Party Cove, Boating destination in Lake of the Ozarks, Missouri
Party Cove is a water cove on Lake of the Ozarks that stretches roughly a mile in length and can hold hundreds of anchored boats. The area features shallow water where boats tie up close together, and swimmers move between them to socialize.
The location began at various spots around the lake before settling permanently in Anderson Hollow Cove within the state park in 1996. This shift marked the start of its growth into a recognized gathering place.
Thousands of boaters gather here on summer weekends to celebrate together and enjoy water-based entertainment with people they've just met. The place has developed a distinctive social atmosphere where visitors from different boats naturally connect and share the cove.
The cove is most crowded during summer months, so arriving early helps secure an anchoring spot for your boat. Local authorities enforce strict rules about boat speed and safety protocols to keep everyone secure in this packed area.
The New York Times recognized this location as the first permanently established water-based social gathering spot in the United States. This recognition helped solidify its standing as a pioneering example of this type of boating event.
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