Missouri's Lake of the Ozarks doesn't get much attention outside the US Midwest, but this 54,000-acre manmade reservoir deserves a spot on the list for anyone who likes water, forests and a slower pace. Created by damming the Osage River, the lake twists through the hills in a snake-like shape locals have nicknamed the Missouri Dragon. Around it: hiking trails, small towns, plenty of down-home hospitality and, if you time it right, the annual Ozarks Shootout speedboat races.

A new roundup from TravelAwaits sorts through the area's Airbnb stock and lands on eight standouts, spread across the small communities that ring the water. Here's the shortlist.

Most remote is Blue Cottage Cove in Edwards, on Mile Marker 71, with kayaks, canoes and paddleboards, a fire pit, grill and a screened deck — plus a triple-twin kids' room. Also in Edwards, Rippling Point Lakefront House wins on outdoor space: a hot tub facing the water, an outdoor kitchenette with grill, a fishing dock and two kayaks.

Boaters have strong options. Moonrise Bluff Lake House in Warsaw comes with a covered dock, boat slip and ramp, a stone patio and easy access to Warsaw's small downtown. The Lakefront Cabin in Osage Beach, set in a quiet cove at Mile Marker 28, packs in a fishing setup, water mat, paddleboards, a boat slip and nearby launches.

For cosiness, the log-built Cabin at Blue Branch in Warsaw sleeps eight and leans hard on its deck hot tub, fireplace and private dock with kayaks. Sunset Lake Retreat in Lake Ozark is the social pick — a west-facing dock built for sunsets, with a swimming platform, inflatables and two boat slips, plus live-music restaurants, go-karts and mini golf nearby.

Rounding out the list: New Luxury Retreat in Roach, a quiet modern home with unspoiled lake-and-hills views and a dock complete with a tiki bar; and the most luxurious pick, Lakefront Home on the Point in Gravois Mills, a 2021 build with near-panoramic water views, a big dock and a lawn right on the shoreline.

Why it matters: the Lake of the Ozarks works for very different trips — a couple's cabin weekend, a family swimming-and-kayaking base, or a full boating holiday with your own vessel. Almost every rental on this list has a private dock, so check whether a boat slip or ramp is included before booking. The easiest gateways are Saint Louis, Kansas City or Springfield, all within reasonable driving distance.