RVing at Lake of the Ozarks: How To Maximize Your Lakeside Getaway (2024)

I grew up swimming and water skiing on Lake of the Ozarks. Things have changed a lot in the last 50-plus years but it’s still a great place to enjoy the sun and water.

My brother and I and our friends did all the things that make today’s parents cringe such as swimming under the docks at night, water skiing for as long as we could hold on, and coming back to the cabin with a blistering sunburn.

Our flotation device of choice was either nothing or a ski belt. They don’t make those anymore which is probably a good thing. I remember helping new water skiers put their skis on in the water. When they took off, I was left behind with a ski to hold up so no one ran me over. They came back eventually to pick me up.

We would see how many skiers we could get up behind the boat every year. I think nine might have been our record. Woe to the one who fell and made everyone else have to let go.

If you didn’t know, Lake of the Ozarks is a 55,000-acre reservoir in central Missouri created by damming the Osage River in 1931. It is 90 miles long and has some 1,150 miles of shoreline. Read on for more regarding this popular destination for fishing, water activities, sunbathing, RVing, and much more.

Choosing the right Campground

Choosing the right campground means you want to stay at one with great amenities or close to public lake access. Check out these campgrounds that might meet your needs.

Osage Beach RV Park

Just off Highway 42, Osage Beach RV Park is a family-owned park centrally located near many Lake of the Ozark attractions.

The park boasts a swimming pool, playground, walking path, and a controlled entry gate. Book one of the 43 pull-through or back-in sites, with full hookups, free WiFi, Cable TV, and more. The park also has on-site propane and can fill motorhomes with tanks up to 100 gallons.

The campground is about 1/3 mile from Osage Beach Parkway North (old Hwy 54) on Hwy 42. It is centrally located on the east end of the lake, close to shopping, restaurants, and major local attractions. It’s 5 miles from Bagnell Dam, 2 miles from the Osage Beach Premium Outlet Mall, and 5 miles from a swimming beach, boat launches, and docks.

lake of the ozarks STate Park

Lake of the Ozarks State Park offers basic and electric campsites, as well as three group camps and family campsites. Reserve your site up to 12 months in advance. The campground is located on the Grand Glaize Arm of the Lake of the Ozarks and is the largest state park in the state. It is also the most popular state park in Missouri.

Once you arrive at the park, you can shop for camping supplies at the camper store located near the campground entrance. Enjoy the solitude of the park in the nearby quiet cove to swim, fish, boat, or enjoy the view. The park has more than 17,000 acres of natural park to explore with 186 campsites, two beaches, Ozark Caverns, and more.

Hikers, backpackers, and bicyclists can follow the paths through the woods to the blufftop views of the Lake. If you want to enjoy the water, make use of the park’s two swimming beaches, boat rentals, and paved boat ramps. The park store sells all you need for a day on the water.

The park now offers a beach wheelchair that visitors with mobility issues can use during normal beach hours. Nearby you can enjoy shopping, restaurants, and a variety of entertainment opportunities.

Red Oak Resort and RV Park

Check out Red Oak Resort and RV Park on the Osage arm of Lake of the Ozarks. There you can find a variety of camping options as well as nightly accommodations such as condos, cabins, and modular homes. Camping spots are in a wooded area right on the lake. All sites are full hookups.

Amenities include an outdoor pool, playground, boat ramp access, boat slip rentals, dry storage, and an on-site convenience store with Wi-Fi access. You will also find basketball and tennis courts, pickleball courts, and a playground. RVers can also enjoy onsite laundry, a restaurant, and more.

The park hosts several fishing tournaments during the spring and fall and is located close to local attractions and shopping. Local destinations include Lake of the Ozarks State Park and Big Surf Water Park.

Tips for selecting the right spot

When selecting the right campsite, keep a few things in mind as you make your reservation:

• Will your rig fit and is there a place to park your vehicle?
• Do you need a 30 or 50-amp site or do you have an adapter?
• Do you need to fill your fresh water tank before arriving? Does the park have a dump station if there is no sewer available at the site?
• Does the site receive any shade at certain points during the day?
• Is the site level?
• Do you want a water view or be close to the lake?

DIY Fishing Adventures

If you want to fish at Lake of the Ozarks, you have plenty of water and shoreline to fish to your heart’s content. You do need to have a fishing license, fishing equipment, and bait. Since a lot of the shoreline is privately owned, you might want to stick to public access areas so you don’t get caught trespassing.

As you plan your fishing trip, you should determine what kind of fish you want to see at the end of your line. This will determine where you fish and the kind of bait you use.

The Grand Glaize Arm is one of the best spots for bass fishing. The area has plenty of structures such as rocks, docks, and brush piles, making it a prime location for large and smallmouth bass.

