Adventure in the Ozarks of Missouri – A 6 Day Itinerary

There’s been a lot of attention given to the Ozark region thanks to the TV show but if you look deeper, you realize that it’s a vast and ancient highland that covers multiple states, is dotted with many geological wonders, and has a web of winding country roads. So what’s the best way to see the Ozarks, especially if you’re an adventure seeker?

We wondered the same thing when we started planning our trip. After much care and research, we put together this 6 day Ozarks of Missouri itinerary that gets you to experience this incredible outdoor playground.

6 Day Missouri Itinerary in the Ozarks

The state of Missouri is full of personality, fun, outdoor wonders, and surprises. Add on the fact that a big part of the Ozark Highlands runs through a wide stretch of southern Missouri, and you have a recipe for one epic road trip.

If there’s anything that our 6 day Missouri itinerary taught us, it’s that there is a lot to uncover in this part of the Ozarks. We barely scratched the surface but wow, was it an adventure!

For those that are looking to do a larger piece of the Ozarks, combine this with our 5 day Arkansas itinerary which was our actual starting point. Together, this becomes a brilliant 11 day itinerary in the Ozarks.

If you’re new here, we love our travel itineraries at Going Awesome Places. You’ll see a lot of similarities with other ones we’ve created such as 9 Day Easter Island itinerary, 10 days in Patagonia, and 8 Day Iceland itinerary. In this one, expect to find a day-by-day breakdown, boxes labelled “What you need to know” that has the critical details you need for main activities, restaurant and accommodation recommendations, trip planning map, and more.

Where is the Ozark Region?

The Ozark region feels like this nebulous place somewhere in the Midwest of the United States. If you’ve watched the show of the same namesake, you might have some idea of what it’s about, but the truth is that it’s just the tip of the iceberg.

Geographically, the Ozarks is a highland area that spans Arkansas, Missouri, Oklahoma, and Kansas. It’s called a highland because while it isn’t exactly mountainous in a Rocky Mountains kind of way, it consists of plateaus and crinkles in the land that brings about beautiful river systems, caves, sinkholes, springs, forests, and lakes.

To add to the confusion, the Ozarks can be called a bunch of different names including Ozark Mountains, Ozark Highlands, and Ozark Plateau. You then Lake of the Ozarks which is the backdrop to the TV show bit this is just one very specific part of the larger region.

The purpose of this itinerary of the Ozarks in Missouri is to spark curiosity and awareness of all of the incredible beauty in this great state. It doesn’t cover it all but it strings together the best activities that joins Bentonville in Arkansas to the eventual end-point, St. Louis.

Day 1 – Dogwood Canyon and Top of the Rock

You start off your Missouri trip with a huge bang – literally. From epic wildlife viewing, a drive-yourself electric cart tour, and sunset ceremony, this sets the tone for how magical this part of the Ozarks is.

There are many different ways that you can start your adventure in Missouri but in our case, we just completed our 5 day Arkansas itinerary which ended in Bentonville. Alternatively, if you’re flying in, Branson Airport (BKG) and Springfield-Branson National Airport (SGF) are the closest ones.

If you’re starting in Bentonville, grab a quick breakfast at Onyx Coffee Lab in town and start your drive across state lines and into the Branson, Missouri area. While it seems far, the drive to your first activity is only 1 hour and 20 minutes.

While Arkansas can lay claim to being the home and humble beginnings of Walmart, Missouri has its own retail powerhouse in Bass Pro Shops. The outdoor recreation brand was started by Johnny Morris and its first store and headquarters are in the nearby Springfield, Missouri.

Through his passion of preserving the Ozarks and the creation of his conservation foundation, he created Dogwood Canyon Nature Park.

This 10,000 acre property is a well-manicured park that has trails that take you deep into the canyon, with a vast array of outdoor activities including hiking, biking, fishing, horseback riding, guided tours, and educational experiences.

Arguably, the best way to see its natural beauty in entirety is to hop on a private wildlife tour in an open-top Jeep. With your driver and guide, you’ll do a custom loop through the park which includes driving through waterfalls, make stops at multiple cascades, rumbling through the back-country, and is lastly highlighted by a close encounter with bison, elk, and longhorn cattle in their pasture.

If you’re on a budget, the open-air tram does a very similar route in a large group, minus the ability to go off the main road and off-roading on the old logging trails.

After your tour, have lunch at their on-site Mill & Canyon Grill Restaurant. Both their indoor and patio seating have fabulous views of a milky veiled waterfall and is surrounded by a rustic ambiance and menu of Ozarks flavors.

