The Reporter newspaper, Camdenton Missouri

The Reporter covers Miller, Morgan and Camden County in Central Missouri's Lake of the Ozarks and is published once per week on Wednesdays.

Published June 3, 2026

Hatchery Ridge Trail grand opening June 7

OSAGE BEACH - The City of Osage Beach Parks & Recreation Department invites the community to celebrate the grand opening of the new Hatchery Ridge Trail on Sunday, June 7, 2026, from 1:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m. at Osage Beach City Park.

A ribbon-cutting ceremony will take place at 2:00 p.m., marking the public debut of the area’s newest outdoor recreation destination.

A Trail Years in the Making
The completion of Hatchery Ridge Trail marks a milestone following the City’s 2025 Memorandum of Understanding with the Missouri Department of Natural Resources’ Division of State Parks – a collaborative partnership between Osage Beach Parks & Recreation, Lake of the Ozarks State Park, and Magic Dragon Trails.

This joint effort was designed to expand high quality outdoor recreation and strengthen connectivity between key public lands, creating a seamless experience for residents and visitors alike.

The shared vision, supported by State Parks, City leadership, and community stakeholders, guided the development of a multi-use, natural-surface trail tailored for both hikers and mountain bikers.

The trail was built through the efforts of Magic Dragon Trails volunteers and Osage Beach Park staff, with more than 500 volunteer hours invested.

Funding support from an Everyone Outdoors grant through the Community Foundation of the Ozarks helped provide essential trail signage and construction materials.

The trail represents an important step toward a broader regional vision to expand outdoor access and develop a connected trail system of up to 70 miles across the Lake of the Ozarks region.

About the New Trail
Winding along the wooded ridgeline above the park, the approximately 3-mile loop features roughly 450 feet of elevation gain and a mix of smooth beginner-friendly surfaces and more technical rocky features suitable for mountain bikers, hikers, and trail runners of all levels.

Grand Opening Activities
Attendees can enjoy a free, family-friendly afternoon that includes:

Guided tours of the new trail led by volunteers
Mountain biking, hiking, and trail running on the full loop
A kids’ riding area for young cyclists
Forest bingo and other family activities
Gift card drawings
Complimentary drinks and refreshments

Guests planning to explore the trail are encouraged to bring their own gear, though the event welcomes all ages and abilities, even those simply wishing to join the celebration and enjoy the park.

“The grand opening will be much more than the start of a new trail; it’s the result of exceptional collaboration, vision, and community passion,” said Mayor Richard Ross. “Hatchery Ridge Trail reflects what we value most in Osage Beach: strong partnerships, love for the outdoors, and a commitment to improving quality of life for residents and visitors alike. We’re excited to welcome everyone to experience this incredible new asset in our park system.”

“Magic Dragon Trails would like to thank the City of Osage Beach, the Missouri State Parks, the Community Foundation of the Ozarks and all the volunteers that helped bring this trail to fruition” said Stacy Pyrtle with Magic Dragon Trails. “The central location of this trail is a key addition to the effort to bring trail connectivity throughout the Lake of the Ozark region. We look forward to extending both natural surface trails and greenways in the area for walking, running, hiking, biking, one-wheeling and more.”