Fall Foliage Loop! The Ultimate Route To See Stunning Fall Colors At Lake Of The Ozarks

The blue water of the Lake of the Ozarks sets the perfect backdrop for one of the most beautiful fall color tours in Missouri. The Lake stretches for nearly 100 miles, with 1,100 miles of shoreline—longer than the Pacific coastline of California.

Because of the Lake's steep and rugged terrain, hilltops and descents into valleys can provide stunning vistas as the leaves turn in the autumn. In fact, the Lake was voted by USA Today/10Best readers as one of the best places in the country to see fall foliage!

The Lake's bridges offer unparalleled vistas for seeing fall colors up and down the shoreline. With the many bridges and one dam that span its waters, anyone seeking a memorable fall drive can take in the magnificent views from their car or motorcycle on a tour around Lake of the Ozarks. And there are plenty of places to stop for a short jaunt to scenic overlooks too.

Here are some top spots around the Lake to find scenic autumn views. Follow our route below and you'll complete the Fall Foliage Loop (yes, we made that up)! It begins and ends in Lake Ozark.

Safety Reminder: It's hard to keep your eyes on the road when the fall foliage is shining all around, so make sure to stop and park before you take-in the views. Please drive safely!

#1. WILLMORE LODGE

Whether you're making the Fall Foliage Loop or not, this is a great place to start. Willmore Lodge is where the Lake begins, and began.

History buffs will love the Willmore Lodge, the historic Adirondack white pine log building was built in 1930 for Union Electric while the dam was under construction.

The lodge was used as an administration building, although the plush amenities could have been used as a fancy entertainment facility. Currently, the lodge houses the Lake Area Chamber of Commerce and the Bagnell Dam History Museum. Enjoy the history inside, then soak in the foliage outside.

#2. OVERLOOK NEAR BAGNELL DAM

A scenic overlook above the dam gives a panoramic view of the Lake of the Ozarks and Bagnell Dam. There are also displays about the Lake and the Dam, including a picture from that location before the Dam was built, and an original turbine that powered the Dam at the overlook. Below the Dam you can enjoy a fish and bird observation area that Ameren Missouri has created to get visitors up close to the local wildlife. The road to the Overlook, Upper Power Plant Road, is located one-half mile north of Bagnell Dam.

#3. BAGNELL DAM BRIDGE

A drive — or stroll — across the Bagnell Dam Bridge offers a stunning sight of the Osage River Valley falling away below the dam, and the first few miles of the Lake of the Ozarks stretching on the upstream end.

The Bagnell Dam was constructed between 1929 and 1931 to generate electricity and make a reservoir for a lake tourist destination. The dam carries U.S. Business Route 54 (Bagnell Dam Boulevard) across its full length in Lake Ozark. Eight turbines connected to electrical generators produce a maximum of 21,500 kilowatts of electricity apiece.

#4. HWY 242

This highway will probably be the development corridor of Lake Ozark's future. But for now, both sides of the road are packed to the brim with hardwoods and fall colors! Somehow, a drive toward Lake Ozark looks a little brighter and more colorful than heading the other direction, but the whole route is gorgeous in the fall, and evening drives are especially stunning.

#5. THE HYVEE VALLEY, IN OSAGE BEACH

Surrounding the HyVee/Target complex at Prewitt's Point are rich red maples, which always seem to be the first to turn every fall. But just to the north, Barry Prewitt Memorial Drive falls off sharply into a picturesque gorge, radiating reds and oranges galore.

#6. LAKE OF THE OZARKS STATE PARK

Lake of the Ozarks State Park has a little bit of something for everyone. Boat ramps, hiking, mountain biking, camping and more. The park has thousands of wooded acres with 12 trails that wind through the park. Cabins and yurts are available as well. Visitors can even see the fall colors on horseback by renting a horse in the park. And just a drive down the main road through the park offers breathtaking views as the full forest canopy envelopes the route.

#7. GRAND GLAIZE BRIDGE

Now you're headed west. And the grandiose Grand Glaize Bridge will take you through the center of Osage Beach as you head to Camdenton. To the right: the Lake's main channel. To the left: the mostly undeveloped shoreline of the Glaize Arm and Lake of the Ozarks State Park.

The first Grand Glaize Bridge was a lost deck truss bridge over the Grand Glaize Arm of the Lake of the Ozarks, on US 54, between Laguna Beach and Osage Beach. The original bridge was constructed in 1930-1931. A new parallel bridge was constructed in 1984.

#8. BREATHTAKING DESCENT TOWARD NIANGUA BRIDGE ON HWY 54 (CAMDENTON)

After traveling westbound through Camdenton, you'll be treated to a radiant descent toward the Highway 54 Niangua Bridge.

The most traveled east-west highway in the region, as Highway 54 westbound approaches its final Lake of the Ozarks crossing — the Niangua Bridge — drivers are greeted with a falling wall of color. This one can't be ignored.

#9. Ha Ha Tonka State Park

Before the bridge, you can take a left and head to Ha Ha Tonka!

Everyone loves Ha Ha Tonka State Park, and in the fall, there's no view like the view from the scenic overlook near the ruins of the Ha Ha Tonka Castle.

