7 Great Places to Explore in The Ozarks Across 3 Different States

Jul 24, 2024

There’s only a few weeks of summer, but that doesn’t mean we’re not going to live it up to the fullest! Today, we’re exploring The Ozarks, a destination known for its pristine clean air, sparkling lakes, pristine rivers, lush forests, and plenty of adventures and attractions for families. If you’re looking for a great place to wind down the last few moments of Summer vacation this year, this is the road trip that you simply must make! Take a few days to enjoy the stunning mountain towns and gorgeous green landscapes before you head back to work and start school for the semester. It’s all right here on today’s blog!

Explore These Seven Great Summer Spots to Explore in the Ozarks

Lake of the Ozarks (MO)

This is prime time vacation real estate no matter what you’re looking for! Whether you love to enjoy some time on the water or enjoy boating, canoeing, kayaking, paddleboarding, or fishing, you’ll find lots of beaches and docks to do just that. If you prefer to take the tourist route, you can enjoy some golfing, shopping, and lakefront dining options. For those who want to get lost in the mountains, there’s plenty of trail hikes, horseback riding, camping, and even caverns to explore.

Johnson’s Shut-In State Park (MO)

We’ve covered several areas of this park in previous travel guides, but there’s no harm in highlighting its beauty once again! You’ll find some unique swimming holes along the river, a boardwalk trail through multiple wildlife habitat areas, a natural rock waterslide, and plenty of spots for anglers to catch a prize-winner. This is a spectacular camping area if you’re looking to spend some time in the great outdoors.

Elephant Rocks State Park (MO)

This unique parkland is home to an astounding number of giant granite boulders, arranged naturally to hearken the shape of a train of circus elephants marching together. These sparkling pink rocks are a site to see in all seasons, but especially beautiful in the summer sun. Kids and kids-at-heart will love the experience of scaling the boulders and the surrounding trails, taking in the sights and sounds of the Ozarks as they go along. And as far as large parks go, this one is also especially popular due to its accessibility; the Braille Trail was especially designed to accommodate people with visual and physical disabilities to afford them a uniquely accessible point of view.

Eureka Springs City (AR)

This Ozark Mountain city is located in the Northwest portion of Arkansas. It’s a charming district filled with historically preserved Victorian Buildings, and centered around the city’s natural springs. It’s a destination full of unique character and old-timey charm such as unique shops, , chock full of art galleries and boutiques, numerous museums to explore, historic ghost tours to get your adrenaline going, spas to restore and rejuvenate, and of course lots of adventures to be had in the pristine wildlife and nature preserve.

Ozark National Forest (AR)

While the summer sun blazes hot in the sky, this area is a great place to visit to cool off! Jump into the sparkling pools at Blanchard Springs Caverns or the Steel Creek Swimming Hole. Grab a paddleboard, canoe, or kayak and enjoy a leisurely float down the Buffalo River. Explore the waterfalls in the region including Accord Hollow Falls, Adkins Canyon Falls, Bear Skull Falls, and Big Creek Cave Falls just to name a few!

Horseshoe Canyon Ranch (AR)

This adventure destination offers some unique chances to experience the Ozarks like never before. Take a ride along the longest zipline in Arkansas; go bouldering and climbing on any of the 900 routes available, including a “Via Ferrata” option; enjoy some magnificent opportunities for stargazing; explore the numerous trails for hiking, mountain biking, and more. There are cabins to rent for a taste of rustic life with amenities of home, or select one of the outdoor campsites if you prefer to camp under the stars. Stop by the Trading Post to rent some gear and do a little shopping, or enjoy a nice meal at the Lodge Restaurant (open 5 days a week to the public) for local, home cooked hearty meals.

Grand Lakes State Park (OK)

This beautiful state park in northeast Oklahoma is open year round, and features 1,300 miles of shoreline, access to the nearby 13,000 acre Spavinaw Hills Game Management Area, and 46,500 surface area of Grand Lake itself. The State Park has six main areas around the lake: Bernice Area, Cherokee Area, Disney Area, Little Blue Area, Honey Creek Area, Spavniaw Area, and Twin Bridges area. Each section offers unique campgrounds and campsites, parking areas, picnic spaces, lake access with swimming beaches, restrooms, playgrounds and more. You and your guests can select your type of camping preference, too, with plenty of sites available for RVs or tents. Hiking, boating, fishing, hunting, and more are permitted in designated areas and trails.