Story originally appeared on Westgate Resorts.
Timeshare Adventures Travel Tips
Branson is an extremely popular tourist destination thanks to its amazing attractions, but the area especially stands out with its majestic nature! From fishing on Lake Taneycomo and Table Rock Lake to admiring the beauty of the Ozarks from various vantage points around the city, you can create wonderful memories and snap gorgeous photos you’ll cherish forever!
Looking for the best way to immerse yourself in nature after a long day of resting at one of Westgate’s Branson resorts? Prepare for the adventure of a lifetime—there are plenty of state and national parks near Branson, MO, that will take your breath away!
7 Most Scenic State and National Parks Near Branson, Missouri
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Dogwood Canyon Nature Park
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Wilson’s Creek National Battlefield
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Table Rock State Park
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Busiek State Forest and Wildlife Area
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George Washington Carver National Monument
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Ozark National Scenic Riverways
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Ha Ha Tonka State Park
Breathe in fresh air, walk along stunning hiking trails, and marvel at Branson’s unique wildlife at these seven beautiful national and state parks!
1 | Dogwood Canyon Nature Park |
Unleash your inner adventurer and get ready to explore 10,000 acres of stunning nature by hiking, biking, or horseback riding. The park is full of creeks, cascading waterfalls, hand-built bridges, water pools, bluffs, and amazing wildlife!
Once you enter the park, you’ll have various opportunities to explore its wonders. Take your whole family biking down miles of its beautiful trails. You can bring your own bike or rent one at the park, and you can even book a guided bike tour!
Hiking around the park is a wonderful experience in itself—you get to explore around six miles of paved paths and nine miles of nature trails. In the meantime, you’ll be passing next to stunning waterfalls and crystal-clear streams.
If you want to see as much of the park’s wildlife as possible, take the two-hour tram ride around the property. This way, you may pass by animals like bison and elk and learn more about the park’s wildlife from the park’s knowledgeable guides!
WHERE: 2038 State Hwy 86, Lampe, MO 65681│WHO: 800-456-4812
2 | Wilson’s Creek National Battlefield |
Wilson’s Creek National Battlefield preserves the site of the first major Civil War battle west of the Mississippi River. This national park is one of the best preserved Civil War battlefields in the National Park System, and it hosts over 300,000 visitors every year!
To thoroughly explore the battlefield, you can take a self-guided auto tour with eight interpretive stops at significant locations on a 4.9-mile paved tour road. There are five walking trails that vary in length, from 1/4 to 3/4 of a mile, and there is also a 7-mile trail system for horseback riding and hiking.
Besides exploring nature and old battlefields, you’ll be able to see the Ray House, which served as a hospital during the Civil War.
You can also visit the Civil War Museum on the premises and see historical objects and documents from various battles in the Trans-Mississippi Theatre of the War. Depending on the time of your visit, you may even get a chance to watch the Living History programs depicting soldier life and demonstrating artillery firing.
WHERE: 5242 S State Hwy Zz, Republic, MO 65738 │WHO: 417-732-2662
3 | Table Rock State Park |
Table Rock State Park is an amazing place to spend some quality time in nature or turn your getaway into a true adventure. It features a public marina, parasailing and scuba diving opportunities, boat rentals, and rides on a 48-foot catamaran.
If you’re into water recreation, the State Park Marina has all the equipment you need, including ski boats and paddleboards. Whether you decide to go fishing, water skiing, or relaxing by Table Rock Lake, you’re bound to have a wonderful time!
On land, you can take a hike along the park’s beautiful trails or ride a bicycle on a paved trail. If you’re up for a challenge, you can also take a ride on the mountain biking course.
For those looking for a perfect scenic spot to relax with family or friends, Table Rock State Park offers plenty of space for a picnic near the lakeshore and camping sites among oak and hickory trees. You can even book an open picnic shelter for an amazing family get-together!
WHERE: 5272 Historic Hwy 165, Branson, MO 65616 │WHO: 417-334-4704
4 | Busiek State Forest and Wildlife Area |
Located just 15 miles away from Branson, the Busiek State Forest and Wildlife Area spans over 2,500 acres and features two trailheads you can access from the highway. This beautiful park is a fantastic place for hiking—it has trail systems that extend over 18 miles through the rugged yet stunning areas of the upper Ozarks.
