Dogwood Canyon

Dogwood Canyon in Lampe, Missouri is one of our favorite places to visit. This 10,000 acre nature preserve is nestled in the Ozark Mountains between Eureka Springs and Branson. The property was acquired by Johnny Morris, founder of Bass Pro, and was developed by the Dogwood Canyon Foundation to promote natural conservation and preservation. The majority of the park has been kept in its natural state with pathways and recreational sites setup throughout. The water is crystal clear and it flows along the walkways and trails.

 The first time we visited, we took the tram ride through the huge park. The ride has several stops along the way and takes you through areas that attendees with day-passes cannot access like the buffalo hills. We took three toddlers on this visit and they loved feeding the animals and seeing the huge bison and elk. 

On our last visit, we took a picnic lunch and rented bicycles to bike throughout the park. We explored for hours and relaxed under a waterfall. They even had tandem bikes for my husband and son to ride together. Since we did not have to stay with a tour group on this trip, we got to explore a lot more. We hiked along ridges, we went through small caves, and we fed huge bass in the pool. 

There are many options for family visits including horseback riding, fishing, hiking, biking, and even segways. There is a beautiful wooden chapel, a large teepee, a canteen area, and much more. There is even a fly-fishing school with cabins that supposedly Johnny Cash visited.