| Camping at the Lake of the Ozarks can be a way | | | | different tours that are available. The cave is |
| to have a very nice vacation at a famous | | | | closed mid-October until mid-April. For more |
| Midwestern resort area, and save quite a bit of | | | | information, call 573-346-2500. |
| money. However, unlike some other lakes that | | | | In addition to this attraction, at the park there are |
| are owned by the Army Corps of Engineers, | | | | hiking trails, boat launches, fishing access, and |
| there is not nearly as much publicly owned land | | | | much more. It really can serve as a complete |
| around this lake as some other lakes. If the main | | | | destination, but it is close enough to the other |
| activity you wish to enjoy is swimming or other | | | | Lake of the Ozarks attractions. |
| water related activities, finding a campground with | | | | Private Campgrounds: |
| access to the lake is paramount. The purpose of | | | | There is a multitude of private campgrounds at or |
| this article is not to put in a plug for any private | | | | near Lake of the Ozarks. Most of these are very |
| campgrounds, but to give general information on | | | | reasonably priced - as a matter of fact, no more |
| where to look, what general price structure you | | | | expensive than in the state park. Many of these |
| will be find, and what the general atmosphere is in | | | | campgrounds offer sites right on the water. |
| these areas. | | | | Some offer a variety of services like boat |
| Public Campgrounds: | | | | rentals, fishing guide services, wifi, fishing tackle |
| The Missouri State Park System operates a very | | | | and bait, groceries and more. Some of these |
| nice campground at Lake of the Ozarks State | | | | campgrounds are located centrally to shopping |
| Park. There are sites designed for tent campers | | | | and the many Lake of the Ozarks attractions. |
| as well as the RV crowd. The associated services | | | | Some are located at more remote parts of Lake |
| are also provided such as a dump station, | | | | of the Ozarks, if that is what you are after. |
| showers and laundry. These services are | | | | Check with each one to see what discounts they |
| operated during the visitor season between April | | | | offer. |
| and October. There is also a Camper Store | | | | Fishing Guides: |
| located near the campground entrance. Campsites | | | | If you are looking for you own fishing guide, as |
| run between $10 per night and $26 per night (as | | | | opposed to the one offered at the facility where |
| of March 2010), depending on the site you will be | | | | you might be staying, there are quite a few from |
| using. The Missouri State Parks also allows | | | | which to choose. Some will come an pick you up |
| reservations to be made for some of the sites, | | | | at your site (if near the lake). Most will have you |
| and on busy weekends the sites can go fast. A | | | | come to the marina from which they operate. |
| reservation is a good idea. Reservations can be | | | | There are a lot of good reasons to hire a fishing |
| made by calling 877-422-6766, or by visiting the | | | | guide on this lake. It is a very large body of |
| Missouri State Parks Website. | | | | water, and finding the great spots can take some |
| One very nice aspect of this park is that there is | | | | time. Hiring a guide will smooth this process |
| a multitude of recreational opportunities right in | | | | considerably. Once you have hired a guide once, |
| the park. One very interesting attraction in the | | | | you will often be able to go out on your own |
| park is Ozark Caverns. There is a variety of | | | | afterwards. |