From one Johnny Morris property, you hop over to the other that started it all – Big Cedar Lodge and Top of the Rock. Nestled in the Ozark Mountains and perched over Table Rock Lake, this is a wilderness resort that is meant to showcase Missouri’s beauty and preserve its history.

One section of the property is called Top of the Rock Ozarks Heritage Preserve and this is where you’ll find the attraction called Top of the Rock Lost Canyon Cave and Nature Trail, a curated paved trail through scenic waterfalls, rock formations, and a cave that’s done through an electric golf cart that you get to drive yourself.

The Cave Trail is a fun activity for the whole family, allowing you to experience much of what makes the Ozarks of Missouri so special. Midway through your drive is a cave that features the Bat Bar where you can pick up snacks and refreshments, followed by thunderous waterfalls that spill from near the ceiling of the cave.

Your ticket also gives you access to the Ancient Ozarks Natural History Museum which is located at Top of the Rock proper. Inside, you’ll find relics of the settling of the American West and Civil War, collections of Native American artifacts and artwork, animals that used to roam this area, and an overall educational overview of how this pretty part of Missouri came to be.

From the museum, you can simply walk to the neighboring dining options. There are 4 restaurants to choose from here – All-American Wine Cellar, Arnie’s Barn, Buffalo Bar, and Osage Restaurant.

Depending on how you’re doing on time, you can either eat an early dinner, or grab a drink at Buffalo Bar’s outdoor patio to take in the breathtaking views while enjoying a drink.

Timing is critical because 10 minutes before sunset is their famed Sunset Ceremony. As the orange glow of the sun fades into the horizon, raise your glass to toast the day as the bagpipe performance and firing of a Civil War cannon rings through the property.

For dinner, we recommend eating at the Native American inspired Osage Restaurant. This is top-tier fine dining experience where you can expect an elevated quality of service and upscale cuisine. It also doesn’t hurt that they have the best views of the Ozark Mountains.

To close out the night, check into your accommodations for the evening. You can stay at Big Cedar Lodge or you can go for something more unique and luxurious.

We think you should spend your night at Camp Long Creek in their glamping unit. Spend the night in this featured-filled tent where you have all of the creature comforts of a lodge but you also get a private outdoor tub, fire pit with included s’mores kit, and a view of the stars from the balcony.

Day 2 – Silver Dollar City

Silver Dollar City is firmly cemented as a must-do activity if you’re coming to this part of the Missouri Ozarks because it’s so much more than your average amusement park.

While a short stay, enjoy your morning in the glamping tent and then head out for the famously thick stacks of pancakes at Billy Gail’s.

You’d think one of the big Six Flags or Disney theme parks would dominate the winners of USA Today’s Best Theme Park and Water Parks in the US, but it is in fact a humble 1880s mining town-themed Silver Dollar City that was crowned “Best Theme Park” in 2023.

What makes this park memorable is the fact that it’s more than just your cookie cutter park. Yes, they have the heart-pumping coasters and splash-filled floats, but what makes it stand out are its seasonal themes driven by live performances, craftsmen demonstrations, fun dining experiences, and a legendary cave.

Like its newest ride, Time Traveler, spending a day at Silver Dollar City is thrilling warp to an era where earnest innovation and ingenuity reigned supreme.

Spend your day going from ride to craftsmen to food station. You’ll find that there’s an endless amount of things to do.

From a rides perspective, the spinning coaster, Time Traveler gets really busy so try to do that ride first. For those with a need for speed, Wildfire is unmissable. On a hot day, Mystic River Falls with their elevator for rafts is guaranteed to soak.

DID YOU KNOW: Dollywood in Pigeon Forge, Tennessee was originally called Silver Dollar City and was in fact an expansion to this one in Missouri. It wasn’t until Dolly Parton joined as a part-owner, did they rebrand to Dollywood. Think of Silver Dollar City as the park that started it all!

The craftsmen stationed all around Silver Dollar City are key part to what separates them from other theme parks. From the blown glass factory, blacksmith, candy shop, candle making, pottery, woodcarving, and more, you get to see how things were made by hand right in front of your eyes.

Demonstrations occur throughout the day so you don’t necessarily need to plan around them, but if there is one that you’re interested in seeing, stick around and watch in amazement.

What’s made in the park isn’t just for show, all of it ends up being sold at their companion gift shops. This means you can find plenty of authentic and hand-crafted souvenirs. You can also commission custom works if you had something special in mind for say, the blacksmith.

When you’re hungry, drop by Rivertown Smokehouse for an authentic platter of brisket, smoked sausage, pulled pork, smoked turkey, and a spread of your favorite sides.