Ha Ha Tonka State Park consists of 3,600 acres of Ozark woodland, 16 miles of spectacular scenery and plenty of paved walkways, caves and mild to challenging hiking trails. Of special interest to history buffs are the Ha Ha Tonka Castle remains as well as a mostly intact historic post office.

Ha Ha Tonka State Park is unique in the quality and number of its remarkable geological features. A natural bridge that reaches more than 100 feet into the air, a colosseum that is a steep-sided sinkhole measuring, 500 feet long and 300 feet wide, the Whispering Dell sink basin a 150 foot deep basin with two bluff shelters, several caves, 250 ft. high bluffs as well as the Ha Ha Tonka Spring, Missouri's twelfth largest spring which discharges approximately 58 million gallons of water daily.

#10. NIANGUA BRIDGE - HIGHWAY 54

Back on the highway, make a trip across the Highway 54 Niangua Bridge and enjoy the colors all around.

The Niangua Bridge spans the Niangua Arm of the Lake of the Ozarks, two miles west of Camdenton. The original bridge was built in 1932-33, and it was the very first bridge to span the Lake after it was filled in 1932. The original bridge was a scary ride when crossing at the same time as a semi-truck, due to narrow lanes. A new and wider bridge was constructed in 2000.

Next you have two options: backtrack a little ways to the next bridge, or take the truly scenic route.

#11a. NIANGUA BRIDGE - HIGHWAY 5

If you're making the Fall Foliage Loop, this'll require a little back-tracking -- head back through Camdenton and hop on Highway 5 northbound. Soon, you'll be traveling over the first of two bridges.

The Niangua Bridge on Highway 5 was first built as a deck truss bridge in 1935 http://bridgehunter.com/mo/camden/niangua-5/

That was demolished in 2003 and replaced by a modern style bridge which stands today. The Niangua Bridge is a gateway to the Westside of the Lake — often known as the “quiet side” — and offers expansive vistas along the Niangua Arm of the Lake of the Ozarks.

#11b. THE GREEN'S MILL BRIDGE

Feeling adventurous? Take the truly scenic route!

Instead of backtracking through Camdenton, keep going on Hwy 54 until you hit Route J. Hang a right, and it'll take you all the way up to where the Little Niangua River feeds into Lake of the Ozarks. Across the river stands one of the most marvelous bridges at the Lake: a suspension bridge known as the Green's Mill Bridge.

The Green's Mill Bridge is a self-anchored suspension bridge, built in 1933 just after Bagnell Dam was completed. No longer suitable for vehicles, the bridge was bypassed by the construction of a new bridge in 2020. But Green's Mill Bridge was saved from demolition by a group who raised funds to obtain the bridge from MoDOT and maintain it. Now, Green's Mill Bridge is open to foot traffic, and it's an absolutely outstanding place to see fall foliage.

Green's Mill Bridge In The Fall — photo courtesy Green's Mill Historic Bridge Inc.

Park on the turnout before the bridge and then walk down to the bridge (watch your footing, as it's a gravel path). Walking across, you'll be surrounded by the colors of fall. This will be worth going out of the way for.

Once it's time to move on, you can hop in the car and continue across the new bridge; soon Route J will join up with Highway 7. Hang a right, and in a few miles you'll be turning left onto Highway 5 in Greenview.

#12. HURRICANE DECK BRIDGE

Next, the relatively new Hurricane Deck Bridge.

The Hurricane Deck Bridge crosses the Osage Arm of the Lake of the Ozarks on Highway 5 in Sunrise Beach. The original cantilevered deck truss Hurricane Deck Bridge was constructed from 1934 to 1936. That bridge was demolished and a new bridge was constructed in 2013.

Many locals say that the view of the bluffs off the right side of the Hurricane Deck Bridge, heading south on Highway 5 boasts the most magnificent fall colors in the entire Lake region.

#13. THE COMMUNITY (TOLL) BRIDGE

At the light next to Woods Supermarket, hang a right on Route F/TT and follow the signs to the bridge.

The Community Bridge of Lake of the Ozarks, a toll bridge, was built in 1998 to connect the Westside of the Lake of the Ozarks, Sunrise Beach, to the east side in Lake Ozark. The view from the bridge is breathtaking, stretching out for miles on both sides. Traveling from the bridge on Route TT, Route MM, and Route F to Highway 5 is also a scenic pleasure featuring a rich abundance of Ozark woods and gorgeous fall colors along the roadway.

(Remember to bring cash for the toll.)

No matter where you go at Lake of the Ozarks, the fall is a beautiful time to be here. And the fall festivals abound too. Click here to see upcoming events around the Lake.

More fall foliage excursions:

• Travel north on Highway 5 to Versailles and explore the fall colors in quaint Mennonite country, complete with horse-drawn carriages, old fashioned general stores and a plethora of Mennonite craft and specialty shops.

• Take Highway 5 to Highway 7 North, to the Fiery Forks Conservation Area in Roach and experience fall on the Niangua River.

• Travel Highway 5 to Highway 7 North, and follow signs to the Truman Dam area in Warsaw. The dam offers a visitor’s center, a historic cabin, parks, hiking trails, boating and more.

• Go south on Highway 5 to Lebanon and view fall in the Bennett Springs State Park where there is a trout hatchery, a natural spring and a premier trout fishing river. There are also plenty of trails, canoeing, a lodge and a restaurant that will even cook the trout after you catch them in the river that runs through the park, now that is fresh.