Best Nature Trails in Branson, Mo, Steps to Waterfalls, Near Table Rock

For a living I literally sit at a desk and write on a computer all day.  If I’m not careful, I can detach myself from nature and many of God’s blessings. Taking a walk down a nature trail not only is good exercise, it can also clear your mind and lift your spirit.  Nature has a special way of reconnecting you with the beauty that is all around us.  Today, I’m going to talk about the best nature trails in Branson, Mo.  I have lived in the area since the 1990’s and have probably walked down them all.  I will stick with the most tourist friendly trails today.  You will be able to view a waterfall, majestic views overlooking the Ozark Hills, or a leisurely stroll along Table Rock Lake.

Best Nature Trails With Waterfalls in Branson, Mo

There are three nature trails that I know of and all will serve a different segment of my viewers.  One of the trails does have some steps (ok, a lot of them) and the others are on a fairly flat surface.  So, depending on your physical condition you can choose which one you would prefer.

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Lakeside Forest Wilderness Area – I feel that this is the best nature trail in Branson.  They have 2 different trails that you can choose from.  If you stay on the main trail and don’t veer off to the right you will be on the trail that will take you along the bluffs with several scenic views.  Be sure to stop and snap a picture or two.

Here is one I took of my wife while along the trail.  The overlook of the countryside is fantastic.

First of all, you may ask where is this trail located?  It is located right off the main strip Hwy 76 and Fall Creed Rd..  Nearly across the street from the “Legends” show that has been here for decades.

At the beginning of the Nature Trail you can stick to the main trail or you can take some side trails that will eventually meet back up with the main trail. There will be a posted guide at the entrance that will tell you which trail color signs to stick to.

While enjoying your nature walk you will come across an an overlook (like where we took this picture) and on the other side you will be at the top of a man mad stone staircase leading down.  You can can the steps, or you can continue on the path (easier option).

There are 315 stone steps leading down that will take you by a cave, some great scenic views and eventually to the end where there may be a waterfall if your timing right.  Shown below is a photo of me where the waterfall would be, but we hadn’t had rain in a long time so we were out of luck.

The real adventurous ones can continue and take a trail further around the waterfall and along Taneycomo river.

(Underneath where the waterfall often is – Just bad timing for us)

I have been to the “waterfall” after a a 3 day rain and it was quite beautiful.  I searched for the photo, but couldn’t find it in my cloud storage unfortunately.. It may have fallen to it’s untimely demise when I lost a phone while kayaking the Buffalo River (that will be a great idea for another post!).

So, without an original photo of the waterfall after a good rain, I have resorted to a stock photo..

Lakeside Forest Waterfall in Branson, Mo

The 315 Steps Leading Down

Here is a video that my wife shot of the steps going down.. The video will give you a good idea of the steps that go down and the scenery you will see along the way.  You will have a staircase of about 30 steps and then you will walk vertically along the mountainside overlooking a beautiful bluff.  You will also pass a great photo op at a small cave.  There will also be some resting spots where they have stone benches to sit on.

315 Steps Leading to Waterfall Video

As you can see, this trail is not for the faint of heart.  If you have any physical limitations, heart conditions, etc… you may want to avoid the steps.  You will get your heart rate up, especially on the way back to the top!  As you can see on the date, this was a 60 degree day in January.. We just had to take advantage of the spring like weather!  Normally, during the spring and summer months everything is very plush and green.

So, is this one of the best nature trails in Branson, Mo?  Well, it’s all a matter of opinion, but it is my favorite.  If you are looking for the most beautiful waterfalls and don’t mind an Ozarks drive I would suggest Dogwood Canyon.  They have some incredible waterfalls and it’s a great experience in general.  You can even rent bicycles on the trails there.

Waterfall Trail #2 Review – The Easy Nature Trail for Beginners

There is another waterfall nature trail that may be better suited for you.  It is only 2/3 miles in length (each direction) and is near the intersection of Shepherd of the Hills Expressway and Roark Valley Road.  It is near the entrance of Westgate Resorts.

