Paddle Around Lake of The Ozarks for On-The-Water Fun!

For many people that enjoy spending time outdoors, nothing says summertime like a leisurely paddle on the various and celebrated Ozark waterways. At Central Missouri's Lake of the Ozarks, visitors can take their time exploring spring-fed tributaries as well as slow and secluded coves from paddleboards, kayaks, canoes or paddle boats.

While Lake of the Ozarks is regarded as one of the best boating and fishing lakes in the country, there are many other ways to have fun on the water, especially when it comes to paddling sports.

One of the many reasons the Lake of the Ozarks has been designated the "Best Recreational Lake in the Nation" is because it caters to paddlers of all types. The newest paddling sport to hit the Lake of the Ozarks is stand-up paddleboarding. Visitors of any skill level, from first-timers to the most seasoned pros, can get their paddles wet at a number of resorts, marinas and paddle-specific businesses.

"What makes the Lake of the Ozarks such a great paddling destination is that there are so many different coves," says Dave Bertels, co-owner of Super Dave's Paddle Craft Adventures in Sunrise Beach. "There are many opportunities for paddlers to duck into different coves where the water is super smooth and paddle around and explore the unique scenery. And, on sunny days, it's nice to be able to run along the cliff faces to stay in the shade. You can dip in the water to cool down and then keep paddling. You don't always get those opportunities on different lakes or with different paddle craft."

For those wanting to learn how to paddleboard, the Lake of the Ozarks is a great place to start. There are a handful of businesses that not only rent paddleboards but also provide lessons for those new to the sport.  Super Dave's Paddle Craft Adventures in Sunrise Beach, Sunset Beach Resort's Adventure Boat Rentals in Camdenton and Wake Effects in Osage Beach all  make sure to set every guest up for success. Each paddleboard rental comes with personalized instructions for those that need it on how to safely and successfully get on the board, stand up on the board, how to paddle efficiently and how to control the board before vacationers make their way out into the quiet cove s to enjoy their newly acquired skill . Lessons can take anywhere from five to 15 minutes depending upon the customer, and, extra assistance and coaching are provided if necessary.

"The difference between an incredible day out on the water with a paddleboard and a really

frustrating one can be as simple as spending a few minutes to get comfortable with the board and having someone with experience show you what to do," says Bertels, who has taught nearly 15,000 people to paddleboard at the Lake of the Ozarks. "A little bit of quality instruction makes all the difference. Most people catch on really quickly and there's no slowing them down after that. They get it and then they're hooked. Helping people fall in love with paddleboarding is the best part of the job for me," Bertels concludes.

Anyone looking to take their paddleboard experience to another level can try Wake Effects' different paddleboard-based yoga and fitness classes, including an introductory class that teaches both how to paddleboard as well as how to do yoga on a paddleboard. For more details on Wake Effects' paddleboard yoga and fitness classes, visit   wakeeffects.com/paddle-rentals-sports/.

Of course, there are a variety of options for those more interested in kayaking or canoeing as well. In addition to the three businesses mentioned above, there are numerous places that help visitors get out on the water in a self-propelled fashion.

Mother Nature's River Retreat in Mack's Creek offers three options for scenic canoe floats down the Big Niangua River, one of the Lake of the Ozarks' spring-fed tributaries: a three-mile, four-mile or seven-mile float. Shuttle services also are available.

The area's two celebrated state parks offer kayak rentals and outstanding locations to paddle around. Lake of the Ozarks State Park, Missouri's largest and most visited state park, offers kayak, paddleboard and paddleboat rentals at the marina located at Public Beach #1 in Osage Beach. Once vacationers have their paddle craft, they can launch their vessels and spend the day exploring the park's Aquatic Trail, a nearly 10-mile stretch of water that runs from Grand Glaize Beach to the park's main campground. Buoys are placed at various Lake locations to mark this unique water trail and a  special corresponding Aquatic Trail interpretive map provides information about what boaters see at each stop. The diversity of the park and its natural communities are showcased with stops to view woodlands, glades, streams and geological structures. Boaters can learn how swallows use the bluffs in the park, how chert is formed and why glades are being lost to cedar invasion. The Aquatic Trail map is available at various locations in the park and is recommended before embarking on this on-the-water adventure.

