National park · United States

Lake of the Ozarks

There is no gate and no entry fee: the lake is public water, so you pay for parking, boat rental or a state-park lot instead. Base at Osage Beach or Lake Ozark, walk the trails in Lake of the Ozarks State Park, and keep to weekdays in June–August when the water is busiest.

Not field-verifiedSome areas permit-onlyChecked Sep 2026

Map to the park

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Directions

From where I am

Add your hotel to get directions from it. · stays in this browser; shared with the pocket card.

Area

250 km²97 sq mi

approximate

Established

1931

Best months

May, Sep–Oct

UNESCO

None

Rules in force · 7Crossing between the US, Canada and Mexico by land needs …Cannabis is legal in Canada and in many US states, but ta…

North America ↗Crossing between the US, Canada and Mexico by land needs your passport even on a day trip; rental cars need the company's written permission to cross, and most US and Canadian rental insurance stops at the Mexican border.
North America ↗Cannabis is legal in Canada and in many US states, but taking any amount across the US, Canadian or Mexican border is a federal crime — including edibles and vapes.
North America ↗The busiest US and Canadian national parks need timed-entry, campsite or lodge reservations in summer; release dates are months ahead.
United States ↗Check whether you need an ESTA (Visa Waiver Program) or a visa on the official CBP and State Department sites; apply only through esta.cbp.dhs.gov, not third-party sites, and allow time before you book.
United States ↗Several popular national parks use timed-entry or vehicle reservations in peak season; check each park's page on nps.gov and book on recreation.gov before fixing your dates.
United States ↗Medical care is very expensive for visitors; buy travel insurance with high medical cover before you fly.
United States ↗Tipping is expected: about 15–20% at sit-down restaurants and bars, and a tip for taxis, hotel staff and guides.

At a glance

Country: United States
Area: 250 km²97 sq mi; Surface area varies with pool level; commonly quoted around 54,000 acres (about 220 km²) at full pool, with roughly 1,150 miles (1,850 km) of shoreline (check).
Established: 1931
Best months: May, Sep–Oct
Permits: For some areas

The Lake of the Ozarks is a 92-mile (148 km) reservoir on the Osage River, formed when Bagnell Dam closed in 1931 and for years the largest man-made lake in the United States. It is not a national park and has no entrance gate: the water and its shoreline are a recreation area of resorts, marinas, waterfront bars and private homes, with mile markers measured by water distance from the dam. The public land is Lake of the Ozarks State Park at the Grand Glaize arm, the largest park in Missouri, plus Ha Ha Tonka and Stark Caverns nearby. Come for boating, fishing and golf; treat the trails as a half-day, not the reason for the trip.

Decide

Why go, which months, and what lives here when

At a glance

Status

No UNESCO listing; national park since 1931.

Size and age

250 km²97 sq mi · national park since 1931

Surface area varies with pool level; commonly quoted around 54,000 acres (about 220 km²) at full pool, with roughly 1,150 miles (1,850 km) of shoreline (check).

Why go

A 92-mile lake with 1,300-plus miles of shoreline: boating, fishing and swimming from your own rented pontoon.
Lake of the Ozarks State Park gives free public trails, a cave and two swimming beaches on the Grand Glaize arm.
Waterfront restaurants, tiki bars and live music from the Bagnell Dam Strip to the west side.
Golf: more than a dozen courses around the lake, several of them championship layouts.
Easy weekend reach from St. Louis, Kansas City and Jefferson City by car.

When to go

12-month verdict

JanAvoid
FebAvoid
MarCaution
AprGo
MayBest
JunGo
JulCaution
AugCaution
SepBest
OctBest
NovGo
DecCaution

JanCold, most marinas and waterfront bars closed
FebQuietest month; ice possible on coves
MarShoulder season; some resorts reopen
AprMild, low crowds, fishing picks up
MayWarm, water still cool, prices before peak
JunWarm and busy at weekends; book boats early
JulHottest and busiest; 90s °F most days
AugPeak crowds and heat; weekday visits only
SepWarm water, thinner crowds after Labor Day
OctFall colour; some pools stay open into early October
NovCool and quiet; many seasonal places shut
DecMild spells possible; most lake services closed

Wildlife and nature calendar

Seasons shift by weeks each year

Wildlife and nature calendar for Lake of the Ozarks
What	Jan	Feb	Mar	Apr	May	Jun	Jul	Aug	Sep	Oct	Nov	Dec
Crappie and bass fishingMar–May, Sep–Nov · Spring and autumn are the strongest windows; summer fish go deeper.	no	no	yes	yes	yes	no	no	no	yes	yes	yes	no
Waterfowl and herons on the covesMar–May, Oct–Nov	no	no	yes	yes	yes	no	no	no	no	yes	yes	no
Mosquitoes and chiggersMay–Sep · Carry repellent for grass and brush; ticks in the state park.	no	no	no	no	yes	yes	yes	yes	yes	no	no	no
Bald eagles around the dam in winterDec–Feb · Occasional sightings; open water below the dam attracts them (check).	yes	yes	no	no	no	no	no	no	no	no	no	yes

Arrive & move

Getting in, how the park is divided, and where things are

How to get there

From St. Louis

I-70 west then US-54 south via Jefferson City to Osage Beach.

