Get outdoors this spring with these exclusive tours and activities at Dogwood Canyon Nature Park
This spring, experience new tours and activities at Dogwood Canyon Nature Park to see the Ozark Mountains like never before.
Dogwood Canyon is home to more than 10,000 acres of natural beauty and rugged scenery, including towering bluffs, waterfalls, creek beds, handcrafted bridges, and wildlife galore. It makes for the perfect getaway for nature lovers and conservationists with its hiking, biking, wildlife tours, horseback riding, and trout fishing.
Private Creek and Canyon Tour
Tag along with one of Dogwood Canyon’s knowledgeable guides through the vast landscape of Dogwood Creek and Little Indian Canyon. This new tour offers anglers, adventurers, and outdoor enthusiasts a new and exciting experience packed with the sights and sounds of the great outdoors.
This guided tour combines the excitement of trout fishing in pristine waters with the opportunity to ride a Tracker 800 through the wildlife pastures and untouched backcountry of the canyon.
Tours are available on Tuesdays and Thursdays from April through September and must be booked in advance online. Each tour lasts between three and a half and four hours.
Although it’s not required, guests should have prior fly-fishing experience to use fly rods; however, spinning rods will be provided to those who do not.
- Who can participate: The tour is available to guests ages 12 and up. Guests ages 14 years and younger will need to be accompanied by another guest of 18 years or older.
- Pricing and reservations: Private tours are available starting at $350 per vehicle. Price may vary based on date. Limited to two guests per tour/vehicle. Park admission is required separately.
- What’s included: All fishing gear will be provided.
Tours will be rescheduled in the event of inclement weather.
Other Activities and Things To Do
Whether you want to see wildlife up close and personal or spend an afternoon on the trails, Dogwood Canyon’s variety of activities are sure to be a hit for the entire family. Among the options:
Horseback Riding: Enjoy one of Dogwood Canyon’s most popular attractions, and explore the views of the Ozarks on horseback as you ride the trails of the park. One-hour rides are available starting at $40. For $140 per person, enjoy a Little Indian Creek lunch ride, which includes a provided lunch.
Wildlife Tours: Hop onto a tram or into the back of a jeep to get the full experience of Dogwood Canyon. During these tours, learn more about the park itself, see nature up close, and maybe even learn a few ancient secrets. A number of tours are available, including the Wildlife Kayak Tour, Private Wildlife Tours, and more, with a number of ways to see the park.
Trout Fishing: If you’re looking for a more self-guided, relaxed afternoon of fishing, check out Dogwood Canyon’s self-guided fishing options, available for $20 per hour for adults and $15 per hour for children.
Hiking and Biking: Dogwood Canyon features some of the most breathtaking views of the Ozarks. Explore 9 miles of nature trails and 6 miles of paved paths throughout the park, either on foot or rent a bike onsite to enjoy the fresh air.
Educational Activities: The mission of the park goes back to conservation and education. Dive into the rich history of the Ozark mountains and learn about conservation with yearly and seasonal interactive educational activities. View this year’s programs and daily events at dogwoodcanyon.org/educational-activities.
All Dogwood Canyon activities require daily admission tickets.
What People Are Saying About Dogwood Canyon
Dogwood Canyon is a beloved destination for both locals and tourists, earning more than 1,200 five-star reviews on TripAdvisor. With a 4.5-rating, Dogwood Canyon stands atop many lists of the best things to do in the region, especially for those who love the outdoors.
Here’s what guests are saying:
- Dogwood Canyon is a must do! “What an amazing experience! A high class & reasonably priced way to enjoy nature and spend the day with the family. From the bike ride to the tram tour, it was extremely enjoyable for everyone. Joe, our tram driver, was such a wealth of knowledge. His passion for the park was infectious that even my teenagers loved it! So glad we went.” —CrissyARivera
- Hidden Gem: “Recommended by a friend. Beautiful setting, wonderful facilities, informative. The trolley ride was comfortable and informative. Lots of parking. Clean bathrooms. Great exhibits. Friendly personnel. Most importantly, all proceeds go to education and conservation.” —Rex S.
- Amazing Day: “A group of us girls, age 46–80 came to the park to spend the day. We took the tram tour and Angela was our tour guide. She was so sweet and knowledgeable. We learned a lot and had a blast with her. She took great care of the older guests and gave us plenty of time at stops to get good photos, etc. The Park is stunning, so well maintained, I cannot say enough positive things. If I lived in Branson I would definitely spend time hiking, walking, fishing here often. The elk and bison got close enough to touch (we did not, of course). Highly recommend.” —Carrie
2024 Summer EdVenture Camps
Do you have an animal lover or future conservationist in your home? Consider checking out Wonders of Wildlife’s annual Summer EdVenture Camps.
In a fun and safe environment, students will further their knowledge in the areas of biology, chemistry, Earth science, engineering, fishing, hunting, and survival. Guests can also apply for financial aid scholarships.
Below are some of the upcoming camps for kids. Find the full listing online.
- Ages: Grades 9–12
- Times: 8 a.m.–5 p.m.
- Details: Venture into unseen parts of the park not available to everyday guests. Each day will include an excursion to a different part of the park on foot, horseback, and wheels, where participants will investigate, collect, and analyze data in the field.
- Price: $320
Stickers, Stingers, and Fangs!: July 8–11
- Ages: Grades 6–8
- Times: 8 a.m.–5 p.m.
- Details: Bravery, curiosity, and a sense of adventure are necessary as participants search for insects, arachnids, and other creepy crawlies. Learn safe and ethical methods of capturing, collecting, and encountering these critters and the essential roles these animals fill in their communities.
- Price: $270
- Ages: Grades 6–8
- Times: 8 a.m.–5 p.m.
- Details: Step back in time to discover some of the earliest residents of the Ozarks while exploring Dogwood Canyon. Search for fossilized sea creatures, marvel at giant ice age mammals, and try tools that early humans used in this all-new archaeology meets paleontology EdVenture. Includes a trip to the Ancient Ozarks Museum at Top of The Rock.
- Price: $280
Trackin’ & Trappin’: July 29–August 1
- Ages: Grades 6–8
- Times: 8 a.m.–5 p.m.
- Details: The forest is an intersecting highway for many animals we rarely see. Learn how to mount and monitor a wild-game camera, create a track trap, and identify game trails as you track down the animals of Dogwood Canyon.
- Price: $270
- Ages: Grades 6–8
- Times: 8 a.m.–5 p.m.
- Details: From the forest to the stream, students will explore the natural beauty of Dogwood Canyon. Each day, experience a new part of the park through various hands-on activities such as conducting stream surveys, going kayaking, and learning to identify common native plants.
- Price: $300
This post was created by SLM Partner Studio on behalf of Dogwood Canyon Nature Park.To plan your trip to Dogwood Canyon visit them online at www.dogwoodcanyon.org
