Lake of the Ozarks State Park
Many lake area visitors don't realize a 17,441 acre playground
lies just to the south of Osage Beach. Lake of the Ozarks State
Park is Missouri's largest and can provide a pleasant diversion
while vacationing in the Lake area. The park has 85 miles of shoreline
and two public beaches, plus boat launching areas. Lee C. Fine Memorial
Airport has a 6,500 by 100-ft. runway, plus terminal building, parallel
taxiway, fuel and tiedown service. Hiking trails, horseback riding
stable and four organized youth camps are offered.
 The
Grand Glaize Arm of the lake dissects the park with over 85 miles
of shoreline. You will discover many of the park's facilities
along this water corridor at the Grand Glaize Beach, 1.5 miles south
of the Grand Glaize Bridge on Hwy 54 in Osage Beach and at Public
Beach #1 at the end of Hwy 134.
Bring a picnic dinner to enjoy after swimming at the free sand
beaches found in both areas. For large groups, reserve a picnic
shelter for a $40 fee to guarantee its use or take your chances
and use it on a first-come, first-serve basis when not reserved.
Launch your own boat at the available ramps (minimal launching fee
at Grand Glaize Beach and Public Beach #1; free launch at McCubbin
Point). Rent a boat at PB#1 and Grand Glaize Beach. Fish free from
a dock with crappie beds, as long as you have the appropriate Fishing
license!
Discover unusual natural features along the park's lake shore
on Lake of the Ozarks Aquatic Trail . This unique "trail"
designed for boaters has stops marked by buoys. A free booklet keyed
to these buoys explains the significance of each of the 14 marked
shoreline highlights. It is available at the park office.
Naturalists present programs in an open air amphitheater from
May until mid October, featuring slide shows or movies about natural
features found in Missouri¹s state parks. Guided hikes and
a variety of other programs are provided as well.
Many lake visitors escape the summer¹s heat by exploring 56°
Ozark Caverns. Follow Highway A (between Osage Beach and Camdenton)
for eight miles and follow the signs. After paying a small fee,
hand held lanterns are provided which enhance the sense of discovering
a whole new world of underground beauty. The spectacular Angel's
Shower, a never-ending flow of water which seems to fall from the
solid ceiling of rock into two massive bowl shaped stone basins
on the cave floor, is one of the many features pointed out by your
guide. Unusual animals, adapted to this world of darkness, can be
seen as well.
Ozark Caverns Visitor Center opened in 1987 and helps visitors
understand the cave environment. The one mile Coakley Hollow Self-Guided
Trail near the Visitor Center takes visitors through one of the
most scenic and naturally diverse parts of the park. This is one
of ten trails in the park. A Trail Center on Highway 134 gives information
on interesting features along these trails. Immediately behind it,
Woodland Trail takes you into Patterson Hollow Wild Area, 1,200
acres which are completely undeveloped. A park trail and wild area
guide gives additional information and is available at the park
office.
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