Both A Restaurant And A Park, Missouri's Dogwood Canyon Nature Park Is An Underrated Day Trip Destination
By Beth Price-Williams|Published May 28, 2021
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Beth Price-Williams
Author
A professional writer for more than two decades, Beth has lived in nearly a dozen states – from Missouri and Virginia to Connecticut and Vermont – and Toronto, Canada. In addition to traveling extensively in the U.S. and the U.K., she has a BA in Journalism from Point Park University (PA), a MA in Holocaust & Genocide Studies from Stockton University (NJ), and a Master of Professional Writing from Chatham University (PA). A writer and editor for Only In Your State since 2016, Beth grew up in and currently lives outside of Pittsburgh and when she’s not writing or hanging out with her bunnies, budgies, and chinchilla, she and her daughter are out chasing waterfalls.
A day trip is never quite complete without a delicious restaurant on the itinerary. That’s just one reason Missouri’s Dogwood Canyon Nature Park provides an idyllic backdrop for a day trip. In addition to an enchanting restaurant that overlooks a waterfall, the park boasts a full menu of fun activities for the whole family.
Sprawled out over 10,000 acres in Lampe, Dogwood Canyon Nature Park is one of those destinations that is perfect no matter the season you visit. (There is an admission fee to the nature park.)
If you’re hungry, pull up a chair at Mill & Grill Canyon Restaurant, which offers both indoor and outdoor seating and spectacular views of a cascading waterfall.
The rustic restaurant serves a little bit of everything – from appetizers, salads, and soups to hearty sandwiches. Try such classics as the bison burger or the fried catfish sandwich.
Bringing the kiddos along? They have quite a few kids’ meals from which to choose, including house made corndogs, house made mac and cheese, and pizza.
Save some room for dessert, or stop back after a bit of exploration for a tasty treat. The charming restaurant dishes up apple cobbler, pecan pie, and ice cream sundaes.
Good food isn’t the only thing you’ll find at the nature park. You just have to decide what you want to do first. Hiking or biking is an ideal way to explore the park that’s dotted with several waterfalls, creeks, and other lush scenery.
Dogwood Canyon also offers several horseback riding tours, including a 2.5-hour tour that includes a delicious lunch. Or, you can opt for the one-hour scenic tour.
Have you been to Missouri’s Dogwood Canyon Nature Park? Share your experience in the comments! If you’re up for a day – or even longer – of non-stop fun and good food, plan a visit to Branson, a small town with a ton of outdoor attractions.
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