Vacation Rentals in Lake of the Ozarks

With a wood-clad vacation cabin you can fully enjoy the rustic feel of camping while having a roof over your head and all the modern amenities you need. Cabin rentals are available in quaint one-room sizes perfect for a romantic retreat to family-sized waterfront homes with balconies and stunning lake views.

If you like a community feel as well as having shops and eateries on the doorstep, then a family house or apartment in lakeside towns such as {{Osage Beach}{34237} are perfect for you. Fully equipped and designed to be vacation rentals from home, these comfortable vacation rentals blend the best of both town and countryside.

The Lake of the Ozarks is a recreational region bordering a large reservoir in Central Missouri. It is a popular tourist destination offering plenty of natural beauty and outdoor activities. The lake itself stretches for 93 miles from its starting point at the Bagnell Dam and is split into different areas such as Horseshoe Bend, Grand Glaize, and Gravois Arm. The largest settlement is Osage Beach located on the lake's southeast arm.

The Lake of the Ozarks was created when the Bagnell Dam, opened in 1931, stopped the flow of the Osage River. With a surface area of 54,000 acres and a shoreline measuring 1,150 miles, the lake provides plenty of space for everyone to enjoy the recreational activities. The serpentine shape of the lake earned it the local nickname of 'The Magic Dragon', a name reflected in local events such as the Magic Dragon Street Meet when hundreds of vintage and veteran vehicles are shown off.

The nearest commercial airport is Lambert-St. Louis International, approximately two hour's drive away. US Route 54 along with Missouri Routes 7 and 134 provide easy access to the region.

With a vehicle the wonderful scenery of the Lake of the Ozarks can be explored fully. Head up to the Bagnell Dam Overlook for panoramic views of the lake and meander through the Thunder Mountain Conservation Area. Several museums dot the shores of the lake including the Miller County Museum at Tuscumbia and the Willmore Lodge Museum which documents the history of the dam.

Renting a boat for a day or two is the perfect way of sightseeing and visiting some of the settlements and restaurants that sit on the shoreline. You can also admire some of the large and exclusive homes with their own water frontage. Boats of all sizes from kayaks and canoes, to speedboats and cabin cruisers, can be hired. Please note: drinking while in charge of a boat is not permitted and the lake is regularly patrolled.

Bridal Cave is hidden away under Thunder Mountain and is said to be an earlier site of Native American wedding ceremonies. Today, it can be booked as a romantic and unique venue for your wedding ceremony while the Lake of the Ozarks provides the perfect honeymoon destination. As well as getting married here, there are also plenty of things for visitors to see and do.

The Big Surf Family Fun Water Park is full of exciting features designed for all ages to enjoy, from building a sandcastle to riding the Raging Rapids and braving the awesome Zambezi Falls.

This state park overlooks the lake and is full of outstanding geological features such as sinkholes, bluffs, and a huge natural bridge. It is also home to the romantic ruins of a 19th-century castle.

Whatever the season and whether you are on a boat or the shoreline, it is almost guaranteed you will land a fish. The Lake of the Ozarks is home to dozens of fish species including crappie, spoonbill, channel catfish, and white bass.

Driving over the region's two 'Swinging Bridges' is something that must be experienced. These two famous bridges are located at Brumley and are still used to carry local traffic over the water.

Stop off at the Springs Winery for a fascinating look at local wine production. Set in 160 acres of rolling hills near Osage Beach, the winery has a covered porch where you can sample wines while enjoying the beautiful view.

With very little snow, no extremes of temperature, 195 sunny days, and only 74 days of measurable rain a year, the Lake of the Ozarks has the perfect climate for outdoor adventures. As with any region that focuses on outdoor activities, always go prepared for sudden changes in the weather.

Several of the lake's settlements go to town with their Christmas lights, putting on magnificent spectacles from mid-November through to January. One of the most spectacular is the Enchanted Village of Lights in The City of Laurie.