Check out the spillway section of Bagnell Dam where you can fish from shore and catch white bass, black bass, catfish, walleye, and crappie all year long.

Also, check out the Missouri Department of Conservation public areas for other fishing spots. The Missouri Department of Natural Resources has two access areas at Lake of the Ozarks State Park Public Beach #1 and #2.

Docks are great places for gamefish to hide because the floating structures provide plenty of shade, shelter, and food. Dock owners even sink brush piles to attract bass, crappie, bluegill, and catfish.

Hiking Trails Around the Lake

There is plenty of hiking at Lake of the Ozarks and the views on many of these trails are stunning. If you are hiking during the summer, be sure to bring plenty of water and bug spray. Missouri weather is usually hot and humid so an early start is also suggested.

Lake of the Ozarks State Park

This park’s 11 trails feature 16.5 miles of terrain that attracts all levels of hikers. Check out these trails located in the Lake of the Ozarks State Park.

Rocky Top Trail

This trail is only 2.2 miles but is considered moderately challenging. The trail leads to one of the largest dolomite glades in the park. Once through the glade, you will see white oaks, bluestem grass, and asters. The trail crosses a ravine and reaches a north-facing slope that gives way to dolomite cliffs overlooking the lake. This trail is dog-friendly and hiking boots are recommended for the rough terrain.

Woodland Trail

This 3.2-mile loop trail near Brumley, Missouri, is considered easy and takes about an hour and a half to complete. You likely won’t find too many others on this trail which is great for backpacking, birding, and camping. The trail is open year-round and is ablaze in Blue Flowering Dogwoods in the spring and plenty of color in the fall.

The trail runs through the Patterson Hollow Wild Area which is set aside to minimize the effects of humans. Hikers can enjoy the native woodlands without any man-made visual or sound intrusions. This is the only trail where backpacking is allowed with a designated backpacking camp. A compass, GPS, or topographic map is recommended for hiking this trail.

Ha Ha Tonka State Park

There are many reasons to visit Ha Ha Tonka State Park and hiking is just one of them. Explore nature on this park’s 12 hiking trails which provide spectacular scenery, natural wonders, and the Ha Ha Tonka castle ruins. Trails vary from accessible, paved walkways to rugged, rocky trails.

Castle Trail

Castle Trail is short at just .4 mile but you must make sure and check out the views of the Lake and the castle ruins. The shaded walk takes you to an open oak woodland where the trail joins the upper portion. Here there are two side views of the carriage house ruins. Be sure to check out the interpretive kiosk with information on the park’s cultural history. The upper portion of the trail features three scenic overlooks.

The path is wheelchair and stroller-accessible and was constructed in 1980 by park staff and volunteers to allow access to the castle ruins. It is one of the most popular trails in the park.

Big Niangua River Trail

The Big Niangua River Trail is a floating and boating trip on the lake. Your journey will include around 13 miles of paddling but there are many great stops along the way. Plan to make this a full-day or two-day trip.

On the “trail,” you will find plenty of fishing holes, scenic wetland landscapes, and views of the towering woodland hills. Check out spring-fed creeks, bearing the names of counterfeiting gang members from the 1830s, as well as Onyx Cave, the Tunnel Dam Powerhouse, and Whistle Bridge.

You might want to stop at several wineries and vineyards along the way. A brochure with the trail route and points of interest along the way is available at the visitor center at Ha Ha Tonka State Park.

Water Sports and Activities

My family and I started our love of the lake when I was probably 6 or 7 years old. My brother and I learned to ski behind a friend’s boat. It wasn’t long before we had our own vessel and were navigating the lake like pros. However, the Lake has changed a lot over the years and I would say it is not as friendly to the water-sport enthusiast.

Large yacht-type boats, speed boats, and other giant vessels have taken over and created waves that only the fearless want to tackle. You need to be in a large boat, 26-plus feet because the water is rough. Weekdays are best for on-the-water sports such as jet skiing, water skiing, kneeboarding, or tubing. There are a lot of coves with smoother water but to be honest, everyone else is looking for the same spot. Early mornings are better for smoother water.

You can bring your own equipment but there are also plenty of places to rent skis or maybe a kneeboard. My recommendation is to try it out first before you spend a lot of money on equipment. There are also plenty of other lakes across Missouri and Kansas where you can get your feet wet (no pun intended) with water sports.

Safety precautions and best practices for water sports are all pretty common sense.

• Wear a life jacket no matter how good a swimmer you are.
• Drink responsibly. Do not drink and drive a boat. Alcohol can impair your judgment, vision, balance, and coordination.
• Be aware of underwater hazards.
• Apply sunscreen liberally and often.
• Check the weather forecast and be prepared for changes. Storms can come up quickly on the lake.

