Lake of the Ozarks fun spots?

[powell0819]

My husband and I got our first boat. Its not big, just a 16 foot sea sprite tri-hull with a merc 120 in it , but we are wanting to take it somewhere to socialize with people... We never get to have any fun

Where is the best places on the Ozarks for that? We live in the area so we know it can be rowdy down there lol and have heard stories but we never had a need to pay attention to where the good spots are at. Any suggestions? What about hotels on the water? Are they pricey down there? It would also most likely be on a weekday. We are over the road truck drivers so whenever we get home is when we are going out after we do a few maintenance things to the boat. Thanks in advance.

 

[powell0819]

Re: Lake of the Ozarks fun spots?

Yeah I read some previous threads about LOZ.. Might just have to stay away from there. So. Lets try Truman? Any good spots for fun out there? I know it fairly well and have been to long shoal, bucksaw, sparrowfoot, and the state park but that was when I was a kid. Now that im not kinda wanna see what else this lake offers??

 

[nophun]

Re: Lake of the Ozarks fun spots?

Most of the "fun spots" are down by the dam, but I don't know that it would be enjoyable to be boating in a 16' on a busy weekend. Big ****'s 1/2 Way Inn is ~42mm, just changed hand and the new owner's ads on local radio promise new and improved. There's supposed to be a couple good restaurants on the south shore in the 60+MM range (Ivy Bend area), there's a new Dept of Conservation ramp in that same vicinity on the north side (Stover south to 135-12); good boating for smaller boats here but Ivy Bend is meh for activities or lodging on the lake.

Should be able to find some stuff via google. Living at the lake you'd think I'd be more help:-(

 

[powell0819]

Re: Lake of the Ozarks fun spots?

Lol well thank you I will check out those places you mentioned. i have family I think at the 43 (either 43 or 71) but dont really wanna run into them lol otherwise I would ask them. They would snoop. but yeah I had figured it would be a rough and tumble ride so we for sure would not go on a weekend but might on a weekday. Thanks for the help

 

[emilsr]

Re: Lake of the Ozarks fun spots?

If you come to LOTO during the week you won't have any problem going anywhere you like in your boat. Most of the party spots (like party cove) are hopping on the weekend....during the week it's just us locals.

The places at the higher numbers are generally cheaper but not always. We're more familiar with the low numbers as that's where we live; Big Bear Resort at the 2mm is nice and reasonably priced. It's also close to 2 of our favorite on water places; Docknockers (best crab legs on the lake) at the 3.5mm south shore, and Schmidty's Tiki Bar (3.5mm north shore....fun little joint).

If you want to kick up your heels and have a good time, it's hard to pick a bad location on this lake.

 

[DaNinja]

Re: Lake of the Ozarks fun spots?

I don't know if I can go so far as saying "no problem going anywhere during a summer weekday at LOTO". Especially in a 16' trihull. I do agree that it's much easier during the week. Even in our 24' Starcraft, I've come upon waters that made my guests uncomfortable. That's my guests and paranoid wife, though. I've never found waters that impeded my travels while piloting solo.

I should be up at the LOTO place early next week. Our water on the Big Niangua are usually more calm than the main channel. We usually cove out on the Lil' Niangua. Ha Ha Tonka is another good trip on the BN. I usually stay into October or November and the waters after Labor Day are a dream.

 

[PowerAddict]

Re: Lake of the Ozarks fun spots?

I've been on LOTO in a 16' Tri-hull on 4th of July weekend....Main channel, party cove area...NOT RECOMMENDED! HaHA! Its dangerous, I'm a dumb kid so it was and adventure to us, but you really gotta know how to drive..keep the bow up a little to break the crests, and don't stop!

However, I know further down the lake its much calmer, but I've never been there...Lots of people go there I know, jet boaters gather there alot, I know its poppin', someone should chime in on where to go around there.

I haven't heard much about truman..but what about Table Rock? The water is beautiful, there's some places to go on the water, and there is a party cove-ish area around MM 16 if I remember.

Good Luck!

 

[Tabes117]

Re: Lake of the Ozarks fun spots?

If you come to LOTO during the week you won't have any problem going anywhere you like in your boat. Most of the party spots (like party cove) are hopping on the weekend....during the week it's just us locals.

The places at the higher numbers are generally cheaper but not always. We're more familiar with the low numbers as that's where we live; Big Bear Resort at the 2mm is nice and reasonably priced. It's also close to 2 of our favorite on water places; Docknockers (best crab legs on the lake) at the 3.5mm south shore, and Schmidty's Tiki Bar (3.5mm north shore....fun little joint).

If you want to kick up your heels and have a good time, it's hard to pick a bad location on this lake.

I have stayed at Big Bear Resort, but I believe they are closed down now. Look on VRBO.com Lots of private condo rentals get more for your money. Franki & Louies, Captain Ron's, The Clown and Coconuts!! All are fun search them on the web. Get off the lake by 4:00pm on Friday, the wakes will swamp your boat.

 

[Kurt V]

Re: Lake of the Ozarks fun spots?

Big Bear Resort is not only open, but has expanded with more things for kids, and adults, to do. Great place.

I have a 17 foot bass boat and have a cabin on the lake. Like others have said, during the week, the Lake is fairly calm and you can get around to most places on the lake without fear of the waves. On weekends, you best be above the 60 mile marker if you want to get out and about in your boat. Even then you need to stay alert.

 

[DaNinja]

Re: Lake of the Ozarks fun spots?

Big Bear Resort is not only open, but has expanded with more things for kids, and adults, to do. Great place.

I have a 17 foot bass boat and have a cabin on the lake. Like others have said, during the week, the Lake is fairly calm and you can get around to most places on the lake without fear of the waves. On weekends, you best be above the 60 mile marker if you want to get out and about in your boat. Even then you need to stay alert.

I think were confusing our LOTO bears.
Big Bear Resort
Bear Bottom Resort

I think Bear Bottom Resort fits your description and locales better.

 

[emilsr]

Re: Lake of the Ozarks fun spots?

I think were confusing our LOTO bears.
Big Bear Resort
Bear Bottom Resort

I think Bear Bottom Resort fits your description and locales better.

I think so too....and both are open.

Bear Bottom has a swim up bar at the bottom of the water slides, boat in movies on Thursday nights and fireworks on the weekends. Fun place. I wish it wasn't 38 miles from us....we'd go there more often.

Big Bear is basically just condos and houses (plus a swim dock and nice boat docks). No bar, restaurant or marina; nice, quiet place to stay but isn't one of the party spots (like Bear Bottom).

You really can't find a place on this lake that isn't fun. We proved that on the dam to dam run this spring.