Good
Trails Make for Great Times at Central Missouri's
Lake of the
Ozarks |
Lake
of the Ozarks, Mo. - Few vacation
destinations can offer as many types of trails as
the Lake of the Ozarks. One good thing always
leads to another on the Lake's wine trail, aquatic
trail or golf trail, for example. Read on for hot
topics and tips to get you started on summer
stories about the Lake's many trails. |
Art, Wine, Food and History
Grace the Art & Ambiance Trail
... |
Along the 95 miles of the Art and Ambiance Trail, visitors to
the Lake of the Ozarks will find artists working
in media from glass to metal. Many of the artists
will invite visitors into their studios to see
their work. Local art also is available in the
galleries along the trail. The work of these
talented local artists is sure to nourish the
soul. Visitors also can
nourish their bodies along the trail at unique
local eateries - including bakeries and coffee
shops. Local wineries add the finishing touch to a
trip filled with art and ambiance. For more
information, go to: http://www.artandambiance.com/. |
A Trail to Wine and Dine
Visitors ... |
The Lake's six wineries
form the Wine Trail. They invite visitors to
sample the fruits of their labors and enjoy the
views of the vineyards and the area's scenic
beauty.
- Casa de Loco
Winery,Camdenton, offers the perfect pairing
of romance and wine. Luxury accommodations are
available for those who would like to stay at
the winery. Tastings are available of wines
including "Straightjacket Syrah" and "Rojo
Loco." Casa de Loco offers custom blending
parties, allowing visitors to create their own
wines. Find all the details at: http://www.casadelocowinery.com/.
- Eichenberg Winery,
Cole Camp, brings the
German heritage of the area to life in wines
crafted from varieties of German grapes that
grow well in the Central Missouri climate.
Eichenberg offers varieties of wines from deep,
dry reds like "Norton" to the light, sweet white
of "Liebersaft," the "love juice" of the
vineyard. Learn more about the winery at: http://www.eichenbergwinery.homestead.com/.
- Golden Rock
Winery,Camdenton, offers 30 varieties of red,
white, fruit and specialty wines, including "Cab
Syrah Zin" and "Bella Bianco." An onsite
restaurant prepares delicacies in a green
kitchen. Wine tastings are available and Golden
Rock also will custom label bottles of wine in a
matter of minutes to make the perfect gift for
any occasion. More information about the winery
can be found at: http://www.goldenrockwinery.com/.
- Seven Springs
Winery, Linn Creek, is situated
between Osage Beach and Camdenton in the rolling
foothills of Central Missouri. Visitors can
enjoy one of their signature wines like
"Traminette" white or "Seven's Red Heaven."
Seven Springs offers a light menu for lunch and
a full dinner menu in the evening. There
are even a few micro-brews for those with an
alternate palate. Visit the website at: http://www.sevenspringswinery.com/.
- Shawnee Bluff
Winery,Lake Ozark, sits atop a bluff on
Bagnell Dam Boulevard, offering a panoramic view
of the Lake. In addition to hand-crafted wines
like the "Flappers and Philosophers" white and
"Retro Red," they offer brick oven pizza and
even lodging accommodations for those who would
like to stay at the facility. Learn more about
Shawnee Bluff at: http://www.shawneebluffwinery.com/.
- Sugarloaf
Winery, Camdenton, has much to offer visitors to
the Lake of the Ozarks - wine, music, Lake
views, barbeque, pizza, lodging accommodations
and even kayak rentals. Sugarloaf visitors can
enjoy the scenic beauty of the Lake's Niangua
arm along with one of seven wines, including
"White Pelican" or "Sir Ivory." Learn more
at their website: http://www.sugarloafwinery.com/.
|
The Aquatic Trail Offers a
View from the Water ... |
In most cases, "trail" and "water"
might not seem to go together, but the
Lake of the Ozarks Aquatic
Trail is the
exception. This 9.75-mile trail gives visitors a
unique perspective of the beauty of Lake of the
Ozarks State Park - enjoying the shoreline from
the water, instead of the other way
around.
Buoys
mark key points along the trail between Grand
Glaize Beach and the main campground. The letters
on the buoys correspond with descriptions in the
Aquatic Trail Guide, which describes the stops
along the trail. The guide is available in
several locations around the park.
Additional information is available at http://www.mostateparks.com/trails/lake-ozarks-state-park?type=boating. |
Golf Trail Courses Are
Above Par ...
|
The Lake of the Ozarks Golf Trail is
the one to take for visitors who want to see the
Lake hole-by-hole. The 13 courses along the Golf
Trail are carved into the hills of the Missouri
Ozarks, offering beauty with every drive and putt.
However, playing the challenging courses designed
by golf greats such as Arnold Palmer, Tom
Weiskopf, Bruce Devlin and Robert Von Hagge may
not allow visitors much time for admiring the
scenery. Find out more about the Golf Trail at: http://golfingmissouri.com/. |
Hiking Trails Offer Fun by
the Mile ...
|
Peaceful glades,
natural woodlands and shoreline views of the Lake
await Lake of the Ozarks visitors who choose to
hike the 12 trails at Lake of the Ozarks State Park. The
park's trails range in length from seven-tenths of
a mile on the White Oak Trail to 13.5 miles on the
Trail of Four Winds. Fawn's Ridge Trail has a
section that is wheelchair accessible. The trails
are well marked with blazes for hikers and offer
opportunities to see area
wildlife.
At
Ha Ha Tonka State Park, several
short trails offer tree identification labels and
other interpretive opportunities. Three of the
park's 14 trails are paved and wheelchair
accessible. Trail lengths run from 430 feet to
more than six miles and include interesting
geographic formations, like sink holes and natural
bridges.
