If you are looking for a quick getaway to enjoy the fall colors in Missouri, there is still time to see some pretty colors in the hills of the Lake Ozark area. Combine that with a stay at the Alhonna Resort at mile marker 8, and you will have an awe-inspiring road trip with memories to last forever.
We spent most of our time leaf-peeping along Highway 54 between Lake of the Ozarks and Camdenton, Missouri. We stopped for a few hours at Lake Ozark State Park and drove around enjoying the fall trees. Lake of the Ozark State Park is the most popular state park in Missouri with nearly 2 million annual visitors. There are campsites and picnic areas that overlook the Lake along with numerous trails that wind you through open woodlands, sunny glades, springs, and streams to blufftop views of the Lake. There is an active marina with boat ramps and a park store.
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Alhonna Resort was the perfect resort to enjoy more fall colors. The drive on Horseshoe Bend Parkway is filled with foliage of all hues, from light greens to the deepest rusts. Gorgeous fiery reds, sunny golds, and yellows mixed in with the deep green of evergreens. The orange trees pop up and take your breath away. When you drive up to the main office, straight in front of you is the Lake of Ozark with its deep blue water and sky.
Alhonna is the inspiration behind the Netflix drama, Ozarks. The key writer for the show, Bill Dubuque, spent his summers working at the resort and created fond memories of the resort. Dubuque, who lives in Saint Louis, uses Alhonna in order to set the stage for the show. The Blue Cat Lounge was actually called the Little River Sports Bar and Grill and was renamed after the show gained popularity.
Our accommodations were in a remodeled section of the resort. The room is one of the Family condos and ours slept six in a queen-sized bed, a king bed, and a queen sleeper sofa. There is a small kitchenette with a refrigerator and a small stove. The condo was charmingly decorated in a mid-century modern design that was comfortable with a view of the Lake of the Ozarks out the front door. A large shared deck with a picnic table and two Adirondack chairs was ready for you to enjoy the outdoors.
We ate two meals at the Blue Cat Lounge restaurant. The first was breakfast, which was hot, fast, and delicious. The portions were large and the food was fresh. Our second meal was dinner. Our waitress guided our food choices and her opinions were spot on. We both had sandwiches with delicious fries and shared a bottle of their house-labeled wine. The place was busy with regulars coming in to enjoy dinner before playing Bingo which is offered every Thursday night.
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| Actual signage from the drama, Ozark |
A tour of the resort helped us see that you can literally come to Alhonna and never leave. The resort has a small sandy beach, boat docks, firepits, an indoor/outdoor pool, an indoor fishing spot for when the weather is too chilly to stand long in it, and nightly activities. We highly recommend this resort for family gatherings, reunions, and other events.
Other establishments to consider
PaPPos Pizza
The Bend at The Duck
Shawnee Bluff Winery
Transitional Season
Now is a great time to make that road trip! Stay at the Ahonna and see the beautiful fall colors plus see some great holiday shopping (we love Evergreen!) Check out the holiday happenings at the Lake while soaking in the last of the fall colors of the season.
