Somewhere in Branson, tucked behind the tourist shops and fudge factories, we decided to go full…read morenature mode and hit the Lakeside Forest Wilderness Area--which sounds way more intense than it actually is. I was half-expecting to see a bear with a banjo or a raccoon running a moonshine still. Instead, we got about 140 acres of surprisingly legit wilderness... with signs. Lots of signs. Branson knows how to label a rock. The trail started off innocent enough--wood chips, some chirping birds, a suspicious squirrel staring us down. Then came the stairs. Not like "oh look, a couple of steps," but 315 stone steps carved into the side of a bluff like Mother Nature was training for a StairMaster commercial. Whoever built these things must have been part mountain goat, part lunatic. Down we went, each step echoing with the soundtrack of my thighs weeping. Somewhere between Step 89 and existential crisis, we passed a little cave where I'm 83% sure a wizard lives. It was cool, literally and metaphorically. We didn't go in though--look, we respect magical real estate. At the bottom was a view of Lake Taneycomo so pretty it made me forgive the stair situation. There were trees, chirping birds, and a breeze that whispered, "Hey, good luck going back up." We lingered at a little waterfall trickle (emphasis on trickle--it hadn't rained much) and contemplated faking an injury to avoid the climb. Eventually, we powered back up, legs shaking, pride shattered, but hearts full. Or maybe that was just dehydration. Back at the top, we found a porch swing near the ruins of an old homestead, which felt like a reward from the hiking gods. If you ever wanted to swing gently while staring into the distance and pretending you're in a Nicholas Sparks movie, this is your spot. All in all, 5 stars would hike again. Just next time, I'm bringing hiking poles.

People who go to Branson for shows and shopping are missing the REAL beauty of this place. I did…read morethe two mile loop that takes you down to the lake and back up to the parking lot. The beauty of the Ozarks is breathtaking! There are restrooms and covered picnic tables as well.

Super fun, laid-back beach that's perfect for spending the day relaxing in the water! There are…read morepavilions, picnic tables, and a park area set up, which makes it great for families or anyone wanting to make a full day out of it.The sand is pretty rocky and can get hot quickly, so we kept our water shoes nearby. There were also lots of small seashells in the water, the kids had fun finding. There's plenty of space to bring tents, umbrellas, chairs, and set up your own little spot to relax.The beach area is large enough for floaties, and I even saw people with small kayaks enjoying the water. The $5 per carload fee is very reasonable, especially since it's good for the entire day. Definitely a great spot for a fun, affordable beach day!

Beautiful beach! Getting there was pretty awful as the traffic was insane, but it was also early…read moreJune when we went so it may have been a touristy hotspot time. Parking was awful and it was one car in, one car out so it took us almost an hour to get parked. The playground was nice, but aimed towards older kids and not toddlers. There was enough space to relax on the sand and swim without feeling overwhelmed or overcrowded.

Nice easy trail for an early morning walk. Even though the water was low, enough was flowing to see…read morethe namesake waterfalls. Birds were singing and we saw several squirrels that seemed to not mind our presence. Lots of lizards and water spiders along with pools of minnows It was well worth the 90 mins we spent here.

Beautiful trail with amazing views! The family enjoyed it tremendously, I couldn't go since it's…read morenot scooter friendly, but the pictures and videos are great!

Best choice in town if you have little ones with too much energy and want to spend $0.read more

Nice well-kept park with soccer fields, dog park, skate park, and playgrounds. The bathrooms are…read morekept clean, and the grounds of the park are always maintained, grass cut etc.

It's an amazing place with waterfalls, a stream for fishing, and several caves. The artifacts on…read moredisplay are interesting and well done. In general, it's a very peaceful place. There is guided or self-guided fishing and guided tours via tram or self-guided tours via bike or walking. There is a restaurant on site in the mill building. There is wildlife along the way and there are herds of Bison and elk as well as some Texas longhorn cattle. The park straddles the Missouri - Arkansas boarder. It is well worth the time you spend there.

On a Monday morning in April we (I, mother and daughter) set out to cruise through the glorious…read morecanyon on wheels. Feeling a bit hesitant at first to do it on bike but it was the best feeling. It was a perfect 68, clear skies and lilac blooms along the way. The perfection was almost overwhelming. A tram is also available for a round trip adventure but the bike was just too fun to pass up. Along the way we saw all kinds of little critters, snakes, fish and birds. Stopped at the tree house, chapel and most of the waterfalls. On bike with all the stops about 2 hours, walking could easily be 3+. Bikes are $15 each and I highly recommend getting there early so you have your pick cause the good ones go fast. Some have baskets and you should get one of those and then fill it with a picnic lunch. Little under $20 per person for entry, with discounts for veterans, seniors and children. Large parking but the place is popular, so again if possible arrive early.

The White River Valley Trail System is an awesome spot for anyone who loves a challenge. The…read moreparking area is spacious and well-maintained, with clean restrooms and clear welcome signs to get you started. Once you hit the trail these are technical paths with plenty of rocks, roots, and serious elevation changes. It's a tough hike or ride that requires skill and stamina. The trails aren't marked very well, you have to keep an eye on the trees. One of the trails connects to a paved road that leads down to the river, where you'll find access for fishing and some really nice views of the hatchery. Overall, this trail system is beautiful and challenging, perfect if you're looking for a solid workout and don't mind a bit of rough terrain. Definitely not for beginners, but experienced hikers and mountain bikers will love it.

A beautiful place to hike. While the trails are not marked well, the scenery is fantastic!!…read more Trees, wildlife, small waterfalls and so very peaceful. Easy to access. Great area to park cars. The lower trails are quite easy to hike, the ones further in get more difficult. Drop a pin when you park-- since the trails aren't marked well you might have some difficulty getting out if you are on a schedule. When you drop the pin, you can often take a short cut back to the parking area.

We have visited here and at the US Army Corps of Engineers Museum adjacent to the dam…read more It is clean and well maintained with good exhibits and lots of information about the area, the lake, the dam and the Corps of Engineers. They offer jr. ranger program inside their three story welcome center and educational museum/exhibit space. They are open (including federal holidays). It's a great place and free of charge!

Love the scenery, give it 4 stars because I have not yet experienced the hiking and unfortunately…read moredid not see the water along from the dam but other than that it is a great place for a beautiful view and a nice walk in nature with family

If you have some time to kill and want to see something awesome (my kids loved it just as much)…read morecheck this place out! Grab some quarters to feed their fish and take a little time to walk through the reptile exhibit. We got to look at a two headed snake! My husband went fly fishing, and the best part, parking and entrance is free! We really enjoyed learning about the fish and taking in nature.

The Shepherd of the Hills Fish Hatchery is a 5-star stop that's both super educational and…read moreenjoyable for all ages. The facility is very clean, well-maintained, and clearly takes pride in its upkeep. Walking through the hatchery and seeing the trout in the raceways is a unique experience, and the informational displays make it easy to learn about conservation and fish production. The staff are friendly, helpful, and add to the welcoming atmosphere. It's a great spot right outside the main Branson strip that's worth taking the time to visit.

Carolyn can't be beat. She has a great eye to help improve your fly casting. We caught some nice…read morerainbows below the dam of our guided fishing trip.

We took the 2-day fly fishing class with Carolyn Parker. The first day was classroom and knot…read moretying in the morning. A nice lunch and then casting lessons and practice in the afternoon. The 2nd day was fly fishing. My wife and I never fly fished before. We learned a lot and had a wonderful time. We also caught some nice Rainbows. I highly recommend the course for anyone new to fly fishing.