Before there was a theme park here, there was a mysterious hole in the ground where animals disappeared without a trace. Early pioneers later realized there was a sinkhole here that dropped into a massive cave system.

Initially used for mining bat guano, an entrepreneurial Canadian, William Henry Lynch purchased the cave and opened it as a tourist cave in 1894. Marvel Cave eventually became the central attraction in which Silver Dollar City was built around.

What you definitely want to make sure you set time aside for is Marvel Cave. It’s a 60 minute guided tour that takes you into the depths of the cave where you’ll learn more about its history, its many limestone formations, and creatures that call it home.

Hopefully you’ll have an appetite for a big meal because at Lambert’s Cafe, generous portions are an understatement. Let’s just say that it’s quite an experience to eat here.

Before you even order anything, servers will start shout out anyone that wants freshly baked fist-sized rolls and toss them to you like a hot potato. They also have this concept of Pass Arounds, where servers come around to each table to offer complimentary dishes like macaroni and potatoes, fried potatoes and onions, fried okra, and black-eyed peas.

This is all before you even get a chance to look at their menu filled with home-cooked country classics and realize how massive their cup sizes are. If you had to choose, make sure to order their chicken pot pie, friend chicken, and fried pork chops.

After dinner, you’ll have a long stretch of driving to get to Echo Bluff State Park and your accommodations for the evening, Betty Lea Lodge. This is so you can get an early start to your float adventure tomorrow.

Day 3 – Ozark National Scenic Riverways

For your third day of this 6 day Missouri itinerary, we’re making it a river day. America’s first designated national park for the preservation of a wild river system is Ozark National Scenic Riverways.

Sprouting from the two major rivers, Current River and Jacks Fork River, are a bounty of caves, mills, waterfalls, and springs, many of which you’ll get to explore.

After the included continental breakfast at Betty Lea Lodge, get geared up for your day on the water and wait for your shuttle service with Carr’s Canoe Rental.

This area is a favourite in Missouri for its laid-back float trips. Whether you’re taking out a kayak, canoe, raft, or tube out on the water, there’s nothing like connecting with nature and watching the flanking lush forests and towering limestone bluffs pass by as you gently paddle.

The best segment to float on is Pulltite to Round Spring on the Current River. Beyond the great views, there are also plenty of opportunities to see wildlife such as turtles, ospreys and herons, hawks and turkey vultures.

The other advantage of starting at Pulltite is that you’ll be able to pull off from your kayaks and hike out to see the bubbling Pulltite Springs where a daily flow of 38 million gallons pumps into Current River.

Compared to the Buffalo National River, that you might’ve experienced in our Arkansas itinerary, the water levels are much higher, resulting in a calmer and more soothing float downstream.

For lunch, head to the nearby town of Eminence, Missouri and grab a burger and slurp on the soft serve ice cream at the retro Dairy Shack.

Dotted all around the Ozarks of Missouri and sprawling from the protected rivers is an incredible wealth of history and exceptional geological wonders.

Since you won’t have time to see them all, here are our picks for impressive sights in the area:

• Alley Spring & Mill – A historic red grist mill still stands here, powered by the spring just behind, creating the most idyllic Ozarks scene and perfect location for photography. You’ll also find a one-room schoolhouse nearby.
• Blue Spring – After driving offroad for a stretch, you’ll make it to the trailhead for Blue Spring. This brings you out to the deepest spring in the United States, shimmering in a vivid turquoise in sunlight.
• Rocky Falls – This is your first example of a shut-in. From the parking lot, you’ll get to see the cascade of water pouring over the rocks and into a shallow pool.

As the sun starts to dip, start making your way back to Echo Bluff State Park. It’d be a shame to stay in the park and not visit its namesake bluff that overlooks Sinking Creek.

You can see the magnificent Echo Bluff from the Bluff Top Pavilion or you can walk right up to it, following the paved steps from Betty Lea Lodge.

After a long day of exploration, have a glass of local wine or pint of craft beer paired with country fried chicken or BBQ ribs, while sitting on the outdoor patio of Creekside Grill – you deserve it!

Day 4 – Shut-Ins and Elephants

One thing you’ll find with Missouri is how accessible and inclusive the outdoors are to everyone that comes by these parts. On day 4, you’ll be jumping into two parks that truly rock.

It’s time to say goodbye to the hospitality of Betty Lea Lodge. Have a quick breakfast, pack your bags, and take the winding country roads east towards the first of the famous rock formations.

Some 1.5 billion years ago, lava flowed through this region, creating various rock formations. In certain areas where rivers and streams started to flow, erosion resistant rock forced it through narrow channels in its fractures and joints, effectively shutting in the flow.

