The Real Ozarks Magazine is here!

The 2021 Real Ozarks Magazine, a glossy-covered, full-color guide to exploring Ozark County and the surrounding area, is now available at the Times office and wherever newspapers are sold.

The popular magazine, published annually by the Times, is also distributed at visitor centers across the state, including the centers at Eagleville, Hannibal, Joplin, Kansas City, St. Louis, Conway, Rock Port, Hayti, Springfield, West Plains and more. 

This year’s cover photo

This year’s cover photo was taken by Gainesville School superintendent Justin Gilmore, who snapped the picture of his son Parker last March while fishing on Bull Shoals Lake. Parker, who was 8 when the photo was taken, is the son of Justin and his wife, Chelsey Gilmore. 

On a Facebook post, Chesley said, “Parker is loving all the fishing time he’s getting at the lake with Dad. If you ask them, they could quarantine at the lake all day, everyday.”

Gainesville and other schools in the county closed to in-person classes from March through May 2020 due to covid concerns. 

Recreation areas

This year’s The Real Ozarks Magazine features information on several recreation areas in or near the county, including Caney Mountain Conservation Area, Glade Top Trail, Noblett Lake, the North Fork Recreation Area, Hercules Glade Wilderness and Pigeon Creek trails and access.

The recreation area section gives readers a good look at the variety of options available, including hiking trails, river, creek and lake accesses, boat launches, fishing information and more. 

Lace up your hiking boots!

The hiking section includes distance and trail configurations, as well as details about trailhead locations and available facilities plus descriptions of the trails themselves.

Trails included in the section include the 3-mile Spout Spring Nature Trail at Caney Mountain Conservation area, the 20-mile Pigeon Creek trail system, the 1-mile Blue Springs trail at North Fork Recreation Area, the 13-mile Devil’s Backbone trail loop in the Mark Twain National Forest, the 22-mile point-to-point Ridge Runner Trail that winds from the North Fork Recreation Area to Noblett Lake, the 8-mile Noblett Lake loop trail, a 6.8 mile Coy Bald Loop within the Hercules Glade Wilderness area and the 16 miles of Trails at Bateman trail area. 

Enjoy the water

The Norfork and Bull Shoals Lake sections give readers information about Pontiac Cove Marina and Theodosia Marina Resort, both located on Bull Shoals Lake, as well as public boat ramps and lake accesses on both lakes, the history of the lakes, fishing information and several photos of residents and visitors enjoying the clean, clear water. 

A river section in The Real Ozarks details everything river-goers need to know about the North Fork of the White River and Bryant Creek, including directions to and information about the area’s public river accesses, private canoe, kayak and raft rental businesses, campgrounds and fishing reports for both rivers. 

Pitch a tent or pull in the RV

A camping section provides location information, phone numbers and information for how to make reservations at 23 different campgrounds in and near Ozark County. The campground information is arranged in sections that group campsites located along Norfork Lake, Bull Shoals Lake, North Fork of the White River and other areas in Ozark County.

Hunting

Those looking to hunt in Ozark County can find dates for deer and turkey seasons, as well as information on public hunting areas, obtaining permits, public shooting ranges and other hunting opportunities. 

Mill country and scenic drives

As always, information about Ozark County’s famed historic grist mills, Dawt, Hammond, Hodgson, Rockbridge and Zanoni, is included in this year’s edition. 

Driving directions for a 63-mile “Ozark County mill tour” is provided, as well as directions for other scenic drives, including Glade Top Trail, Missouri’s first National Forest Scenic Byway; the curvy drive to Branson via Highway 160; and a visit to the Buffalo River area of Arkansas. 

Places to eat and drink

The “places to eat and drink” section includes 30 different businesses in Ozark County and nearby areas, including sit-down restaurants, convenience stores that sell meals and treats, grocery stores and a microbrewery. 

Festivals

This year’s magazine includes information on several festivities scheduled for 2021, including the Theodosia Chamber of Commerce’s Sizzin’ Summer Kick-Off (May 29), area fireworks displays (July 3 and Sept. 4), Bakersfest (Sept. 11) and Hootin an Hollarin (Sept. 16-18). 

The Glade Top Trail section of The Real Ozarks also includes information on the Flaming Fall Revue, scheduled for Oct. 19. 

Moving here?

We’ve added a new “Moving here?” section to this year’s edition of The Real Ozarks magazine. 

The section gives newcomers need-to-know information about electricity, municipal water and sewer services in Ozark County’s towns and information on registering vehicles, obtaining driver’s licenses and registering to vote.  

Advertisers’ index

An advertisers’ index lets readers quickly find informational ads that share what area businesses offer. 

Get your copy!

The magazine is available free at the Times office and at other locations where the Times is sold. Readers from outside the area can order one to be shipped to them for a $5 mailing fee. Call 417-679-4641 to provide address and payment details.

Local resort or business owners are welcome to pick up a bundle of The Real Ozarks magazines from the Times office to distribute to guests and visitors.