You can take a 10-mile East trail system or an 8-mile West trail system—each is color-coded, so you shouldn’t have any trouble following the trails. You can explore the forest on foot, by bicycle, or on horseback. As you climb, you may reach a height of up to 1,200 feet on the mountaintops.
Besides hiking, this park is a great place to relax and enjoy nature to the fullest. Its crystal clear waters are shallow enough to walk across, allowing you to cool off on a hot day. There are also plenty of spots for camping or a picnic—you can even bring a hammock, lay back, and savor the surrounding nature.
WHERE: Highlandville, MO 65669 │WHO: 417-895-6880
5 | George Washington Carver National Monument |
George Washington Carver National Monument used to be the home of a famous agricultural scientist. Today, it’s a 210-acre park with nature trails, interactive exhibits, and a museum. This unique place gives you a chance to not only escape into nature but also learn about Carver’s fascinating life story.
As you explore the Carver Trail, you’ll pass by streams, creeks, and ponds, walk through woodlands, and explore a tallgrass prairie. You’ll see Carver’s birth site, the 1881 Moses Carver house, and the famous statue of Carver as a boy.
The visitor center of this national park is a must-visit. The displays show actual letters, photos, reproduced newspaper articles, and signage. You can even watch a movie about Carter to learn all about his life.
The park also features special annual events, so depending on the time of your visit, you may get a chance to enjoy musical acts, guest speakers, and exhibitors interpreting Carver’s life and legacy.
WHERE: 5646 Carver Rd, Diamond, MO 64840 │WHO: 417-325-4151
6 | Ozark National Scenic Riverways |
From rivers and freshwater springs to hiking trails and caves, Ozark National Scenic Riverways has everything you’d want from a wilderness escape. This park is the first national park area to protect a river system, and it features two beautiful rivers—the Current River and the Jacks Fork.
If you’re up for some water recreation, you can rent canoes, kayaks, rafts, or tubes, as well as equipment like paddles and life jackets for a fun-filled day of floating on the park’s rivers. As there are over 100 species of fish in the waters, this national park is a fantastic place to go fishing. Plus, you can freely swim in the rivers to cool off on a hot summer day.
Experience true peace by immersing yourself in nature while walking down the park’s numerous stunning hiking trails. Depending on the natural wonders you want to explore, you can follow the bank of the Current River for an opportunity to spot bald eagles or visit the Round Spring Caverns for a tour of the cave and a chance to see stalagmites, stalactites, bats, and cave salamanders!
Ozark National Scenic Riverways is also an amazing place for bird watching as you can spot over 150 species of birds. There are also over 1,000 plant species, including wildflowers, lichens, mosses, and ferns.
WHERE: 404 Watercress Drive, Van Buren, MO 63965 │WHO: 573-323-4236
7 | Ha Ha Tonka State Park |
Featuring the remains of a European-style stone castle and the most breathtaking nature you’ve ever seen, the Ha Ha Tonka State Park is one of Missouri’s most treasured spots. Situated on the Lake of the Ozarks, the park offers over 15 miles of winding trails that lead past caves, sinkholes, a natural bridge, and a beautiful spring all the way down to the lake.
The Ha Ha Tonka Springs is one of the biggest natural springs in Missouri, and it pours millions of gallons of water into Lake of the Ozarks every day. This gorgeous place offers various opportunities for hiking, fishing, and exploring unique natural wonders, as well as plenty of spots for a picnic or camping and kayak rentals.
The park’s hiking trails range in length from several hundred feet to over six miles, and most trails are suitable for families and children. While all trails offer majestic views of pristine lakes, springs, and forests, the most popular trails include the Spring Trail, Dell Rim Trail, and Castle Trail, which leads to the European castle built by a prominent Kansas City businessman.
Don’t miss a chance to cross the park’s beautiful natural bridge and see the water tower, originally built to store water for the castle.
WHERE: 1491 Missouri D, Camdenton, MO 65020 │WHO: 573-346-2986
Use Our Handy Map To Find the National Parks Near Branson, MO
Branson—More Than a Scenic Getaway
From crystal clear lakes and breathtaking views of the Ozarks to amazing hiking trails and zip lines soaring over tree tops, Branson’s natural beauty is unparalleled! The same goes for its incredible live entertainment, thrilling amusement parks, and fantastic museums. For more information on Branson hotels and attractions, visit our Westgate Resorts Travel blog.
