Never Too Early To Plan - Fall Is A Great Time For Branson Adventures

Neil Sawford • March 19, 2024

Never Too Early To Plan:  Fall is a Great Time For Branson Adventures


There are various locations in Branson where you may enjoy viewing numerous breathtaking vistas of fall foliage during autumn. At any of the three stunning lakes in the Ozarks, you can drive, bike, or boat to experience this.

Many parks and well-known hiking paths offer even more captivating fall foliage viewing opportunities. The following list includes some of Branson's top locations to see fall foliage and have Branson Adventures of your own.


Branson Scenic Railway

A 40-mile round-trip journey through the foothills and tunnels of the Ozark Mountains will provide you with another breathtaking foliage experience. The Branson Scenic Railway, one of Branson's most iconic attractions, was built as 239 miles of track for the White River Railway between 1902 and 1905 at a cost of more than $12 million.

Today, visitors ride the Branson Scenic Railway in a fleet of passenger cars as they travel through the foothills of the Ozark Mountains from Historic Downtown Branson. After an exhilarating ride on the Branson roller coaster, a trip on the Branson Scenic Railway is an excellent way to view the fall foliage.

With Branson Scenic Railway, you may enjoy an exhilarating train excursion through the foothills and tunnels of the Ozark Mountains while taking in the stunning fall colors. One of the most well-known attractions in Branson is the Branson Scenic Railway, where visitors can board the colorful train that will start from Historic Downtown Branson and take its journey through the foothills of the Ozark Mountains.


Lakeside Forest Wilderness Area

The Lakeside Forest Wilderness Area in Branson is another wonderful location to view autumn leaves up close. From here, a trail leads to Lake Taneycomo. A 2.3-mile circular trail with minimal traffic is part of this wilderness area close to Branson.

This trail is well-liked for bird viewing, hiking, strolling, and nature hikes because it is available all year. You can bring your pet dogs on the trail but must be kept on a leash. The Wilderness Area is an excellent place to enjoy nature, with around 140 acres of wooded, rocky hill country.

There are two trails in the Wilderness Area. The first route starts in an area of highland woodland with a predominance of natural trees, and the relatively flat 3/10-mile trail goes to the stairs. 315 stone steps descend to Lake Taneycomo in the vicinity. A solid pair of hands, some agility, and good walking shoes are needed for this trail.


Highway 165 Scenic Overlook

This 22-mile loop, which is only a few miles from Branson's well-known Entertainment District and can be driven in about 40 minutes, offers a variety of gorgeous vantage points.

Travelers can soak in panoramic views from the ridge tops while driving along Highways 165 and 265. These winding roads offer a stunning vista of Table Rock Dam, Table Rock Lake, and the Chateau on the Lake Resort, Spa & Convention Center.

To complete the loop, take the U.S. Highway 65 south from Branson and turn west on Highway 265, which turns north into Highway 165 at Table Rock Lake. From Highway 65, make a right onto Highway 265 West, which becomes Highway 165 North at Table Rock Lake. After an exhilarating ride on the Branson roller coaster, this trip is a wonderful opportunity to take in the fall foliage.


Ruth And Paul Henning Scenic Overlook

The 1,534-acre Ruth and Paul Henning Conservation Area is a great place to spend time in nature and is situated north of Branson, west of the intersection of W 76 Country Boulevard and the Shepherd of the Hills Expressway.

There are hiking and bird-watching routes in the region and a lookout tower. Many of the natural wonders Harold Bell Wright immortalized in his classic book "Shepherd of the Hills" can be found in the region the Missouri Department of Conservation now manages.


Top Of The Rock

Top of the Rock Ozarks Heritage Preserve is a must-see, especially when fall foliage is in full bloom, and it offers natural trails, golf courses, a history museum, exquisite dining, and more. This picturesque area offers tourists a variety of vantage points from which to view miles of undulating hills covered in thriving, vibrant trees.

Get the whole experience by looking out the huge windows of the Chapel of the Ozarks, which overlooks a sizable cliff and reveals breathtaking views of Table Rock Lake. After an exhilarating ride on the Branson roller coaster, you shouldn't skip this location.


Table Rock Lakeshore Trail

Table Rock Lakeshore route, a 2.2-mile route that offers stunning views of Table Rock Lake and colorful fall colors, is conveniently situated close to the Dewey Short Visitor Center. Families and wheelchairs with or without motors can use the trail's straightforward, paved walk.


