In Ridgedale, the Lost Canyon Cave & Nature Trail takes you by electric cart to a four-story cave; the trail is 2.5 miles long. Both the trail’s length and the cave destination are highlights of this outing. Another natural landmark is the Cathedral of Nature, a sinkhole that formed in May 2015 at the Top of the Rock Ozark Heritage Preserve.
Cave, Sinkhole and Natural Amphitheater
The Thunder Ridge Nature Arena offers a different experience: this natural amphitheater has 20,000 seats and overlooks Table Rock Lake. Located in the heart of the Missouri Ozark Mountains, it combines nature experiences with live entertainment. In contrast to the cave destination, the focus here is on a large-scale venue. A specific geological destination and a natural amphitheater for live entertainment thus differ in their respective focus.
Cruises and Active Experiences
On Table Rock Lake near Big Cedar Lodge, the Lady Liberty offers scenic cruises. The cruises are open to both Big Cedar Lodge guests and the general public; schedules vary by experience. Check the schedule for your specific cruise before planning. Cruises include curated dining experiences and live music by local artists. The scenic views are just one part of the experience: food and music are also included.
Fun Mountain offers arcade games, underwater-themed bowling, golf simulators, and a ropes and zipline course. Activities may vary and are offered on a first-come, first-served basis. If a particular activity matters to you, check in advance whether it is available; also take the availability policy into account when planning your visit. Big Cedar Lodge also has a quarter-mile outdoor go-kart track.
The Top of the Rock Golf Course is a 9-hole, par-3 course designed by Jack Nicklaus. Top of the Rock’s Sunset Ceremony includes a Civil War cannon firing and a toast. The Goin’ Jessi is an exact replica of a 1934 Chris Craft.
Culture, Craft and Ozark History
At Charcuterie & Wood Burning, participants assemble a charcuterie board and decorate it using wood-burning tools. Course content may change. The Ancient Ozarks Natural History Museum traces the development of the Ozarks through artifacts, images and interactive exhibits. Visitors looking beyond natural landmarks and activities to explore the broader history of the Ozarks will find a distinct thematic perspective there.
The experiences differ considerably in form, from cruises with dining and music to a range of games and physical activities, as well as golf, crafts and exhibitions. When planning your trip, you can choose the kind of experience you want to make the focus.
Explore more destinations: Hollister, Table Rock, Merriam Woods, Rockaway Beach, Branson.
For the broader travel overview: Taney.
