The City of Lake Ozark begins just East of the Osage River Bridge, which carries Hwy 54 over the Bagnell Dam and into the Lake of the Ozarks region. From there, it extends to just west of the intersection of Hwy 54 and business loop 54, where it meets the boundary of its sister city, Osage Beach.
Bagnell Dam -- currently operated by Ameren U.E. -- and the Historic Bagnell Dam Strip are located in Lake Ozark. If you plan a trip to the Lake of the Ozarks, it is hard not to make at least one trip to these iconic sites. The Bagnell Dam Strip is the Lake of the Ozarks’ only pedestrian-accessed entertainment and shopping district. Once lined with tourist shops selling all sorts of vacation keepsakes, the “Strip” the area is currently undergoing considerable change with the recent addition of several new Bar and Grills such as Ozark Bar-B-Que, Alley Cats Pizza and Beavers at the Dam. The Strip is expected to continue to revitalize, as several developers have plans in place to start construction soon.
Just up the street from the Strip at the Intersection of Hwy 242 and HH begins the development commonly referred to as Horseshoe Bend, a community largely developed by Four Seasons. Comprised of lakefront homes, lakefront Condos, and planned 2nd tier residential communities, Horseshoe Bend is the largest residential community at Lake of the Ozarks. Many of the interior homes have lake views or are located on one of the two Four Seasons-owned championship golf courses known as The Ridge and The Cove. There are also inland lakes, community parks and swimming pools that are available to Four Seasons homeowners.
Due to the exceptional amenities offered, residences in Four Seasons maintain some of the highest resale values in the entire Lake of the Ozarks market. Although not technically in the city limits of Lake Ozark, Horseshoe Bend is a peninsula only accessed through the city of Lake Ozark’s main intersection, 242 and HH.
Continuing up Bus. Loop 54, you will find many of Lake of the Ozarks’ finest dining establishments, such as Baxter’s, Lake Ozark’s newest steak and seafood restaurant. With phenomenal lake views and just as impressive food and wine reviews. J.B. Hook’s, a lake destination, has served up some of the Lake Area’s finest cuisine for decades, offering stunning views of more than 8 miles of Lake of the Ozarks shoreline! Not to be outdone, one of Lake Ozark’s oldest and most popular culinary gems is Bentley’s, an English-themed steak and seafood restaurant with authentic British décor and a menu just as refined as the Bentley car after which it was named.
Lake Ozark is also home to the Lake’s largest office building, the Cliffside Centre, which hosts numerous law firms, mortgage companies and real estate and property management businesses. As well as home to the largest office building in the region, Lake Ozark is home to the largest Marina on Lake of the Ozarks, Marine Max. Formerly Port Arrowhead, Marine Max has been a Marine powerhouse, selling Sea Ray boats and offering exceptional service and numerous amenities to their customers.
As its name implies, the City of Lake Ozark is truly the gateway to Lake of the Ozarks!