8 Picture-Perfect Towns In The Ozarks
The Ozarks is a breathtaking highland area in the central United States, showcasing vast forests, diverse wildlife, and rural mountain communities. The region encompasses nearly 45,000 square miles of southern Missouri and northern Arkansas, along with smaller portions of northwest Oklahoma and the southeast corner of Kansas. Nestled in the rolling hills of the Ozarks, many small towns offer perfect opportunities for visitors to make lasting memories. Whether hiking through a dense forest, fishing in a fresh-water reservoir, or listening to the banjo strums of mountain folk music, there are endless experiences for visitors to encounter. Discover the best towns in the Ozarks where you can capture picture-perfect moments that can last for a lifetime.
Eureka Springs, Arkansas
This small community sits in the rolling hills of northern Arkansas and has a fascinating history as a place of healing and restoration. The town began in 1879 and became immensely popular during the Victorian era due to the natural hot springs that flowed nearby. With many old Victorian buildings to enhance its charm and legacy, Eureka Springs reflects a warm Old-world mountain ambiance. Today, the community is a thriving arts haven where visitors can explore its numerous galleries and eclectic shops while hiking the many wooded trails.
The Crescent Hotel is a historic landmark perched above the downtown area, where travelers can rejuvenate in a refreshing spa or explore the haunted hallways of a nineteenth-century building. Many visitors love exploring the numerous quirky shops filled with whimsical gifts and decor, like the Packrat's Paradise or the LadyBug Emporium. Be sure to experience fine dining at Le Stick Nouveau, which serves a six-course tasting menu, where every plate is a work of art and a culinary delight.
Nearby, the Thorncrown Chapel offers a beautiful photographic backdrop, as the stunning mountain chapel sits among elegant pines, offering visitors a chance to sit and reflect on the wonder of the natural beauty all around them.
Jasper, Arkansas
For outdoor enthusiasts who love to connect with nature, Jasper offers an abundance of picture-perfect moments. The town serves as the gateway for the Buffalo National River, providing visitors with ample hiking, biking, canoeing, and fishing opportunities. One of the best ways to experience the natural, unspoiled beauty of the Ozarks is to float or canoe down the river. Several float companies, like Rio Buffalo Outfitter or Buffalo Canoes, can arrange excursions along the water.
If you prefer to keep your feet on a trail, the Twin Falls trail (aka Triple Falls) is an easy hike to a secluded waterfall, or the Koen Interpretative Trail is a paved pathway that is great for kiddos or a family picnic. This area has a large population of elk that have been reintroduced to the area, and during the winter, it is a favorite spot for bald eagles, so keep your eyes peeled for these majestic creatures.
Jasper's town square is a mix of shops and small boutiques where you can find everything from art to rocks and beads to hillbilly souvenirs. Wild Hare Gifts and the Jasper Mercantile are two of the many unique gift shops to explore. If you need a place to eat, try the Cliff House Restaurant, about ten minutes south of town, for an incredible view and even better food.
Eminence, Missouri
The Alley Spring Mill is one of the most photographed spots in the Ozarks, with the large red grist mill creating a colorful contrast against the rushing spring waters. The grist mill sits on one of the largest natural springs in the Ozarks and is open for tours during the summer. The historic site is beautiful for a picnic, family gathering, or an unforgettable postcard moment.
Outdoor adventurers will love the numerous trails in and around Eminence, and with two beautiful state parks, the Current River State Park and the Echo Bluff State Park, there are plenty of scenic views to take in. There is excellent fishing on the Current River for anglers looking to snag some bluegill, smallmouth bass, or trout. If you camp or hike, watch for the herd of about twenty wild horses known to roam the area.
The Echo Bluff State Park has a rustic lodge and a great restaurant, The Creekside Grill. If you are downtown in Eminence, a great burger or BBQ can be had at Rolin' Bolins, a creative food truck where you can smell the charcoal long before you step up to the window to order.
Camdenton, Missouri
If you love snapping pictures of the ruins of an old castle, then there is a place on the Lake Of The Ozarks that you need to explore. The Ha Ha Tonka State Park is just five miles south of Camdenton and boasts castle ruins that make for a beautiful backdrop to photograph. The state park has many glorious trails that meander through the lush green forests or along the steep rock faces, offering beautiful views of the Lake of the Ozarks. These trails also have excellent wildlife and bird viewing opportunities. Don't be surprised to see deer, foxes, raccoons, and all sorts of bird species as you hike.
Of course, there are excellent water recreation activities, and many visitors discover this small town while fishing, boating, or water-skiing on the lake. Families will want to take the tour of Bridal Cave, with its hour-long stroll through an underground cave with its turquoise blue lakes, unusual rock formations, and a pleasant temperature of 60 degrees Fahrenheit. After you finish exploring the ruins, be sure to eat at the Trophy Room at the Old Kinderhook Resort. This farm-to-table restaurant is one of the best in the state, and its rustic Western motif makes for a meal to remember.
