Travel Tips

Where Was Netflix’s Ozark Filmed? Exploring the Locations Behind the Hit Series

Netflix’s Ozark captivated audiences worldwide with its gripping storylines, intense characters, and dark, moody atmosphere. But beyond the suspense and drama, one thing that stands out is the stunning backdrop of the show. With its picturesque lakes, dense forests, and quiet, small-town vibe, Ozark feels like it perfectly embodies the spirit of the Ozarks region. Yet, fans often wonder: Where was Ozark actually filmed?

Contrary to popular belief, most of Ozark wasn’t filmed in the Ozarks of Missouri. Instead, the series was primarily shot in and around Atlanta, Georgia. This article dives into the filming locations that brought Ozark to life, explores their real-life counterparts, and highlights places fans can visit to step into the world of the Byrde family.

Why Georgia, Not Missouri?

Although the series is set in the Lake of the Ozarks in Missouri, production was centered in Georgia. The decision to film in Georgia was largely due to the state’s generous tax incentives for film and television productions. With its diverse landscapes, Georgia provided a cost-effective and visually compelling stand-in for the Ozarks.

Key Filming Locations for Ozark

1. Lake Allatoona and Lake Lanier, Georgia

The serene lakes seen throughout Ozark are central to the show’s storyline. While the plot revolves around the Lake of the Ozarks, the lakes featured in the series are primarily Lake Allatoona and Lake Lanier, both located near Atlanta.

•Lake Allatoona: Many of the boating and lakeside scenes were filmed here. With its peaceful waters and forested surroundings, it served as a perfect backdrop for Marty Byrde’s money-laundering operations.

•Lake Lanier: Some scenes depicting the sprawling lake resorts and marinas were shot here. Its vastness and scenic beauty made it an ideal location to mimic the feel of the Ozarks.

Fan Tip: Both lakes are popular recreational destinations. Visitors can enjoy boating, fishing, and hiking, making them great spots for fans to immerse themselves in the show’s atmosphere.

2. The Blue Cat Lodge

One of the most iconic locations in Ozark is the Blue Cat Lodge, the rundown lakeside resort that Marty Byrde manages as a front for laundering cartel money. While the lodge feels like a real Ozarks staple, it was built specifically for the show.

•Location: The Blue Cat Lodge was constructed on the grounds of the Little River Marina on Lake Allatoona.

•Reality: Sadly, the Blue Cat Lodge was a temporary set and no longer exists. However, fans can still visit Little River Marina to experience the lakeside setting and envision scenes from the show.

Lake of the Ozarks: Vintage Vacation Paradise (MO) (Images of America)

When the Union Electric Company finished constructing Bagnell Dam in 1931, they had done more than...
Bordered by lush hills and ancient bedrock, the Lake of the Ozarks covers more than 50,000 acres
Since the opening of the lake's first boat docks, three generations of visitors have spent...

3. The Byrde Family Home

The Byrde family’s lakeside home is a central location in the series. Its rustic charm and proximity to the water make it an iconic part of the Ozark aesthetic.

•Location: The house is located on Lake Lanier in Flowery Branch, Georgia.

•Reality: While it’s a private residence and not open to the public, fans can explore nearby areas of Lake Lanier to enjoy similar scenic views.

4. The Lazy-O Motel

In the series, the Lazy-O Motel is where many shady deals go down, making it a key location for the Byrdes’ operations.

•Location: The Lazy-O Motel scenes were filmed at the Crossland Studios Atlanta – Airport in East Point, Georgia.

•Reality: While the motel is a real, functional property, it’s far from the lakeside charm depicted in the series. Fans can drive by to see the exterior, but it’s primarily a budget accommodation spot.

5. Stone Mountain State Park

Stone Mountain, located just outside of Atlanta, was used for several wooded scenes and outdoor sequences. Its dense forests and rugged terrain made it a versatile filming location for the show’s many tense moments.

•Reality: Stone Mountain is a major tourist attraction and offers hiking trails, a scenic railway, and even a laser light show. It’s worth visiting for fans who want to explore some of Ozark’s natural backdrops.

6. Atlanta’s Downtown and Surrounding Areas

While Ozark is primarily set in rural environments, some urban scenes required filming in Atlanta. The city’s versatile architecture provided a stand-in for Chicago and other metropolitan areas featured in the show.

•Key Locations:

•Piedmont Park: Used for scenes requiring green spaces with urban backdrops.