2.5–3 h

From Kansas City

I-70 east then MO-5 south via Camdenton.

3–3.5 h

From Jefferson City

US-54 south runs straight to the lake; about 40 min from the Amtrak station.

40–60 min

From Columbia Regional Airport (COU)

US-63 south then US-54 south; small airport with daily flights to Chicago, Dallas and Denver.

1–1.5 h

From Springfield-Branson (SGF)

I-44 east then MO-5 north via Camdenton.

1.5–2 h

From Kansas City International (KCI)

I-70 east then MO-5 south; the largest airport serving the area.

3 h

From St. Louis Lambert (STL)

I-70 west then US-54 south.

2.5 h

Zones and sectors

Zones of Lake of the Ozarks
Zone	What is there	Access
Bagnell Dam and the Strip	The dam that created the lake, mile marker 0, plus shops, arcades and bars on the old commercial strip.	Open; free to walk, paid parking in places.
Grand Glaize arm	The arm at Osage Beach holding Lake of the Ozarks State Park, two swimming beaches and Party Cove.	State park free; trails and beaches open daylight hours.
West Side	Greenview, Sunrise Beach, Laurie and Gravois Mills: the quieter side, with the Gravois and Niangua arms.	Open; fewer services, more rental houses.
North Shore and Horseshoe Bend	The first 6–17 miles of water, reached by land via Highway W and Route HH.	Open; residential and resort shoreline.
Shawnee Bend	The bend after Horseshoe Bend, linked by the Lake of the Ozarks Community toll bridge.	Open; toll applies on the bridge.

Sketch map

Approximate — not for navigation

Approximate positions along the lake from Bagnell Dam to Camdenton, for orientation only.

1Bagnell Dam · Gate≈38.203, -92.624Mile marker 0; the dam that created the lake.Map ↗
2Lake Ozark · Town≈38.199, -92.639Map ↗
3Osage Beach · Town≈38.150, -92.630Map ↗
4Lake of the Ozarks State Park · Headquarters≈38.100, -92.600Approximate: main park area on the Grand Glaize arm.Map ↗
5Camdenton · Town≈38.009, -92.744Map ↗
6Stark Caverns · Cave≈38.270, -92.570Approximate: about 7 minutes east of Bagnell Dam off US-54.Map ↗
7Ha Ha Tonka State Park · Viewpoint≈37.970, -92.770Approximate: castle ruins and springs south-west of Camdenton.Map ↗
8Sunrise Beach · Town≈38.180, -92.780Approximate: west-side base.Map ↗

See & do

Caves, trails and wildlife, with how hard each is and whether it needs booking

Top experiences

TrailsEasy1–3 hLake of the Ozarks State Park trailsThe largest state park in Missouri: woodland loops, a cave and lake views on the Grand Glaize arm.

Boat tripsEasyFull dayPontoon day on the main channelMost marinas charge around $400 a day; watch No Wake zones and the mile markers.Booking: Reserve at a marina in advance for summer weekends

CavesEasy1–1.5 hStark CavernsGuided cave tour with an underground lake, about 7 minutes east of Bagnell Dam off US-54.

WildlifeEasyHalf dayFishing the covesCrappie and bass are the local staples; a Missouri licence is required.

CultureEasy1–2 hBagnell Dam Strip walkCandy shops, old-time photos, arcades and souvenir stores where the resort trade began.

ViewpointsEasyHalf dayGolf at a lake courseMore than a dozen courses around the lake, several with bluff and creek holes.

Practical

Fees, permits, rules, where to sleep and what can go wrong

Entry fees and permits

USD ranges · check

Fees for Lake of the Ozarks
Item	Range	Per	Note
Lake access (public water)	Free	person	No gate or entry fee; the lake is public water.
Lake of the Ozarks State Park entry	Free	vehicle	Missouri state parks do not charge entry; some lots and boat ramps may have a fee (check).
Pontoon rental, full day	US$350–500	boat	2026 estimate; most marinas quote around $400 for an all-day pontoon, plus fuel.
Speedboat or personal watercraft rental	US$250–600	day	2026 estimate; varies by size, season and marina (check).
Stark Caverns tour	US$20–30	person	2026 estimate; cave tours are ticketed separately (check).
Missouri fishing licence (non-resident)	US$10–50	person	2026 estimate; required for anglers, short-term permits available (check).

