10 Ideas For Winter Fun At Lake Of The Ozarks

Lake of the Ozarks is a summertime place, no doubt. Although... the spring boasts beautiful weather, awesome fishing and hunting, and forests full of blooms. And the fall offers perfect temps, radiant colors, and surprisingly excellent boating. So really, three of the four seasons present ample opportunities for enjoying the great outdoors. The question is, what to do in the winter?

Frankly, many people answer the question with "Go to Florida." And while a January trip to the Sunshine State is a great way to soak up Vitamin D and warm temps mid-winter, the Lake area has plenty to offer when you return.

Whether you're a new Lake winter resident or a long-time local, here's a list of excellent winter activities in the Lake area, and a Lake Winter BINGO board, just because.

What To Do In The Winter At Lake Of The Ozarks

The Ice at Old Kinderhook: Outdoor ice skating? Yes please! The Ice is a perfect place to spend a winter evening, intermittently working on your skating skills and warming up by the outdoor fire pits or with a cup of hot chocolate and snack from the nearby snack shack. Open Wednesday through Sunday. Visit their website for hours and prices.

Crappie Fishing: Too cold for the fish to bite? Not so, according to guide Terry Blankenship. December is one of his favorite months to go crappie fishing. The crappies school up and can be found at the back of coves and along docks, he said. They often are roaming, feeding up for winter. But if fishermen can locate the baitfish, the crappies usually aren’t far away. (This excerpt is from Shore Magazine's 2020 issue, an article penned by outdoors writer Brent Frazee. Read more Shore at ShoreBoatingMag.com.) Need a guide? Try Terry Blankenship, Jack Uxa, Kyler Beckman, or Travis Lepley. We have it on good authority those guys know how to catch a crappie or two, and can help you too. Mike Baker has plenty of Lake of the Ozarks crappie guide videos here, too.

Ha Ha Tonka Hiking: The Lake area's most popular hiking spot is stellar for winter hikes, too. Plenty of winter days can climb into tolerable outdoor temps. Just dress accordingly, and go get some fresh air!

Caving! Bridal Cave & Stark Caverns: Open year-round, Bridal Cave and Stark Caverns offer wintertime exploration fun for young and old, and the underground temperatures can be a nice warm reprieve from frigid Ozark winters. Learn more: Stark Caverns -- Bridal Cave

Jetz Trampoline Park: Get your jump on! It's the perfect place for stir-crazy kids (and adults) to jump and play. Open every day except Wednesdays. Click to visit their website.

Jolly Mon Indoor Waterpark at Margaritaville: Open weekends through the winter, visit the Lake's indoor waterpark and imagine for a moment it's summer already. Just ignore the icicles outside. Learn more here.

Arcades & Go Karts: Open Saturdays 11 a.m. – 8 p.m. and Sundays 11 a.m. – 5 p.m. in the winter, Miner Mikes is a haven from the summer heat as well as the winter blues! With arcades downstairs (mostly for the kids) and upstairs (mostly for adults), plus surprisingly fast electric go karts at the all-indoor Buster's Garage, there's hardly a better way to pass a frigid winter day!

Eagle-Watching at Bagnell Dam: It's a great time of year for bald-eagle watching. The eagles can often be seen soaring and fishing in the Osage River. Eagles are most active between 7–9 a.m. and 4–5 p.m.

Polar Plunge at PB2: When the water is frigid, why not jump in? On Feb. 25, this fabulous fundraiser for Missouri Special Olympics brings hundreds of participants to Lake of the Ozarks' Public Beach #2. Sign up here.

Lake Of The Ozarks Polar Plunge — Lake Shots Photography

Get Fit: New Year's the time to do it: Pick up an Anytime Fitness membership and get moving! Anytime Fitness Osage Beach has memberships on sale for $1 this month only to help with that new year's resolution.