{"id":28822,"date":"2019-04-22T06:00:32","date_gmt":"2019-04-22T13:00:32","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/shescookin.com\/?p=28822"},"modified":"2022-08-16T13:46:47","modified_gmt":"2022-08-16T20:46:47","slug":"the-best-of-branson-golf-and-outdoor-nature-experiences","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/shescookin.com\/the-best-of-branson-golf-and-outdoor-nature-experiences\/","title":{"rendered":"The Best of Branson: Golf and Outdoor Nature Experiences"},"content":{"rendered":"

To make the most of your Branson vacation – get out of town! Just a 15-minute scenic drive from Branson lies Big Cedar Lodge<\/strong> with three of the best golf courses in the U.S. and a Tiger Woods TGR Design course opening on September 22, 2020! For nature lovers and adventure seekers, incredible outdoor activities await in the vast lakes and surrounding Ozarks mountains that are sure to create lasting memories and appreciation for the natural wonders that abound in this little known area.<\/p>\n

\"Top<\/p>\n

Award-winning Golf Courses in Branson<\/h2>\n

As I’m writing this, the sixth playing of the \u00a0Bass Pro Shops\u00ae<\/sup> Legends of Golf\u00ae<\/sup> \u00a0Tournament<\/a>,<\/strong> April 24-28, 2019 at Big Cedar Lodge<\/strong>, is just days away. The most distinguished field yet is scheduled to attend this PGA TOUR\u00ae<\/sup> Champions event, and with the\u00a0NEW<\/em> Ozarks National designed by Coore & Crenshaw<\/a> <\/strong>making its debut, the excitement for the 2019 tournament is at an all-time high! Big Cedar Lodge and its golf courses are among Golf Advisor’s 2018 Hottest Golf Destinations<\/a>.<\/p>\n

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When you have the biggest names in golf behind your courses, it’s no surprise that Branson is America’s fastest-growing golf destination<\/strong>. Among the impressive list of world-class golf courses,\u00a0Ozarks National,<\/strong>\u00a0at Big Cedar Lodge, is Missouri\u2019s first and only 18-hole golf course designed by architect duo Bill Coore<\/strong> and Ben Crenshaw<\/strong>. Scheduled to open in Spring 2019, the golf course architect team of Coore & Crenshaw shares Johnny Morris\u2019 passion and appreciation for nature and conservation. The design of the new course promises to be a stunning display for the senses and a fitting homage to the Ozarks region. It will test avid players and golf travelers from around the country and provide the perfect complement to the existing 18-hole layout at Buffalo Ridge Springs, designed by Tom Fazio. This new course will solidify Big Cedar Lodge\u2019s place as America\u2019s next great golf destination.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n

Payne’s Valley Course <\/strong>is ahead of schedule and will open for preview play in 2019 with several holes possible available as early as this summer. Named in honor of the late Payne Stewart<\/strong>, the new Payne’s Valley golf course will be the first fully public-access course in the world completed by Tiger Woods<\/strong>‘ design firm TGR Design. The Wow! feature of this course is the extraordinary\u00a019th hole known as \u201cThe Rock\u201d. Situated on one of the most dramatic geological features imaginable, the player-friendly walkable course ends in a breathtaking natural cavern system which returns to the clubhouse after the 19th hole. A partnership between Bass Pro Shops founder Johnny Morris, Tiger Woods and the Payne Stewart Family, the course will showcase the region\u2019s natural beauty through a 19-hole championship course, as well as a family-friendly par-3 short course.<\/p>\n

\"Cathedral

Top of the Rock Cathedral of Nature in the Ozark Mountains.<\/p><\/div>\n

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Cathedral of Nature<\/strong><\/p>\n

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This natural geological wonder at the Top of the Rock initially revealed itself in 2015 when the site opened up from a sinkhole beneath the Arnold Palmer-designed driving range. Since then, 72,800 dump truck loads of dirt have been removed to unveil dramatic 200-foot canyons and one of the most magnificent geological formations in the Ozarks. See a video about the natural wonder uncovered in the sinkhole here.<\/a><\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n

Already acclaimed as one of the region\u2019s top golf courses by GOLF Magazine and Golf Digest, the\u00a0Tom Fazio<\/strong> designed\u00a0Buffalo Ridge Springs <\/strong>was purchased in 2009 by Bass Pro Shops\u00a0<\/strong>founder and visionary conservationist Johnny Morris. With a shared passion for nature and golf, Morris and Fazio redesigned the course layout to bring players in close contact with nature, including native grasses and free-ranging buffalo from nearby Dogwood Canyon Nature Park. The course has been rated the #1 Public Course in Missouri by Golf Magazine and has been named one of the Top 10 Missouri Courses by Golf Digest since 2001. The course holds a Golf Digest rating of 4.5 stars out of 5. Even if you’re a duffer like me, this course is a must-see!<\/p>\n

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Glorious sunset view from Top of the Rock at Big Cedar Lodge. \u00a9Priscilla Willis<\/p><\/div>\n

For the\u00a0Gary Player<\/strong> designed Mountain Top Course<\/strong>,\u00a0World Golf Hall of Famer Gary Player and Johnny Morris teamed up to create a world-class, family-friendly golf course that opened at Big Cedar Lodge in August 2017. The 13-hole course was designed to bring a more approachable experience to families, juniors and golfers who are learning the game as it routes through impressive rock formations and includes some of the best vistas in the region. The 13-hole, par 3 walking course is designed to\u00a0be completed in less than 2 hours.<\/p>\n

