Weekend Itinerary for Dogwood Canyon Nature Park

For those who’re something like me, one of the best weekend getaway means swapping emails and errands for recent air, waterfalls, and a bit of journey. You possibly can have all that at Dogwood Canyon Nature Park within the Ozarks of Missouri. The ten,000-acre playground has all the things from climbing trails to a legit treehouse and even a bison pasture. Right here’s how I spent an ideal weekend exploring the park, and how one can, too.

➞ Quick on time? Right here’s a fast snapshot of the weekend itinerary:

Getting There & Round

If you’re not driving to city, most will fly into Springfield-Branson Nationwide Airport and the simplest method to discover the world is by renting a automobile (I normally e book by Expedia). Uber can also be an choice when you choose to not drive, however it is going to get dear actual fast. 

For those who’re staying at Large Cedar Lodge (like me!), you possibly can benefit from their JM Nature Resort Shuttle App. This helpful service enables you to see the place shuttles are in actual time, examine estimated wait instances, and request a experience across the property or to pick off-site places like High of the Rock.

One factor to notice: the shuttle doesn’t run to Dogwood Canyon Nature Park, so that you’ll wish to drive or organize a separate experience for that journey.

Day 1

Go to the Wonders Of Wildlife Aquarium

For those who’re flying into Springfield or already on the town, I extremely advocate visiting the Wonders of Wildlife Aquarium. This award-winning attraction has been voted America’s Greatest Aquarium seven instances, and after my go to, I can perceive why. Positioned conveniently subsequent to Bass Professional Retailers, the power is actually spectacular in scale, that includes 1.5 million gallons of water that home over 35,000 fish, reptiles, birds, and different animals all through meticulously designed themed environments.

My private favourite was the jellyfish exhibit. The aquarium showcases a number of completely different species in fantastically lit tanks, and watching them drift and pulse with their bioluminescent glow was genuinely mesmerizing.

Store on the Bass Professional Retailers

For those who love a superb purchasing journey then stroll over to the Bass Professional Retailers subsequent to the aquarium. At 150,000 sq. ft with over 14,000 gadgets, it’s principally the granddaddy of all fishing, tenting and searching shops. I spent most of my time looking the lovable flannels and jackets within the women’ clothes part!

Examine into Camp Lengthy Creek

Make your property base for the weekend Camp Lengthy Creek, which is a part of Large Cedar Lodge and only a quick drive from Dogwood Canyon. The property presents cabins and camp cottages, however for one thing really memorable, go for a glamping tent.

I can affirm that this isn’t your common tenting expertise! When you step by the canvas door you’ll discover hardwood flooring, a lovely chandelier, a king-size mattress, and functioning air con and warmth. Name it five-star rustic, if you’ll.

➞ Notice: if tenting shouldn’t be your factor, in addition they have a lovely lodge you possibly can keep in. Examine one of the best costs right here.

Have Dinner at Worman Home

For dinner, head to The Worman Home Bistro. Constructed within the Nineteen Twenties as a railroad government’s nation retreat, it’s been fantastically restored into this elegant spot that’s half French chateau and half upscale lodge with wooden beams, candlelight, and critical old-world allure.

That is legit wonderful eating: Lobster Thermidor, completely cooked steaks, pan-seared Chilean sea bass. I attempted the Roasted Beet Salad with pistachio-crusted goat cheese, the unimaginable Seafood Pot Pie filled with lobster, shrimp, mussels, and sea bass, and the Bison Tenderloin with rosemary whipped potatoes — all glorious.

For those who can, seize a desk by the floor-to-ceiling home windows overlooking Desk Rock Lake!

Day 2

Breakfast at Truman Café & Custard

Kick off your morning at Truman Café & Custard, considered one of Large Cedar Lodge’s most charming spots. It’s in an authentic Nineteen Twenties Tudor constructing that was once a storage and chauffeur’s quarters, now it’s a comfortable little café.

The menu options smoothies, specialty coffees, and light-weight breakfast fare. I opted for the açaí bowl, which was loaded with recent fruit, açaí sorbet, granola, and coconut flakes.

Head to Dogwood Canyon Nature Park

Simply 25 minutes from Camp Lengthy Creek, Dogwood Canyon Nature Park is the place you’ll spend the day adventuring. This 10,000-acre Ozark paradise has waterfalls, climbing, biking, fishing, horseback using and a lot extra.

The park is a part of the Johnny Morris Basis, which focuses on pure conservation — defending the surroundings, wildlife, and plants by preserving ecologically necessary land for everybody to get pleasure from.

Take a Canyon Discovery Tour

Among the best methods to expertise Dogwood Canyon is hopping on a Canyon Discovery Tour which is a personal, guided experience in a side-by-side Tracker with your personal information. You’ll make stops alongside the way in which to find out about native vegetation, wildlife, and the park’s ecosystem. It additionally crosses into Arkansas to go to Bison-Elk Nation. You’ll additionally cease on the 1800s-style Hope Marriage ceremony Chapel, Thunder Falls Crossing, and The Glory Gap, a turquoise pool the place you possibly can feed big trout.

Throughout my tour, we noticed bison and elk up shut, handed tons of waterfalls, and stopped to take a look at native vegetation (surprisingly fascinating, truly). The Tracker also can attain hidden spots the tram can’t — good when you like going off the overwhelmed path. 

One other good tour choice is taking the open-air Wildlife Tram Tour. This two-hour narrated experience winds by the park, and covers most of the similar areas because the Canyon Discovery Tour, minus the off-roading!

