on one of three luxury motor yachts: the Tropic Island, the Celebration and the Celebration II. The Tropic Island, which accommodates 150 passengers, moors at Tan-Tar-A Resort in Osage Beach and offers 90-minute cruises Tuesdays through Sundays. The original Celebration docks near the Grand Glaize Bridge in Osage Beach, while the new Celebration II docks near the Bagnell Dam in Lake Ozark. The original Celebration offers luncheon and dinner cruises Tuesdays through Sundays while the Celebration II offers 90-minute afternoon and sunset cruises every day of the week except Tuesday. Each ship captain's narration places an emphasis on the history of the Lake of the Ozarks as well as the stunning homes and lakeside restaurants that overlook the water. To learn more about the different cruise options available at the Lake, visit www.TropicIslandCruises.com for the Tropic Island or www.CruiseLakeoftheOzarks.com for the Celebration yachts.

Two favorite Lake of the Ozarks pastimes heat up as the temperatures begin to cool down in the fall. Anglers and golfers alike both favor the fall weather when pursuing their favored hobby. Both fishing and golf are four-season sports at the Lake, but, there is a certain charm in being outdoors in the Ozarks in autumn. Anglers find the quieter waters favorable for fishing in secluded coves along the 1,150 miles of shoreline, as their time on the water proves to be both beautiful and productive.  Largemouth bass and catfish are plentiful, while white bass become a highly sought after target in the shallower waters this time of year. Crappie become active again around brush piles planted in the Lake in September and continue to bite well into the winter.

For golfers, fall is great at any of the Lake's 13 courses. "Autumn is probably the best time to play golf at the Lake because the summer rush is over and the courses are all in great shape," says Paul Leahy, president of the Lake of the Ozarks Golf Council and director of golf at Tan-Tar-A Resort. "In mid-fall, especially, you have very comfortable temperatures and more affordable tee times and the foliage is typically quite stunning. It's certainly one of my favorite times to be out on the course."

Visitors also can take advantage of reduced lodging rates throughout the Lake of the Ozarks area as the peak summer travel season winds down.  "The Lake is a popular destination any time of year, but with fall being a shoulder season, it's one of the most beautiful and also most affordable times to visit," says Tim Jacobsen. "Many of the Lake's attractions are open for business year-around, so the only thing you'll be missing are the big crowds." Lodging options at the Lake range from full-service luxury resorts to smaller family-owned resorts, comfortable cabins to familiar hotels and motels, quaint bed and breakfasts to condominiums and vacation homes. For more information on the different accommodations found at the Lake of the Ozarks, click on the "Places to Stay" tab at www.FunLake.com.

To learn more about all the fun events, attractions, as well as lodging and dining options available all year at the "Best Recreational Lake" in the Nation, call the Lake of the Ozarks Convention and Visitor Bureau (CVB) at 1-800-FUN-LAKE, or visit the CVB's award-winning website, www.FunLake.com.

Autumn Color at Lake of the Ozarks

It is mid-October and Autumn is beginning to show some color all across the Lake of the Ozarks area. Fall is the perfect season to enjoy our two Missouri State Parks, scenic boat rides and seasonal festivals. If you happen to live in the Lake Area or if you are thinking of making one last visit before the weather takes a turn, now is the time to get outdoors and enjoy the Lake.

Of course, the most common question that we get this time of year is, "When will the fall colors peak at the Lake?". The truth is, we aren't aware of a way to accurately predict the exact peak of foliage color. What we can tell you is that, traditionally, our trees look their best in the week leading up to Halloween. This time varies year to year and it looks to be slightly delayed for 2013; meaning that you may still see some colorful scenery into the first week of November. Be aware that once the peak hits, colors drop very quickly and we could begin to see bare branches within just a few days afterwards. All that said, you certainly will not be disappointed if you head to the Lake right now. Hiking trails and scenic overlooks are bustling with activity as our weather has been great for enjoying a long walk in the woods. 

