Lake Getaways Without The Crowds

Across the road at The Village at Indian Point, luxe condos feature cabin-chic decor. Couples take their morning coffee onto covered porches and watch the sun rise over Table Rock. Two miles away at Silver Dollar City, bakers clad in 19th-century garb roll out cinnamon rolls as guests wander among the crafts shops and rides in the hilly, leafy amusement park.

By midday, the lake and the pools on Indian Point tempt travelers back to their refuge. A waterfall tumbles into a Still Waters pool while jets rumble in a nearby hot tub. Thick clouds snowball above, and lightning ricochets across the sky. Swimmers climb out of the water to take shelter and make plans for the evening. Dinner at Fall Creek Steak and Catfish House or at Dolly Parton's Dixie Stampede? A Liverpool Legends show, or an Imax movie about the Ozarks' history? Or just grill out and spend the evening on the patio, watching the gray sky fade to black? At Table Rock Lake, how busy you want to be is all up to you.

Pictured: Table Rock Lake offers peaceful vistas.

Trip guide to Table Rock begins on slide 14.