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 tie-down 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 Public Beach #1 at the end of Hwy 134 and at Public Beach #2 (Grand Glaize Beach), 1.5 miles south of the Grand Glaize Bridge on Hwy 54 in Osage Beach.

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 McCubbins 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 about natural features found in Missouri's state parks. Guided hikes and a variety of other programs are provided as well.

Many Lake visitors escape the summer 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 Shower, a never-ending flow of water that seems to fall from the solid ceiling of rock into a 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 1986 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 eleven 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.