Deer, red foxes, squirrels, chipmunks, bald eagles, osprey, cardinals, ducks, and other animals can all be seen along this walk. The walk is only a few hundred yards from the lake. Although views of the lake change seasonally, autumn offers a breathtaking panorama.

If visiting the places described above isn't enough to appreciate the vivid hues of autumn leaves, you can take a thrilling ride on a mountain coaster at Branson Mountain Adventure Park to appreciate fall foliage even more.


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Branson Jets Boats is open for tours for those looking to enjoy a relaxing river ride on the lake. This thrilling river trip is available from May to October 2025. The jet boat will travel on a fourteen-mile round trip down and up Lake Taneycomo, departing from their Branson Landing dock. Your tour guide will tell the history of the lake, local legends, and breathtaking natural beauty. After a thrilling water adventure with the Branson Jet Boat, the roller coasters in Branson, MO, maybe the next activity you should try. This fascinating river tour will provide you with an unforgettable lake adventure like no other. You will enjoy an incredible combination of spectacular natural scenery, full 360 spinouts, and water splashes as the jet rip the calm waters of Lake Taneycomo. With the guided Jet boat tours, you will get to experience all the fun that the Ozarks have to offer from a distinctive vantage point unlike any other water adventure in the Branson area. You can take a seat near the front, where there will be more splashes, or near the back, where you will be a little dryer. Children under the age of 12 are not permitted to sit on the outside of a row, and all front-row passengers must be at least 48′′ tall. The beginning of the fall season is an excellent time to go on a thrill ride that will provide you with the ultimate adrenaline rush while also providing spectacular views of Lake Taneycomo. The jet boats will whiz around, delivering high-speed thrills that will leave you wanting more. The journey areas will provide breathtaking views by land and river. The jet boat is designed to transport passengers of all shapes and sizes, with industry-leading comfort and safety features prioritized for passengers. You'll appreciate fully padded seats and form-fitting life jackets that keep you snug and safe without making you squeezed like a sardine in a can. The jet boat captain is one of the best in the business, with extensive marine experience. This fantastic jet boat ride on Lake Taneycomo is one of Branson's newest attractions, perfect for the whole family to enjoy this fall 2022. Branson Jet Boats is a new water adventure on the lake that provides visitors with an unforgettable water ride experience on Lake Taneycomo's crystal clear waters. This jet-powered boat will take a journey up and down the lake, allowing you to take in the many spectacular sceneries that the lake has to offer. Unlike the roller coasters in Branson MO, you're limited to the fun offered at the park. The jet boat adventure will take you on an exciting ride on beautiful Lake Taneycomo in Taney County, Missouri. Lake Taneycomo was formed when the White River dam was built in 1913. The lake's water characteristics vary depending on how much water flows through the dam; it can be calm or fast-moving, so guests will always have a slightly different water adventure each time they visit. This thrilling water journey on the lake provides the entire family with a one-of-a-kind water adventure in which everyone gets excited when the cool waters splash on their faces. Once onboard, the knowledgeable tour guide and experienced captain will get you ready to begin your lake adventure, pulling out into the main channel of Lake Taneycomo for an excellent jet boat adventure up and down in one of the most beautiful lakes in the Ozark region. As the jet boat ride adventure begins, you'll get a spectacular view of the Branson Landing waterfront as you leave the area and then race down the lake, seeing fascinating wooded hills on the lakeside, beautiful scenery, and unique wildlife. This exciting water adventure with the jetboat lasts approximately one hour. While cruising the lake, the captain will provide a brief history of Lake Taneycomo, including information about local scenery and wildlife and other stories about the area. You can't help but marvel at the spectacular view as the captain continues to narrate. After you've had a thrilling water adventure with the jet boat, you might want to try an exhilarating ride adventure with the roller coasters in Branson, MO. The ride you can experience with the mountain coaster differs from traditional roller coasters. The mountain coaster carts are specially designed to give riders control of their ride through a patented braking system. Riders can choose to slow down and enjoy a more leisurely ride down the coaster track, or they can use gravity to their full advantage for the fastest and most exciting ride possible. Whether you are a fan of roller coasters or want to enjoy a thrilling ride down the hill, you will not be disappointed. The thrilling ride with the roller coasters in Branson MO , and the fascinating water adventure ride with the jet boat offer an engaging adventure that will ultimately get your adrenaline pumping.
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