[title size=”2″]Discover Dogwood Canyon Nature Park[/title]

Dogwood Canyon Nature Park, located south of Branson at 2038 Missouri State Highway 86 in Lampe, Missouri, is a great place to spend the day outdoors. The park stretches across both sides of the Missouri-Arkansas border, and its entrance is off Highway 86, about 16 miles west of Highway 65. Dogwood Canyon offers a variety of attractions for active adults and families, just be sure you are aware of the prices before you arrive. Entrance to the park—just to stroll or hike—costs $12.95 per adult and $8.95 for each child ages 3 to 11. The numerous additional activities each have individual prices, so it can add up quickly. However, the park provides visitors with access to wildlife that are rare, if not impossible, to view independently, including bison, elk and longhorn cattle. The park stays open during the winter, although the activities it offers are somewhat limited due to weather conditions.

In addition to the fascinating wildlife, Dogwood Canyon Nature Park covers 10,000 acres of Ozark habitat including hilltop prairies and canyon floor, and provides picturesque vistas of the canyon walls and natural rock formations. The park has several beautiful waterfalls that are accessible along the 3.5-mile walking trail, which is level and paved. Many visitors take the tram tour, which although a bit pricey ($24.95 for an adult), gives you close access to the elk, bison and longhorn cattle in the park’s upper meadow. Visitors interested in participating in several of the different activities offered at Dogwood Canyon would be wise to purchase an Adventure Pass ($44.95/adult and $29.95/child) which combines access to attractions including biking, horseback riding, fishing, tram tours, 3D archery, and hiking. If you’re willing to pay, a visit to Dogwood Canyon Nature Park is well worth a visit.