Overview of Lake of the Ozarks | Learning About The Lake

« Willmore Lodge – the starting point: When you visit Central Missouri's Lake of the Ozarks, a great place to start is historic Willmore Lodge. Visitors often make it their first stop to get oriented to the entire Lake area and to learn about the Lake, past and present.

Just northeast of Bagnell Dam on Bus. Hwy. 54, Willmore Lodge was completed in 1930 for Union Electric Company during the construction of Bagnell Dam. The Adirondack-styled 6,500 square foot lodge served as an administrative and entertainment center for the company during the first few years of the Great Osage River Project. Built of white pine logs from Oregon, the 29-room lodge contained all the modern conveniences of the day and included five guest rooms named after towns that were relocated or flooded as the Lake of the Ozarks filled.

Today, the refurbished building is a visitor center and museum operated by the Lake Area Chamber of Commerce. Visitors can get brochures on attractions and facilities throughout the Lake area, then tour a museum with exhibits on the area's pre-Lake history, the construction of Bagnell Dam and the Lake's development through the years. The Lodge's huge picture window affords a spectacular view of the Gravois Arm of the Lake . For more details, call 573-964-1008 or 800-451-4117.

Other chambers of commerce in the Lake area offer visitor information and visitor centers as well. (See the "Contacts” page.) Whatever their point of entry to the Lake area, travelers will find information and assistance close at hand.

« More history and heritage: Also providing a look at the area's history are three other museums at the Lake – the Camden County Museum , Miller County Museum and Morgan County Historical Museum .

In Linn Creek, the Camden County Museum is on Rt. V, just off Hwy. 54. Each room of a former school building now “teaches” a different theme. Exhibits include household furnishings, banking equipment, woven rugs and items from historic buildings throughout the area. Open seasonally. For details, call 573-346-7191.

The Miller County Museum is on Hwy. 52 in Tuscumbia, in the old Anchor Mill building. As a folk life museum, it focuses on life in Central Missouri , its Native American heritage, agriculture, antique machines, crafts, etc. Open seasonally. For details, call 573-793-6998.

The historic Martin Hotel at 120 N. Monroe in Versailles is the home of the Morgan County Historical Museum . Twenty-eight rooms in the hotel are decorated in varying themes (chapel, school, barber shop, etc.). The lobby still features the original hotel desk, wall clock and keyboard with keys. Hours and days vary. For details, call 573-378-5530.

« One Lake , Many Faces: One key to enjoying the Lake of the Ozarks is to understand its diversity. Hour to hour, day to day, season to season, the Lake is constantly changing.

When the Lake first welcomed visitors in 1931, there were virtually no lodgings or restaurants, little traffic, and few boats on the water. Seventy-plus years later, today's travelers are greeted by hundreds of lodgings and the best dining options between Kansas City and St. Louis. Traffic on land and water has increased as well.

And yet, visitors seeking a quiet, small-boat experience at the Lake still can find one, for Missouri's largest lake has many faces. With a main channel stretching 92 miles, fed by over 40 miles of tributaries, and winding along 1,150 miles of shoreline, the Lake of the Ozarks can be both high-energy and tranquil.

“High-energy” comes on weekends during the summer season, when travelers flock to the Lake and boats vie with personal water craft for right-of-way on the Lake . Even on a summer weekend, however, most of the water activity is concentrated within 30 miles of Bagnell Dam. “Tranquil” still can be found in countless coves and quiet areas where travelers can swim, ski, fish or just cast anchor and relax, away from the fast-paced activity.

“Tranquil” also is found by choosing the right time as well as the right location. Visitors who prefer calmer waters can plan to spend their weekends enjoying the Lake 's many attractions, state parks and off-water appeals. Then, simply schedule aquatic fun between Sunday afternoon and Friday afternoon, avoiding the busier weekends on the water. When the crowds go away – or away from the crowds – the Lake of the Ozarks today is calm and relaxing, much as it was years ago.

Don't settle for seeing just one aspect of Central Missouri 's Lake of the Ozarks . Take the time to take it easy and see our lake of many faces.