Outdoor Recreation and Relaxation

QUICK FACTS

200+ miles of hiking, biking and horseback riding trails
300+ miles of canoe/kayak accessible rivers, streams and creeks
75,604 acres – U.S. Forest Service-owned land in Stone and Taney County
10,720 acres – Missouri Department of Conservation land
10,000 acres – Privately owned by Dogwood Canyon nature park
365 acres – Table Rock Corps of Engineers land
220 acres – City of Branson parks

Many are drawn to the region because of the famous live entertainment Branson offers, but few who have been here think of that as the only attraction. Within minutes of the bright lights of Branson, outdoor enthusiasts enjoy hiking, biking, canoeing, kayaking, horseback riding, trout and bass fishing, hunting, trap and skeet shooting, spelunking, rock climbing, golf and competitive sporting activities at area public parks, beaches and forests. Step outside, take a deep breath. Yes, the air is clean here and the lakes are clear and brilliantly blue… this region is much as nature intended with large, unspoiled tracts of scenic wilderness to be explored.

Topography

Typical of the Ozark Mountain terrain, caves, streams, rivers, lakes, waterfalls, grasslands, forests, steep rocky hillsides, bottomland and glades make up the breathtaking topography of the Branson area. It is this unique and challenging topography that makes area trails and golf courses so interesting and enjoyable in every season.

The Branson Lakes Area has three pristine lakes with more than a thousand miles of natural shoreline and more than 100,000 acres of city, state, federal and privately owned forest, conservation, wildlife, wilderness and park areas available to visitors for adventurous exploration in every imaginable form. Within the city limits of Branson, guests can hike the trail at the 1,574-acre Ruth and Paul Henning Conservation Area. The 130-acre Lakeside Forest Wilderness Area offers three hiking trails, a cave and a view of Lake Taneycomo. Missouri’s 1.5 million-acre Mark Twain National Forest offers guests a wealth of outdoor recreational opportunities in and around nearby towns.

The two-mile Table Rock Lakeshore Trail connects the Dewey Short Visitor Center to the Showboat Branson Belle and the Table Rock State Park. The 8-foot wide paved trail is open from dawn to dusk and can accommodate foot traffic, motorized wheelchairs, bicycles, skateboards and scooters. Guests have frequently commented on the awe-inspiring panoramic views and stunning sunsets.

Ozark Mountain Wildlife

It is not uncommon to see several species of wildlife within the city limits of Branson. If you visit one of the area’s lakes, rivers or parks you will see any number of the following types of Ozark Mountain area wildlife: deer, bald eagles, red-tailed hawks, turkey vultures, wild turkeys, great horned owls, great blue herons, tarantulas, pileated woodpeckers, quail, songbirds, ducks and geese of all sorts, hummingbirds, red fox, squirrels, otters, beavers, minks, armadillos, opossums, raccoons, roadrunners, coachwhip snakes, copperhead snakes, garter snakes, skunks, eastern collared lizards and box turtles.

Dogwood Canyon Natural Preserve

In addition to the dozens of public use areas throughout the Branson Lakes Area, Dogwood Canyon Nature Park is a privately owned 10,000- acre park located about twenty miles southwest of Branson. Dogwood Canyon offers beautiful natural rock bluffs, tree-lined fields, dozens of waterfalls, crystal-clear streams teeming with brown and rainbow trout, log cabin lodging, on-site dining and shopping and activities for everyone in the family from the casual outdoor observer to the seasoned outdoor adventurer. Individuals and groups can enjoy miles of paved walking, biking and hiking trails, horseback riding, guided tram and jeep tours, trout fishing, kayaking and more with paid admission to the park. Guests can see bison, longhorn steers and elk on the guided tram tours. Be sure to visit Dogwood Canyon during Ozark Mountain Christmas for a chuckwagon dinner with Santa.

Table Rock Dam

Table Rock Dam will begin hosting guided tours of the Dam and powerhouse in the very near future. Completed in 1959 on the White River, its construction created both the warm waters of Table Rock Lake, and the cold, trout fishing waters of Lake Taneycomo. Measuring 6,423 feet long and 252 feet high, groups will be guided deep inside the Dam and explore the massive structure as it creates hydro-electric power, and maintains the pristine water for fishing, boating, swimming and other recreational activities on the 43,000 acre Table Rock Lake. Tours will be operated by the Ozarks Rivers Heritage Foundation; 417-334-6374.

1-800-315-8601 | 417-348-0649 fax

Visit our tourism site to plan your next Branson Vacation.