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.

15 Free "Hidden Treasures" at Lake of the Ozarks

Lake of the Ozarks is the Midwest’s premier lake resort destination, offering world-class boating, golfing, shopping and fishing, and a wide variety of lodging, restaurants, state parks, and other recreational activities to suit any budget and taste.  Yet, there are “hidden treasures” at that Lake that many visitors don’t know about but are worthy of exploring.  Many may think these treasures would be costly but it is exactly the opposite.  I am talking about the FREE things to do at the Lake that will take your breath away. 

Here are the Top 15 Free “hidden treasures” at the Lake of the Ozarks

1.    Lake of the Ozarks State Park: The Lake of the Ozarks has the largest State Park in Missouri with over 17,441 acres of things to do.  At the park you will find two public beaches, boat launches, camp sites, Lee C. Fine Airport, hiking trails, horseback riding and much more.

2.    Ha Ha Tonka State Park: This is an amazing park and a must see place to visit at the lake.  This park contains over 3,600 acres with 12 hiking trails, 8 caves (not open to the public), picnic areas, playground, exhibits, and castle ruins.

3.    Mother’s Shrine: The Shrine is known as “Mothers' Shrine” and is probably the most meaningful shrine in the country, featuring the Mothers' Wall of Life with names of mothers engraved in the black granite.  A beautiful outdoor shrine with a 14 ft. sculpture of Mary standing above the fountains.

4.    St. Patrick’s Church & Museum: Historic St. Patrick’s Church is the oldest church in Morgan County and the oldest stone church in the three counties surrounding the Lake of the Ozarks.  St. Patrick’s Church was built by Irish Catholics, a first generation German-American and a Protestant Scotsman. The church was designed to hold 80 people and was ready for worship by 1870. The small living quarters were added to the old church in 1936 for the circuit riding priest. These quarters have been turned into a museum that contains many of the vestments, photos and artifacts of the early church.  The last regular church service was held at this Historic Old Church July 20, 1952. It was placed on the National Register of Historic Sites, March 2, 1979. (Information provided by St. Patrick’s Church website.)

5.    Camden County Museum: Located in what was once the Linn Creek School, each classroom has been devoted to a specific theme, ranging from archives to a weaving room, where woven rugs can actually be purchased.

6.    Miller County Museum: This museum serves as a monument for the folk life of central Missouri society, with its Indian heritage, early home accessories, machines, crafts, schools, churches and agriculture.

7.    Morgan County Museum: Located in the old Martin Hotel in Versailles, the Martin Hotel was established more than 150 years ago.  There are 28 rooms decorated with exhibits, including a Chapel, a doll room, a military room and a tool room.

8.    Bagnell Dam Historical Museum: This historic log building was completed in 1930 by the Union Electric Company (now Ameren Missouri) and served as an administrative and entertainment center for the mammoth Bagnell Dam construction project that created Lake of the Ozarks.  The building is now refurbished and serves the Lake area and its visitors as a museum, cultural activities center and offices of the Lake Area Chamber of Commerce.

9.    Bagnell Dam Overlook: This overlook has a breath-taking view of the Bagnell Dam in Lake Ozark, but it also shows the difference in elevation between the Lake of the Ozarks and the Osage River.  The overlook has several areas explaining various historical facts along with a turbine that was recently retired after seventy plus years of use.     

10. Eldon Airpark Disc Golf Course: Disc Golf is a great individual or family sport.  It is played like regular ball golf but with disc (or frisbies).  Eldon has a great 9 or 18 hole course (you can move the baskets) that can be played at any time. 

11. Camdenton Disc Golf Course:  Camdenton just finished building its disc golf course last year.  This course is located at its city park and has more of a rugged terrain.  This is an 18 hole course dug deep into the valleys of Camdenton.

12. Swinging Bridge and Shallows: This is a marvel all on its own and truly a Lake of the Ozarks “hidden treasure”.  As a kid I used to swim here, and it is still around to admire.  This bridge is comprised of 400 feet of wooden planks to go across the Auglaize Creek.  This location is great for fishing, site seeing, swimming or even a picnic.  Travel down the country side to see this “hidden treasure”, truly a great way to showcase the beauty of central Missouri.

13. Tunnel Dam and Whistle Shallows: Lake Niangua at Tunnel Dam is 3 miles long and is at the end of the Big Niangua River.  This area retains the rustic charm of the Ozarks with majestic hills and dense forests.  The gravel bars make perfect spots for afternoon picnics, swimming or just relaxing in the water.  The shallow water in this area is ideal for kayaks or canoes.  This is also a good area for wade fishing or fishing from the bank.

14. Aquatic Trail:  This trail is administered by the MO Department of Natural Resources as part of the Lake of the Ozarks State Park; it is nine miles, which is a two hour boating excursion that runs from Public Beach #1 to Grand Glaize Beach.  One may start from either end and a booklet with a map with a detailed explanation is available at the park office.  You will see everything from a logging chute, caves, naturally solar heated bluff and much more natural phenomenon’s.  

15. MO Department of Conservation Area: North of Camdenton there is a 40 acre conservation area, with an 80 foot viewing platform that is open to the public which allows visitors to get a bird’s eye view of the Lake.  In addition to the tower, there is a 1-1/4 mile hiking trail and an archery practice range (no onsite archery equipment available).

As you start to plan your weekends and decide what to do and where to go, just remember that Lake of the Ozarks is only a short drive away with many fun activities.  There are a variety of free “hidden treasures” to explore as mentioned above that can appeal to anyone who loves to boat, take in the beauty of the outdoors and more.  For more information on any of the activities mentioned above please visit, www.funlake.com or call 573-348-1599.