Central Missouri’s Lake of the Ozarks Voted Second Best Destination for Fall Foliage in US

It was announced on Friday, Oct. 12 that the "Best Recreational Lake" in the Nation, Central Missouri's Lake of the Ozarks, was voted the second-best "Destination for Fall Foliage" in America, according to a recent USA Today readers poll.

The survey, conducted by USA Today and www.10Best.com, asked readers from across the country to choose their top spot for viewing the stunning colors of fall. Central Missouri's Lake of the Ozarks finished in the polling behind Michigan's Upper Peninsula, but beat out eight other destinations, including the Pocono Mountains, Door County in Wisonsin, the White Mountains in New Hampshire and others.

"Every autumn, we have many visitors return to the Lake of the Ozarks area for the changing of the seasons," says Tim Jacobsen, executive director of the Lake of the Ozarks Convention and Visitor Bureau. 

"The majority of our fall visitors come from Missouri, but we get a lot from all over the Midwest and the west coast, as well, because they don't get to experience fall like we do here in Central Missouri. They plan their entire vacations around it. Perhaps with this recognition, we'll see more visitors from around the country traveling to our beautiful destination to enjoy our stunning scenery. We would certainly welcome them."

Traditionally, the peak of the fall color at the Lake of the Ozarks occurs in mid- to late-October, when the maples, ashes, oaks and hickories - which abound around the area - are at the height of their fall display. The peak season varies from year to year depending on the weather and can last until early November.

The Lake of the Ozarks features 1,150 miles of shoreline, much of it lined with pristine stretches of hardwood forests that turn vibrant hues of red, orange and yellow. The Lake stretches across four counties, running 92 miles from end to end, so this expansive area makes for prime "leaf-peeping" action every year.

There are many excellent ways to experience the splendor of the season at the Lake of the Ozarks. On land, visitors can take self-guided scenic driving tours, hike in the area's two state parks, play a round at one of 14 championships golf courses or enjoy the scenery from a delicious lakeside restaurant. On the water, "leaf-peepers" can take in the sights on a leisurely cruise on the Lake of the Ozarks or by fighting fish in a colorful cove. 

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.

For other attractions, events, as well as all dining and lodging options available at the Lake of the Ozarks, visit the Lake of the Ozarks Convention and Visitor Bureau 's award-winning website, www.FunLake.com. Or, call 800-FUN-LAKE (386-5253).

Fireworks & Fun Scheduled for Labor Day Weekend 2018 at Lake of the Ozarks

Fireworks, festivities and live music add to the Lake of the Ozark's usual blend of fun on the water and on land during the Labor Day Weekend celebrations, Friday, Aug. 31 through Monday, Sept. 3.

Multiple lake-area resorts host large-scale fireworks displays throughout the weekend as a colorful send-off to the summer tourist season.

Bear Bottom Resort, located at 123 Bear Bottom Drive in Sunrise Beach, will entertain guests throughout the three-day holiday celebration with live music featuring the country-rock sounds of  Dirt Road Addiction from 7-11 p.m. on Friday and Saturday evenings. On Sunday, Bear Bottom features the impressive vocal performances of ChristiAna also from 7-11 p.m. On Saturday and Sunday nights, the resort will light up the sky with professional fireworks beginning  at 9:45 p.m. Fireworks also can be viewed from the water at the 38 Mile Marker of the Osage Arm of the Lake of the Ozarks. To find out more about the resort's holiday weekend activities or to reserve lodging for the festivities, call 573-374-6905 or visit www.BearBottomResort.com .

Tan-Tar-A Resort, at 494 Tan Tar A Drive in Osage Beach, will host its annual "End of Summer Celebration" from Friday, Aug. 31 through Sunday, Sept. 2. On Friday evening, guests can enjoy free face painting and free popcorn in the main lobby of the resort. There also will be s'mores and a bonfire outside on Windgate Plaza from 8-9:30 p.m. Throughout the day on Saturday, there will be a mini-golf extravaganza with a chance to win passes to the arcade and/or bowling alley, an all-American burger cookout at the lakeside pool from 12-6 p.m. as well as a variety of fun games and contests. Cody West performs live music from 7-10 p.m. at the Tiki Hut Pool Bar. Sunday's schedule of activities includes more mini-golf fun, limbo and hula-hoop contests, an all-American burger cookout, and visits from Uncle Sam the Stilt Walker and Sprinkles the Clown. Live music featuring the acoustic sounds of Grayson Wood will take place in Mr. D's Lounge from 9-11:30 p.m. Tan-Tar-A's festive weekend is capped off on Sunday evening with a huge fireworks display beginning at dusk. Fireworks can be viewed from the resort or from the Lake at the 26 Mile Marker on the Lake main channel. In addition, the Tropic Island luxury yacht, which docks at Tan-Tar-A's marina, will have a sunset Lake cruise to watch the resort's fireworks. The cruise boards at 7:00 p.m., departs the marina at 7:30 p.m. and returns following the fireworks shortly after 9:30 p.m. Tickets for the cruise cost $30 per person and include light appetizers.  Children three years of age and under are free. To book the Tropic Island fireworks cruise, call 573-348-0083. For complete details on Tan-Tar-A Resort's weekend activities or to make lodging reservations, call 573-348-3131 or visit www.Tan-Tar-A.com.