This geological phenomenon is what’s called a “shut-in” and is something you’ll only find in the Ozarks. The result of shut-ins are pools when the stream valley eventually widen up, cascades, chutes, and mini pools – a natural water park if you will!

Your first glimpse of one was at Rocky Falls on the previous day, but the best example is at Johnson’s Shut-Ins State Park.

From the parking lot is a 2.3 mile loop called the Shut-Ins Trail. The first section is what you’ll want to focus on. It follows the rocky gorge that starts paved and then transitions to a visitor-friendly boardwalk and observation platform, giving you elevated view of the shut-ins.

There are also stairs that take you straight down to the rocks themselves. This will give you a chance to see how the water forces its way through the hard igneous rock, creating swirls, waterfalls, and pools.

In the summer, you’ll see tons of people cooling off in the water and splashing around all around the rocks, sliding on the rock, and wading in the pool below.

Ready for lunch? Make your way to Thee Abbey Kitchen.

The Arcadia Academy dates back to 1846 and was once used as a convent, school, and Civil War hospital, but inside its walls is a family-owned restaurant where practically everything is made from scratch.

Literally in the original cafeteria of schoolgirls and nuns, come here for their soups, sandwiches, and salads but make sure to leave room for their melon-sized cinnamon rolls and homemade ice cream that’s served in the bakery next door.

Missouri and the Ozarks is a giant natural playground. Next on your growing list of wonders is Elephant Rocks State Park where unusual pink granite boulders are strewn across a large plateau and sprinkled all around the area.

Estimated to also be around 1.5 billion years old, these geological formations were created through cracks that developed in the cooled hot magma that turned into granite rock. Over time, water permeated through these fractures, rounding out its edges and corners to eventually create these massive boulders.

Officially, this is called a “tor”, a pile of weathered granite boulders that sit atop a bedrock of the same rock. Elephant Rocks State Park is easily one of the best examples of this in the world.

A great way to experience the park is with the Braille Trail that circumnavigates the bedrock. Designated as a National Recreation Trail, it uses a combination of carpet patches followed by hand-rope to lead you to interpretive stations with Braille signage.

The highlight is at the top of the bedrock where you’ll find a train of the largest boulders, standing in a line like a troupe of circus elephants. The largest is nicknamed Dumbo of course and easily weighs 680 tons.

Have you ever stayed in a tipi? Magic Tipi Retreat is another special experience that awaits you.

Owners of the vacation rental, Benka and Keith, have created a true escape with their cozy full-sized tipi. Their version of glamping consists of electric-warmed blankets, a propane firepit, tons of snacks and welcome gifts, fully stocked with supplies, hammock, and separate facilities with a full bathroom and fridge as well.

To maximize your tipi experience, make sure to order their dinner picnic. Made in-house, you’ll receive a cute basket filled with many goodies including a bottle of your choice of red or white wine, and kombucha.

If you are a dog lover, the owners are more than happy to let Mici hang around and stay overnight in the tipi with you.

Day 5 – Adventurer of Mines and Ninja Obstacles

On day 5 of your Ozarks Missouri itinerary, you’ll experience the extremes above and below ground. Your adrenaline will be guaranteed to be pumping.

For breakfast, you can have leftovers from your dinner picnic or head over to Huddle House.

One of the most exciting things you’ll do on your trip through the Ozarks is a visit to Bonne Terre Mine, the largest man-made cave that started as a mine to extract deep-earth lead until it closed in 1962.

Since its closure, spring water filled the mine, resulting in a billion gallon, 17-mile long lake. As the world’s largest subterranean lake, this is a rare look inside a mining operation.

One of the best ways to explore Bonne Terre Mine is with their boat and walking tour. Illuminated by colourful lights, you’ll get to see the top 2 levels of the mine. Along the way, you’ll learn the stories of what it was like to work in the mine and remnants of the equipment they left behind. You’ll also be able to explore the mine on the water as well.

The mine is also a cave diver’s dream come true. With ridiculously clear water, numerous cave chambers to explore, tunnels, and plenty of equipment left behind including carts and elevator shaft, there’s a labyrinth of trails to navigate that spans 3 levels underwater.

As a disclaimer, we were able to get a special access to dive the mine on one of their off days but if you’re interested in diving the mine, you can book one of their weekend packages which includes multiple dives and a stay at either a guesthouse or a 1909 train depot that’s been converted for lodging.

Just outside of St. Louis is a peculiar obstacle course that is unlike anything you’ve seen. Some of you have seen or done treetop trekking such as the one we did in Anakeesta in our Smoky Mountains itinerary. RYZE Adventure Park is a refreshing take on the concept with their buffet of obstacles.

