Brumley offers rural living near Lake of the Ozarks
In the southwest corner of Miller County sits Brumley, a rural town near Lake of the Ozarks. “Brumley is a big farming community,” says Vicky Rallo, a Realtor with Keller Williams Lake of the Ozarks Realty, who has lived in the region for more than 30 years. “There’s a lot of turkey farming going on, pig farms, cattle and other livestock.” It’s an easy drive to Missouri’s second-largest lake, which falls within its largest state park. So, while Brumley is out in the country, locals can still experience a wide range of outdoor activities, from boating to hiking to exploring caves. The town has limited options for stores and restaurants, but it’s not too far from booming lakefront cities like Osage Beach and Lake Ozark with plenty to offer, Rallo says.
Manufactured homes and farmhouses on acres of land
Most homes have several acres of land with views of farms, meadows and woodlands. Five properties have sold in recent years, so they don’t hit the market often. Four-bedroom manufactured homes on 2 to 11 acres go for $110,000 and $290,000. Larger farmhouses with 2 to more than 20 acres range from $200,000 to $440,000.
Adventures at Lake of the Ozarks State Park
Lake of the Ozarks State Park lies on the Grand Glaize Arm of the 54,000-acre reservoir. It’s Missouri's largest state park, featuring several outdoor activities. Locals can keep their boat at a marina or launch one from a ramp. The lake is a popular spot for fishing. It’s frequently stocked with walleye and has various other fish, including largemouth bass, trout and crappie. The state park offers miles of nature trails for hiking, biking and horseback riding, along with two public beaches with designated swimming areas. It’s also home to Ozark Caverns, known for having a rare phenomenon called an Angel Shower, where water never stops falling from the ceiling.
Dollar General, Brumley Tavern and a few convenience stores
Brumley’s quaint village center is around the intersection of state Highways C and 42. The area consists of a post office, a volunteer fire department, a Dollar General and a few small businesses. Brumley Tavern opened in 2020 and is a local hangout that stays open past midnight almost every night. The local bar and grill regularly features live music and will host themes, such as bike night and luau night. Some convenience stores are far out in the countryside, including the Phillips 66 gas station, which has a deli and serves pizza. Bink’s is another option with pizza, sandwiches and wings. More restaurants and big-box retailers are in Osage Beach and Lake Ozark, about 10 to 20 miles away.
Public schools in Lake Ozark and Osage Beach
Most of Brumley is zoned to School of the Osage School District. Students start at Heritage Elementary School, which is located in Lake Ozark and receives a B-plus grade from Niche. The rest of the schools are in Osage Beach. They include B-plus-graded Osage Upper Elementary School, B-graded Osage Middle School and B-plus-graded Osage High School. The high school offers dual credit courses through State Fair Community College.
Haunted Castle House ghost tours and the Cave Pumpkin Patch
Brumley is known for its tales of paranormal activity at the Haunted Castle House in the village center. It was featured on The Travel Channel’s “The Dead Files” and, in 2024, was named the scariest house in the Midwest on HGTV’s “Scariest House in America.” The Victorian-style house had many occupants since being built around the late 1800s. Several have died in the house, and the backyard has a pioneer graveyard and a mass dog grave. It’s open for tours, ghost hunts and private overnight investigations.
The Cave Pumpkin Patch opens every year during fall. As the name suggests, it features a cave that people can explore, along with family-friendly activities such as mini golf, bounce houses and a hay maze.
Getting around the Lake of the Ozarks region and to Missouri cities
This rural village is a car-dependent community with no public transportation. State Highway 42 is the main road people use to get to Osage Beach and Lake Ozark, which is roughly 10 to 30 minutes. It takes less than an hour to drive 45 miles to Jefferson City, the state capital. St. Louis is 150 miles away and Kansas City is about 20 miles farther. The closest commercial airport is Springfield-Branson National Airport in Springfield, Missouri, about 100 miles away.
Written By
Nicolas Stuart