•The Healey Building: This historic downtown building appeared in several episodes as an office or business setting.

Real-Life Ozarks: Visiting the True Inspiration

While Ozark was filmed in Georgia, the real Lake of the Ozarks in Missouri is a spectacular destination worth visiting. Known for its winding waterways, dramatic cliffs, and abundant recreational activities, it’s no wonder the show chose this location as its fictional setting.

Things to Do in the Ozarks:

•Boating and Water Sports: With over 1,100 miles of shoreline, the Lake of the Ozarks is a paradise for boating, jet-skiing, and paddleboarding.

•Lakefront Dining: Enjoy local flavors at waterfront restaurants, many of which offer live music and breathtaking views.

•Ha Ha Tonka State Park: Explore hiking trails, natural springs, and the ruins of a historic castle overlooking the lake.

•Bagnell Dam Strip: This lively area is home to shops, restaurants, and entertainment options that capture the charm of the region.

Fan Tip: While you won’t find the Blue Cat Lodge or the Byrde family home here, the Ozarks’ natural beauty and laid-back vibe make it a fantastic destination for fans of the show.

Ethical Considerations for Visiting Filming Locations

When visiting locations tied to popular TV shows, it’s essential to respect private property and local communities. Some Ozark filming sites, like the Byrde family home, are privately owned and not accessible to the public. Always be mindful of signage and follow guidelines when exploring these areas.

Why Ozark Feels So Authentic Despite Being Filmed in Georgia

The show’s creators worked tirelessly to ensure that Ozark captured the essence of the real Ozarks, even while filming in Georgia. From the dark, moody cinematography to the authentic-looking sets, the attention to detail helped transport viewers to the Lake of the Ozarks, even if they were actually seeing Georgia’s landscapes.

Final Thoughts: Exploring the World of Ozark

Netflix’s Ozark is as much about its stunning scenery as it is about its gripping storylines. While the series wasn’t filmed in Missouri’s Ozarks, the locations in Georgia provided an equally captivating backdrop that helped bring the story to life. For fans, exploring these filming spots offers a deeper connection to the world of the Byrde family.

Whether you’re visiting Georgia’s Lake Allatoona and Lake Lanier or venturing to the real Lake of the Ozarks in Missouri, these locations offer plenty of opportunities to step into the world of Ozark—just without the cartel drama. So pack your bags, hit the road, and get ready to explore the breathtaking landscapes that defined one of Netflix’s most iconic series.

When the popular Netflix crime drama Ozark first premiered in 2017, audiences were immediately captivated by its moody, atmospheric setting. The show’s protagonist, financial advisor Martin “Marty” Byrde, is forced to uproot his family from the suburbs of Chicago and relocate them to the remote Ozark region of Missouri after a money laundering scheme goes awry.

For many viewers, the Ozarks themselves became almost like an additional character in the show – a character with a dark, foreboding presence that reflected the moral quagmire Marty and his family found themselves trapped in. With its rolling hills, dense forests, and serpentine lakes, the Ozark region provided the perfect backdrop for Ozark’s tense, high-stakes narrative.

But where exactly was this acclaimed Netflix series filmed? While the show is set primarily in Missouri, the production team actually shot on location across several different states to capture the essence of the Ozarks. Let’s take a closer look at the real-life filming locations that brought the world of Ozark to life.

The Heart of the Ozarks: Lake of the Ozarks, Missouri
As the literal and figurative centerpiece of Ozark, the show’s production team knew they needed to find the perfect body of water to serve as the Byrde family’s new home base. They found it in Missouri’s Lake of the Ozarks, a sprawling reservoir that winds its way through the rugged Ozark hills.

Located about 200 miles southwest of St. Louis, the Lake of the Ozarks has long been a popular tourist destination, known for its scenic beauty, abundance of resorts and marinas, and lively party atmosphere. But the show’s producers were drawn to the lake’s more ominous, foreboding side – its deep, shadowy coves; its towering, tree-lined bluffs; its vast, open expanses that can feel isolating and remote.

Many of the show’s most iconic waterfront scenes were filmed along the shores of the Lake of the Ozarks, including the Byrde family’s luxurious lakefront home, the Missouri Belle riverboat casino, and the eerie, abandoned resort that serves as a central location for much of the show’s criminal activity. The production team even constructed a full-scale marina set on the lake to shoot certain key scenes.

