The Ozarks Travel Information
The Ozark Mountains stretch south of the Missouri River into
Arkansas and west of the Mississippi River into eastern parts of
Kansas and Oklahoma. The forested area has steep and rolling hills,
caves, deep valleys, springs, rivers and lakes. Scenic views and a
wide variety of outdoor activities, including canoeing and hiking,
make the area a top vacation destination. Traditional crafts, music
and hospitality are trademarks of Ozark towns. The Ozarks region
offers great summer and fall floating on rivers and streams. The Ozark
National Scenic Riverways protects 134 miles of the Jacks Fork and
Current Rivers. Canoeing, camping, fishing and swimming are the main
activities of this area. The springs that feed the Jacks Fork and
Current Rivers are spectacular. Hiking and horseback riding trails
along the rivers provide excellent views of the Ozarks. Other popular
floating and fishing rivers include the Meramec, Huzzah, Courtois and
Black. Concessionaires along all these rivers provide canoe, raft and
inner tube rentals and shuttle services. The Ozarks provide a
large selection of lakes for water sports and fishing. Missouri’s top
destination, Lake of the Ozarks, has 54,000 acres for boating, water
sports and fishing. Just west of Lake of the Ozarks, the 55,600-acre
Harry S. Truman Reservoir is a popular fishing and boating spot. In
Branson, Table Rock, Taneycomo and Bull Shoals lakes provide an
outdoor respite from the entertainment-filled city. The Mark
Twain National Forest includes more than 1.5 million acres of land for
outdoor activities. There are more than 742 miles of off-roading,
hiking, mountain biking and horseback riding trails. Camping and
picnicking sites are available. A majority of the Missouri’s state
parks are located in the Ozarks. These parks offer camping, cabins,
picnicking, hiking, boating, floating, fishing and caving. The Ozark
Trail starts at Onondaga Cave State Park in Leasburg and covers 350
miles to the Arkansas border. All Ozark roads provide scenic
views in spring when the dogwoods and redbuds are in full bloom and in
fall when the leaves are changing. Three National Forest Scenic
Byways, Blue Buck Knob Scenic Byway, Glade Top Trail and Sugar Camp
Scenic Byway traverse Mark Twain National Forest land. Ozark
cities and towns are known for their hospitality and mountain
heritage. Many hold music and craft festivals throughout the summer
and fall. Visitors can find antique and craft shops in most towns.
Larger cities like Springfield and Branson offer museums and larger
entertainment venues. Branson’s Silver Dollar City features more than
100 live demonstrations of traditional crafts. The Ozarks region
is located in southern Missouri and is accessible via Interstate
Highway 44, U.S. Highways 63, 65 and 67. Lodging is available in
cities and towns throughout the region and includes: cabins, bed &
breakfast, resorts and hotels.
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