Local Attractions and Amenities at Lake of the Ozarks

Ha Ha Tonka State Park

Don’t miss a trip to Ha Ha Tonka State Park. You can hike a trail (as I wrote about earlier), rent a kayak, have a picnic, or just enjoy the scenery. Scout out geologic features such as sinkholes, caves, a natural bridge, sheer bluffs, and Missouri’s 12th-largest spring.

Don’t forget to check out the turn-of-the-century stone castle ruins and views of the lake and spring. Trails and boardwalks make it easy for visitors of all abilities to see everything the park has to offer.

Bagnall Dam

Bagnall Dam is a tourist section of the lake that is filled with shops, activities, restaurants, and more. Even if you want to spend most of your time on the water, you can take a rainy day trip for a few hours of fun on the strip. There is plenty to do with kids

Back in the day, we headed for the go-karts where even the youngest of the group could contend for the coveted winner’s circle. These days you can check out the arcades, shop at Grandma’s Candy Kitchen, visit DogPatch, or have an old-time photo taken.

Do a Cave Tour

Missouri is known for its caves and there are several you can see around Lake of the Ozarks. On a hot Missouri day, the caves stay at a constant 50-60 degrees. Don’t be concerned, the caves have paved walkways, bridges, handrails, and lights, so just about anyone can make the trek.

Bridal Cave

Bridal Cave is just north of Camdenton off Hwy 5 on Lake Road 5-88. You can also reach it by water at the 10.5-mile marker on the Big Niangua Arm of the Lake. It is adorned with massive columns, stalactites, stalagmites, and draperies throughout the cave. There have been more than 3,000 weddings performed in the Bridal Chapel.

Jacob’s Cave

Jacob’s Cave is on north Hwy 5 on SR TT, north of Gravois Mills. It is the largest cave in the lake area and is completely accessible to persons with disabilities. It is famous for its depth illusion, reflective pools, ceiling sponges, prehistoric bones, and the world’s largest geode. The one-mile-long tour takes you through evidence of six ice ages and three earthquakes.

Stark Caverns

Stark Caverns is east of Bagnall Dam on Hwy 54 about 6.5 miles. Turn left on Cave Drive. It was first used by animals for shelter and winter hibernation. Native Americans also used the cave and later settlers used the cave for storage of goods, production of moonshine, and a speakeasy during prohibition. It has a large underground lake and a wide variety of formations.

Seasonal Considerations

While you may not want to participate in a lot of water activities at Lake of the Ozarks year-round, there is plenty to do nevertheless. Fall color is breathtaking on this beautiful lake. Spring storms can occur so you must take into consideration strong winds, rain, and possible tornadoes. Summer, of course, is hot and humid but is the best time to enjoy the water. It’s also the busiest time at the lake with some 2-3 million visitors every year.

Although it doesn’t happen often, Lake of the Ozarks froze during an Arctic Blast in 2021. Make sure you and your RV are ready for any kind of weather when you vacation there.

Safety Tips for Lakeside RV Camping

• Check the weather forecast and be prepared for inclement weather. Storms can form on the lake without much warning.
• Be aware of wildlife in the area. Deer, black bears, raccoons, and snakes are all native to Missouri and can be found near the water’s edge. Make sure you keep all food in your camper, in a bear box, or hoisted high on a pole or in a tree.
• Don’t forget to pack insect repellent and check for ticks daily. If you have dogs, make sure you check them for ticks as well.
• Use sunscreen liberally.
• Practice campfire safety. Keep a bucket of water nearby to extinguish the fire. Never leave the fire unattended.

RV Preparation for Lakeside Camping

Preparing to camp near Lake of the Ozarks doesn’t require any special equipment. Make sure that your RV is well-maintained and that you have all your trip essentials packed.

Take clothing for every weather possibility. You might get a rainstorm that cools the temperature so you will need an extra jacket and a raincoat. Take a couple of swimsuits, so you have a dry one every day. Also, know that the lake water isn’t the cleanest on the planet but it is safe for swimming.

It’s not likely that you will find any boondocking spots near the lake, but if you do, have respect for the natural environment. Don’t empty any of your tanks on the ground and pack out your trash.

Always have respect for wildlife. Don’t feed any animals. Stay at a safe distance if you see deer or black bears. Let a ranger know if you have problems with nuisance animals. Always keep your pets on a leash and pick up after them.

RVing on Lake of the Ozarks is a great trip to plan. You might even want to come back year after year like our family does. Once you find a great place to park your camper, you will make friends and enjoy the great sites, views, vistas, and people of Missouri.

We’d love to hear from you—share your favorite spots and activities in the comments below and help fellow RV enthusiasts make the most of their Lake of the Ozarks adventure!