The nature trail can be accessed very easily.  There are two parking spaces available down the hill from the trailhead.

The nature trail is mostly level be be if there has been a lot of rain recently then there may be a stream flowing through.  So be mindful of that.  With that being said, I recommend wearing appropriate hiking shoes for the conditions that you may encounter.

You will pass some small bluffs and a few waterfalls along the way.  At the end of the 2/3 mile trail you will see another waterfall like in the accompanying photo that we have shared.

You can pass along the waterfall and hike up the stream if you would like, or you can turn around..  When your at the waterfall there are several nice rock formations that allow you to sit and enjoy the nature.

I remember when I hiked this trail, and wished that we would have packed a lunch to bring with us.  It would have been very peaceful.  Maybe you should bring a sack lunch with you?

Are you afraid that the conditions will be too dry for a waterfall?  Fear not…  This may not satisfy the “purists” out there, but for me it does the trick when Mother Nature isn’t helping.  They have installed a recirculating pump to keep the water flowing even during the dry periods.

What will you experience?

• • The round trip hike is approximately 1 1/3 miles.
  • It will take you 30 to 60 minutes to hike.  Bring a sack lunch you may want to add on 20 minutes or so.
  • The terrain is flat, but during rainy conditions the area can get wet so be forewarned.
  • This is a pet friendly trail.  If you are traveling with your dog, he/she will love it.
  • This is not really a bike friendly trail.  Too many rocks.
  • If you have bad feet or ankles, this trail may not be good for you because you will be walking across a lot of rocks.
  • This is one of the best nature trails in Branson for those who want a level surface and be able to reach a waterfall.

The Best PAVED Nature Trail in Branson, Mo – Table Rock Lakeshore Trail Review

Sometimes just being near the water just makes you feel good.. I don’t know what it is, but it just fills any holes that you may have that need to be refilled.  This is a great trail for those who want a fairly level walking surface that is paved.. This is the trail that I walk with my mother.  She is 71 and loves to walk this trail because she has some feet issues and she is able to walk on pavement without any overbearing hills.  The paved trail is fairly wide so you have no trouble passing any walkers traveling the other direction.

On the Table Rock Lakeshore nature trail you will walk along the shore of Table Rock Lake beginning at the State Park Marina. As you enter you will walk through the forest for awhile before coming alongside Table Rock Lake.  You may even see the Branson Belle on one of it’s afternoon cruises if you time it right.

As you can see the trail is well paved and easy to walk.  On one side of the trail you will see glades and dry woodlands with Oak Trees over 200 years old.  This is where you may catch a glimpse of a bald eagle, or osprey.

The trail shares a section with the Chinquapin Trail if you want to make an adventure out of it.

While I don’t think this is the best nature trail in Branson, I put it on the list because many people can’t to the more rigorous trains and are looking for something where they can enjoy nature and not have to worry about if the trail will be too cumbersome.

This is the perfect trail for my mother who has feet problems.  She walks this trail about once a week.  It’s been awhile since I joined her on one of her walks out at the Table Rock trail.. After doing this post I may just give her a call and set one up for us.  Memories are made on nature trails  You get some quiet time to think and share some personal moments together that you will always remember.

So, for now I guess I will wrap up this post.  I hope that this article may have helped you find some nice nature trails during your stay in Branson.  It’s a great way to break up the “shows”, Silver Dollar City adventures, or whatever else you may have on your itinerary.  Getting outdoors in the Ozarks is fantastic.  There is so much to see and the scenery is just so beautiful.

Busiek Trail – The Hidden Gem North of Branson

This hidden gem is actually located north of Branson, but it’s a beautiful 15 mile drive through the Ozark hills.  It is located near Ozark, Mo and has multiple trails leading to crystal clear streams, majestic overlooks, flowers, foilage, and all the best that Mother Nature has to offer.

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