3 Things Ozark Got Wrong About the Lake of the Ozarks

Photo byJayden HerronUnsplash

Lake of the Ozarks, MO. - After Netflix released the TV series Ozark back in 2017, people from around the world became more interested in the Ozarks, particularly the Lake of the Ozarks, which is where the series was set, inspired by the Alhonna Resort.

While the show did help raise awareness and tourism at the Lake of the Ozarks, there were many big things the series got wrong about the region. Unfortunately, for the millions of Ozark fans, many assumed that the scenes were shot on location and accurately portrayed life around the lake in the Ozark Mountains of Missouri.

In short, the purpose of this story is to correct the three biggest things that Ozark got wrong about the Lake of the Ozarks from a lifelong resident of the region.

1. Ozark Wasn't Actually Filmed at Lake of the Ozarks

As mentioned, the series was inspired by the Alhonna Resort. And many of the show's fans believe the scenes were filmed on location at the lake.

However, not only was Ozark not filmed at the Lake of the Ozarks, the TV series wasn't even filmed in the Ozark Mountains. In fact, the show wasn't even filmed in Missouri.

Instead, the series was shot just outside of Atlanta at Lake Allatoona and Lake Lanier. This was reportedly due to Georgia offering the producers tax incentives to film there instead of in Missouri.

The Blue Cat Lodge was actually a real lakeside restaurant called JD's on the Lake in nearby Canton, GA. However, the film crew did construct a set that was based off the Alhonna Resort property.

Other filming locations in Georgia included Stone Mountain, Berkeley Lake, and even Savannah.

So, when the show's fans say things like, "I've seen the Ozarks on Neflix," what they actually saw was rural Georgia.

2. Lake of the Ozarks is Highly Commercialized

Another big misconception from Ozark was portraying the Lake of the Ozarks region as being largely isolated with very little development. In fact, Osage Beach is referred to as a remote summer resort community.

In reality, the lake is highly commercialized.

Since the lake is owned by a private company and not the Corp of Engineers, there are no restrictions about building on the water. The area has been in a continuous building boom since at least the 1990s.

The lake's shoreline is lined with condos, marinas galore, lakeside bars and restaurants, and resorts.

So, if you are looking for an isolated lake in the Ozark Mountains, Lake of the Ozarks is not it.

3. Lakeside Resorts Tend to Be Quite Popular

Finally, the two main protagonists in Ozark use the quiet Blue Cat Lodge to launder money for a Mexican drug cartel. The only problem is lakeside resorts on Lake of the Ozarks aren't quiet places. Especially in the summer months and on holiday weekends.

Maybe it doesn't seem like a big deal to others. But as someone who has seen the huge crowds at the lake, there really aren't any sleeply, little lakeside resorts left anymore.

At least, not any places where you could keep a low profile if you were involved in illegal money laundering.

In short, the next time you hear someone use the Netflix TV series Ozark as a reference for the Lake of the Ozarks, you can correct them. First, the show wasn't even filmed on the lake or even in Missouri. Secondly, the region is highly developed and commercialized. And lastly, unless you visit off-season, finding a quiet lakeside resort will be tough.

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