The ad for a 2-1/2 mile golf cart tour piqued my curiosity with its promise of rock formations, trees, flowers, bridges, waterfalls, and views of Table Rock Lake. So, on March 17, 2023, we loaded Laura and the grandkids in the pickup and headed for Top of the Rock Ozark Heritage Preserve near Branson, Missouri.

Golf Cart Tour

Bass Pro Shops founder, Johnny Morris, created the preserve and developed Big Cedar Lodge along with five golf courses and other amenities.

Tickets are timed to limit the number of golf carts on the trail at any given time, which was good because cart parking at the pullout areas was limited. We bundled up in our jackets, put the pedals to the metal, and puttered down the trail.

We finished our golf cart tour and then rode the shuttle to Top of the Rock. We had lunch at Arnie’s Barn, one of several restaurants on the property. Arnie’s Barn served up some tasty Mexican-inspired cuisine. The food, along with the bird’s-eye view of the construction activity going on outside, made for a relaxing and entertaining meal.

Besides Arnie’s Bar, Top of the Rock also includes the Osage Restaurant and Buffalo Bar the museum and End of the Trail All-American Wine Cellar. This is also where the Chapel of the Ozarks, Jack’s Cabin, the Arnold Palmer Practice Facility, and pro shop are located.

When a sinkhole opened up in May 2015 near the golf course, Morris said, “No worries. Instead of filling it in, we’ll excavate it and create The Cathedral of Nature.” Well, maybe not those exact words. I imagine there was a bit of hand wringing and stomach churning before the engineers made their assessment. During our visit, heavy equipment roamed over the red earth, shaping and forming the land into a vision of what the Cathedral of Nature will become.

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Imagine a wedding at the Chapel of the Ozarks. Inside are 23-foot ceilings, pews to accommodate up to 180 guests and a spectacular view of Table Rock Lake. A sunset wedding would be the best for capturing the “golden hour” light.

Ancient Ozarks Museum

Ancient Ozarks Museum encompasses 35,000 square foot. Exhibits showcase approximately 75,000 artifacts. The Ozarks’ history, Native American artifacts, the Wild West period, and Civil War are all featured. The photos below are a sample of the art and artifacts in the museum.

Also included in the museum are words of wisdom attributed to Native Americans. Words of wisdom too many people have never learned, have forgotten, or just don’t care.

A Short History and Other Amenities at the Preserve

After Morris purchased the property in 1987, he restored two buildings built by previous owners and began building his wilderness resort. Big Cedar Lodge opened in 1988. It encompasses 4.600 acres and includes a wooded hollow. The lodge overlooks the 43,000-acre Table Rock Lake. Guests can rent rooms in the lodge, in lakeside cottages, and in private log cabins. For one of the exclusive accommodations, book a stay in Jack’s Cabin.

The resort is a golfer’s dream with five golf courses to play. Famous golfers Jack Nicklaus, Arnold Palmer, and Tiger Woods each had a hand in designing one of the five golf courses.

In addition, there are two marinas, one public and one private, that have boat rentals, ski schools, guided fishing, and boat cruises.

Conservation, the environment, and ecology are top priorities for Morris and his companies. Throughout all aspects of their operations—land management, restaurants, accommodations, or the other amenities offered to its guests—best practices are considered and incorporated in the day-to-day activities.

Our visit to Top of the Rock receives a top rating from all of us and we highly recommend the resort for a visit. We hope to come back again, maybe book an RV site, and stay awhile.

Up Next: Laura Ingalls Wilder Home and Museum in Mansfield, Missouri

Safe Travels