Dogwood Canyon offers the perfect opportunity to explore stunning natural beauty and the Ozarks’ history on a sunny summer day.
May 2024
From scenic trails and guided tours to fishing adventures and nature centers, Dogwood Canyon Nature Park welcomes explorers of every kind.
PRESENTED BY
Dogwood Canyon Nature Park offers something for everyone, with family-friendly hikes, nature-filled adventures and immersive outdoor experiences.
Explore scenic trails and dive into the park’s rich history with adventures this summer. The park’s stunning landscapes and unique offerings invite visitors to connect with nature and heritage in unforgettable ways.
For families looking to explore the beauty of Dogwood Canyon this summer, there’s something for everyone—from easy hikes to scenic tram tours that showcase the park’s stunning landscapes and wildlife.
Easy hikes: Dogwood Canyon has six and a half miles of paved paths and two miles of off-road trails, winding past crystal-clear streams, cascading waterfalls and native wildlife. Visitors also enjoy their half-mile Hickory Ridge Trail.
Tram tours: Visitors hop aboard open-air trams for a two-hour narrated tour through Dogwood Canyon, passing by bluffs and waterfalls along the way. The route crosses the Arkansas border into the Bison-Elk Country pasture, where passengers get an up-close look at some of the largest residents of the park. Other stops include the 1800s-style Hope Wedding Chapel, Thunder Falls Crossing and The Glory Hole—a pool where visitors can feed some of the largest trout in the park.
There are beautiful waterfalls along the way through Dogwood Canyon Nature Park.
On the guided wildlife tour at Dogwood Canyon Nature Park, guests can try fly fishing for trout.
You never know the kind of wildlife you might encounter on a wildlife tour at Dogwood Canyon Nature Park.
Dogwood Canyon offers guided wildlife tours and scenic waterfall hikes, providing the perfect opportunity to explore the park’s stunning landscapes and wildlife.
Guided wildlife tours: Guides lead guests to prime fishing spots along Dogwood Creek before heading off-road through Little Indian Canyon’s rugged terrain on the Private Creek and Canyon Tour. The three-and-a-half to four-hour tour includes trout fishing and a ride on a Tracker 800 through wildlife pastures and untouched backcountry. All gear is provided. Fly rods are available for experienced anglers and spinning rods are offered for beginners.
Waterfall hikes: Amid all the beautiful natural scenery at Dogwood Canyon Nature Park, you’ll find waterfalls tucked along the way.
Dogwood Canyon Nature Park offers horseback riding, led by experienced wranglers.
Dogwood Canyon Nature Park offers horseback riding, led by experienced wranglers.
For a different kind of adventure, guests can take to the trails on horseback, hop on a bike or cast a line in Dogwood Creek.
Biking: Guests can bring their own bikes or rent a bike at Dogwood Canyon for $15 a day and cruise along miles of paved, gently sloping paths. Guided bicycle tours are also offered on select days. On this leisurely one-and-a-half to two-hour bicycle tour, starting at the Conservation Center, guests pedal along Dogwood Creek as an educator shares insights about the canyon’s natural beauty.
Horseback riding: Dogwood Canyon offers a one-hour horseback riding experience and a two and a half hour lunch ride. Guests saddle up for a leisurely ride as experienced wranglers lead the way through ridges, hollows and along old logging roads, offering scenic views at every turn. No horseback riding experience is needed to take part in this adventure.
Trout fishing: For $300, up to two guests can enjoy a guided trout fishing experience with an expert, complete with fly casting and tying lessons, plus insider tips for catching rainbow trout throughout the canyon. Guests can also trout fish on their own for $20 an hour for adults and $15 an hour for children.
Dogwood Canyon offers a journey through the past, with interactive experiences like the Mission Conservation scavenger hunt, a working gristmill, an artifact hall showcasing the region’s heritage and so much more.
Mission Conservation: Free with park admission, Mission Conservation is a virtual scavenger hunt. Visitors can download Dogwood Canyon’s gaming app to elevate their hike by finding and completing mini activities throughout the park. Upon completing the mission, guests can return to the Nature Center or Gift Shop to collect their rewards.
The Dogwood Mill and Artifact Hall: The 25-foot Dogwood Mill preserves Ozark gristmill traditions, powered by the cold waters of Little Indian Creek. Featuring original gristmill stones from Virginia, it offers an interactive look at Ozark milling history. Visitors can watch the mill in action and then explore the artifact hall, where they’ll discover lithics from the Osage tribes and learn about the canyon’s rich history.
Visit the treehouse: Built by the team from Animal Planet’s hit TV show, Treehouse Masters, visitors can explore the plant and wildlife resources Dogwood Canyon has available inside the treehouse.
