I am trying to plan a trip down to the shootout this year, this will be my first time going down to loto. I am wondering if anyone has any input on what hotel to stay at. I've used the search function to do some research on it and just get more confused. As of now, I am going to be heading down there by myself from Chicago for Thursday to Sunday so I don't need all that fancy of a place, but I also don't want to be too far from where everything is happening. Also, has anyone done the ship that takes you out on the water for a better viewing spot, if so how was it? Since this will be my first time down there, I figured that I would get some advice from people that have been there before so that I can make sure that the trip will be worth it.

Ship was a pretty good vantage point IMO. (TOOK my father who can't swim a few years ago) . Have watched from captain rons, and also been tied up front row about 100 yards before the finish.

The tie up is a good time depending on who you end up tied up with. One day I was tied up next to a pontoon and the people were great and respectful. The next day I was tied up with an outerlimits, people were arrogant, rude, and didn't even have enough lines and bumpers.

I have stayed at Camden on the lake, the lodge of four seasons, and rented a few vbro's over the years. From bagnell area you are looking at a 30-40 mile boat ride both ways in some rough water ( I enjoy that )but be ready for some washing machine slop.

Camden docking is stellar. The lodges docks get pounded, but i bring my big lines, i felt bad for some others there.

Also last year there was alot of no wake... would suck for a radical blower motor running on the rich side.

Are you bringing a boat ? It's a big lake with lots of options

I was thinking about bringing the boat, but I'm not too sure. I was kind of thinking that it would be a little bit easier to not bring it this time being that it will be my first time down there. Then next year after knowing how everything works and where to go bringing it then. Has anyone stayed at the tan tar a resort? From Google maps, it kind of seems centrally located.

Camden will be sold out already.

look for something in thr middle area or Osage beach area. a lot goes on there and it's always fun. you can travel to pretty much anywhere via car or boat rather easy for events going on.

My first time this going will be this year also. We rented a condo at the ledges, and 2 slips for the boats. Found the condo on "home away"

If you go withOUT your boat, you will be madder then a midget with a yoyo. Seriously. There is SO much to do, and so many places to go, and absolutely everything is accessible by water. We get there thursday morning and stay until sunday afternoon, and never even get back in the truck till it's time to go home. We have been staying at "Lakeview Resort" and really like it, they have lots of cottages that are water level and its close to everything by water, but if you don't have a boat it wouldn't be a good place cause it's on the toll-bridge side. "Holliday Shores" is really nice too, with individual cottages and in a nice cove

tan tar a is good place, its a big place. close to the shootout by boat.

Search VRBO for a 1BR condo at Heron Bay. They run less than $100 night.
We stay there often and have many friends there.

I'll be down solo and staying there for Shootout. Riding with a friend that has a condo there.

We've had good luck staying at Parkview Bay. The docks are tucked back in a protected cove. The room rates are reasonable and it's close to a state park launch ramp (Pa He Tsi Access-maybe?). You're real close to the Grand Glaze bridge around mile marker 20, centrally located to a lot of neat places. I believe Captain Ron's is mile marker 38 so it's a nice morning drive to get to the shootout on Saturday. If your start your trip early enough your Fountain will have no issues managing the water. The ride home in the afternoon will be an experience but again if you leave a little early and beat the crowd you'll be fine. We've attended several years in a row with a 26 supercharged cat and we're doing ok. I would recommend bringing your boat. We didn't bring our boat one year (drive broke the weekend before) and rented a boat for the shootout, wasn't the same as being on your boat.