Discover Where ‘Ozark’ Was Filmed: Best Time to Visit, Wildlife, and More!

While the name may fool you, the show ‘Ozark’ was not actually filmed in the Ozark mountains of Missouri. If you’re looking for the gorgeous mountain and lake scenery from the show, look no further. ‘Ozark’ was filmed in and around Atlanta, Georgia, specifically Lake Allatoona and Lake Lanier.

Many film producers choose Atlanta to film because of the beautiful scenery as well as financial reasons. In fact, in 2016 Georgia was the state in which the most feature films were shot. Georgia has low taxes and some of the best tax incentives in the country. From a financial standpoint, producers are able to film longer, spend more, and worry less about tax expenses when in Georgia. In 2018 the state passed a law offering a 20% tax incentive on productions that cost over $500,000. An additional 10% incentive was provided if the film or show included the Georgia peach logo during credits.

The Ozarks of Atlanta

Atlanta obviously isn’t home to the Ozark mountains, but the picture-perfect shots in ‘Ozark’ are definitely real. The two lakes that are used for filming are actually reservoirs. They are man-made and were created in the 1940s. While they were the star of many of the shots, the show does include a bit of footage from the actual Ozark mountains as well.

The ‘Ozark’ Byrde Family House

The family house in the show is located on Lake Lanier. Fans of the show are able to see the house from the lake or a park nearby called Van Pugh North Park. Keep in mind that it is a private residence, and is not available to the public to tour.

The Little River Marina at Lake Allatoona

In the show, the Langmore family works at a dockyard. Shots from these scenes are taken at the Little River Marina, a real-life marina on the lake. This is a great place to visit with lots of fun things to do. The marina offers boat, paddleboard, and kayak rentals and is conveniently located off of I-75. The lake itself is fairly large, with 12,000 acres of water and 270 miles of shoreline. 

Lickety Splitz

The Lickety Splitz nightclub was originally an abandoned building located at 6025 Oakbrook Parkway in Norcross, a suburb of Atlanta. The exterior shots of the building were all filmed here, while the inside scenes were shot at Eagle Rock Studios. 

Eagle Rock Studios

Many of the inside scenes for the show, including Lickety Splitz, were filmed in Eagle Rock Studios. It is the largest stage complex under one roof in the United States. It offers 465,000 square feet of space to film and is a part of many major movies and shows. Clueless, Beverly Hills, 90210, and True Blood are all productions that were done at Eagle Rock Studios. It does not appear to be open to tourists in any way.

The Blue Cat 

In season one, Marty acquired a diner called The Blue Cat. Scenes that took place there were filmed in an old restaurant that producers updated and designed for the show. The Blue Cat was the star of the first two seasons of the show, but it is no longer used for filming. After filming ended, it was turned into a real restaurant called ‘J.D.’s on the Lake’. The restaurant features a versatile menu as well as decorations and signs from the show. It’s open year-round to visitors and often has live music on the weekends.

Chateau Elan 

The Chateau Elan was filmed during season one, episode eight. It was depicted as the home of a drug lord who invited Marty and his family to visit. The actual Chateau Elan Winery & Resort is open to the public and is a great place to stay. It’s located on around 3,500 acres of hills with lush vineyards and forests. It has a championship golf course, a health spa, and many other amenities. Not to be forgotten is the winery itself, which is open daily for tastings and tours. Chardonnay, Merlot, Cabernet, and Riesling grapes are all grown on the property, offering a wide variety of wine options. 

If you’re looking to stay at the Chateau Elan, expect to spend around $400 per night at a minimum. It is certainly a luxury resort, but it offers many activities to keep guests occupied.

The Silver Skillet

Another restaurant featured in season one of the show is The Silver Skillet. As a historical landmark, the restaurant has been in operation for over fifty years. Many other popular productions have been filmed here, including ‘Remember the Titans’ and ‘Anchorman II’. It is open daily and serves a variety of southern breakfast foods, as well as lunch on weekdays only.

The Navarro Estate

First seen in season three, the Navarro Estate is an impressive scene from the show. Interestingly enough, scenes from the estate were all filmed in a cemetery. Westview Cemetery in Atlanta is the location of the Westview Abbey, a mausoleum that was built in 1943. It serves as the home of the Navarro drug cartel boss in the show. The cemetery is open to the public and is the lying place of many famous people, including ​​Coca-Cola founder Asa Candler. If you’re going to visit, just remember to be respectful and bring water, as the cemetery spans 600 acres of land.

‘Ozark’: The Starlight Drive-In Theatre

The Starlight Drive-In is featured in season three as a location for a cash drop-off. It has only been seen once during the show but operates as an actual drive-in theatre. The drive-in first opened in 1949 and has been operating ever since. They are open seven days a week and have two separate screens for viewing. They also feature a snack bar and serve as the location for a flea market on the weekends.

Northside Tavern

In ‘Ozark’, Frank Jr. owns a bar called the Northside Tavern. It is also a real tavern that goes by the same name, with a rich history in Atlanta. The bar was first built to be a grocery store and gas station in the 1940s. Over time it evolved into a hangout spot for the locals with drinks and live music. It has been under the same ownership since 1975 and has live music playing most nights of the week. 

Best Time to Visit the ‘Ozark’ Filming Locations

Atlanta is comfortable at most times of the year, with temperatures ranging from 89-degree highs in the summer to 34-degree lows in the winter. The most enjoyable weather is usually from March through May. During this time temperatures range from the 40s to the 80s, and there are lots of outdoor activities occurring. 

Summertime is also a good time to visit Atlanta and the areas around it for all of the lakes and water activities. However, prices are highest for rooms during the summer, so be sure to plan according to your budget. If you’re wanting to visit, keep in mind that there are many music and outdoor festivals that happen in Atlanta. If you aren’t interested in going to these festivals, try to book at a time they aren’t occurring. The city will be much busier and accommodations more expensive during these times.

Keep in mind that Georgia is a state where hurricanes hit frequently, so it’s best to avoid hurricane season entirely if possible. Winters in Georgia tend to be pretty mild compared to the rest of the country. If you aren’t afraid of a little cold, traveling in the winter months is best on the budget. 

Where is Lake Allatoona Located on a Map?

Lake Allatoona, an Etowah River reservoir situated in the northwestern region of Georgia, is a man-made lake managed by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers. The majority of the reservoir falls within southeastern Bartow County and southwestern Cherokee County, while a small section can be found in Cobb County near Acworth.

Here is Lake Allatoona on a map:

Wildlife in Atlanta

While the metropolitan areas of Atlanta aren’t home to very much wildlife, the surrounding areas are full. The Lake Allatoona Wildlife Management Area offers wildlife viewing with the opportunity to see deer, bear, turkey, small game, and waterfowl. Fort Mountain and Red Top Mountain State Parks are also nearby, offering a different style of accommodations if you’re adventurous. They have tent camping, RV spots, and cottages available if you’d like to get a bit closer to Georgia’s luscious wildlife.

The photo featured at the top of this post is © Brett Barnhill/Shutterstock.com