Tunnel Dam
If you¹d like a lovely drive through the woods to enjoy
a gorgeous panoramic view, topped with gravel bars and shallows
to wade and tube in, take a picnic lunch for a mini adventure
into the Ozark hills.
 Lake
Niangua at Tunnel Dam is 3 miles long and was built by Sho-Me
Power Cooperative Electric in 1929. It is the end of the Big
Niangua and is located 18-20 miles west of Camdenton. The
area retains the rustic charm of the Ozarks with majestic
hills and dense forests. You¹ll go down winding, shaded,
tree bowered, sun dappled, gravel roads, up over the tops
of some huge hills, and over low water and one lane bridges.
Drive slowly so you can soak up the country.
To get there, take Hwy 54 West, past Camdenton to the junction
of J and U. Go left onto U and immediately right, 2.5 miles
to Edith, then right onto Whistle Road.
After not quite a mile, go left across the bridge, which is
Tunnel Dam Road. This area is called the "Whistle"
and pictured in the above photo.
It¹s a great place for settling back into your lawn chair
smack-dab in the water and letting the kids play. The water
is shallow and the gravel bars are suitable for picnics. Depending
on the depth of the water, this would also be a fun place
for tubing.
Farther up Tunnel Dam Road, and that is an understatement,
past the "Whistle", at the very top of these hills
is the view of the lake and dam that is pictured above. Just
past the view and the power plant, on the right and down the
hill, is a campground that will let you launch for a minimal
fee.
Because it¹s so shallow, don¹t bring speedboats
and waverunners, but it¹s perfect for kayaks or canoes.
There¹s good fishing but there aren¹t lifeguards
or restaurants on the corner. Some roads on this jaunt are
gravel and barely two lane, so as always, drive safely and
have a wonderful vacation at Lake of the Ozarks. |