Grove, Oklahoma
The Grand Lake of the Cherokees offers a fantastic attraction known as Har-ber Village, which is open every summer. This museum showcases a variety of antiquities, artifacts, and collectibles from the pioneers who settled in the region in the late 1800s. The Village is located right on the lake, and you can take a two-mile walking trail that offers history lovers unique photo opportunities to explore.
Many people are attracted to the Grand Lake area to fish or boat, but there are also plenty of other activities to experience. Lendonwood Gardens is an eight-acre botanical paradise filled with flowers, azaleas, and shady tree-lined paths. Children will love feeding the brilliantly colored goldfish in the Koi ponds or watching the peacocks strut their plumage near the visitor's center. As a non-profit retreat, the gardens are one of the Ozark's true treasures. Monkey Island is nearby, featuring great golf with challenging championship courses. If you need a place to eat, The Summit Restaurant is part of the Shangri-La Resort, and as one of the top restaurants in the Ozarks, it sits at the highest point on the lake.
Hot Springs, Arkansas
The downtown district in Hot Springs is a picture-perfect delight, lined with older bathhouses that continue to soothe away the troubles of visitors just as they have for nearly 150 years. Visitors will enjoy walking along Bathhouse Row, a series of eight bathhouses run by the National Park Service. Most of the buildings house informative displays detailing the legacy of the healing waters, but a couple of them are still in operation. Buckstaff Bathhouse is open for reservations, inviting customers to soak in the warm mineral baths.
If you're interested in hiking, you can try out a series of interconnected trails that are easy to navigate. The Hot Springs and North Mountain Trails can be accessed up the grand staircase located behind the Fordyce Bathhouse. On the other hand, if you're looking for a longer walk into more remote sections of the park, the Sunset Trail is a great option.
The downtown area has a variety of shops and boutiques available for visitors. If you're looking for a delicious breakfast, you can check out the Pancake Shop and The Colonial Pancake and Waffle House, both of which have been competing for tourist business for years. Both establishments are popular, so don't be surprised if you have to wait for a table.
Mountain View, Arkansas
If you love the sound of mountain folk music, this little community in the Ozarks is the place to experience it. Mountain View is the home to an annual bluegrass festival every spring and another folk music festival in the fall that attracts some of the best performers in the country. Mountain View loves its legacy of hill-billy music, which is evident from all the banjo picking that goes on the rest of the year when local artists get together to play.
The Ozark Folk Center State Park is north of town, dedicated to preserving the music, crafts, and culture of mountain life. Their Craft Village is a great place to see over twenty working craftsmen create, demonstrate, and sell their unique items, from jewelry to blown glass. Hikers will want to explore the Steel Falls Trail, a 2.5-mile moderate hike that leads to a stunning 60-foot waterfall. The Mirror Lake Trail is in the Blanchard Recreation Area, and although it is a short hike, the reward is a picture-perfect view of a glassy, calm forest lake. For those who need a place to stay, Wildflower Bed and Breakfast on the Square is an excellent choice, with some of the best chocolate chip cookies you will ever try. For a quality pizza, try Tommy's Famous A Pizzeria (trust us, you will want to order the Fatboy).
Branson, Missouri
One of the best places to snap a photo and a memory is in Branson, Missouri. This popular tourist town can get crowded during the summer season as visitors flock to the area, but there is so much to see and do that it shouldn't be missed. Enjoy a high-quality music show with a nationally recognized performer, or wander through the iconic Titanic Museum, filled with artifacts and displays from the ill-fated voyage. Families will love exploring the Silver Dollar City amusement park, which was tailored after an 1880s mountain-living theme. The Park has some excellent roller coasters and rides, but the real appeal of the park is the actual musicians, craftsmen, and blacksmiths working to entertain the crowds.
Branson sits near Tablerock Lake, which is known for its excellent bass fishing, hiking, and camping venues. Don't forget to take in the downtown district of Branson, which has several wonderful shops. (Branson Landing is a good place to spend an afternoon if you want to shop until you drop). As far as dining goes, Branson has some of the best places to eat anywhere, including the Farmhouse Restaurant on Main or Mel's Hard Luck Diner, a '50s-themed restaurant on 76 Highway. if you want dinner and a show, try Dolly Parton's Dixieland Stampede.
The Ozarks are home to some of the most breathtaking landscapes in the country, characterized by their unspoiled natural beauty. Scattered throughout these majestic mountains are numerous small towns, each of which boasts an inviting rural hospitality, welcoming visitors to explore the tranquility and simplicity of rural life. While some areas may seem like tourist traps, most of the small towns offer visitors an opportunity to escape the chaos of city life and recharge their souls.
