9 underrated Ozarks destinations to explore this summer, all within 3 hours of Springfield
When thinking about summer vacation, your mind might instinctively conjure up sandy, salty beaches or snow-capped mountain tops, as these destinations are out of reach in the Midwest. However, if you're looking to save a bit of money this summer or are just interested in exploring more of what makes the middle of the country so special, you don't have to travel far for a few days of escape.
Recently, WorldAtlas, an online geography and travel resource, published a list of 13 "underrated destinations in the Ozarks" for folks interested in traveling to the Midwest and avoiding summer crowds. The list features seven locations in Missouri, including Kimberling City and Dogwood Canyon Nature Park, both a stone's throw from Springfield. The News-Leader compiled this list with a few more destinations worth checking out this summer.
Osceola
Distance from Springfield: 1 hour
WorldAtlas lists Osceola as the place to be for history buffs. The western Missouri town was founded in the mid-1830s and takes it name after a popular Seminole warrior chief. Osceola means "Black Water" in Seminole.
During the Civil War, the town was the site of the sacking of Osceola in September 1861. The historical event occurred when an unauthorized Jayhawker (group of anti-slavery guerrillas) attack resulted in the destruction of the town. Around 200 slaves were liberated during the attack, according to Missouri Life magazine. This event inspired the 1976 Clint Eastwood film, "The Outlaw Josey Wales."
To sink your teeth in a bit of Osceola's history, visit the Johnson Library and Museum or St. Clair County Historical Society Museum. The former, founded in 1899, contains more than 35,000 items, including books, periodicals and pamphlets, many of which date back to the 1500s.
With a population hovering just around 900, Osceola has plenty of quiet outdoor space for getting away. Arrowhead Point RV Park, Cabins & Campground is located just 16 miles from the Osceola Square. The park provides RV hook-ups, five rentable cabins and camping plots.
Getaway House also operates a collection of 45 cabins in Osceola. Each tiny-house-style cabin provide a glamping experience with a real bed, hot water, private indoor toilet, air conditioning and heat, mini fridge and more.
And if you're visiting Osceola, make time to stop by Osceola Cheese Co. located right on Missouri Route 13. Established in 1994, the cheese shop offers more than 275 cheese varieties, meats, ice cream and other snacks.
Kimberling City
Distance from Springfield: 1 hour
Nestled along one of the arms of Table Rock Lake, Kimberling City provides travelers with great access to the lakefront without the busy crowds in nearby cities.
A notable landmark is the Kimberling City Bridge, first constructed in 1927, although the bridge that stands today is not the original — a new bridge was built in 1957 with the construction of Table Rock Dam. The original still remains beneath the waters of Table Rock Lake.
More: From the Darkroom: This bridge outside Kimberling City lies deep below the lake's surface
If you want to make the quiet of Kimberling City your "home base" for a vacation, the town of 2,300 is just 35 minutes west of Branson.
Dogwood Canyon Nature Park in Lampe
Distance from Springfield: 1 hour, 15 minutes
Deemed a "10,000-acres Ozark Paradise," Dogwood Canyon Nature Park offers hiking, biking, fishing, camping, horseback riding, kayaking, tram tours, and plenty more family-friendly activities.
In addition to outdoor activities, Dogwood Canyon offers the Mill & Canyon Grill Restaurant, which provides rustic sit-down dining. Access to the restaurant requires park admission.
A part of the Johnny Morris Foundation, the majority of Dogwood Canyon's landscape has been left untouched. The foundation's goal is to promote natural conservation and to protect the natural environment.
Admission tickets are available on the Dogwood Canyon website for varying rates or at the park. Tickets range between $16-20 for adults and $11.25-14 for children ages 4-11.
Prairie State Park in Mindenmines
Distance from Springfield: 1 hour, 30 minutes
If you're looking to spend time outdoors in a unique, preserved state park, Prairie State Park may be the perfect spot. The 4,000-acre park represents the less than 1% of tallgrass prairies in Missouri. At one time, more than one third of Missouri was covered in these prairies, according to Missouri State Parks.
