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Nature
lovers will find numerous places on Indian Point and in the surrounding areas
to experience the Ozark Mountain environment. Nature trails, nature parks,
forest preserves, national rivers and streams throughout the area provide acres
and miles of natural areas for hiking, biking, canoeing, kayaking, bird
watching, outdoor scenery and wildlife photography and much more. Indian Point
actively supports the Ozark Mountain Nature Trails Association and is currently
developing trails on Indian Point and along Table Rock Lake. (Opening dates to
be announced.) Here are some of the outdoor nature areas easily accessible from
Indian Point:
Dogwood Canyon Nature Park is a 10,000 acre wilderness
refuge where herds of elk, bison and Texas longhorns roam along with whitetail
deer, turkey and other wildlife. Crystal clear Dogwood Creek flows through the
park, rippling over ledge-rock falls and swirling under the stone bridge, with
elusive rainbow trout flashing just below the surface. Visitors can learn about
the Fire Pit Cave, the Great Spirit Rock Shelter and the oldest human remains
discovered in Missouri. Trout fishing and horseback riding can also be enjoyed.
The park is accessible by a guided open-air tram tours or a self-guided hiking
and biking path.
The
Shepherd of the Hills Trout Hatchery & Visitor Center, located next
to Table Rock Dam, is the largest trout hatchery in Missouri. The Visitor
Center has free exhibits, aquariums and slide shows describing hatchery
operations as well as self-guided tours of the hatchery. You can even buy fish
food to feed the hungry trout.
The
Corps of Engineers Dewey Short Visitors Center on Table Rock Lake
features a four-season exhibit displaying the sights and sounds of the Ozarks
and cultural/historical presentation of Ozark life. A 176-seat auditorium
displays audio/visual programs on the fascinating construction of Table Rock
Dam and the areas commitment to preserving the environment. Also, visitors can
take conducted tours inside the Table Rock Dam Powerhouse.
Henning State Forest is located on Highway 76 just east of
Indian Point. Visitors can explore 1,530 acres of scenic Ozark back country on
miles of walking trails. Labels on trees provide a nature tutorial.
Lakeside Forest Wilderness Area is a 130-acre park located on
Fall Creek Road, just south of Highway 76. The park’s rugged hiking trails
offer scenic views. A two-mile stretch of the wilderness area is along the Lake
Taneycomo shoreline.
Roaring River State Park is located 7 miles south of Cassville,
Missouri on Highway 112. More than 20 million gallons of water gush daily from
Roaring river spring to form the headwaters of Roaring River. The stream is
stocked daily during trout season and provides excellent fishing for rainbow
trout. Much of the 3,403-acre park has been preserved in its natural state.
Facilities include a swimming pool, hiking trails, a store and a horse stable.
The
Busiek State Forest and Wildlife Conservation Area is located X miles
north of Branson, covering 2,505 acres of mostly forested steep and rocky
hills. The Woods Fork and Camp Creek each flow across 2.5 miles of the area.
Visitors can enjoy self-guided hikes on around 5 miles of nature trails. Biking
and horseback riding are available on vehicle roads and in designated areas.
There’s also an unattended public shooting range.
The
Drury-Mincy Conservation Area is located 12 miles southeast of Branson
off Highway J. This 5,699-acre wildlife area was the Missouri Conservation
Department’s first deer refuge and is also known for its flocks of native
wild turkeys. The area’s rolling hills contain bluestem glades and oak
savannas, with creeks that wind through stands of wild cane. Visitors can enjoy
hiking, bird-watching and fishing as well as seasonal deer hunting and archery
turkey hunting.
The
Hercules Glade Wilderness is located about 8 miles east of Forsyth,
Missouri.
This
12,315 acre wilderness encompasses some of the most scenic and unique country
in the area. It is a combination of open grassland, forested knobs, steep rocky
hillsides and a narrow creek. About 42 miles of rugged trails follow Long Creek
or climb the surrounding mountains. Three trailheads, one with a picnic area
and lookout tower, offer access to different ends of the park.
The
Piney Creek Wilderness is located about 26 miles west of Indian Point on
Highway 76 near Cassville, Missouri. This 8,142 acre wilderness features
ridge-tops rising more than 400 feet above the hollows. Piney Creek, with its
numerous small springs, is the principal stream and its entire five-mile
watershed lies within the wilderness The area has about 13 miles of hiking
trails.
Glade Top Trail, near Bradleyville, Missouri off Highway 125,
is a self-guided driving tour belonging to the National Forest Scenic Byways
System. Visitors can enjoy scenic vistas, natural communities, a variety of
plants and wildlife and historic sites. The pull-offs at Hayden Bald Natural
Area, Three Sisters Glades and Caney Lookout Tower all offer beautiful views of
the landscape. Enjoy the dazzling yellow, orange and red leaf display in
October and dogwood blooms in the spring.
The
Ozark Highlands Trail is located about 2 hours south of Branson. This
trail stretches 165 miles across the Ozark National Forest and is recognized as
one of the most scenic trails in the United States. The trail travels through a
wide variety of forest landscapes ranging from lower stream-side elevations to
high ridges. Scenic bluff and rock formations along the higher elevations can
be found along most sections of the trail. Forest cover varies from newly
established stands of pine and hardwood trees to older, mature
stands. |
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