Aside from the Tropic Island, there will be two other opportunities to see fireworks from a luxury yacht. On Saturday, Sept. 1, visitors to the Lake of the Ozarks can enjoy a scenic sunset cruise complete with fireworks on the Celebration II. This vessel docks and departs from 1006 Bagnell Dam Boulevard, near Bagnell Dam on the historic "Strip" in Lake Ozark. And, on Sunday, Sept. 2, the original Celebration cruises from its Grand Glaize location, 5085 Davis Drive in Osage Beach, to enjoy the fireworks from that section of the Lake. Boarding for both Celebration cruises will be at 7 p.m. with departure at 7:30 p.m. Each vessel will return to its marina at approximately 10 p.m. following the fireworks, which will take place around 9 p.m. Tickets are $35 for adults, $25 for children from 3-10 years of age and free for kids under 3 years. To purchase tickets or to learn more about the two Celebration yachts, call 573-480-3212 or visit www.CruiseLakeoftheOzarks.com.

On Sunday, Sept. 2, The Lodge of Four Seasons, 315 Four Seasons Drive in Lake Ozark, hosts their "Family Labor Day Festival" for guests of the resort. For children, there's an indoor carnival with free activities in the Campana Hall from 10 a.m. until 5 p.m. featuring games and contests as well as a cookie decorating station. There also will be waterslides outside on the lawn. During the carnival, there will be hot dogs and sweet treats available for purchase. For the adults, there will be wine samplings at HK's Restaurant from 1-3 p.m. And, there will be happy hour specials at Breezes from 4-6 p.m. and happy hour specials in the Lobby Bar from 10 p.m. until midnight. There will be water-focused activities throughout the day at the resort's cloverleaf pool and a barbecue buffet in Breezes from 4-9 p.m. The Lodge's spectacular fireworks begin at dusk and can be seen from the resort or by water at the 13 Mile Marker on the main channel of the Lake. To learn more about The Lodge of Four Seasons or to make reservations for lodging for the holiday weekend, visit www.4SeasonsResort.com.

Elsewhere on Sunday, fireworks at the Inn at Grand Glaize, 5142 Osage Beach Parkway in Osage Beach, will begin at dusk and will be viewable by land at the Inn or by water at the 1 Mile Marker of the Grand Glaize Arm of the Lake. For additional details on the holiday activities taking place at the Inn, or to make lodging reservations, visitwww.InnAtGrandGlaize.com.

If a vacationer's idea of a great holiday getaway consists of live music, there are several concerts taking place over the extended weekend.

The Horny Toad Entertainment Complex at  Camden on the Lake Resort, 

located at 2359 Bittersweet Road in Lake Ozark, hosts its annual "Contagious Labor Day Weekend," with repeat nightly live performances from one of the Lake-area's favorite  bands, Contagious. This full-service resort has a well-earned reputation for hosting great bands and great parties. Labor Day weekend will be no exception. The celebration kicks off on Friday and continues through Sunday night. Contagious, hailing from St. Louis, will play on the outdoor boardwalk stage overlooking the beautiful Lake of the Ozarks. Contagious performs contemporary and classic hits from a wide array of popular artists spanning the decades. The music starts at 9 p.m. and concludes around midnight on all three nights. For more weekend details or to book a stay, visit www.CamdenOnTheLake.com.

Ozarks Amphitheater, the 10,000-seat outdoor music venue located at 2629 North Business Route 5 near Camdenton, celebrates Labor Day Weekend by welcoming back Aaron Lewis on Saturday, Sept. 1. Lewis, a Grammy-nominated, multi-platinum-selling recording artist, will be joined by country music star Drake White and up-and-coming country-rocker Alec Davis. Doors open at 6 p.m. with the show beginning at 7 p.m. Tickets start at $30. On Sunday, Sept. 2, for fans of the Netflix original series, "Ozark," the amphitheater hosts a free marathon watch party to celebrate the release of the second season of this gritty crime drama. The open-air screening begins at 12 noon and runs until the tenth episode is complete. Binge-watchers can expect to pay $10 for all-day parking and concessions will be available on-site . The Emmy-nominated show is intended for mature audiences and tells the fictional story of the Byrde family and stars Jason Bateman and Laura Linney.  For additional information or to order tickets for the Aaron Lewis concert, and/or to learn more about the free screening of "Ozark," visit www.OzarksAmp.com.

This is a highlight of some of the fun that awaits visitors at the "Best Recreational Lake in the Nation" over the upcoming holiday weekend.

For all attractions, events, as well as all lodging options available at the Lake of the Ozarks, visit  the Lake of the Ozarks Convention and Visitor Bureau 's award-winning website, www.FunLake.com. Or, call 800-FUN-LAKE (386-5253).