Don't forget your camera! We love to see and share our visitors' Lake experiences, and Fall makes for some awesome photo opportunities. If you happen to be an Instagram and/or Twitter user, follow @FunLakeMO and tag your snapshots with the hashtags #LakeoftheOzarks and #funlake. If Facebook is your thing, share a photo or two to the Lake of the Ozarks Page at www.facebook.com/funlake. We look forward to sharing and re-tweeting Lake of the Ozarks from your point of view.

If you're looking for a place to stay or if you are wondering if your favorite waterfront restaurant or dining establishment is still open for business, www.funlake.com has all of the contact information you need to plan an Autumn visit to Lake of the Ozarks. We even have downloadable State Park trail maps in the Outdoors section to help you pick the perfect hiking spot for you and your family. 

Lake of the Ozarks Still Open for Business

All that is great about fall in Missouri is ready and waiting for travelers at the Lake of the Ozarks. The bass are biting, the leaves are putting on a color show and the temperatures are just right for favorite outdoor activities like camping, fishing and boating. While some recreation areas on US Army Corps of Engineers lakes have been affected by the federal government shutdown, all services and amenities on the privately owned Lake of the Ozarks are open and available.

 "Visitors can come to the Lake knowing they will find all of our boat ramps, campgrounds, resorts and activities open and ready to accommodate them," Lake of the Ozarks Tri-County Lodging Association Executive Vice President Jim Divincen said.  "Autumn is a beautiful time at the Lake.  We hope travelers will come and see for themselves all the Lake of the Ozarks offers in the fall."
  
The three counties in the Lake area offer lodging options including family and fishing resorts, luxury resorts, condos and lake homes, bed and breakfasts and hotels and motels. Public and private campgrounds offer hundreds of sites, with options from primitive, no-frills tent sites to fully equipped RV sites. For those who enjoy rustic camping without pitching a tent, some campgrounds and parks offer rental options from cabins (including treehouse cabins) to yurts.

The fall season is one of the best times of the year to ensure outstanding fishing success at one of the country's best bass fishing lakes. Fishermen and fisherwomen can launch their boats at boat ramps in the state park, some resorts or campgrounds, rent a boat at an area marina or fish right from the docks. Bass tournaments on three October weekends offer the opportunity to win prizes for the biggest catch.

Visitors can complete their fall vacation with golfing on championship courses, shopping at the state's largest outlet mall and sampling a portion of the Lake's restaurants and nightlife. Travelers can plan their worry-free fall vacations by visiting the Lake of the Ozarks Convention and Visitor Bureau at FunLake.com.

The 28th Annual Fall Harbor Hop

It's hard to believe that it is October already. Schools have been in session for almost 2 months and our summer vacations already seem like a distant memory. Boating traffic on the Lake has been getting slower by the day and cooler nights remind us that winter is not far away. But that doesn't mean that we're done having fun on the water quite yet. There is still plenty of warm days to get out to enjoy beautiful autumn colors and our changing landscape. Not to mention that most waterfront businesses are still open until the end of the month, some even into November. Then there is the annual Fall Harbor Hop, a day-long poker hop celebrating Autumn and the close of the boating season at the Lake. This year's event is set for Saturday, October 12th, 2013.

"What is the Harbor Hop?", you ask? It's just like a poker run, only without any racing between locations. "Hoppers" begin the day at any one of over 40 participating locations around the Lake. Poker hands (entries) are purchased for a $15 donation and the first card of 7 is drawn. From there, "hoppers" go by water or land to the next participating waterfront bar, restaurant or marina where the next card is drawn. After visiting and enjoying at least 7 locations, participants will have a complete poker hand. The completed hand is turned in at the checkpoint where the 7th card is drawn. To qualify, a hand must be turned in by 7:00 pm. Prizes for the 5 best hands are awarded as well as prizes for the worst 4 hands. For complete prize allocations and more information on the event itself, visit www.funlake.com/harborhop

The 28th annual Fall Harbor Hop is open to all ages, and is by far the most fun that you can have on Lake of the Ozarks this Fall. If you're not sure where to go or start your Harbor Hop experience, we have a full map of all participating locations available to view and download here: http://funlake.com/harborhop/HHmap.pdf