Hiking Adventures in Branson

Neil Sawford • December 15, 2023

Hiking Adventures in Branson

Hiking in Branson


Whether you're an experienced hiker or a novice, you'll have a great time on a flat, moderate trail appropriate for all skill levels. So be ready to don your coziest tennis shoes and enjoy the wonderful trails Branson offers. After taking an exciting roller coaster ride in Branson, hiking on some great trails is the perfect thing to enjoy. More than 200 miles of freely accessible public trails in Branson provide a variety of outdoor activities, whether you're looking for a short day stroll, an exciting bike ride, or a relaxing horseback ride.


You should check out these fantastic hiking routes, which include Table Rock State Park, Busiek State Forest, Murder Rock Trail, Ruth and Paul Henning Conservation Area, Dogwood Canyon Nature Park, and White Water Valley Trail System, to get an idea of where to go for an exhilarating hike.



The playground at Table Rock State Park, gorgeously situated on the lake's coast and has hiking trails for the whole family, is a terrific place to enjoy an adventurous picnic. A marina is nearby, and the park is an excellent spot to go fishing and engage in various other water sports.

From the State Park Marina and the Dewey Short Visitor Center, the Lakeshore Trail in this park follows Table Rock Lake's shoreline. After taking an exciting roller coaster ride in Branson, this trail is the perfect place to spend the afternoon on the lakeside.


It takes about 20 minutes to go north on Highway 65 from Branson to get to the Busiek State Forest, which is close to the city's historic downtown. This park is open from 4 am to 10 pm and has no entrance or parking fees.

Amazing hiking, mountain biking, horseback riding, hunting, bird viewing, and even target shooting are great things you may engage in in this forested environment. There are campgrounds, picnic places, and public facilities in this paradise for hikers. The rugged landscape is traversed across eighteen miles via routes that offer panoramic views of the Ozark valleys, lovely fauna, and lush streams.


Another fantastic hiking trail in Branson is Murder Rock Trail, after a group of bandits ambushed pioneers passing through here during the Civil War. The route, which has a five-mile radius, parallels the former Springfield-Harrison Road.

Be prepared to view the remnants of Melva, a historic mining ghost town from the 1880s that included three landmarks: The Silver Moon Mine, The Josie B. Mine, and The King Solomon Mine, while you attempt to appreciate the breathtaking trekking on this trail. This trail is open to hikers, mountain bikers, ATVs, and horseback riders but does not have a camping area.


The Ruth and Paul Henning Conservation Area, west of Branson, is primarily covered in trees but has five excellent trails, including Dewey Bald, Glade Exploration, Steamside, Shane's Shortcut, and Homesteaders.

These paths wind through the densely wooded regions of the enormous area. Once in the conservation area's parking lot, going to the Dewey Bald Trail is simple. The first trail that hikers can access is this one. This paved uphill trail, which is only 0.4 miles long, is great for novices but is also frequently used by seasoned hikers.


The 1.1-mile Glade Exploration Trail is a simple to moderate trek. It is also a simple and moderate trail to trek the 0.4-mile Streamside Trail. The Shane's Shortcut Trail is a little more challenging to hike and is also 0.4 miles long.

The Homesteader's Trail, which is 3.4 miles long and takes 3 hours to hike, is both the most challenging and the longest. You may explore Roark Creek, a 1,100-acre woodland area classified as an Important Bird Area, on a hiking excursion at the Ruth and Paul Henning Conservation Area.


The Dogwood Canyon Nature Park in Lampe, about 40 minutes drive from downtown Branson, is another fantastic location to enjoy fantastic hiking. Mountain biking, horseback riding, and hiking are just a few activities available in Dogwood Canyon to hikers.


There is plenty of room for every intrepid traveler to explore in the enormous Dogwood Canyon, which spans about 10,000 acres. You will undoubtedly love the park's natural landscapes, waterfalls, stone bridges, and crystal clear streams stocked with brown and rainbow trout, regardless of the entertaining activity you decide to partake in.


Another fantastic route in Branson that provides a difficult and fun outdoor experience for every hiker is the White Water Valley route System, close to U.S. Highway 61 and Table Rock State Park. According to the Army Corps of Engineers, most of the route is located on land that was utilized in the 1950s to build Table Rock Dam on the White River.

Mountain bikers and hikers can enjoy this distinctive trail system on its four loops: the Red Loop, Blue Loop, Green Loop, and Orange Loop.


Most thrill-seekers who have enjoyed a thrilling roller coaster ride in Branson need to discover additional thrilling activities by going on an exhilarating hiking excursion on one of Branson's breathtaking trails.

