Lake of the Ozarks and the Missouri River
Big springs and trout at Bennett Spring, castle ruins at Ha Ha Tonka, Missouri’s capitol and the Katy Trail village of Rocheport.
- Distance
- approx. 287 km (178 mi)
- Driving
- 3 h 11 min
- Suggested days
- 3
- Stops
- 7
- States
- MO
- Best time to go
- May and September–October
- Tolls and vignettes
- None expected
- Updated
- July 2, 2026
At a glance: 3-day road trip of about 287 km (178 mi) with 7 stops, from Springfield to Rocheport. About 3 h 11 min of driving in total. Best time to go: May and September–October. No toll roads expected for a car.
More road trips in Missouri · More road trips from Springfield
Photos along the route
Route description
Leave Springfield north-east on I-44 to Lebanon, about an hour, then turn west on MO-64 to Bennett Spring State Park. The spring pumps out hundreds of millions of liters a day into a stream stocked with trout, and the season opener on 1 March draws huge crowds. The park has a dining lodge, cabins and campgrounds, and the Niangua River is popular for float trips.
From Bennett Spring continue west and north to Camdenton and Ha Ha Tonka State Park on the Niangua arm of the Lake of the Ozarks. Walk the boardwalks to the castle ruins, the natural bridge and the spring. The park is a day-use area with no campground; the Lake of the Ozarks State Park near Osage Beach has large campgrounds.
US-54 continues north-east past Osage Beach and Lake Ozark, crowded with marinas and holiday homes; a short detour leads to Bagnell Dam, which created the lake in 1931. About an hour farther, Jefferson City sits on bluffs above the Missouri River. Tour the capitol and the Missouri State Penitentiary, which offers tours of its old cell blocks. Parking downtown is tight for big rigs, so look for the lots by the river.
From Jefferson City take US-63 north to Columbia and then I-70 west for 20 km to Rocheport, a small river town on the Katy Trail, one of the longest rail trails in the country. Rent bikes to ride the trail past river bluffs and through the only tunnel on the route. Spring and autumn are best; lake weekends in summer are very busy.
Which stops are on Lake of the Ozarks and the Missouri River?
In driving order. Distances are estimates between consecutive stops.
- 1Start
Springfield
MO - 282 km
Bennett Spring State Park
NatureLebanon, MOA big spring feeding a trout stream where anglers stand shoulder to shoulder when the season opens on 1 March. A siren marks the daily fishing hours; the park also has a nature center and campgrounds.
- 336 km
Ha Ha Tonka State Park
HistoryCamdenton, MOStone ruins of a burned 1900s castle on a bluff above the Lake of the Ozarks, with a natural bridge, sinkholes and a spring below. Boardwalk stairs link the castle and spring; parking is free.
- 45 km
Camdenton
MO - 597 km
Jefferson City
MO - 60 km
Missouri State Capitol
HistoryJefferson City, MOA domed capitol of 1917 on the Missouri River bluff, known for the Thomas Hart Benton mural in the House lounge. Free guided tours run most days; parking is limited on weekdays.
- 767 km
Rocheport
MO
How do you drive Lake of the Ozarks and the Missouri River in 3 days?
3 days, split by driving time. Campsites from OpenStreetMap: check opening dates before you go.
- Day 1: Springfield → Bennett Spring State Park · 51 mi · 0 h 55 minOvernight nearby, for example: HIdden Valley Outfitters (2 mi); Mountain Creek Family Resort (6 mi).
- Day 2: Bennett Spring State Park → Jefferson City · 85 mi · 1 h 31 minOn the way: Ha Ha Tonka State Park, Camdenton.Overnight nearby, for example: Pine Ridge Campground (13 mi); Dry Fork Campground (15 mi).
- Day 3: Jefferson City → Rocheport · 42 mi · 0 h 45 minOn the way: Missouri State Capitol.Overnight nearby, for example: Cottonwoods RV Park (14 mi); Katy Roundhouse CG (10 mi).
When is the best time for Lake of the Ozarks and the Missouri River?
The most pleasant months are usually May and September–October. Still fine, with some compromises, in April and June. Hot in July–August. Cold, short days in January–February. July and August are the busiest months: book campsites early.
Estimate from long-term temperature averages, terrain and pass seasons
More routes for the best months
Practical guides for this route
Photo by Malivez on UnsplashDriving in the US: The Rules European Visitors Most Often Get Wrong at the Wheel
Photo by Aleksandr Dalakian on UnsplashFuel, Tolls and Distances: Practical US Driving Math for Motorhome and Camper Travelers
Photo by Tracy Zhang on UnsplashUS national parks: entry fees, passes and reservations in plain terms
Themes
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FAQs
How long is Lake of the Ozarks and the Missouri River?
3-day road trip of about 287 km (178 mi) with 7 stops, from Springfield to Rocheport. About 3 h 11 min of driving in total.
How many days do you need for Lake of the Ozarks and the Missouri River?
We suggest 3 days: about 3 h 11 min of driving, which leaves time for the stops.
Where does Lake of the Ozarks and the Missouri River start and end?
It starts in Springfield and ends in Rocheport.
Which states does Lake of the Ozarks and the Missouri River pass through?
Missouri.
Where can you camp along Lake of the Ozarks and the Missouri River?
OpenStreetMap lists 47 campsites and motorhome stopovers within 19 mi of the stops on this route. For example: Loto RV Park, Happy Trails RV Park and Rock'n'Roll RV Park.
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