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The
awesome beauty of the Ozark
Mountains can be experienced up
close in several City of Branson
parks containing nature trails and
walking paths. Walking for exercise
has been ranked the number one
leisure activity for years. Our
nature trails and paths offer a
variety of exercise opportunity for
all ability levels. Our love and
respect for the outdoors and nature
has motivated the City of Branson to
develop a master trails plan, which
would eventually connect all city
parks and nature trails. These
trails will serve not only as a
means for exercise, but also as an
important educational tool for
nature lovers. The City of Branson
is currently working on plant
identification at Lakeside Forest
Wilderness Area and some City of
Branson parks. As the
identification markers are
installed, guests to these areas
will be able to give their bodies
and minds a workout.
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Lakeside Forrest
Wilderness Area |
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In the heart of Branson
hikers looking for a
nature escape can find
it at the Lakeside
Forest Wilderness Area.
These 130 acres of
wooded and rugged hill
country allow you a
retreat from the bustle
of Branson. Designated
as a wilderness area,
this acreage has been
set aside to preserve a
portion of the natural
Ozarks that has
attracted tourists for
many years. Both
visitors and local
citizens can enjoy this
unique park with its two
woodland trails that
wind through forest,
along bluffs and across
glades. The park is
open daily from 7:00am
to 7:00pm in the summer
months and 7:00am to
5:00pm through the
winter.
The park is closed
Thanksgiving, Christmas
and New Year's Day.
Trail 1:
The 1/2 mile (one way)
Trail 1 starts through
an upland forest. Here
mature trees dominate
and the fairly level
terrain makes for an
easy walk. Once you
have passed through the
woodlands, you will come
to an overlook deck
overlooking the
magnificent While River
Valley and Lake
Taneycomo. The trail
then follows the hard
work of Dr. Lyle Owen,
who once made this
property his home. A
set of 315 stonework
steps lead down toward
Lake Taneycomo. Fairly
steep in design, this
part of the trail takes
some agility, along with
a good pair of lungs and
comfortable walking
shoes. Finally, the
trail ends at a grotto
formed by the slow
erosion of the rock from
a wet weather
waterfall. The City of
Branson is currently
working to extend the
trail down through the
grotto toward the lake.
Trail 2: Trail
2 winds its way through
forest and glades
complete with a grove of
uncommon Ashe Juniper
trees. The 1 3/10 mile
trail is fairly level
accommodating families
with children and folks
who desire an easier
stroll. A picnic area
can be found halfway
down the trail.
Oak-hickory forest makes
up most of the Ozark’s
woodlands. During
spring, blooming eastern
redbuds and flowering
dogwoods enhance the
woodlands with their
striking contrast to the
start forest. Depending
on the time of year, you
may see any of a vast
array of flowering pants
along the trails, as
well as many species of
animals. |
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Stockstill Park Walking
Path
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The 62 acre Stockstill
Park features a popular
walking path with
residents and visitors
alike. The park boasts
a walking bridge
overlooking Roark Creek
next to a paved walking
path that follows along
part of the creek on one
side of the path and a
beautiful, lush green
bluff on the other
side. The 1/2 mile,
figure 8 path wraps
around two softball
field, 2 pavilions and a
large children’s
playground. Stockstill
Park is open from 6:00am
to 11:00pm. |
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Sunset Park Walking Path
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Sunset Park, located
right along Lake
Taneycomo, offers a
paved and lighted 6/10
mile walking path.
Along the walking path
exercise stations offer
a chance to enhance your
heart rate. A brand new
“Disc Golf Course” can
be found in the interior
of the walking path,
giving an element of
entertainment while you
walk. Sunset Park is
open from 6:00am to
11:00pm. |
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