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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
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.
Shepherd of the Hills Fish Hatchery
Our hatchery
is the largest trout production facility in the Missouri Department of Conservation trout production program. The hatchery typically produces 1,125,000 catchable rainbow and brown trout annually, weighing 301,000 pounds. The complex occupies 211 acres of land, and includes a Conservation Center that receives 250,000 visitors annually and provides a vast amount of information to the public with a focus on fisheries.
Website: http://mdc.mo.gov/areas/hatchery/shepherd/
Moonshine Beach
This public beach
is located at the north end of Table Rock Dam on Table Rock Lake. This is a day-use park that is open from May 15 to September 15. Park facilities and amenities include rest rooms, showers, picnic areas, a covered picnic shelter (rents for $75), playground, large sandy swim beach, boat launch ramp and courtesy dock. Area use fee is $4.00 per vehicle.
Phone: (417) 335-8383
Table Rock Lake State Park
The State Park
encompasses more than 350 acres along the western edge of the lake, just below the dam. It provides visitors with boat ramps, shady camping sites (some with sewer/water/electric, restrooms, showers and laundry facilities), canoeing, fishing, a full service marina (including boat rentals, scuba dive shop, para-sailing, excursions on a 48-foot catamaran and all manner of supplies), picnicking areas, a picnic shelter, swimming, sand volleyball courts, hiking and bicycling trails.
Website: www.mostateparks.com/tablerock.htm
Branson City Parks
Branson RecPlex
Branson's new 42-acre state-of-the-art sports and recreation center complex in Branson Hills combines fitness, recreation, aquatics park and organized athletics at one convenient location. The completed 44,000 square foot recreation center features two gymnasiums, a fitness center, indoor track, locker rooms, community rooms, game rooms and concession area.
Indoor Facilities:
- Fitness Center – 7,500 square feet
- Basketball – two full-size courts, permanent bleacher seating, four extra cross court practice goals, electronic scoreboard, and divider curtain
- Volleyball – two full-sized volleyball courts
- Lounge/Concessions – full concessions facility (indoor/ outdoor) with an Interior Lounge
Game Room
- Community/Conference Rooms – 1.450 square feet room that divides in half with a warming kitchen
- Running Track – three lane, 1/12 mile
Outdoor Facilities:
- Aquatic Park – 12,249 square foot outdoor pool, water slides, play structures, six lanes, and diving well
- Baseball/Softball Fields – four fields. Two 300’ ball fields,
two 200’ ball fields, entry/ticket facilities, full
concessions and restrooms, 200 person bleacher seating per field
- Soccer Fields – Several multi-use soccer fields, capable of supporting two adult/youth fields or four kids fields, restroom facilities
- Walking/Jogging Trails – 1.5 mile asphalt loop
- Park Pavilions – four covered pavilion structures and restroom facilities
- Playground – Outdoor play area and equipment
For more information and list of fees: www.bransonparksandrecreation.com or call (417) 335-2368
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 Engineer's land
220 acres – City of Branson parks
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