Ozark Mountains vacation rentals

The Ozark Mountains stretch across nearly 50,000 square miles of land from southeastern Missouri to northwestern Arkansas. Oak and hickory forests cover the mountain range, brimming with lush green vegetation and flowering dogwood trees. The core of the Ozark Mountains is set within the Ozark National Forest, where hikes like the Whitaker Point Trail pass by waterfalls draped with ferns, ending with a stunning lookout point of the valley below. Freshwater springs from the mountains feed into the Jack Fork and Current Rivers in southern Missouri, combining at a narrow canyon. This protected area makes up the 135-mile Ozark National Scenic Riverways, where you can swim and explore the clear waters by canoe or kayak.

Small towns in the Ozark Mountains hover the border between Arkansas and Missouri, where historic sites like the Shiloh Museum of Ozark History and the Saunders Museum shed light on the Ozark’s heritage. Between the two museums, you can see thousands of relics including prehistoric animal exhibits and weapons and tools used by the area’s first explorers. In contrast, you will find mixed media art displays packed into the Crystal Bridges Contemporary Museum of American Art, a modern, glass building at the foothills of the Ozark Mountains that is surrounded by thick forest brush and outdoor sculptures.

You can expect rain and cloudy skies throughout the year in the Ozark Mountains. The summer is hot and the rainiest season. One of the best ways to escape the muggy heat is swimming at natural pools in the Ozark National Forest, like Falling Water Falls, where cascades flow into a deep swimming hole. Winter weather is usually cold and gloomy. However, the Ozark Mountains Music Festival takes place in January. The live music event features bluegrass, folk, and Americana artists from across the United States, performing in northwestern Arkansas’ section of the Ozarks.

Fall weather is crisp and comfortable. In central Missouri’s section of the Ozark Mountains, you can see the oak trees that surround the Lake of the Ozarks alternate between green, yellow, and red hues this time of year. Spring is warm and cloudy with patches of colorful wildflowers spread across the forest, including rare blue violets and the native Ozark wild crocus flower. Branson hosts the Branson Music Festival this time of year, featuring live folk and country music set amid the backdrop of the Ozark Mountains.

Buffalo National River

An hour-long drive from southeastern Missouri or northwestern Arkansas, the Buffalo National River is set between towering rock bluffs topped with lush green trees. You can rent a canoe or kayak on-site to explore the 135-mile river or hike the serene half-mile River Overlook Trail for panoramic views of the Buffalo River from above.

Ancient Ozark Natural History Museum

About 30 minutes south of Branson, the Ancient Ozark History Museum houses thousands of artifacts and remains from prehistoric animals that used to roam the Ozarks, including giant sloths and mammoths. Artifacts from the first settlers of the Ozark Mountains are also on display here, including arrowheads, wagons, and clothes worn by the earliest native settlers.

Dogwood Canyon Nature Park

Located a half-hour between Branson, Missouri and Eureka Springs, Arkansas, the 10,000-acre Dogwood Canyon Nature Park sits near the border of both states. On the six-mile Dogwood Canyon Trail, you can explore the park’s flowing waterfalls and lush dogwood trees by rental bike or on foot, while looking out for local wildlife like bison, elk, and deer.