Labyrinthine trails crisscross through the dense green forest and past tall rocky bluffs of a tranquil park overlooking Lake Taneycomo.
Set amid green meadows and dense woodland, the Lakeside Forest Wilderness Area is a scenic park lined with extensive nature trails. Caves and waterfalls make up the eclectic terrain, while a historic building sheds light on the area’s past. Pass beneath the wooden entrance sign and explore 140 acres (57 hectares) of greenery just outside Branson.
Hike along the tips of bluffs and walk through the dense forest, as you embark on the park’s many nature trails. Find a map of the paths at the trailhead, with the Bluff Trail and Owen Drive Trail considered among the easiest. For a fitness challenge, take on the difficult South Loop Trail.
Set up a blanket for a picnic in one of the serene openings in the woods. Climb down the 315 stone steps that are lined by trees to reach the shores of Lake Taneycomo. The trail leading around the lake leads to a picturesque waterfall and a grotto.
Let your kids frolic in the vast nature playground of the park, among large boulders and tree trunk stepping-stones. Relax with your family on the hanging porch swing beneath a wooden gabled roof. The site provides unobstructed views of the water.
Reach the ruins of the historic Owen Homestead at the end of the Stonewall Trail. The house was destroyed by fire in 2015.
The park, which has public restroom facilities, is open in the summer from morning until evening and in the winter from morning until late afternoon. Note that it is free to enter.
Find the Lakeside Forest Wilderness Area along the eastern edge of the Branson Theater District in the western part of Branson. Walk west from the center of downtown Branson for 2 miles (3 kilometers) to get here in about 45 minutes.
Combine your exploration of the area with visits to nearby sights such as the Branson Auto and Farm Museum, the Veterans Memorial Museum and Dolly Parton’s Stampede.
