Branson, Missouri, well-known for its big-name shows and attractions, has another side, a side that you have to experience to truly connect with the community, the history, and the culture of the area. I call it Branson’s Natural Side.  

Many Branson visitors are time-share owners or guests familiar with Big Cedar Lodge, a large timeshare property located in Ridgedale, roughly 10 ½ miles south-southwest of Branson on Top of the Rock Road. But if you’re a newcomer to the area and your trip itinerary doesn’t already include a visit to the Top of the Rock attractions, immediately add it to the top tier of your vacation plans.

Top of the Rock, officially known as Johnny Morris’ Top of the Rock Ozarks Heritage Preserve, is situated at the highest elevation in all of Taney County and provides an unobstructed view of the Ozark Mountains and Table Rock Lake. There’s golf, dining, and shopping there but it’s also home to two must-see attractions: the Ancient Ozarks Natural History Museum and the Top of the Rock Lost Canyon Cave & Nature Trail.

These attractions are so important to the appreciation of the area that you have to see them both. Fortunately, you can buy the Top of the Rock’s Adventure Pass for admission to both and save money compared to paying the individual ticket prices.  Each attraction deserves its own separate post in order to adequately delve in-depth enough to do it justice. There are plans for a future Breeze Traveler post about the Ancient Ozarks Natural History Museum, a vast, spectacular collection of Native American, Civil War, regional, and prehistoric artifacts but this post is dedicated to the Lost Canyon Cave & Nature Trail. Continue reading »