At Ha Ha Tonka State Park near Camdenton, which was voted one of the best state parks in the nation by readers of USA Today, visitors can rent single or tandem kayaks from the park's visitor center. The park features launches and wonderful paddling opportunities at the Ha Ha Tonka Cove near Ha Ha Tonka Spring, Missouri's 12th largest natural spring. Paddlers can take in impressive views of the towering limestone bluffs as well as cool, clear blue waters of the spring. The cool, spring-fed water in the cove at Ha Ha Tonka is a popular spot for swimmers and paddlers at the Lake of the Ozarks.

All paddle craft rentals are generally based on an hourly rate, though some marinas and businesses offer half-day, full-day or weekly rates. Prices vary from business to business, so visitors may want to call ahead to check on prices and availability of rentals.

In addition to all the places mentioned above, many Lake of the Ozarks resorts rent a variety of watercraft for a fun day (or days) out on the water. Some even offer complimentary use of paddle craft for their guests. Visitors should check with the lodging properties of their choice to see what kind of vessels are available for their use. 

For a getaway of any length to the Lake of the Ozarks, the accommodations available are as varied as the shoreline around the Lake. Visitors will find full-service, luxury resorts; smaller, family-owned and operated resorts; spacious, multi-bedroom condominiums and vacation homes; charming bed and breakfasts; rustic cabins, campgrounds and RV parks in addition to well-known hotels and motels.

For more ways to have fun at the Lake of the Ozarks and to get information on additional events, year around attractions, and lodging and dining options available at the Lake, visit the Lake of the Ozarks Convention and Visitor Bureau's award-winning website, www.FunLake.com, or call 1-800-FUN-LAKE (386-5253).

Family Travel with Colleen Kelly Visits The Lake

Now airing its second season, PBS syndicated show, "Family Travel with Colleen Kelly" is set to show off Central Missouri's Lake of the Ozarks in their third episode of the season.

Rewind 1 year ago to June, 2014; The Lake of the Ozarks Convention & Visitor Bureau played host to Colleen, her two daughters and production crew. With a jam-packed, four day itinerary secured, the cast, crew and members of the CVB staff set out to give the cameras a complete Lake of the Ozarks experience focusing on family friendly activities.

From deep underground to hundreds of feet above the entire Lake, the cast and crew filmed our caves, parks, attractions, fishing, water sports, local dining experiences, shopping destinations and lodging facilities. From a Convention & Visitor Bureau perspective, it was fantastic to see newcomers enjoy what Lake of the Ozarks has to offer first hand. The cast and crew stated numerous times how impressed they were with our destination and how they couldn't wait to come back and experience a vacation here without having to "work". It also reminded us (at the CVB) that we often forget how much fun there is to be had right here in our back yard. With the year-round, daily tasks that go into promoting our destination, we sometimes lose track of how fortunate we are to live and work in an area that most people only visit in their free time - and for that reminder, we sincerely thank Colleen and her crew.

Here is a 37 second preview of the Lake of the Ozarks episode:

The Family Travel with Colleen Kelly episode is set to air on Chicago PBS affiliate WTTW Channel 11 at 10:00 am on Saturday, May 16th and on Springfield, MO PBS affiliate KOZK on Sunday May 17th at 8:30 am and Wednesday May 20th at 8:30 am. The Lake episode will continue to air on PBS stations across the country throughout the summer and fall of 2015. Check local PBS schedules and set your DVRs. After the premier, the show will also be available to stream online on the Family Travel with Colleen Kelly website here: www.FamilyTravelCK.com

Additionally, Colleen Kelly recently featured Lake of the Ozarks as a favorite pick for her "Family Friendly Summer Vacation Destinations" segment on the Hallmark Channel's morning show, "Home & Family. You can see the full segment right here: 

A full gallery of photos taken during the taping of Family Travel with Colleen Kelly at Lake of the Ozarks can be viewed at http://funlake.zenfolio.com/familytravelck - And if you're looking to create your own memories at Lake of the Ozarks this summer, visit www.funlake.com for all of the information you need to plan your family vacation.