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Off the Beaten Path Future Branson tourists should be happy since they have an excellent opportunity to experience activities off the beaten path in this region of the world. This vacation haven in the Midwest is a hotspot for fabulous entertainment, but this vibrant city is also home to many fascinating attractions you must learn about. In addition to the mountain coaster in Branson, the city's newest thrilling adventure ride in this vibrant city, you can check out more hidden gems off the beaten path. Top of the Rock Top of the Rock has many top-notch golf courses, including the Jack Nicklaus signature course and an Arnold Palmer-designed practice facility. It is located at the highest elevation in Taney County and is nestled in some of Missouri's most magnificent countryside. The Lost Canyon Cave, a breathtaking mountaintop wedding chapel, and a natural history museum are just a few of the mysteries tucked away within this stunning recreational site—such a fantastic Branson attraction. Bonniebrook Gallery, Museum, and Homestead Rose O'Neill, a renowned artist and the inventor of the Kewpie, lived in Bonniebrook. Visiting this 1870s house will teach you about the Kewpie craze that swept the globe in the early 20th century. This house was the first in Taney County to have indoor plumbing, electricity, and a telephone. Such an ideal place to visit after you have enjoyed a thrilling adventure ride on the mountain coaster in Branson. Butterfly Palace Experience rainforest adventures right in the heart of the Ozarks! Have the chance to view many tropical butterflies inside the Butterfly Palace's aviary. You can feed them or participate in a daily butterfly release. A natural rainforest with people can also be visited. It is unexpected right in the heart of Branson! World's Largest Toy Museum At the World's Largest Toy Museum, you'll get the chance to travel back in time. Six museums, including the National BB Gun Museum and the Stearnsy Bear Museum, are located within the complex, along with numerous collections. The World's Largest Toy Museum will bring back fond memories of your youth in the most excellent way possible. World's Largest Ball of Twine This is not a joke. At Ripley's Believe It or Not, you can find the World's Biggest Ball of Twine! The World's Largest Rooster, a gigantic fiddle and banjo, and (of course) the World's Largest Toy Museum are also located in Branson. Ralph Foster Museum The Ralph Foster Museum is on the College of the Ozarks campus at 100 Opportunity Ave. The exhibits at this museum, named after local radio pioneer Ralph Foster, an enthusiastic hunter, angler, and conservationist, reflect Ozarks' history and daily life. Coins, stamps, clocks, dolls, musical instruments, artifacts from Native American tribes, and an extensive collection of firearms, including gold-plated handguns and flintlocks, are among the groups. In addition to these incredible exhibits, the museum also houses stunning ornate saddles, Western gear, wildlife displays (including polar bears, deer, and waterfowl), antique cameos, and the vintage car that transported the Clampett family to California in the well-known 1960s TV series "The Beverly Hillbillies." The Discovery Room also features kid-friendly interactive exhibits. Marvel Cave at Silver Dollar City This fantastic location is a marvel. The Silver Dollar City theme park sprung up around the entrance to Marvel Cave after it was first built as a standalone tourist destination. You will descend 300 feet below the earth to the most extensive cave entry room in the United States as part of the price of your park admission. A knowledgeable guide will tell tales throughout the hour-long tour. You then ride a specially engineered cable train 1070 feet back to the top. Marvel Cave is located 500 feet below Silver Dollar City. Here, you will find The cathedral room, which is 400 feet long and 20 stories high, with 3 kilometers of excavated corridors. The one-hour trip is rated as complex because it has more than 600 stairs. Visitors are brought back to the surface by a cable railway train. Each evening, there is a 1.5-hour Lantern Light Tour (limited to 20 people), led by guides holding lanterns while narrating the history of the cave. Runaway Mountain Coaster at Branson Mountain Adventure Park You'll be in awe after this thrilling adventure for families! The mountain coaster in Branson is Missouri's newest and best attraction which is becoming more and more well-known on a global scale. The Runaway Mountain Coaster follows the land's natural slope for over a mile. It's a singularly thrilling experience that you must have. Visit Branson Mountain Adventure Park to see this undiscovered gem. Many thrill seekers looking for an exciting ride typically take a fascinating adventure ride on a zipline. Still, those who want to experience a journey on the mountain to witness the beauty of nature may decide to take a thrilling ride on the Runaway Mountain Coaster in Branson . If you're prepared to travel off the beaten path and seek an unforgettable adventure, look for these hidden gems in Branson waiting for you to discover.
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