The favorite lake destination in America's Heartland boasts 250 lodging businesses, 100-plus restaurants, 17 golf courses, over 100 marinas and marine services, Missouri's largest state park, the largest factory outlet mall in the state, state-of-the-art medical facilities, and more. And yet, visitors arriving for the first time at Central Missouri's Lake of the Ozarks may be surprised to find a major travel destination with no “major” towns.

The communities adjacent to the Lake all qualify as “small towns”; however, they have enjoyed dramatic growth in recent years, with a total population of over 80,000 in the three-county area surrounding the Lake. Collectively, they provide the traveler services, facilities and amenities that enable the Lake area to host over a million visitors every year.

Wherever visitors enter the Lake area, it's helpful to identify some of the key destination communities. Most communities immediately adjacent to the Lake date from the early 1900s, when the Lake itself was created. Their history may not be extensive, but they offer plenty of amenities and appeal for today's visitors.

« Camdenton (population 2,895) – At the intersection of U.S. Hwy. 54 and Mo. Hwy. 5, Camdenton often is called the hub city of the Lake area. Dating to 1931, it is the Camden County seat and the major southern gateway to the Lake of the Ozarks. In and around the city are resorts, restaurants, retail businesses and golf courses. Significant attractions in the area include Ha Ha Tonka State Park and Bridal Cave.

« Eldon (population 4,926) – Adjacent to U.S. Hwy. 54 and bisected by Mo. Hwy. 52, Eldon predates the Lake by nearly 50 years. As an established community not threatened by the rising waters of the new Lake, Eldon played a key role in the development of the area. The community's retail opportunities (including several antique stores), golf course, lodging and dining make it a valued part of the Lake area's offerings for visitors.

« Lake Ozark (population 1,653) – The early “heart” of the Lake area is on U.S. Hwy. 54, adjacent to Bagnell Dam. After the dam was completed and the Lake filled in 1931, many businesses moved to the west side of the dam to begin serving the growing number of visitors. The first mile west of the dam, known to all as “The Strip” (and more recently as Bagnell Dam Boulevard), features boutiques, crafts, souvenirs, restaurants, arcades and other family amusements. Lake Ozark also provides access to the popular Horseshoe Bend area, with its resorts, golf courses and residential developments.

« Laurie (population 675) – A key community on the rapidly-growing west side of the Lake, Laurie sits astride Mo. Hwy. 5 at its junction with Rt. O. The community and nearby area offer resorts, restaurants, golf and shopping. A significant community attraction is the internationally-recognized Mary, Mother of the Church Shrine, honoring the mother of Jesus and all the world's mothers.

« Osage Beach (population 3,856) – Named for a man-made sand beach on the banks of the Osage River, Osage Beach stretches along U.S. Hwy. 54 for eight miles. Many of the key traveler-serving facilities and attractions of the Lake area call Osage Beach home. The town offers the Lake area's widest variety of resorts, motels, restaurants, golf courses and entertainment. Included are the Lake's two music shows, entrances to the Lake of the Ozarks State Park, antique stores and an impressive selection of shopping opportunities (Osage Beach Premium Outlets, Stone Crest Mall, the Landing on Main Street, Lakeshore Plaza, High Point, etc.).

« Sunrise Beach (population 377) – Popular areas on the west side of the Lake may be accessed via this strategic community on Mo. Hwy. 5. Sunrise Beach serves as the gateway to the family resorts, restaurants, campgrounds and water fun in the Hurricane Deck and Greenview/Rt. EE areas on the Osage and Niangua arms of the Lake.

« Versailles (population 2,597) – Located at the junction of Mo. Hwy. 5 and Mo. Hwy. 52, Versailles dates to 1833 (and has been the Morgan County seat since 1854). Well north of the Lake, yet still an integral part of the Lake area, the town is home to the Morgan County Historical Museum in the old Martin Hotel. The area's golf, lodging, dining and shopping lure Lake-area visitors. The surrounding rural area is dotted with the farms of a thriving Mennonite community.