Finally, there’s the Jack Nicklaus Signature Top of the Rock Course<\/strong>. Known as the first-ever Par-3 course included in a professional championship, Top of the Rock Golf Course is one of the first golf courses that Morris brought to life in his endeavor to make Branson a world-class golf destination. It was created over seven and a half years with the help of Jack Nicklaus<\/strong>, Tom Watson<\/strong>, and Arnold Palmer<\/strong>. The Top of the Rock driving range is also an Arnold Palmer design.\u00a0{Course details:\u00a0Big Cedar Lodge}<\/p>\n

\"Waterfall<\/p>\n

Johnny Morris<\/strong>, noted conservationist and founder and CEO of Bass Pro Shops<\/strong>, is often referred to as \u201cthe Walt Disney of the Outdoors”. Big Cedar Lodge and all the Bass Pro Shops properties are a marvel of detail, craftsmanship, and the reflection of years of dedication to the preservation and conservation of the Ozarks Mountains he calls home.<\/p>\n

\"Redbud<\/p>\n

Picture Perfect Dogwood Canyon Nature Park<\/h2>\n

Dogwood Canyon Nature Park<\/strong> is a remarkable 10,000-acre wilderness paradise centered in the Ozarks region of southwest Missouri, 8 miles south of Branson. A stunning expression of Johnny Morris’s commitment to environmental conservation, the other-worldly natural beauty of the park includes towering bluffs, waterfalls (both natural and assisted), creek beds, hand-crafted wooden bridges and wildlife such as bison, elk and Texas longhorn cattle. Dogwood Canyon Nature Park is open to the public with a mission to conserve, preserve, and educate while revealing the wonders of the Ozarks to visitors from around the world.<\/p>\n

\"Working

Picturesque Dogwood Grist Mill is a working mill that grinds corn for the Canyon Grill Restaurant and for purchase in the shop.<\/p><\/div>\n

\"Native

Artifacts and native artwork in the impressive passageway \u00a9Priscilla Willis<\/p><\/div>\n

Little Indian Stables has 24 stalls and offers guests a chance to meet the horses before your 1-hour horseback riding<\/a> adventure. They also offer a 2-1\/2 hour Little Indian Lunch Ride for experienced wranglers desiring an extended experience.<\/p>\n

\"Horse<\/p>\n

There are 6.5 miles of paved trails for walking or biking along Indian Creek as it meanders through the canyon. Or take a two-hour tram ride that provides a narrated history, and possible shenanigans led by your guide, of the area and the opportunity to get up close and personal with a buffalo herd, Texas longhorn, and elk.<\/p>\n

\"Bison<\/p>\n

\"Texas<\/p>\n

Native American Artifacts at Ancient Ozarks Natural History Museum<\/h2>\n

Then there’s the Ancient Ozarks Natural History Museum<\/strong>\u00a0with the most extensive collection of Native American artifacts and artwork along with life-like prehistoric creatures that inhabited this area. Purchase the combined ticket to experience the\u00a0Top of the Rock Lost Canyon Cave & Nature Trail\u00a0<\/strong>for the excitement of riding an electric cart 2.5 miles into a cave to see stunning rock formations, waterfalls, Amish bridges and long views of Table Rock Lake. Don\u2019t pass up the Bat Bar for a refreshing drink inside the cave!<\/p>\n

\"Working

Picturesque Dogwood Grist Mill is a working mill that grinds corn for the Canyon Grill Restaurant and for purchase in the shop.<\/p><\/div>\n

Outdoor Activities in Branson<\/h2>\n
\"Girls

Tubing on Table Rock Lake.<\/p><\/div>\n

Abundant Fishing and Water Sports on Table Rock Lake<\/h2>\n

Finally, if the spectacular views of Table Rock Lake are calling you to the water, there are water sports galore to get you on the water. Big Cedar’s\u00a0Bent Hook Marina<\/strong>\u00a0and Bass Pro Shops Long Creek Marina<\/strong> offer everything from skiing instruction to personal watercraft rentals. Table Rock Lake is considered one of the country\u2019s top bass fishing and recreational lakes and provides 43,000 acres of sparkling blue-green water, along with postcard-worthy lakefront scenery. The marina offers professional bass fishing and bowfishing guides and 100 covered slips. Rental options include fully-equipped White River Marine bass boats, ski boats, pontoons, party barges, pull tubes, kneeboards, wakeboards, water skis, paddleboards, and fishing equipment. Kayaks, canoes, and paddle-boats are complimentary.<\/p>\n

The Southwest Missouri and Northwest Arkansas Ozarks region is home to five pristine lakes with an abundance of outdoor experiences for water and sports enthusiasts. Learn more about these lakes in my article for Food, Wine & Travel magazine<\/a>.<\/p>\n

\"Pink

Pink Dogwood Trees – Spring at Big Cedar Lodge, Branson, Missouri<\/p><\/div>\n

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Big Cedar Lodge<\/strong> is located 40 miles south of Springfield, Missouri, which is home to the Bass Pro Shops flagship \u201cgranddaddy\u201d store and headquarters of another Johnny Morris passion project, the awe-inspiring\u00a0Wonders of Wildlife National Museum & Aquarium.<\/strong><\/p>\n

\"Wonders

Wonders of Wildlife National Museum & Aquarium celebrates people who hunt, fish, and act as stewards of the land and water.<\/p><\/div>\n

Surrounded by thousands of acres of unspoiled Ozark Mountain wilderness just eight miles south of Branson, Missouri, Big Cedar has something for the whole family to enjoy. Trust me, growing up in this area and returning after three decades in Southern California, I am reveling in the abundant beauty and all there is to do in the great outdoors of the Ozarks \u00a0– you will love it!<\/p>\n

Save this image to your Pinterest boards for your vacation planning!<\/p>\n

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Photo Credit: Golf Course \u00a0and Lodge photo courtesy of Big Cedar Lodge. Tubing \u00a9 Branson CVB<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n