Versailles offers proximity to the largest lake in the Ozarks
Nestled in the foothills, the small town of Versailles is often called the gateway to the Lake of the Ozarks. For homebuyers who want city amenities and lakeside proximity, Versailles is a quieter option than communities like Osage Beach. “It’s also more affordable than places closer to the lake,” says Kelly Gramke, a Realtor with Re/Max Lifestyles and a lifelong resident of the area. “And even though we are a small town, we offer a lot — festivals, banks, boutiques and restaurants. It’s a great place to raise a family.” Walmart is the largest retailer in town, and the long-running Olde Tyme Apple Festival attracts thousands of visitors every year.
A hot housing market begins to cool down
The rustic streets of Versailles are lined with ranch homes and bungalows built throughout the 1900s. Smaller properties start around $100,000 and get up to $300,000 for modern construction. “For the last few years, houses went so fast that buyers, especially young families, were not able to get in,” Gramke says. “We are starting to see inventory get better, with new construction and some older homes coming on the market.”
Outside the city limits, homes are still in the Versailles zip code but come with lower taxes and more space to spread out. “You get the proximity of amenities but also the peace of not living among them,” Gramke says. Prices start at around $300,000 for places with a couple of acres. Private estates over 10 acres or houses bordering the Lake of the Ozarks can get up to $450,000. Out here, most homes are on well water and private septic tanks.
City parks and activities at the Lake of the Ozarks
City Park is a central gathering point with a playground, skate park and sports courts that Little Leagues often use. The community-focused park lights up with summertime fireworks and wintertime Christmas decorations. There's also a nearby community pool and a public golf course a few miles away.
However, the main outdoor attraction in the area is the Lake of the Ozarks. The lake is one of the most popular recreational destinations in the Ozark Mountains, with beaches for swimming and marinas for boating that attract millions of visitors each year. On dry land, ATV off-roading trails, cave systems and miles of hiking trails run through state parks. The lake’s northern tip is about 10 miles south of Versailles, and the busy Osage Beach area is about 30 miles away.
Thousands turn out for the Olde Tyme Apple Festival
On the first weekend of October, Versailles' small population of 2,600 surges, with over 30,000 visitors coming to experience the Olde Tyme Apple Festival. This two-day extravaganza includes a parade, a car show and an apple pie-baking competition. Live music and local vendors keep things lively, and farm stands frequently sell out of their fresh hot cider. “It’s one of the biggest festivals in Missouri, so it just takes over everything in the city,” Gramke says. “It’s a huge draw to this area.”
For the rest of the year, residents can look forward to an annual rodeo, activities at the Morgan County Fairgrounds or daily event programming at the Morgan County Library. The area is also home to several churches, with congregational and community events.
Four-day weeks at Morgan County schools
As part of the Morgan County R-II School District, students attend Versailles Elementary School, which gets a B-minus grade from Niche. Then it’s on to Versailles Middle, rated C-plus, and Versailles High School, rated B-minus. These are the only three schools in the district, and they are all located on one campus within the city. Starting in 2023, the district switched to a four-day school week. Daycare is still provided on most Mondays, even though school is not in session.
Homestyle local restaurants and Mennonite groceries
The Versailles dining scene is homestyle and rustic, with local beers at Bees Knees Brewing Company and a breakfast menu that hasn’t changed much in decades at Pioneer Restaurant. When the weather gets warm, locals look forward to the return of Tilly Sue’s, a Mexican food truck that stops by the city twice a week. “It’s locally owned, and the food is just fabulous,” Gramke says. In addition to shopping at big names like Walmart and Save A Lot, residents can stop by Outdoor Addiction to stock up before hunting or fishing trips.
Versailles is also known for being a center of Mennonite culture and shopping. There are a variety of nearby Mennonite-run stores, including Dutch Country Store and Sunshine Foods. These discount grocery stores are stocked with deals, as well as locally grown products, fresh bread and made-to-order deli sandwiches.
An expanding state route leads out to larger cities
Although there are a few medical offices in Versailles, major hospitals are over 30 miles away in Osage Beach or Sedalia. The closest airport is Columbia Regional Airport, a 60-mile trip. For bigger cities, Jefferson City is typically less than an hour away, and Kansas City is just over two hours by car. In 2025, state Route 52 will expand from two to three lanes, freeing up city traffic flow.
Written By
Catherine Lashley
