Lakes & Rivers
BOAT RENTALS
As everyone finds during a visit to Branson, you don’t need to take the kids to Walmart to find something to do!
Theme parks, music shows, shopping malls and other attractions can quickly fill a family’s vacation schedule. Many Ozark Mountain Country guests and residents, though, make sure there’s time to fully enjoy the area’s “wilder, wetter” side. After all,three large, pristine lakes are nestled close by to provide a wide variety of exciting outdoor adventure. 
Numerous spring-fed rivers and streams roam through nearby hills and hollows for those people who want to get especially close to nature. Memorable trips can be easily arranged for canoe, kayak or jon boat floats through the region’s famed wooded, flowered hills and hollows that bustle with wildlife from squirrels to whitetail deer and wild turkey.
Famed for Great Fishing
Dynamic Table Rock Lake, secluded Bull Shoals Lake and trout-laden Lake Taneycomo, (more like a river than a lake) offer a wide variety of water sports and related activities amidst the forested hills that surround Branson. To begin with, avid fishermen have been streaming here from around the world with tackle and boats since the lakes were formed more than 50 years ago. Table Rock and Bull Shoals feature heavy populations of sport fish including crappie, walleye, catfish, blue gill and four varieties of bass. Taneycomo is well recognized as one of the top trout streams in America for filling hefty stringers of rainbows and browns and catching trophies of a lifetime.
Your Choice of Water Sports
Take a boating trip on Table Rock around the dam area or near the bridge at Kimberling City and you’ll note that many others prefer more energetic choices of water sports. During high season, you’ll see people of all ages water skiing, jet skiing, tubing, swimming and even parasailing. Cliff jumping and diving off rugged overhanging bluffs has also become popular with more courageous water buffs and attracts many boaters to the scene. Two bluffs have become especially popular.
Those who desire more relaxing endeavors can be seen sunbathing on rubber rafts, paddle boating or cruising the lake in all makes and models of speed and ski boats, pontoons and houseboats. Odds are you’ll also notice some kayakers and canoeists getting “up close and personal” to the water while paddling along the shoreline. Scuba divers find the clean, deep waters and large varieties of fish especially attractive for their sport. On a regular basis some divers are usually in—or rather out of—sight throughout the season. Many nice parks and swimming beaches are also located around the lakes, especially the better-known Table Rock. One of the most popular public swimming areas is Moonshine Beach next to the majestic Chateau on the Lake just north of the dam.
Numerous Marinas Scattered About
Marinas around the lake cater to just about every water enthusiast’s need, and are continually expanding and upgrading their services. State Park, Rock Lane’s, Port of Kimberling, Indian Point, The Harbor, Gages, Cricket Creek, Baxter Point, Cape Fair, Campbell Point…and other fine marinas are located prominently around Table Rock. There are also large marinas at Big Cedar and Chateau on the Lake that service many customers. (The Bull Shoals marina nearest to Branson is K Dock at Kirbyville south of Forsyth. Theodosia Marina on highway 160 can be reached after about a 45-minute winding drive through wooded, lightly populated hills.) Professional guides for all the lakes are available with sleek, well-equipped boats to ensure greater chance of success if you choose to fish.
Spectacular Cruise, Dinner Boats Await You
The entertaining Showboat Branson Belle, the partying Polynesian Princess, the sailing Spirit of America and the amphibian Ride The Ducks provide personalized, unique lake experiences. The Lake Queen paddleboat and the luxury tour yacht Branson Princess anchor at Branson Landing and offer scenic, informative cruises along Taneycomo and Branson’s riverfront.
So keep in mind as you plan the next vacation to Branson that there’s a wide choice of different adventures from which to choose. Along with the grand menu of great live shows, shopping and attractions to work into your itinerary, you can also find plenty of ‘wild and wet” fun on Ozark Mountain Country’s dynamic lakes and rivers. Enjoy Branson to its fullest, but save some time for lake fun too.
By L.D.Rawson, DiscoverBranson.com Writer
Posted in
Lakes & Rivers on April 11th, 2011
From beginners to “hot dogs”, whether you are regular or “goofy-footed,” the crystal clear water of Table rock Lake is the place for an exciting day of water-skiing or wake-boarding!
Feel the spray of the wake and the wind on your face while you maneuver down one of the most scenic lakes in the Ozarks. Table Rock Lake is 52,300 acres of sparkling water with 857 miles of shoreline that is lined by magnificent rock bluffs. There are over a dozen marinas where you can rent boats, skis, and wake-boards.
Not only does Table Rock lake have a reputation for natural beauty and fantastic water sports, but safety as well. The lake is patrolled by State Water Patrol and the Coast Guard Auxiliary.
If you love the thrill of water sports and extraordinary natural beauty don’t miss Table Rock Lake!
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| Phone: 1-800-768-3892 · Address: 1294 State Hwy 248 Branson, MO. 65616 |
