The list of Branson outdoor activities is varied and long, including canoeing, horseback riding, fishing, rock climbing, and much, much more. Thanks to the geographical features of the area that include beaches, forests, and lakes, you’ll never run out of things to do.
Get Wet in the Lakes
When the weather is warm, there’s loads of water to cool you down when you visit Branson. Thanks to the three beautiful lakes in the Branson Lakes Area and the high number of creeks and rivers in the area, a lot of Branson’s outdoor activities are water-related.
Water skiing, jet skiing, tubing, scuba diving, para sailing, and cliff jumping are all popular Branson outdoor activities at the Branson Lakes Area. If you’re just looking for a place to lay down and relax under the sun rays, you’ll be able to do just that at the many parks and swimming beaches around the lakes. Check out Moonshine Beach, the most visited public swimming area.
Canoeing and kayaking is one of the most popular Branson outdoor activities, and for good reason. It’s a great way to see the Ozark Mountain Country away from the city lights. For a calm paddling experience, visit James River, Beaver Creek, Indian Creek, Finley River, or one of the three lakes in the area. For a more thrilling experience, head to the White and Buffalo Rivers.
The three lakes of Branson, Table Rock, Bull Shoals, and Taneycomo, are also well-known for their fish. You’ll encounter plenty of rainbow and brown trout at Lake Taneycomo and catch great bass and catfish at Table Rock Lake and Bull Shoals Lake.
Explore the Parks
More than 100,000 acres of parks, including city, state, federal, and privately owned wilderness areas, can be found in Branson for you to enjoy. If you like to hike or bike, you’ll definitely appreciate the 200+ miles of hiking/biking trails in the area.
There’s a lot of wildlife for you to spot, including wild turkeys, deers, bald eagles, and foxes. Try visiting the Mark Twain National Forest and the Dogwood Canyon Nature Park to immerse yourself in the beautiful natural scenery of Branson.
Geocaching is another popular park activity that you can do in Branson. Seek out the numerous hidden caches all around the Branson Lakes Area.
If you don’t have much time during your vacation, a simple picnic lunch with your family at one of the many parks in the Branson area is a wonderful way to enjoy the sights, smells, and sounds of nature.
Escape to the Mountains
For a new view of the mountains around Branson, hop on a horse and enjoy the thrilling experience of horseback riding. You can find many places around Branson that provide guided rides, such as Bear Creek Trail Rides, Cedar Mountain Stables, and Uncle Ikes Trail Rides. Most guided tours on horseback will take you around one hour to complete, but the memories will last forever.
If horseback riding isn’t exciting enough for you, consider spelunking or zip lining through the mountains. Missouri is full of caves and Branson is no exception, so strap on your cave helmet, turn on the light, and explore. Or glide around on zip lines and get a spectacular bird’s-eye view of the mountains!
Whether you spend most of your time around the lakes, in the parks, or in the mountains, you’ll find plenty of Branson outdoor activities to keep you busy for the duration of your vacation. Just make sure you have comfortable lodgings, such as a cabin or a condo, where you can relax at the end of your fun-filled days!