Lunch at Mill & Canyon Grill

When it’s time for lunch, head to Mill & Canyon Grill at Dogwood Canyon, the place large glass home windows overlook Little Indian Creek and this gorgeous 120-foot waterfall. The area has that cozy, rustic lodge vibe with wooden beams and heat lighting, and the menu’s filled with hearty stuff like traditional fried hen and elk sausage soup. I received the Dogwood Bison Burger with smoked tomato, bacon jam, and melty Gruyère, and was very pleased with that alternative.

See the Critter Encounter

The Critter Encounters on the Dogwood nature and conservation middle is a enjoyable, up-close meet-and-greet with a number of the park’s smaller (and typically slithery) residents. The naturalists introduce you to snakes, salamanders, toads, turtles, arachnids, and even hissing cockroaches, whereas sharing cool details about them. Once I went, I met Pumbaa, a surprisingly charming western hognose snake!

Whilst you’re on the conservation middle, additionally take a peek on the different wildlife and be taught concerning the significance of conservation within the Ozarks.

Cease by the Treehouse

From the conservation middle, head throughout the swinging bridge to take a look at the treehouse, And this isn’t simply any treehouse, it was constructed by Pete Nelson and his crew from Animal Planet’s Treehouse Masters, so you recognize it’s legit. Inside, you’ll discover plant and wildlife assets that tie into the park’s conservation mission.

Go Guided Trout Fishing

The creeks at Dogwood Canyon are filled with rainbow trout, and with the guided trout fishing choice, you’ll obtain hands-on instruction in fly casting and tying, together with professional suggestions for efficiently catching trout all through the canyon’s waters. Throughout my guided journey, we fished at three completely different places alongside the creek, and I used to be thrilled to land ten fish.

➞ For those who choose a extra impartial expertise, you possibly can hire a rod and discover the canyon at your personal tempo with a self-guided fishing journey.

Dinner at Satan’s Pool Restaurant at Large Cedar Lodge

For a relaxed but memorable night, head to Satan’s Pool Restaurant at Large Cedar Lodge. The ambiance is heat and alluring, with rustic interiors that includes hand-wrought steel chandeliers, vintage furnishings, and a lovely 100-year-old mahogany bar because the centerpiece.

The menu showcases elevated Southern consolation meals. I began with the Spinach Artichoke Dip, splendidly wealthy and tacky, served with heat baked pita bread. For my entrée, I selected the Rockbridge Rainbow Trout with basmati rice, sliced almonds, inexperienced beans, child carrots, and a fragile brown butter caper sauce that complemented the fish completely.

Day 3

Gentle Breakfast at Mill & Canyon Grill

For a lightweight begin to the day, head again to Mill & Canyon Grill at Dogwood Canyon.The breakfast menu is small however strong. I went with the Greek yogurt parfait topped with blueberry compote which was easy, recent, and simply sufficient to gasoline up earlier than extra exploring.

(For those who’re craving one thing heartier, you possibly can all the time swing again to Truman Café & Custard for spherical two!)

Guided Little Indian Horseback Lunch Experience

After breakfast it’s time to begin the out of doors adventures, with the Little Indian Horseback lunch experience. The wranglers are attentive and expert, guaranteeing everybody feels snug within the saddle no matter expertise stage earlier than setting out on the path.

For my 2½-hour experience I used to be paired with a horse named Rip (sure, just like the Yellowstone cowboy, and he had simply as a lot persona). The path meandered by shaded ridges, crosses light streams, and follows simple inclines, providing loads of alternatives to understand the canyon’s pure magnificence. Midway by, we stopped at a scenic picnic space for lunch, which included a easy picnic meal with a deli sandwich, chips, cookies, and an apple (which I naturally saved for Rip).

Bike & Hike the Trails 

For a further journey after horseback using, hire a motorcycle from the Actions Middle and hit the miles of trails. I like to recommend you experience your bike to the Pine Ridge Go North Trailhead to do the 1.2-mile path (with about 269 ft of elevation acquire). It’s a peaceable climb by hardwood and shortleaf pine forests as much as the ridgetop, then a steep descent to the south trailhead.

If you wish to combine biking and climbing, try the Pine Ridge Go North Trailhead, a 1.2-mile path with about 269 ft of elevation acquire. It’s a peaceable climb by hardwood and shortleaf pine forests as much as the ridgetop, then a steep descent to the south trailhead. Nice method to see a quieter aspect of the park.

For those who’d slightly skip the elevation, the 7-mile round-trip paved biking path is a wonderful different. The trail is easy and scenic, with a mild incline on the outbound journey and a straightforward coast again to the place to begin.

Sundown & Drinks at Buffalo Bar

Finish your day at Buffalo Bar, positioned under the Osage Restaurant at High of the Rock. That is hands-down among the finest spots to unwind after a full day of exploring and witness a really spectacular sundown over the Ozarks. ust a heads-up: it will get packed round sundown, so arrive early to snag a great place.

Tip: Park on the High of the Rock Welcome Middle and take the complimentary shuttle to the entrances, or valet park proper in entrance of the restaurant for straightforward entry.

Dinner at Osage Restaurant

For an unforgettable meal in your final night time, pop as much as Osage Restaurant proper upstairs from the Buffalo Bar. It’s the place upscale regional meals meets sweeping views of the Ozark Mountains and Desk Rock Lake. Plus, the inside is crammed with distinctive art work and Native American artifacts.

As for the meals, I went all in. Began with the roasted beet salad with pistachios, arugula, goat cheese, and white balsamic. Then the macadamia nut-crusted seabass, completely seared. And the crispy brussels sprouts with bourbon glaze, applewood bacon, and truffle-glazed mushrooms.

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