Lake of the Ozarks is centrally located in the heart of Missouri, making it a great meeting place for many middle-America vacationing families and groups. The major cities of Missouri are only around 150 miles away, including St. Louis, Kansas City, Springfield and Branson. About 300 miles away (approximately 4 hours) you can find cities such as Des Moines, Little Rock, Memphis, Omaha, Peoria, Springfield (IL), Tulsa and Wichita. Because of the increased speed limits and the construction of new highways, the Lake is a quick and easy day trip from most of these cities. While Lake of the Ozarks has a great deal for you to do while you're here, consider extending your trip to visit one of these cities, or fly in and drive from there!
Multiple small airports are nearby the Lake for those of you who choose to arrive via plane and don't want to have to drive too far once you get here. These airports include Lee C. Fine (Kaiser), Camdenton, Columbia Regional, Grand-Glaize (Osage Beach), Eldon, Springfield and Versailles Wing Air Airports. Several of the larger hotels at the Lake do offer complimentary shuttle service to and from the nearby airports, but need advance notice of arrivals and departures. If you'd rather have a car while you're in town, you can rent one from Zee Lake Auto Rentals in Lake Ozark. Note none of the airports are huge (some just operate very small planes), so flights are limited or unavailable at times.
Of course, once you're at the Lake, boating is the preferred way to travel! The Lake of the Ozarks is a twisting 93 miles long; therefore, the common indicator to determine lake location is to note the mile marker. Starting at the Bagnell Dam, each mile of the Lake has a marker that designates how far away from the dam by water that position is. Many of the restaurants and attractions have docks (with attendants) so you can pull right up and enjoy without having to travel on land. Don't forget that there is some serious boat traffic during the summer months!
If you are not planning on staying on the water the entire time and haven't rented a car, then taxi cabs are an option, as are limousines and bus services. There are a few shuttle services around the Lake such as Lake Shuttle and USA Express. Once you get in town, check with the front desk or condo clubhouse for shuttle information if this is the mode of transportation you choose to use.
If you're planning anything from a family reunion to a large conference or convention, Lake of the Ozarks is an easy place to get to from just about anywhere in the mid-west. The breath-taking scenery, dining, shopping and recreational activities offered are a bonus that will surely provide entertainment and relaxation for everyone once they arrive.
This guide to getting around and about Lake of the Ozarks was brought to you by Samara Abrams.