Weekend Itinerary for Dogwood Canyon Nature Park

For those who’re something like me, the perfect weekend getaway means swapping emails and errands for recent air, waterfalls, and somewhat journey. You may have all that at Dogwood Canyon Nature Park within the Ozarks of Missouri. The ten,000-acre playground has every thing from mountain 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.

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

Getting There & Round

In case you are not driving to city, most will fly into Springfield-Branson Nationwide Airport and the best technique to discover the realm is by renting a automobile (I normally e-book by means of Expedia). Uber can be an possibility when you want to not drive, however it can get dear actual fast. 

For those who’re staying at Huge Cedar Lodge (like me!), you may make the most of their JM Nature Resort Shuttle App. This useful service helps you to see the place shuttles are in actual time, test estimated wait instances, and request a trip 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 need to drive or organize a separate trip 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 suggest visiting the Wonders of Wildlife Aquarium. This award-winning attraction has been voted America’s Finest Aquarium seven instances, and after my go to, I can perceive why. Situated conveniently subsequent to Bass Professional Outlets, the ability is really 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 totally different species in superbly lit tanks, and watching them drift and pulse with their bioluminescent glow was genuinely mesmerizing.

Store on the Bass Professional Outlets

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

Examine into Camp Lengthy Creek

Make your own home base for the weekend Camp Lengthy Creek, which is a part of Huge Cedar Lodge and only a brief drive from Dogwood Canyon. The property gives cabins and camp cottages, however for one thing actually memorable, go for a glamping tent.

I can verify that this isn’t your common tenting expertise! When you step by means of the canvas door you’ll discover hardwood flooring, an attractive 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, additionally they have an attractive lodge you may keep in. Examine the perfect costs right here.

Have Dinner at Worman Home

For dinner, head to The Worman Home Bistro. Constructed within the Nineteen Twenties as a railroad govt’s nation retreat, it’s been superbly 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 nice eating: Lobster Thermidor, completely cooked steaks, pan-seared Chilean sea bass. I attempted the Roasted Beet Salad with pistachio-crusted goat cheese, the unbelievable Seafood Pot Pie full of 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, one in every of Huge Cedar Lodge’s most charming spots. It’s in an unique 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, mountain 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 setting, wildlife, and flowers by preserving ecologically essential land for everybody to take pleasure in.

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 trip in a side-by-side Tracker with your individual information. You’ll make stops alongside the way in which to find out about native crops, 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 may 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 crops (surprisingly attention-grabbing, truly). The Tracker may attain hidden spots the tram can’t — excellent when you like going off the crushed path. 

One other good tour possibility is taking the open-air Wildlife Tram Tour. This two-hour narrated trip winds by means of 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 enormous glass home windows overlook Little Indian Creek and this beautiful 120-foot waterfall. The house has that cozy, rustic lodge vibe with wooden beams and heat lighting, and the menu’s full of hearty stuff like basic fried hen and elk sausage soup. I obtained the Dogwood Bison Burger with smoked tomato, bacon jam, and melty Gruyère, and was very proud of that selection.

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. After 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 study in regards to 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 sources that tie into the park’s conservation mission.

Go Guided Trout Fishing

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

➞ For those who want a extra unbiased expertise, you may lease a rod and discover the canyon at your individual tempo with a self-guided fishing journey.

Dinner at Satan’s Pool Restaurant at Huge Cedar Lodge

For a relaxed but memorable night, head to Satan’s Pool Restaurant at Huge Cedar Lodge. The ambiance is heat and welcoming, with rustic interiors that includes hand-wrought metallic chandeliers, vintage furnishings, and an attractive 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 light-weight begin to the day, head again to Mill & Canyon Grill at Dogwood Canyon.The breakfast menu is small however stable. 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 may all the time swing again to Truman Café & Custard for spherical two!)

Guided Little Indian Horseback Lunch Journey

After breakfast it’s time to start out the outside adventures, with the Little Indian Horseback lunch trip. The wranglers are attentive and expert, making certain everybody feels snug within the saddle no matter expertise stage earlier than setting out on the path.

For my 2½-hour trip 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 means of shaded ridges, crosses light streams, and follows straightforward inclines, providing loads of alternatives to understand the canyon’s pure magnificence. Midway by means of, 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, lease a motorcycle from the Actions Heart and hit the miles of trails. I like to recommend you trip your bike to the Pine Ridge Cross North Trailhead to do the 1.2-mile path (with about 269 ft of elevation achieve). It’s a peaceable climb by means of 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 mountain climbing, take a look at the Pine Ridge Cross North Trailhead, a 1.2-mile path with about 269 ft of elevation achieve. It’s a peaceable climb by means of hardwood and shortleaf pine forests as much as the ridgetop, then a steep descent to the south trailhead. Nice technique to see a quieter aspect of the park.

For those who’d reasonably skip the elevation, the 7-mile round-trip paved biking path is a superb various. The trail is clean and scenic, with a delicate incline on the outbound journey and a simple coast again to the place to begin.

Sundown & Drinks at Buffalo Bar

Finish your day at Buffalo Bar, situated under the Osage Restaurant at High of the Rock. That is hands-down the most effective 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 spot.

Tip: Park on the High of the Rock Welcome Heart 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.

Save this Put up to Pinterest