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Trails
& Walking Paths
 New
Trail Opens in Branson!
Another hiking trail
has been completed and opened by the city. The rustic 2/3 mile Woods
Trail stretches from Roark Valley Road near The Woods development,
westward to a natural waterfall.
Click here for more information about Woods
Trail!
Lakeside Forrest
Wilderness Area
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.
Work
on these trails has been done by volunteers through various
community projects or on an individual basis. The City of Branson
is open to any individual or group who would like to volunteer to
assist in trail building. Please call the Public Works Department
at (417) 337-8562 for scheduling these opportunities.
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
stark forest. Depending
on the time of year, you
may see any of a vast
array of flowering plants
along the trails, as
well as many species of
animals.
  
North
Beach
This scenic park is located on the banks of Take Taneycomo.
The park features a walking trail along the lake that connects to
the Branson Landing boardwalk making up 3/4 mile. Other park features include two
fishing docks, picnic tables, barbeque grills and horseshoe pits.
Stockstill Park Walking
Path
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.
  
Sunset Park Walking Path
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 9
hole 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.
Branson
RecPlex
The 42 acre Branson
RecPlex has quickly
become a popular destination for walkers. A a one
mile 8 ft asphalt
walking and biking path
that encircles the
outdoor complex.
Whether you walk a
leisurely pace or power walk for exercise, you will have lots to see
at the complex. Features of the complex
include an aquatic
center, a ball field complex,
soccer fields, a
large children's
playground, and four
picnic pavilions.
An outdoor restroom
located by the
playground in open year
round. Drinking
fountains are also located along the trail for your convenience. The park is
open from 6:00am to
11:00pm.
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