Take in the Sights
At Dogwood Canyon Adventure Park, 10,000 acres have been developed by John Morris, founder of Bass Pro Shops. Visitors take guided tours of the natural environment by Segway, horses and trams. Bison, elk and more are part of the sights, and Berry advises groups to plan for a gourmet steak dinner or a hot dog roast at the park’s pavilion at the end of the day.
“With commentary about conservation in the area, this is educational as well as flat-out gorgeous. Morris does everything with impeccable thought and is determined to have everyone enjoy the great outdoors. From marking the parking spots with painted trout to animal fixtures in the bathroom to the handcrafted signs in the entrance road, it’s awesome.”
Tours are also available at College of the Ozarks. This is one of only a few schools in the country where students do not pay tuition or take loans, and all are employed on campus. From the greenhouse to the business office to maintenance, visitors meet student workers who will graduate debt-free.
At the college’s Keeter Center, a rustic-design lodge, visitors can take advantage of 15 hotel suites decorated in Ozark style. The large, log-style dining room boasts some of the tastiest food in Branson, including homemade ice cream, and is supervised by a professional chef; all the food is prepared and served by students.