Prairie State Park offers seven hiking trails, guided bison and wildflower hiking tours, and camping. The park is also home to the Regal Tallgrass Prairie Nature Center, which features a diorama depicting the prairie through all four seasons, a bison exhibit and interactive, family-friendly activities.
Sunrise Beach near Lake of the Ozarks
Distance from Springfield: 1 hour, 35 minutes
A village in Camden and Morgan Counties near Lake of the Ozarks, Sunrise Beach provides Missourians with a sandy shore to enjoy during the warmer months. The village is best known as "the quiet side of the Lake of the Ozarks," WorldAtlas reports.
Even though Sunrise Beach is a bit more lowkey, there are still several restaurants and beach-side bars, including Franky & Louie's Beachfront Bar & Grill and Paradise Tropical Restaurant & Bar.
Bunker Hill Retreat in Mountain View
Distance from Springfield: 2 hours
Located on the Jacks Fork River, Bunker Hill Retreat sits on 2,000 acres of wooded land. At the retreat, guests may enjoy canoeing, kayaking, hiking, fishing, swimming and various other family-friendly games like ping-pong, shuffleboard and pickleball. The retreat does not offer television or internet access and most mobile phone services are limited.
The retreat offers 20 individual cabins with eight right on the river. Most cabins feature screened-in porches, fireplaces, air conditioning, refrigerators and grills. All guests receive breakfast and dinning with their lodging. To learn more about booking a trip, visit the Bunker Hill Retreat website.
Crystal Creek Ranch in Eminence
Distance from Springfield: 2 hours, 20 minutes
More than 1,000 acres make up Crystal Creek Ranch, a Christian nature retreat in Eminence. The ranch features seven lodging experiences, including log cabins, a ranch house, barn and sheepherder's wagon. As for activities, folks may enjoy paddleboats and canoes, fishing, hiking trails and an antique museum.
Crystal Creek Ranch also offers three outreach programs intending to help "people reconnect to God through nature by offering free 'mini vacations' to families coping with challenges in the areas of pediatric oncology, counseling, life threatening illness and the military."
To learn more about booking a stay or one of the ranch's outreach programs, visit the Crystal Creek Ranch website.
Pinnacles Youth Park near Columbia
Distance from Springfield: 3 hours
Pinnacles Youth Park is home to The Pinnacles, a unique geological formation spread over 27 acres in mid-Missouri along the Rocky Fork and Silver Fork Creeks. The park is privately owned by the Boone County Pinnacles Youth Foundation, but anyone can visit it for free.
According to the Missouri Department of Conservation, about 250 million years ago, Boone County was covered by a shallow sea. Fossilized remains of ancient creatures are now preserved in Burlington limestone bedrock that comprised The Pinnacles. The formation is 75 feet tall and 1,000 feet long. Turkey vultures and cricket frogs enjoy calling this unique place home in the summer.
Camping at the Pinnacles Youth Park is permitted by reservation, which can be made on the Pinnacles Youth Park website.
Chaonia Landing Resort in Williamsville
Distance from Springfield: 3 hours
The Chaonia Landing Resort, Marina & Guide Services is great for folks who enjoy some time on the lake, WorldAtlas reports. The resort is located right on Lake Wappapello, a reservoir on the St. Francis River near Mark Twain National Forest. The resort features cabin rentals and camping plots, depending on how you'd prefer to enjoy the outdoors. Dock and boat rentals are also available for regular visitors.
Though tucked away in the Ozarks, the Chaonia Landing Resort offers a steakhouse, full-service outdoor bar and convenience store.
Greta Cross is the trending topics reporter for the Springfield News-Leader. She has more than five years of journalism experience covering everything from Ozarks history to Springfield’s LGBTQIA+ community. Follow her on X and Instagram @gretacrossphoto. Story idea? Email her at gcross@news-leader.com.
This article originally appeared on Springfield News-Leader: Here are 9 underrated Ozarks destinations to explore this summer