What makes RYZE different from the others is that their adventure tower is 4 stories and contains 110 unique obstacles that can be done in any order that you want and without a guide following you all the way through.

Once you’re harnessed up and you’ve done the introductory training of their ingeniously simple and safe click-in system, you’ll be flying through the obstacles that range from easy to American Ninja Warrior.

In addition, there are free lawn games and mini golf (paid) if you’re wanting to change things up throughout the afternoon. The little ones can also try the Little Ninja course on the ground level.

Don’t forget to close out the day with a leap of faith 40 foot drop from the top level of the tower.

You’ll no doubt be spent after such an action-packed day. The perfect way to close out the evening is to head to St. Charles and lick your lips at all of the juicy BBQ that’ll be coming your way at Salt + Smoke.

Their award-winning smoked meats are legit melt-in-your-mouth and fall-off-the-bone stuff.

For your final night, you’ll be staying at Red Barn Guest House, located right off the main strip of St. Charles. The owners, Matt and Audrey, have done an amazing job with this unique vacation rental and their hospitality is top notch.

Day 6 – Katy Trail

It’s your final day in Missouri and whether you have a half day or full day, you’ll want to squeeze every last moment of outdoor fun you can.

The big city may tempt you but we want to make sure you have Katy Trail State Park on your radar. Simply called the Katy Trail, this is the longest trail that’s been repurposed from old train tracks in the country.

In total, it spans 240 miles and connects Clinton and Machens, complete with 26 different trailheads and 4 restored train depots. It’s a multi-use trail but is a bicyclist’s paradise.

We recommend going to Bike Stop Cafe in St. Charles, a 2-in-1 shop that has you covered for breakfast and your bike rentals. The bike shop also offers a shuttle that offers pick up and drop off service.

While many serious cyclists will do most, if not the whole stretch of the trail, we suggest that you start at one of these trailheads and end in Augusta:

• Green Bottom – 20.6 miles
• Weldon Spring – 10.3 miles
• Matson – 5.7 miles

This stretch of the Katy Trail is a great opportunity to a scenic part of the state where trails are flanked by tall forests, opens up to the Missouri River in some sections, crosses a few bridges, and passes by unique rock formations.

Augusta might not be a household name but this was in fact the nation’s first designated wine region. Yes, that means before even Napa and Sonoma. This is the perfect place to end your cycling.

The winery we recommend that you check out is Mount Pleasant Estates. They have a fantastic patio with a great view of the open grassland. The combination of sip and cycle can’t be beat!

After your shuttle back to St. Charles, sneak into Grandma’s Cookies for a dozen (or more) of their cookies for the journey home.

St. Louis Lambert International Airport is a short drive from St. Charles if you’re flying out or you can continue along your road trip to your next destination.

TIP: Make sure you account for enough time to fill up the tank and drop off your car rental. Companies such as Avis are located off-site which means you’ll need to take their shuttle to the airport.

Map of Ozarks Missouri Itinerary

The below is an interactive Google Map with every location featured in the Missouri itinerary pinned which will help with your trip planning.

TIP: Expand the map and create a copy in your logged-in Google account. With this copy, you’ll be able to access it in your Google Maps app under Saved. Scroll to the bottom and look for “Maps”.

Closing Thoughts on Ozarks of Missouri Itinerary

This 6 day Missouri itinerary through the Ozarks really opened our eyes to the breadth and depth of the adventures that can be found here. We had no idea that we could do all of the activities we did. The crazy thing is that we only scratched the surface.

Here’s what stuck out to us the most!

Outdoor paradise – There’s definitely no lacking of incredible outdoor spaces in Missouri. From the incredible views of Table Rock Lake to the incredibly Katy Trail, our cup runneth over with the beauty of the Ozarks.

Mysteries at depth – There’s a lot happening underground in Missouri. We were first blown away by how we could go inside a massive cave while also riding rollercoasters in the same day while at Silver Dollar City. Bonne Terre Mine was another thrill we experience and certainly didn’t expect to go scuba diving in Missouri.

All the rocks – Rocks kind of play an important part of the Ozarks. You can see it subtly while floating along the Current River but also clear as day with the gargantuan boulders of Elephant Rocks State Park.

Missouri is sometimes called The Show Me State. The deeper meaning of it comes from a completely different context but we’d like to think that it’s about how our trip truly showed us we made the right decision to explore this part of the United States.

Frequently Asked Questions

This trip was in partnership with Travel South USA and Visit Missouri but all opinions are our own.