Take A Hike! Lake Of The Ozarks Trails Offer Natural Beauty And Adventure Off The Beaten Path

One of the best ways to enjoy the scenic and natural beauty of the Ozarks is by hiking or taking a leisurely walk through the mixed terrain enjoying the sights, sounds and smells of the forests, glades, meadows and prairie . There are ample opportunities for visitors to the "Best Recreational Lake" in the Nation to head off the beaten path and discover the wonders of nature.

There is perhaps no better place to hike at the Lake of the Ozarks than at its two state parks. In total, the parks have a combined 26 different trails covering over 57 miles. Each park showcases the area's natural history and beauty and each has its own claim to fame.

Ha Ha Tonka State Park was voted the fourth-best state park in the country by readers of USA Today and has one of the most photographed features in the state: The ruins of a 19th century "castle" that was constructed on a high limestone bluff overlooking Ha Ha Tonka Spring and the Niangua arm of the Lake of the Ozarks. The 3,751-acre park is Missouri's premier showcase of karst geology and is unique in the quantity and quality of its remarkable geological features. 

Ha Ha Tonka's fourteen walking trails, covering more than 15 scenic miles throughout the park,  make it easy for visitors to experience the honeycomb of tunnels, rock bridges, caverns, springs, sinkholes and other natural areas. Visitors can peer into caves, climb 316 steps from the spring to the "castle" on a wooden boardwalk that circles the spring chasm, or navigate well-worn paths through the woodland area and the park's glades.

Jim Divincen, administrator for the Lake of the Ozarks Tri-County Lodging Association, enjoys spending some of his free time hiking the trails at Ha Ha Tonka. One of Divincen's favorite trails is the park's longest, Turkey Pen Hollow. This 6.5-mile hike winds through the scenic and rugged Ha Ha Tonka Oak Woodland Natural Area.

"With some near 200-foot climbs in elevation, this trail provides many spectacular views," says Divincen. "The first time I finished the trail, I remember thinking, 'wow, that was really special.' Since then, I've hiked this trail on several occasions at different times of the year and it's an absolutely beautiful experience no matter the season or the weather."

Divincen recommends that those planning to hike Turkey Pen Hollow should allow at least three hours to complete the trail. In addition, Divincen encourages hikers of any of the trails at the Lake to be sure to bring plenty of drinking water.  More details on Ha Ha Tonka's trails can be found atmostateparks.com/park/ha-ha-tonka-state-park .

Lake of the Ozarks State Park is Missouri's largest park consisting of 17,626 acres and also is the most visited. It is a favorite among backpackers and anglers and also features a 10-mile aquatic trail, accessible only by boat.  On land, 12 trails, ranging from 0.8 of a mile to 13.5 miles, wind through the park. Lake of the Ozarks State Park also features trails that accommodate mountain bikers and equestrians for those who would like to explore the park by bicycle or on horseback. 

One of the park's more popular trails is Coakley Hollow, a self-guided interpretive trail that measures a fairly easy distance of one mile. Coakley Hollow meanders through one of the most ecologically diverse areas in the park, featuring six different types of ecosystems, including dolomite glades, fens, spring-fed streams and several types of woodlands. Interpretive stations are located along the trail, making it easy to learn about the terrain and rare species encountered along the hike.

"A great family-friendly trail at Lake of the Ozarks State Park is the Lakeview Bend Trail," says Divincen. This 1.5-mile trail begins at the campground check-in station along State Highway 134 in Kaiser and runs along the banks of Lake of the Ozarks. "There are some splendid views of the Lake from this trail, especially in-season, from June through October, when the water level is up," Divincen concludes.

Hidden below the surface of Lake of the Ozarks State Park is  Ozark Caverns, one of four show caves in the Lake area. Informative park interpreters lead hour-long, narrated hand-held lantern tours of Ozark Caverns' underground beauty from mid-May until mid-September. For more information on the trails and features of Lake of the Ozarks State Park, visit mostateparks.com/park/lake-ozarks-state-park.

Both state parks are free and open to the public year around.  Each offers spectacular shows of color during the spring and fall and native plant species and wildlife thrive in all seasons.

Five unique Missouri conservation areas at Lake of the Ozarks welcome hikers and feature designated walking trails, birding areas and natural areas to explore as well. The conservation areas also are free and open year around. For more details on all the Lake-area conservation areas, their trailheads, and other activities and amenities available, call the Camdenton Conservation Service Center at 573-346-2210, or head to the Missouri Department of Conservation website at www.mdc.mo.gov to access an interactive atlas for detailed maps of the different areas.

There are many lodging options available in close proximity to the state parks and conservation areas, making it easy to relax and unwind after a day on the trails. Accommodations range from full-service resorts to smaller, family-owned resorts; quaint bed and breakfasts to fully-equipped vacation rental homes and condominiums; rustic cabins and comfortable campgrounds and RV parks and familiar hotels and motels. For a complete listing of lodging options available around the Lake area, visit the accommodations page at  www.FunLake.com .

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

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.