Lake of the Ozarks is a top Midwestern destination, offering diverse outdoor recreation, entertainment, and natural beauty. The region has made progress in wheelchair accessibility, ensuring that visitors with mobility challenges can enjoy their trip with ease.
This guide covers accessible trails, accommodations, attractions, marinas, fishing, kayaking, boating, camping, adaptive recreation programs, beach wheelchair availability, and adaptive water sports equipment, as well as essential services such as hospitals, gas stations, and dining options.
Trails
Lake of the Ozarks offers a variety of accessible trails, allowing visitors to explore the region’s natural beauty. Lake of the Ozarks State Park features the Fawn’s Ridge Trail, a 0.5-mile paved loop with birdwatching opportunities, shaded rest areas, and ADA-compliant access, including accessible parking and restrooms nearby. Another accessible trail in the park is the Ozark Caverns Tour Trail, a 0.5-mile hard-packed round-trip pathway leading to Ozark Caverns, providing an even surface suitable for wheelchair users.
At Ha Ha Tonka State Park, visitors can enjoy accessible trails. The Spring Trail (0.4 miles, paved) leads to a scenic natural spring with wheelchair-friendly viewpoints. The Castle Trail (0.1 miles, paved) provides access to the historic castle ruins, offering breathtaking overlooks. Another highlight is the Boulder Ridge Trail (0.2 miles, paved), which showcases unique geological formations.
For those looking for a longer route, the Magic Dragon Trails is a multi-use trail system that varies in length, featuring paved and gravel sections designed for walking, biking, and wheelchair users.
Caves at Lake of the Ozarks
Visitors interested in cave exploration have two partially accessible options.
Jacob’s Cave is 100% wheelchair accessible, featuring paved, step-free pathways. The guided tour covers 1 mile round trip and lasts about 1 hour. Stark Caverns is 80% wheelchair accessible, with wide walking paths and a smooth, hard-packed surface. The tour lasts about 1 hour and covers multiple underground levels.
Bridal Cave and Ozark Caverns are NOT wheelchair accessible due to narrow passageways, stairs, and uneven terrain.
Marinas, Fishing, and Kayaking Equipment
Lake of the Ozarks State Park Marina provides one- and two-person kayaks, canoes, and paddleboards for rent, along with accessible boat slips and fishing boat rentals. Paradise Marina & Watersports offers stable, easy-to-paddle kayaks and guided fishing charters with adaptive equipment. Pirate’s Point Marina provides wheelchair-friendly pontoon rentals and kayak rentals for use in calm waters. Super Dave’s Paddle Craft Adventures specializes in kayak rentals and lessons for all skill levels.
Pontoon boats are the best option for wheelchair users due to their wide decks and stability. Some marinas provide transfer boards or lifts for easier boarding, though calling ahead to confirm availability is recommended.
Beach Wheelchairs
At Lake of the Ozarks State Park, manual beach wheelchairs are available free of charge on a first-come, first-served basis at Grand Glaize Beach and Public Beach #1. These large-wheeled chairs require an attendant to push them.
Adaptive Recreation Programs and Organizations
For visitors looking to participate in adaptive recreation programs, several organizations provide inclusive outdoor activities.
Wonderland Camp offers adaptive summer camp programs, including fishing, swimming, arts & crafts, and nature activities. The Arc of the Ozarks organizes adaptive sports and social events, while Ozark Adaptive Sports Association (OZASA) focuses on adaptive cycling, archery, fishing, and wheelchair basketball.
Other resources include Springfield-Greene County Accessible Recreation, which features Aquabilities, bowling, and Miracle League baseball, and Life Unlimited, which hosts over 400 adaptive events per year.
Accommodations
- Margaritaville Lake Resort offers rooms with two queen-size beds, grab bars, and roll-in showers with shower seats and adjustable shower heads. The resort also includes braille menus, a wheelchair lift to the spa and pool, and accessible restrooms throughout the property.
- The Lodge of Four Seasons provides ADA-compliant rooms, some with roll-in showers. The property features ramp access to dining areas and a zero-entry outdoor pool.
- Holiday Inn Express Osage Beach offers ADA-compliant rooms, though guests should call ahead to confirm bed and shower configurations.
- Tan-Tar-A Resort (Now Margaritaville Lake Resort) provides ADA-compliant rooms with roll-in showers.
- Crystal Water Villas has wheelchair-friendly vacation rentals, though specific bed and shower details are not listed.
- Big Cedar Lodge offers ADA-compliant rooms, cabins, and cottages, and guests should call ahead to confirm accessibility features.
- Other options include The Lodge at Port Arrowhead and Econo Lodge Inn & Suites, both of which offer ADA-compliant rooms, though specific bed and shower features should be confirmed before booking.
Camping
Lake of the Ozarks State Park offers accessible campsites designed with features to accommodate wheelchair users. These sites include level, paved surfaces for easier mobility, accessible picnic tables with extended tops, and concrete pathways leading to water hydrants. Restroom facilities include accessible vault toilets open year-round in Campgrounds 1 & 4 and shower houses with roll-in showers, though a short drive may be required to reach them.
At Majestic Oaks Campground, accessible sites are flat, shaded, and conveniently located near key amenities. The campground also features accessible restrooms and showers with grab bars and roll-in shower facilities.
Basic Facilities: Hospitals, Gas, and Food
- Hospitals & Medical Facilities: Lake Regional Hospital (Osage Beach, MO) is the closest full-service hospital, offering emergency care, surgical services, and various specialties. Other hospitals in the region include SSM Health St. Mary’s Hospital (Jefferson City, MO) and Citizens Memorial Hospital (Bolivar, MO), both providing emergency and specialized medical care.
- Gas Stations are available throughout the Lake of the Ozarks region, including Casey’s General Store (Osage Beach & Camdenton). BP Gas Station (Lake Ozark), and Phillips 66 (Eldon).
Dining Options
The area offers a variety of accessible dining options, including JB Hook’s (steak & seafood), Wobbly Boots Roadhouse (barbecue), HK’s Restaurant & Bar (fine dining), Tucker’s Shuckers Oysters & Tap (seafood), and The Pancake House (breakfast & brunch).
