Lake of the Ozarks 2009 Vacation & Service Guide - (Page 107) OUTDOORS Explore Lake of the Ozarks From bluff tops to Lakeshore, there’s a lot to explore in the great outdoors at the Lake of the Ozarks. Two must-see’s are the area’s state parks. High atop a bluff at Ha Ha Tonka State Park near Camdenton are the stark remains of a stone castle built in 1905. The dream home of Robert McClure Snyder, a Kansas City businessman, became a nightmare when fire destroyed it in 1942. Today only the ruins are left. Ha Ha Tonka also is known for its fascinating karst topography--a honeycomb of tunnels, caverns, springs and sinkholes--and its scenic savannas and glades. Twelve hiking trails cover 16 miles throughout the park, which also offers picnic areas, fishing and boat docks. Lake of the Ozarks State Park in Osage Beach is Missouri’s largest, with 17,441 acres and more than 80 miles of Lake frontage. Visitors love the lantern-held tours of Ozark Caverns and the park’s 12 hiking trails winding through dense forests, across open glades and along towering bluffs overlooking the Lake. The informative, self-guided Aquatic Trail is a favorite among boaters. The park also offers two public beaches, picnic and playground areas, public marinas, a dock with crappie beds, boat ramps, horseback riding and nature programs. More than 230 campsites--primitive to electric--plus rustic outpost cabins are available to campers year-round. The Lake area’s state parks also are excellent locations for birdwatching. Spring brings the neotropical migrants, such as the indigo bunting, scarlet tanager, yellow-billed cuckoo and the ruby-throated hummingbird. In the winter, visitors flock to the Lake to see American bald eagles. The annual Eagle Days event is held in early January at historic Willmore Lodge. Check Out Our Outdoor Photo Gallery 107 http://www.funlake.com
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