Georgia Peach: Production Moves to the Peach State
While the Lake of the Ozarks provided the foundational setting for Ozark, the show’s producers soon realized they needed to expand their filming footprint to capture the full scope of the Byrde family’s money laundering operation. This led them to Georgia, where they shot a significant portion of the series’ exterior scenes.

The greater Atlanta area, with its wealth of production resources and diverse landscape, served as a prime filming location for Ozark. Many of the show’s most memorable outdoor sequences – including scenes set in the fictional town of Byron, Missouri and at the Byrdes’ regional office in the Ozarks – were actually shot in various suburbs and rural areas around Georgia’s capital city.

One particularly noteworthy filming site was the town of Flowery Branch, located about 45 minutes northeast of Atlanta. This quaint, historic community stood in for the show’s fictionalized version of Byron, providing the backdrop for scenes set in the show’s rural Ozark setting. The town’s picturesque main street, complete with vintage storefronts and period architecture, helped transport viewers to the show’s Missouri-set world.

Other Georgia locations featured prominently in Ozark include the city of Woodstock, which provided the setting for the Byrde family’s upscale suburban home in the Chicago suburbs, and the town of Canton, where the production team shot scenes at an abandoned textile mill that served as a key location for the show’s criminal operations.

The Mountains of North Carolina
While the bulk of Ozark’s exterior scenes were filmed in Missouri and Georgia, the production team also ventured slightly further east to the mountains of North Carolina to capture additional establishing shots and location-specific sequences.

The rugged, forested terrain of western North Carolina closely mirrored the Ozark region, making it a natural fit for the show’s setting. Numerous scenes set along the show’s winding country roads and remote wilderness areas were actually filmed in the Tar Heel State, taking advantage of the region’s abundance of scenic, isolated landscapes.

One particularly notable North Carolina filming location was the small town of Hendersonville, situated in the Blue Ridge Mountains about 30 miles south of Asheville. The town’s historic downtown district, with its quaint shops and vintage architecture, served as the backdrop for several key Ozark scenes. The production team also shot footage at a local lakeside resort that stood in for the Missouri Belle casino boat.

Additionally, the crew ventured into the Pisgah National Forest, located just outside of Asheville, to capture sweeping aerial shots of the Ozark region’s densely wooded hills and valleys. These panoramic vistas helped establish the show’s oppressive, claustrophobic tone, as if the Byrde family was perpetually hemmed in by the relentless natural landscape.

Bringing the Ozarks to Life
Of course, while these real-life filming locations provided the physical backdrop for Ozark, the show’s talented production team worked tirelessly to transform these settings into the gritty, heightened version of the Ozarks that viewers came to know and love.

Through meticulous set design, strategic camera angles, and clever visual effects, the Ozark crew was able to craft an onscreen world that felt lived-in, authentic, and true to the show’s moody, foreboding tone. Rundown motels, tacky tourist traps, and crumbling, abandoned buildings were artfully dressed to reflect the region’s economically-depressed reality. And the serene natural beauty of the Ozark landscape was often imbued with a sense of danger and uncertainty, as if the very environment itself was conspiring against the Byrde family’s criminal enterprise.

Ultimately, Ozark’s filming locations – from the sun-dappled shores of the Lake of the Ozarks to the dense, shadowy forests of North Carolina – became just as integral to the show’s success as its captivating performances and gripping narrative. By bringing this distinct regional setting to vivid life, the production team was able to transport viewers into a world that felt both heightened and disturbingly familiar – a world that has now become indelibly etched into the minds of Ozark fans everywhere.

Donation Box

National Traveller: Free for All, Thanks to You

In a world where information often comes with a price tag, we’ve chosen a different path: to stay free, forever. Because we believe in accessible, independent, and trustworthy content for everyone—no barriers, no subscriptions, just great stories, guides, and insights.

But we can’t do it alone. Advertising doesn’t cover our costs anymore, and yet we remain committed to delivering the quality you deserve. Every guide we create, every destination we explore, every piece of advice we share—it’s all made possible by readers like you.

If you value what we do, consider making a voluntary donation. Together, we can keep National Traveller free and thriving for everyone, everywhere. Let’s build a better-informed, better-connected world—starting right here, today. Donate Now

Up Next

Most Beautiful Towns And Villages in Piedmont

Don't Miss

Can You Visit Pablo Escobar’s Old Properties in Medellín?