Ranges, not quotes: fees change without notice. Check with the park or your operator · checked Sep 2026.

Lake access no permit

No permit for the water itself; launch ramps and marinas may charge a fee.

Boat operation permit or guide

Boaters born after 1 January 1984 generally need a Missouri boater safety card; check current state rules before renting.

Fishing permit or guide

A Missouri fishing licence is required; buy online or at tackle shops in Osage Beach or Camdenton.

State park camping permit or guide

Campsites at Lake of the Ozarks State Park are booked in advance through the Missouri State Parks reservation system.

Park rules

Drones, guides, camping and more

No Wake zones: Observe posted No Wake buoys and marina instructions; the Missouri Water Patrol is active in high season.
Boating and alcohol: Have a sober designated driver for the boat; alcohol-related accidents are the main safety issue on the lake.
Boater safety card: Boaters born after 1 January 1984 generally need a Missouri boater safety card; confirm current rules before renting (check).check
Fishing licence: Required for anyone fishing; buy online or locally.
Litter: Take all rubbish ashore; the lake is the drinking-water and recreation source for the region.

Where to stay

Near the park

Osage Beach

The main service town: hotels, condos, outlets and restaurants on US-54.

Near the park

Lake Ozark and Bagnell Dam Strip

Closest base to the dam, the Strip and mile marker 0.

Near the park

Camdenton

Inland town at the south end, handy for the state park and MO-5.

In the park

Lake of the Ozarks State Park campgrounds

Public campsites inside the park; book ahead for summer weekends.

Near the park

West Side rental houses

Sunrise Beach, Laurie and Gravois Mills: quieter, more space, fewer walkable services.

Safety

Boating accidents high

The lake has a long record as one of the most accident-prone US waterways; keep a sober driver, watch No Wake zones and avoid the busiest coves at peak times.

Sun and heat medium

There is little shade on the water; use sunscreen, drink water and start lake days early in July and August.

Swimming from boats medium

Main-channel boat traffic does not see swimmers well; swim in coves and off the state park beaches.

Winter driving low

Winding Ozark roads ice over in cold snaps; check conditions before a winter weekend.

Accessibility

Lake of the Ozarks State Park has paved paths and accessible picnic and beach areas; check individual trail surfaces.
Boat rentals and cruises vary in wheelchair access; ask the operator before booking.
The Bagnell Dam Strip is largely flat but has uneven pavements and steps into older shops.

Visiting lightly

Never leave litter or cigarette ends in the water or on the shore; the lake is the region's water supply.
Follow No Wake zones to limit shoreline erosion and disturbance.
Rent one boat for a group rather than several, and refuel carefully at marinas.

Questions people ask

How much does it cost to enter Lake of the Ozarks?

Nothing. There is no gate and no entry fee: the lake is public water. You pay for what you use — marina parking, boat or personal watercraft rental (an all-day pontoon is commonly around $400 in 2026), cave tours, golf and any state-park campsite. Lake of the Ozarks State Park itself does not charge an entry fee.

What are the best hikes in Lake of the Ozarks?

The trails are in Lake of the Ozarks State Park on the Grand Glaize arm, the largest park in Missouri, with woodland loops of roughly 1–3 hours, a cave and lake views. Nearby, Ha Ha Tonka State Park has bluff-top castle ruins and spring trails. The lake shoreline itself is private or resort land, so there is no long lakeside walking route.

When is the best time to visit Lake of the Ozarks?

May, September and October. May is warm with lower prices, September keeps warm water after the Labor Day crowds thin, and October brings fall colour with some pools and bars still open into early October. July and August are the hottest and busiest; January and February are quiet with most seasonal businesses closed.

Do I need a car at Lake of the Ozarks?

Yes. There is no public transit, and the lake is 92 miles long with towns spread along US-54 and winding county roads. Drive from St. Louis (2.5–3 h), Kansas City (3–3.5 h) or Jefferson City (about 40 min). If you have a boat, the water is the better way to reach waterfront restaurants.

Is Lake of the Ozarks a national park?

No. It is a reservoir and recreation area on the Osage River in Central Missouri, created by Bagnell Dam in 1931. The public parkland is Lake of the Ozarks State Park, run by Missouri State Parks, so US national park passes do not apply here.

Can you swim in Lake of the Ozarks?

Yes, in coves and at the state park beaches. Avoid swimming in the main channel where boat traffic is heavy, and never swim near a moving boat or after dark.

Deep dive

Every source; fees and rules change, so check before you go