Table Rock Lake

Table Rock Lake and the legendary Big Cedar Lodge have been long-time destinations for my family," says TV personality and bass-fishing addict Mark Zona. "It's everything that's right in the outdoors. I started fishing Table Rock Lake in my teens, and being able to take my 16-year-old twin boys there now is nothing less than magical."

If you're as keen on fishing as Zona, then a visit to Table Rock Lake may belong on your bucket list. The lake was formed when the White River was dammed in 1958 to provide flood control and supply hydroelectric power to surrounding towns and cities. Fishing is the prime activity; stripers, largemouth, and smallmouth bass are plentiful. The lake has more than 850 miles of shoreline, and with numerous islands, inlets, and fingers off the main channels, seclusion is easy to find. This also makes it an ideal spot for gunkholing and a perfect small-boat playground. "My favorite time is in the very early morning," says Rebecca Birch, a regular on the lake. "The sun's just coming up, the lake's covered with a light mist, and the only sound is my bow splashing through the water." Birch, a Branson native, boats as often as she can. "Often, I'll just head out for a few hours. But when friends come to stay, we'll go off for a few days, camping at one of the many lakeside campgrounds."

In fact, you'll find the full gamut of boats on the lake, from bowriders, like Birch's, and bass boats all the way up to large houseboats, which often tow a pontoon boat behind to act as a tender and tow vessel for those who like water sports. Much of the lake is in the densely wooden region of the Ozarks, so if you fancy a day off the boat, there are plenty of hiking trails to explore in the surrounding countryside. There's a large sandy beach with a roped-off area for swimming at Moonshine Beach, at the northern end of the lake. Many of the shoreside campgrounds and recreational areas also have sandy beaches, which are ideal for family members who want a day off from boating.