This Is the Quietest Part of This Missouri State Park

Missouri's largest and most-visited park, Lake of the Ozarks State Park welcomes nearly 1.4 million visitors annually. The park is massive, measuring over 17,000 acres, and it's famous for its undeveloped public beaches and blufftop overlooks. If you've never visited before, you'll want to take lots of time to explore this special place. And while the park's most popular trails—namely, Rocky Top Trail and Hidden Springs Trail—are well worth exploring, there's a quieter, more secluded hike I'd recommend: Shady Ridge Trail.

Most people venture to Lake of the Ozarks State Park for those stunning lake views, and Shady Ridge Trail delivers. The trail connects the Grand Glaze Beach Area (also known as Public Beach 2) with the Pa He Tsi.

It's a 2-mile, out-and-back hike that hugs the shoreline of Lake of the Ozarks as it winds through the woods. The ambiance is magical, and my favorite part about this trail isn't necessarily the water view (though that's up there) but the fact that you can hear the waves crashing against the shore as you hike.

True to its name, Shady Ridge Trail is almost completely shaded, a welcome feature on a hot day. Most of the trees you'll see are white and black oaks.

The trail is considered easy, although there are a few stream crossings to navigate. By all accounts, this only adds a fun challenge to the trail as long as you have the proper footwear. The leaves can also get a bit slick after rain, so be sure to plan accordingly. Otherwise, this is a hike that's appropriate for most skill levels and ages, so bring the whole family with you!

If you're planning to hike this trail in the summer, note that tree foliage can obscure some of the lake views, and there isn't a big overlook at the turnaround point. Most hikers agree that the beautiful summery sounds and being completely immersed in the woods more than make up for the lack of views, though. Because it's a quieter trail, there's more wildlife to be spotted, so be sure to keep on the lookout for deer and birds.

Lake of the Ozarks has a lot to explore, and camping is a great option if you want to make the most of your visit. The park offers traditional and electric sites, as well as family sites to choose from. You'll want to make your reservation well ahead of time to secure your spot. (You can reserve your site up to one year in advance.)

Have you visited Lake of the Ozarks State Park recently? Are you interested in exploring this secluded lakefront trail? If so, share this article with your favorite hiking buddy and get ready for an adventure. For more information about visiting, be sure to check out the Lake of the Ozarks State Park website.

Looking for related content? We've put together a list of the five most peaceful, secluded hiking trails in Missouri.