By now, chances are that you know Branson, Missouri, is a great place to visit, vacation and/or live. One of the great things about Branson is that there are several surrounding towns within the Tri-Lakes region that make super stops to visit too! And Forsyth, Missouri, is one of them. Just a few miles northeast of Branson, Forsyth is a travel stop you won’t want to pass up!
Forsyth, Missouri, has a population of over 2,500 people, and is the county seat for rugged Taney County. Records show that the town was incorporated as the Village of Forsyth on December 5, 1890. In the 1950s, the future of the city of Forsyth became a little uncertain – the dam along the White River that would create Bull Shoals Lake was in the works, a move that would wipe out the little town entirely. It was decided that the city limits of Forsyth would be extended 2 miles west of the old town site (now called Shadowrock Park) to an area that had once been a golf course. Other fun historic facts about the town of Forsyth, Missouri, is that the famed jazz musician and band leader Charlie Haden was a Forsyth resident, and spent his youth growing up in the town.
Today, Forsyth is referred to as the Gateway to the Ozarks Outdoors. The town sits right on Bull Shoals Lake and Lake Taneycomo (short for Taney County Missouri), and is a prime location for fun, family oriented outdoor recreational activities like fishing, boating, hiking and hunting. Shadowrock Park (the old town site of Forsyth) is a popular place for families to play, picnic, swim, fish, camp and enjoy the outdoors on the shores of Bull Shoals Lake. The park boasts a rodeo arena and fairgrounds and is the home of the Annual Taney County Youth Fair and Livestock Show. There is also a campground at Shadowrock Park – there are tent sites with and without water and electricity, RV hookups and sites, as well as opportunities to rent the stage area, the arena, barn or pavilion areas for special events. Tennis courts and a baseball field are also located within the park for community enjoyment!
Forsyth really embodies the small town spirit, and is full of small local shops, restaurants and businesses that will woo you with their charm. If you fall in love with Forsyth enough to live there, there are many affordable real estate options both in and out of town. Forsyth has their own school district as well, if you have children in your family! There is a low crime rate in Forsyth, as well as friendly folks and fun outdoor opportunities. A visit to Forsyth, Missouri, is one you won’t want to miss out on!
