Gravois Mills offers peaceful living along with lakeside amenities
Gravois Mills is locally referred to as the quiet side of the Lake of the Ozarks. Named after an old gristmill by Gravois Creek, this lakeside town is located northwest of the Osage River and sees less foot and car traffic compared to the rest of the area. It also has one highway that runs straight through the community and throughout the larger interconnected lakes system. “Gravois Mills is very, very large,” says Helen Riggins, a 30-year resident and broker-owner of RE/MAX at the Lake. “It goes from the 38-mile marker to the 65-mile marker on the lake.” With waterfront restaurants, boat docks and marinas and a variety of residential options, Gravois Mills has the best of both worlds between lake and small-town living.
Swimming, speed-racing and splashing into the Lake of the Ozarks
The boat ramp into the Gravois Arm of the Lake of the Ozarks is on the east side of the town limits next to the docks at Raymond’s Landing. “They boat, they swim and they ride personal watercraft,” Riggins says. Jacob’s Cave is a 1-mile scenic attraction with rock formations and campsites where guests can pitch their tents or park their RVs. Bananas Water Park has four waterslides, a splash pad and a walk-up bar, and Coconuts At The Lake also has vacation villas and boat rentals. The Indian Rock Golf Club has an 18-hole public golf course with golf cart rentals and a pro shop. Ozark International Raceway is a nearly 4-mile track where racing enthusiasts can practice their laps.
Luxurious homes with a few fixer-uppers by the lake
Homes are established both along the main highway and east by the lake. Fixer-uppers and manufactured homes with around 1,000 square feet of space range from $60,000 to $90,000, while A-frame homes with 1-to-25-acre-lots cost between $100,000 and $400,000. Lakefront properties with decks and boat docks run between $400,000 and $900,000, while two-to-three-story homes that are 3,000 square feet with vaulted ceilings, whirlpool tubs and four-to-six bedrooms range from $1 to $1.6 million.
Waterfront restaurants and limited retail
There is a limited selection of shops and restaurants around Gravois Mills. “You have very little shopping,” Riggins says. “You have quite a few waterfront restaurants, but you don’t have as many on the highway.” The Coconuts Carribean Beach Bar & Grill offers brick oven pizza, burgers and buffalo wraps, while 10-41 Bar & Que specializes in pulled pork and brisket sandwiches. The Tap & Grill Lakeside Brew Haus is a local pub that offers top-shelf spirits alongside pork belly mac ‘n cheese and its signature onion rings. Harbecke House is a small hobby farm that grows produce and raises chickens. Happy Jack’s General Store sells live bait, tackle and groceries, plus there’s a Dollar General in town.
Morgan County Elementary, Middle and High School
Gravois Mills is zoned for the Morgan County R-II School District, which earns a C-plus on Niche. Morgan County Elementary School has an 11-to-1 student-teacher ratio and a B-minus. Morgan County Middle School has a Gifted and Talented program and a C-plus. Morgan County High School has a 95% graduation rate and a B-minus.
One highway between Versailles and Laurie
Route 5 runs straight through Gravois Mills and leads 10 miles north to Versailles or 8 miles south to Laurie. Locals have two public transportation options between the OATS Transit and Tri-County Transit. The Lake Regional Hospital is open for 24 hours and is about 35 miles southeast in Osage Beach.