Spring Harbor Hop at Lake of the Ozarks

Kick off the spring boating season at the Lake of the Ozarks - and win big prizes - during the 18th Annual Spring Harbor Hop poker run on Saturday, May 2.  Spring Harbor Hop participants will try to complete the best poker hand (or hands) by traveling by lake or by land to their choice of waterfront checkpoints across the Lake (there are over 40 businesses consisting primarily of bars, restaurants and marinas on the Hop). While all the stops for the event are boater friendly, participants also can enjoy the day and the scenery by land, driving from one location to the next. "The Spring Harbor Hop happens at a time when many flowers and trees around the Lake are in full bloom, so it's just gorgeous," CVB Director of Member Services Heather Brown says.  "Many people make a full day of it, as the event lets them enjoy the food and fun of the Lake, all while taking in our beautiful spring scenery. This year we're expecting as many as 1,400 people to come out to celebrate the beginning of the boating season." Players will begin their "hop" by making a suggested donation of $20 per hand and drawing their first card at any of the participating locations. Six additional cards will be drawn for each hand as participants visit the various Harbor Hop locations around the Lake. When the seventh card is drawn, the hand is complete and is turned in at that final location. An additional card to help improve the hand can be obtained at that final location for a $5 donation.  Prizes will be awarded for the top 10 poker hands at the Hop, as well as the four worst hands and 10 randomly selected winners. All eligible hands must be turned in by 7 p.m. Winners will be notified by certified mail. There also will be prizes for "section winners" who complete their entire hand in one of these four sections: Section I is the Gravois Arm of the Lake Section II includes Bagnell Dam to the 10 mile marker on the Main Channel Section III runs from the mile markers 13-26 on the Main Channel Section IV includes mile markers 31-38 on the Main Channel and Big Niangua Arm Most Harbor Hop locations open at 11 a.m., though some open as early as 9 a.m. Hours will vary from location to location, so "hoppers" should consult the list of locations and operating hours by visiting FunLake.com/HarborHop. Complete rules for the Harbor Hop can also be found on that site, or by calling the Lake of the Ozarks Convention and Visitor Bureau at 1-800-FUN-LAKE (386-5253).

Lake of the Ozarks Eagle Days 2015

The bluffs and forests around Central Missouri's Lake of the Ozarks are a popular destination for eagles on their annual southern migration. Visitors who want to see these majestic birds in their natural habitat should make Lake of the Ozarks Eagle Days a winter weekend destination January 3 - 4, 2015. Missouri is one of the leaders in eagle population in the lower 48 states, according to the Missouri Department of Conservation, with more than 2,000 bald eagles reported each winter. They are drawn to warmer, wooded areas such as the Lake of the Ozarks in their migration from Alaska, Canada and the northern U.S. Eagle Days activities allow attendees to see the birds in a natural setting, as well as offering opportunities for up-close viewing at programs offered by the World Bird Sanctuary. Events on Saturday, January 3, begin at 9 am and continue until 5:30 pm. On Sunday, January 4, events begin at 10:00 am and end at 4:30 pm. All Eagle Days activities and sites are located in Lake Ozark, all within a short drive of one another. Eagle-viewing activities are located at Willmore Lodge and the Bagnell Dam Access. Eagle-watchers are encouraged to bring cameras and binoculars. Interactive exhibits and crafts will be on display at Willmore Lodge each day, and eagle nest-building and rope-making exhibitions will be held at the Bagnell Dam Access.  At Osage National Golf Resort, live eagle programs are presented by the World Bird Sanctuary from St. Louis, beginning on the hour from 9 am to 3 pm on Saturday and 10 am to 2 pm on Sunday. School of the Osage Heritage Elementary will feature two programs by Springfield's Dickerson Park Zoo. The "Live Owls of Missouri" program features information about the species of owls indigenous to Missouri. The second program, called "Day Shift, Night Shift and Garbage Gal" provides information about hawks, owls and turkey vultures. These shows will be held every hour on the half-hour beginning at 9:30 a.m. and ending at 4:30 pm on Saturday and from 10:30 am to 3:30 pm on Sunday. There will also be coloring contests and other activities for kids, as well as nature-related exhibitors including the Missouri Department of Natural Resources and Department of Conservation. If weather permits, eagle-watching cruises will be offered aboard the Tom Sawyer for a nominal fee. Attendees interested in taking the cruise should go to the boarding area on Bagnell Dam Blvd. Lake of the Ozark Eagle Days is made possible by the Lake of the Ozarks Convention & Visitor Bureau, Lake Area Chamber of Commerce, Osage National Golf Resort, FaceLift Marketing, School of the Osage, Missouri Master Naturalist - Lake of the Ozarks Chapter and Boy Scouts of America. To learn more about Eagle Days, visit LakeoftheOzarksEagleDays.com or call 1-800-386-5253. For information on the year-round fun at Missouri's Fun Lake, including activities, events, dining and accommodations, call the Lake of the Ozarks Convention and Visitor Bureau (CVB) at 1-800-FUN-LAKE or visit the CVB's multiple award-winning website, FunLake.com.