The
website offers individual descriptions of each
trail and other helpful information for hikers: http://www.mostateparks.com/. |
Trail Rides Offer a View of
the Lake from the Back of a Horse
...
|
The
operators of Ozark Homestead Riding Stables,
located in Lake of the Ozarks State Park,
believe there is a little cowboy in everyone.
Visitors to the Lake are invited to find their
inner cowboy on one of Ozark Homestead's trail
rides in the park. One-hour and two-hour rides are
offered and will take riders along the scenic
trails in the park. There are even pony rides for
small children who are not yet ready to ride on
their own.
Visitors
to the Lake of the Ozarks are also invited to
bring their own horses and enjoy the park's three
equestrian trails. For more information about
trail rides at Ozark Homestead, go to: http://www.lakehorse.com/. General
information about horseback riding at Lake of the
Ozarks State Park is available at: http://www.mostateparks.com/trails/lake-ozarks-state-park?type=horseback%20riding.
Tan-Tar-A
Resort also offers two miles of trails
meandering through the wooded rolling hills
adjoining The Oaks and Hidden Lakes golf courses
on the resort's property. Visitors of all
ages and experience levels can saddle up at Circle R Stables at the
resort. For more information, go to http://www.circlerstables.com/. |
LOOKING
AHEAD... |
The
summer season is loaded with fun fairs, festivals
and events at the Lake of the Ozarks. For more
information about summer getaway packages,
lodging, dining, shopping, events and attractions
throughout the Lake area, contact the Lake of the
Ozarks Convention & Visitor Bureau at
800-FUN-LAKE (386-5253) or visit
the Bureau's website, FunLake.com.
HOT SUMMER
NIGHTS
Hot Summer Nights is a monthly car cruise
featuring all makes and models of cars, trucks and
motorcycles. It's an opportunity for car
enthusiasts to cruise the mile-long Bagnell Dam
strip to show off their own rides or admire
someone else's. Hot Summer Nights includes family
friendly fun. There will be giveaways, food and DJ
Leo Case "spinning tunes" to put attendees in a
"sock hop" frame of mind. Hot Summer
Nights asks "Where Were You in '62?" as it
celebrates the 40th anniversary of the movie
"American Graffiti." For more information, go
to: CruiseHotSummerNights.com.
INDEPENDENCE
DAY CELEBRATIONS
JULY
Visitors
to the Lake of the Ozarks can experience
traditional 4th of July fireworks from a different
perspective - on the water. Those who want to
spend Independence Day at the Lake should plan a
getaway now at one of more than 200 local lodging
properties. Communities and resorts around the
Lake will offer spectacular displays of
pyrotechnics on July 4 and over the holiday
weekend. Visitors can enjoy them on land at
festivals featuring food, fun and games. Those
with boats can take to the water on their
own. Others can make reservations to view
the fireworks on tour boats like the Tropic Island
or the Celebration, which offer special fireworks
cruises. For exact times, dates and locations for
fireworks displays, go to FunLake.com.
MISSOURI
WOMEN'S GOLF ASSOCIATION CHAMPIONSHIP
TOURNAMENT
The
Missouri Women's Golf Association
(MWGA) will play its annual Amateur Championship
Tournament at Old Kinderhook Golf Club in July.
Karen Johnson of the MWGA said Lake of the Ozarks
and Old Kinderhook have been "top on our list for
an MWGA Amateur Championship." The quality of the
maintenance and design of the Tom Weiskopf course,
which plays at approximately 5,900 yards, was the
draw for the group. "This is our 75th anniversary
of the Amateur Championship, and we wanted to
choose a special place to commemorate the
occasion," Johnson said. The tournament showcases
the top women amateurs in a 54-hole stroke-play
competition. Spectators are welcome at the
tournament. For more information on the event,
visit MoWomensGA.org.
AQUAPALOOZA
The
Lake of the Ozarks Marine Dealers Association
along with some area businesses will host Aquapalooza, the single largest
one-day boating event at the Lake of the Ozarks.
Dog Days Bar and Grill on Jeffries Road in Osage
Beach, or at mile marker 19, will host the
afternoon of family-friendly fun on the water.
This year's Aquapalooza will feature up-and-coming
musicians Nic Cowan and the Brian Collins Band,
along with the classic rock of The Devonshires
and, from Kansas City, the acoustic vocal trio
Rock Paper Scissors. For more information, go to:
FunLake.com/Aquapalooza/.
19th ANNUAL MID-MISSOURI
WINE & BREW FESTIVAL
AUGUST
Discover
and appreciate the art of wine and beer tasting as
you sample the bottled offerings of local and
regional wineries and breweries. Specialty vendors
and restaurants will be present to complete the
experience with hors d'oeuvres. The event is held
at the Country Club Hotel and Spa in Lake Ozark.
Tickets are $15 in advance or $20 at the door and
include a souvenir wine glass. For more
information, contact the Country Club Hotel and
Spa at (573) 964-1008.
25th
Annual Lake of the Ozarks Shootout
AUGUST
Named one of the
nation's eight must-see boating events by
Powerboat Magazine, The Shootout is the largest
unsanctioned boat competition in the U.S., and
more than 100 boats individually race to be named
the Lake's fastest boat. This thrilling spectacle
takes place at Captain Ron's Bar & Grill, just
south of the Hurricane Deck Bridge at the 34.5
mile marker in Sunrise Beach. For more
information, please visit LakeOfTheOzarksShootout.org.
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LAKE OF THE OZARKS
TRI-COUNTY LODGING ASSOCIATION & CONVENTION
AND VISITOR BUREAU
Phone: 800-FUN-LAKE
(386-5253) Fax: 573-348-4292
P.O. Box 1498 Osage
Beach, MO 65065
Website: http://www.funlake.com/
Email: Info@FunLake.com
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