Winter Water Activities in the Ozarks

Enjoying southwest Missouri's waterscapes in the winter may seem like an impossible feat, but we’re here to share our favorite ways to enjoy the rivers, lakes and waterways regardless of what the weather forecast looks like.

Ice Skate at Big Cedar Lodge

Take yourself for a spin on the ice skating rink at Big Cedar Lodge (190 Top of the Rock Rd., Ridgedale). Overlooking Table Rock Lake, the rink itself takes festive winter vibes to a new, scenic level. For extra holiday magic, this year the ice will be real instead of synthetic like it has been in the past. Wrangle the family or grab your closest friends and enjoy this picturesque outdoor activity on the new ice skating rink.

The Ozark Mill Restaurant

Dine waterfront at The Ozark Mill Restaurant at Finley Farms (802 Finley Farms Lane, Ozark). This restaurant supplies shelter from the cold, offering Sunday brunch, lunch and dinner served with a side of the Finley River. While waiting for a table or digesting your meal, bundle up and traverse the area around the Finley River or cross Riverside Bridge to get up close and personal with the water.

Winter Trout Fishing

Fish for fun in the North Fork of the White River (starting in Texas County and flowing south into Norfork Lake). With some good waders and warm clothes to bundle up in, this activity can be downright cozy! People who brave the colder weather can find trout thriving in the river. Fishing is permitted year-round, but be sure to get Missouri fishing and trout permits.

Visit Grand Falls

Pack a picnic for this one! You should visit Grand Falls in Joplin (5400 S. Riverside Dr., Joplin). This must-stop site is the widest continuously flowing natural waterfall in Missouri. Plunging down 12 feet, this waterfall flows south. The falls are located right beside the road, meaning reaching them is a cinch. Pack a lunch, hunker down on a picnic blanket on the riverside rocks, and enjoy the ambiance of the rushing water.

Lady Liberty Dining Cruise

Experience Table Rock Lake from a new perspective this winter. Lady Liberty Cruises (1368 Long Creek Rd., Ridgedale) provide inside seating on their boats, keeping the chill from ruining the experience. Whether you’re looking to experience fine dining or tour the lake and scout out the shore, there is a booking to satisfy everyone’s inner adventurer.

Osage Restaurant

Get a bird’s-eye view of the Ozark Mountains from Osage Restaurant (190 Top of the Rock Rd., Ridgedale) at Top of the Rock. Enjoy dinner or brunch from this spot, and try to get a seat beside the floor-to-ceiling windows that overlook the lake. Savor the few hours of sunlight we get during the winter with a sunset celebration dinner or enjoy Sunday brunch in the warm company of your favorite people.