A trip to the Lake of the Ozarks can sound relaxing and overwhelming all at the same time. The Lake reaches 92 miles from end to end and covers 1,100 miles of shoreline (more than the coast of California!). Plus, if you don’t have experience with boats or watercraft, planning a trip to the Lake can be even more complex. Follow the tips and tricks below and you’ll be relaxing on lake time in no time at all.
Tip 1: Pick Accommodations with Easy Lake Access
More than likely you’re planning to visit the Lake of the Ozarks to get out on the water. That means you’ll want to pick an accommodation that offers a marina and easy lake access. The convenience just can’t be beat. Popular picks include the Margaritaville Lake Resort for its full-service marina and family-friendly amenities like an indoor water park, arcade, bowling alley and multiple on-site restaurants. The Lodge of the Four Seasons is another well-loved resort. It also has a full-service marina, on-site restaurants and impressive pools, but what makes it really special is the on-the-water fireworks shows for summer holidays. The Lake of the Ozarks State Park is another great option for families.
Choose from campsites, rustic cabins and yurts. The state park is home to the only two public swimming beaches at the Lake of the Ozarks. Build sandcastles and swim in the Lake and then rent a pontoon boat, fishing boat, kayak, canoe or paddleboat from the marina. If you have your own boat or watercraft, picking an accommodation gets easier. Many resorts and vacation rentals offer boat slips and docks. And while, vacation rentals don’t have marinas, they often have their own swimming docks. Some even have slides into the lake or provide gear like paddleboats, kayaks or canoes.
Tip 2: Plan Ahead for Your Watercraft Rental
Familiarize yourself with what’s available to rent, and make a reservation
Take the time to figure out which type of watercraft will be best for your family. Keep type of activity, party size and ages/abilities in mind. Next, look at your resort or the marina of your choice to make sure they have the watercraft or equipment you want to rent. Then make a reservation! The lake can get busy, especially if it’s a holiday weekend.
Watercraft and equipment you may find for rent include:
- Speed Boats (this is what you’ll want for watersports like tubing or wakeboarding)
- Pontoon or Tritoon Boats
- Fishing Boats
- Jet Ski/Sea-Doo/Wave Runners
- Kayaks
- Canoes
- Paddleboats
- Paddleboards
- Tubes, Rafts and Mats
- Wakeboards, Kneeboards and Water Skis
- Captain Services (Don’t want to operate the boat? No problem. You can rent a captain)
Know the laws
Your stay at the Lake of the Ozarks is likely to involve a watercraft rental of some type. And, if that watercraft is motorized (you’ll need a motorized watercraft for tubing, wakeboarding, and waterskiing), you likely need to obtain a boating safety identification card before operating the boat. Missouri’s Boater Education Law states that any person born after January 1, 1984, must successfully pass a Missouri Boater Education class/test before operating any motorized vessel on any Missouri lake. Avoid hassles by completing the course and getting a card before your trip! There are two ways to do this.
Option 1: Obtain a temporary certificate for boat rentals through Boat-Ed. For this temporary certificate/card, you’ll need to read the Missouri Boating Handbook (a bit like the driver’s ed handbook) and then pay a small fee to take the Missouri Boat Rental Checklist Exam. Once you pass, you can print your temporary certificate. BEWARE, this temporary certificate is only a one-time permit, and it is only good for seven days after you pass the exam. If you are planning to ever rent or drive a boat in Missouri again, you should move on to option 2.
Option 2: Pass a Missouri Boater Education class/test and get a boating safety identification card. In-person courses are free but aren’t located nearby the Kanas City metro area. Instead you’ll probably want to take a Missouri state approved online course through Boat Ed or ilearntoboat. These courses cost between $50-$60 and take a few hours to complete. Once you pass, you’ll be able to print your card immediately and you’ll be lifetime certified to drive boats in Missouri.
You can find more information about Missouri boating laws and courses on the Missouri State Highway Patrol – Water Patrol Division website.
Tip 3. Pack the Right Gear
Make sure your trip goes smoothly by packing the right gear and supplies. Here are some lake-specific items that you’ll want to consider bringing.
- Swimsuits/rash guards (the lake can stain suits so make sure you bring ones you don’t care about getting ruined)
- Life jackets (rentals will come with life jackets but it’s nice to bring ones that you know fit properly)
- Water shoes (the bottom of the lake is rocky)
- Wet/dry packs and waterproof/floating phone cases
- Sand toys and sand removal mitts
- Pool toys and floats
- Wakeboards, kneeboards, waterskis, tubes and any other watersport-related gear (These can also be rented)
- Sunscreen, sun hats, sunshades/umbrellas and after-sun care
- Refillable water bottles
- Cooler/ice packs
- Portable fans
- Beach towels
- Goggles and nose clips
- Swim diapers
- Beach bags/totes
- Fishing gear/fishing license
- Boating Safety Identification Card or Temporary Certificate (see above)
- Portable phone chargers
Tip 4: Pick Some Non-Water Activities
Stormy day? Too much sun? It’s a good idea to have some back up or extra activities in mind for days when you can’t or don’t want to be out on the water. Thankfully, the Lake of the Ozarks has a lot more to offer.
For some on-land adventures, visit Ha Ha Tonka State Park. The park has geological wonders like sinkholes, caves, a natural bridge, sheer bluffs and a large spring. With more than 15 miles of trails, including one that goes by the ruins of a historic turn-of-the-century stone castle, there’s a lot to explore at this state park.
Need to get out of the heat? Visit one of the area’s many caves with cool, 50-60 degrees temperatures year-round. Jacob’s Cave is the Lake of the Ozark’s largest cave and it’s great for small children. It’s fully lit and has paved pathways with no steps, meaning you can take strollers in. For older kids Bridal Cave offers a historical Lantern Tours and a Black Light Adventure allowing you to see the cave’s hidden fluorescent minerals.
For something more urban, visit the Bagnell Dam Strip. The strip has plenty of souvenir shops and restaurants, an arcade, an escape room and old-time photography. The newest addition is the Malted Monkey, a combination ropes course and restaurant (with milkshake bar!). The course is 60 feet high, spans over three levels and has 45 different obstacles. While on the strip, don’t miss Grandma’s Candy Kitchen for hand-dipped chocolates, 20 flavors of homemade fudge and 40 types of saltwater taffy.
